Great review! I started reading the book this morning. I agree that when I read a Stephen King book, it's like sitting down with an old friend. There is a sort of comfort there for me.
Steve king is too involved with fighting with politics and elon musk, he's not focused and uses chatgpt to help him write now. sad ending to his career
I think you've hit the nail on the head when you talk about that cosy feeling, like hanging out with an old friend. You might not always be doing the most exciting things together, but you know that the time spent will always be precious. I also started reading King when I was around 13 (23 years ago) and I've read all but 3 of his books. I can honestly say that even his lesser novels provide me with this feeling. I've read thousands of great books by various authors, but there's just something very special about how King tells a story. The only other author that's comes close to giving me a similar feeling is Robert McCammon.
it is funny how taste varies. Rattlesnakes was my favorite, such a great and creepy tale, and I also really liked Willie the Weirdo and Finn. All were good
As an Italian girl who loves King's novels and short stories, I can't wait to buy this new collection (The title chosen by Stephen King's italian editor is "Salto nel buio") and listen to every review and analysis here on YT by Italian youtubers as well :D But, for now, I thank you for your spoiler-free analysis, it's genuinely encouraging to hear people like you that have been reading SK since many years ago, and love him and his books still now with the same passion! Good readings everyone! Pay attention to the dark corners of your house 👻
I gave the collection 4.5 stars, a lot of new favorites for me in this collection! a few of them are only good/pretty good, but for me, there weren't any bad ones. 1 Danny Coughlin's Bad Dream 2 Two Talented Bastids 3 The Answer Man 4 The Fifth Step 5 On Slide Inn Road 6 Laurie 7 Rattlesnakes 8 The Turbulence Expert 9 Willie the Weirdo 10 The Dreamers 11 Finn 12 Red Screen
Great review, Olly! Definitely connect with your feeling like spending time with an old friend when reading Stephen King. I almost always feel that way when reading his work. His style is so unpretentious and conversational.
Terrific review, Olly! 🤩 I got my copy on Tuesday. I plan on reading the collection during the summer. Like you, I’ve read Stephen King all my life (since 13) and agree with those vibes of hanging out with an old friend. I’m most excited to read “Rattlesnakes.” Your review makes me even more excited to read the collection. 😊
emjoyed your review! one thing I really ENJOY about your reviews is that you don't OVER sell or over hype it. i see a lot of reviews or people discuss ANY media really and they seem so over animated that it takes away from it. you remain calm but yet we know youre excited about it. i hope that makes sense! i really enjoyed You Like it Darker! I have read all of Sir King's works and I am actually enjoying some re-reads... i am reading Desperation again. I last read this back in high school over 20 years ago..
You're spot on with your comments again, of course. That sense of nostalgic familiarity when you settle in to read this one is pretty awesome to feel. I get the same feeling from a few other writers that I've read for years, and it is something that can rarely be beaten, if ever. It's like a warm blanket of comfort that you only get from a few authors who have managed to hold your interest.
I'm about 36% in and liking it a lot so far. I rolled my eyes a bit in the first story revealed it's secret, but after that it's been good so far. I'm reading D.C. bad dream and loving it. I actually enjoyed the The 5th step and Weird Willie. 5th feels like it could have been in Night Shift and WW reminded me of Grandma in Skeleton Crew.
I just finished and I really liked the first story - I agree it felt like King was sitting next to me just rambling but it was so pleasant to hang out with him. Great review!
Fourth Story In, ‘Danny Coughlin……’ A Standout I’m enjoying The King’s ‘You Like It Darker’ tremendously. I’m alternating between reading it / then listening to it on Audible on my daily walks - Will Patton is an extraordinary narrator (love his work). I’m a huge fan of The King’s Novellas, and ‘Danny Coughlin’s Bad Dream’ is an engaging one, brilliant. Some might get the link to Dennis Lehane’s The Given Day Anyway onto the Fifth.
I absolutely agree with you on the analogy of how reading King’s books is like having a good old chat with an old friend. I too started reading King when I was in my early teens and starting the first page was very much like a “hello there, where have you been?” kind of feeling. I bought the ebook yesterday but only started reading it this evening. I’ve read up to nearly 50% already, having just finished Danny Coughlin’s Bad Dream (a million X WOW) but I think this book is going to make me stay up all night because so far, all the stories are riveting! Thanks for your review. From a Constant Reader in Malaysia 🇲🇾❤️
I get the same cozy feeling when I read Kate Atkinson. King is a writer I’ve come to enjoy more and more as he and I have become older. My favorite thing about his work is his intros to the short story collections. Odd, I know, but they are so entertaining to me. 🦋
I did do a video in the early days of the channel where I rank all the books of his that I’d read at that point. I think what I’ll do when I’ve finished the last 4 books of his that I have to read is a tier ranking of everything
Being a certain age is like being in a group of people who share a common experience and history. Quite a while ago, before I stopped watching the news, there was a case like Danny Caughlin's Bad Dream. In New York City, some called the police. They found a dead body in a lot between two buildings. The caller refused to give his name. It was big news for a few days. The police just wanted to find the caller. They said, he wasn't a suspect but they wanted to find the caller. They asked the public if they had seen anyone in the location during the call. They identified the young woman. She had last been seen at a bar and had left late. The police were combing the area where the call was made. They talked to everyone living in the area and rounded up the homeless to interview them. The police said it was just a matter of time before they caught the person who made the call. For a few days, all the police cared about was finding this caller. I, at the time, thought, "This is insane. Why are they blaming the person who found the body?" Then the Hot coverage of the crime ended. The bartender found out who killed the girl. The bar owner had hired a new bouncer, and he had left with the girl. The bouncer had just left prison three days later. The bouncer had been gone to prison for rape. The bartender got the bouncer drunk and he admitted he killed the girl. For a few days, the regular broadcast was interrupted by the police doing a press conference. "We will have the caller soon." the police said. The nightly news had the dead girl's parent demanding to be told who the caller was. They had experts explaining how killers liked to report where bodies were. After they arrested the bouncer, no one talked about the caller again. Watching the news, I felt like the only sane person in a nation of lunatics. It's scary to see how society really functions. I'm sure King saw the same story. We as people have to work hard not to be caught in the mindlessness of society.
