I'm not a big fan of King's novels, but as people kept encouraging me to try his short stories, I picked this up. The stories are well-written, entertaining, and occasionally brilliant. They run the gamut from serial killers to ghost stories to a Lovecraft tribute and made for a great read. ( )

I've heard that some of these stories were previously published, I myself haven't read any before. I do remember The Cat from Hell being part of Tales from the Darkside the movie.
Among my favorites was The Gingerbread Girl. I could not put the book down while reading this one. It's classic King, suspenseful, creepy, with a touch of sarcastic humor when you least expect it. I love that about him. When you're heart is pounding, just at that scary moment, King will add humor that will make you burst out with nervous laughter. Maybe some who have read his books will know what I mean. I can see this short story being made into a tv movie.
For the most part, I did enjoy most of the stories in this collection. However, there were a few I didn't like. Rest Stop for example is one I didn't enjoy. It wasn't boring, but I wanted creepy and scary; this wasn't.

I don't know what it is about Kings work lately, I didn't enjoy his past two books, Lisey's Story and Duma Key. For me, his older stuff is better. And his short stories are usually great. My favorite short story collection of his is Everything's Eventual.
read my full review here
http://thebookworm07.blogspot.com/200... ( )

Well, I've read the first two stories. I bought this book at the airport as a treat because The Author, in his intro, says, maybe Dear Reader is at the airport and needs divertment? Why yes, I did. Early Stephen's work grabs me around the throat and won't let go, streamlined character development or not.

This wasn't my favorite collection of short stories, but it still gave me goosebumps a few times. The stories themselves seemed to be filled with deeper meaning at times and less designed for the simple fear factor. I love the Gingerbread Girl, Willa, and The Things They Left Behind, each for different reasons. The Cat From Hell was fun too. ( )

One could say these are King at his most mature, or one could say there isn't the horror he earlier evidenced in his writings. And one could definitely say he has an anal obsession -- read "A very Tight Placel" and only someone with such an obsession cold write something like this. Bedsides, it underscores much of his other work. ( )