I just finished the book and I really enjoyed it as well! I love king and as you said his writing is very natural. I did love the bad dream story as well and it was one of the best in the collection. The first story was the most forgettable for me. Dreamers was awesome! Great review!!
The fastest trigger in UK. I always wait for new King's books, but I expext it only around september; you announced me this one. I've bought inpaper, starting just right now. Thanks!
This is a wonderful video Olly. You're so warm and honest speaking about King it makes me consider picking him back up. We can't approach him as high literature but a fun friend that you've known forever.
@@CriminOllyBlog yeah, at first I thought he was ripping off “A good man is hard to find”, there was the twist in genders, and then his afternote ‘thinking of Flannery O’ Connor’ it kind of made me reexamine it
I just started reading this collection - and last night finished the 'Bad Dream' novella. It's funny how readers can have different perceptions - i.e., I don't think the opening story is "rambling" at all; I think it's nicely done. The next 2 stories have a definite Richard Matheson vibe (with those endings done in a Matheson-twist way). 'Bad Dream' is exceptional; so much fascinating detail and sharp observations. It seems to me to go slightly OTT in the last few pages but, after thinking about it, the 'forced' notch-up didn't bother me much.
@@CriminOllyBlog Finished the read last night. LOVED 'The Answer Man'; in its own way as touching as 'The Green Mile'. The 6 shortest stories are minor SK but none of them bothered me enough to be that critical of them. BookTubers with a devotion to SK can have wildly different opinions re: which stories / books are his best but I think that reflects SK's wide appeal. I don't have the desire to read as much of King's work as you've read - and there are some novels and short story collections that I may not want to get to - but I'm enjoying narrowing down the works that I'm likely to respond to. Up next: 'If It Bleeds' and 'Mr. Mercedes'.
I’m almost done with it. Just need the last 3 stories but so far Danny coughlins bad dream was my fav. I’m thinking Danny and Holly need a book together where they solve a crime. Do it king!
I am 50 and have read all of his books except 2 (Faithful and Danse Macabre) and his books are just like that: very cozy. Great review. Looking forward to reading it!
I love all Steven King material. To me it’s like pizza. There is no such thing as bad pizza , just some are way better than others. But The Dreamers was my favorite. I love his Lovecraftian stuff (N, Revival, Crouch End, etc.) That stuff really scares the hell out of me!
Hi Olly, great review, I'm glad you touched on the politics issue, my concern is just how 'little' politics are in this book? I don't want ANY politics in his books, I think it's unnecessary and it literally only takes one sentence to take a shot at someone (or a large demographic of his readers) and given his recent form just ONE sentence where King has a go at someone for not following the covid narrative or heaven forbid someone not voting the same way he does and I'm out.
I'm always a little puzzled about the complaints about the politics comments, cause when I read all his books last year I noticed that politics has been in his writing his whole career. And what comes to Covid, I don't see that as politics, maybe cause I'm not from US. It's just topical, many of his stories are really nailed in one time or another, so it would be weird if he didn't write about it at all when the story happens in covid years.
@@sadie608 yeah I was surprised by how many comments on got on my Holly review about politics in the book. I agree that he’s always been reasonably political. I think that what’s changed recently is that he’s had a particular figure to focus his politics on (Trump) which may have made it a bit more in your face for some people.
@@sadie608 there is a big difference in his older work from the more recent books, Gwendy's Final Task for example he literally stated his political opinion as fact, detracting from the story completely. And in terms of covid, does anyone really want to be reminded of that? His stories are set in an alternative reality, and if it was just a mention of covid it would be fine - it's his opinions about the reaction to covid (again presnted as facts) that is absolutely political.
@@BobbyHall-eu1xv But his political leanings hasn't been a secret, he's always leaned heavily to left in US standards. And maybe we don't want to be reminded of covid, but it did happen, so I don't see the problem there either. Idk, I just don't see the problem, but if you do, it's totally okay. Everything isn't for everyone and that's fine.
at the end the answer man said yes and I wa so moved. "It was Yes"... happy to see that King minimizes his political comments in this book... and the slight mention also seems more moderate than usual. Thanks for the great recap. I did not finish Cujo so I skipped the snake one. Enjoyed all four new stories. Darker and fantastic.
I listened to Rattlesnake on Audible and pulled my earbuds out scared to listen at one stage...squeak . I also was scared listening to Duma Key so nice to have an extension book ,though i know Duma isnt one of peoples favs.
Rattlesnakes is a bit of a sequel to Cujo from what I hear? Also Duma Key is my favorite Stephen book, incredibly evocative, that book transported me haha, I remember reading it on a bus going home from work and it was a magical experience.
@@kaiju_k5042 i have read Stephen King books in a constant cycle for over 40 years , i have read Duma Key the second most. Rattlesnakes is very similiar to Duma Key and it takes place on the island next to Duma. Its referenced plenty.The link to Cujo is very tenuous its just the kids from cujos dad thats it. Rattlesnakes is much more a sister to Duma Key than a cujo sequel.
This is exactly how I feel about King! I have been reading him since I was nine and his stories helped me during tough times . He is a comfort read now. (Not sure if he would like being called that..😂)
Appreciate your review. I will be buying this. Can you recommend any other books that are similar to The Jaunt. I really enjoyed the sci/ fi horror dread feelings it gives. Thanks
I bought the book and read the first three stories and just was not impressed. The first story felt rather pointless and meandering, the second one was so obvious (as you mentioned), and the third one felt like there was an interesting idea behind it but it wasn't articulated well. I have all of King's books in hardback, trade paperback or mass paperback (depending on how they were originally released), and I am a genuine fan of his work. But those first three stories were clunkers, especially when compared to If It Bleeds, which I thoroughly enjoyed. Thanks for the review. I'll start reading it again with hopes that the fourth story is better.
I understand you didn’t care for the story, Rattlesnakes, but that was my favorite. There were a lot of references to Duma Key as well as Cujo. It contained some horrific passages that, as with other King novels or short stories, are very visual and will never fade. It was one of the scariest stories in this collection, in my opinion.
Read several of Clive barker novels . And Stephen king was bag of bones,the dark tower (his version of Robert brown’s unfinished poem, the it . Geez read the it as a kid reading it constantly repeated about the clown that was not a clown in the end , and other repeating stuff that could been condensed. He is a talented author possibly a modern hp lovecraft or Robert E Howard ,Clark Ashton smith,Robert w chambers the king in yellow!! Sorry I love the classics!
From your review, you made it sound like the collection doesn’t really live up to its given name… You Like It Darker makes me think King was going back into a focus on more grim-dark horror, so I was surprised by the amount of times you said words like, “sentimental”, and, “sweet”. Do you feel like the book was misnamed, or were there enough stories to make it Aptly so?
I get that it's like coming home thing. I'm 51 as well, but for me as a woman I just can't relate to a man in his 70's. if I want to I can go talk to my dad! :) for me horror has become more about women/queer horror, or horror that's transgressive and pushes the envelope more i.E. chandler morisson. King feels traditional, and I just don't vibe with it much anymore.
Awesome and thorough review. Unfortunately, ever since Stephen King has ranted out on Twitter with his politics, revealing his extremist political viewpoints - that has spoiled every book for me going forward. I can’t read Steven King anymore without thinking about his political views and how a lot of his writing is inspired by his hatred.
Yes, I’m 55 and reading King throughout my life and it feels like coming home.
It’s great to have such a longstanding relationship with an author
Great review! I started reading the book this morning. I agree that when I read a Stephen King book, it's like sitting down with an old friend. There is a sort of comfort there for me.
Hope you enjoy it!
Just read On slide in road... Loved it....the character Frank reminds me of 45 and the grand dad 46
@@DavidRobinson-qu2ne That’s an interesting comparison!
Steve king is too involved with fighting with politics and elon musk, he's not focused and uses chatgpt to help him write now. sad ending to his career
I think you've hit the nail on the head when you talk about that cosy feeling, like hanging out with an old friend. You might not always be doing the most exciting things together, but you know that the time spent will always be precious. I also started reading King when I was around 13 (23 years ago) and I've read all but 3 of his books. I can honestly say that even his lesser novels provide me with this feeling. I've read thousands of great books by various authors, but there's just something very special about how King tells a story. The only other author that's comes close to giving me a similar feeling is Robert McCammon.
Yes, McCammon is also great.
Yeah I think that’s the secret of his success, he has managed to build up a very loyal set of fans who all feel like they know him
it is funny how taste varies. Rattlesnakes was my favorite, such a great and creepy tale, and I also really liked Willie the Weirdo and Finn. All were good
As an Italian girl who loves King's novels and short stories, I can't wait to buy this new collection (The title chosen by Stephen King's italian editor is "Salto nel buio") and listen to every review and analysis here on YT by Italian youtubers as well :D
But, for now, I thank you for your spoiler-free analysis, it's genuinely encouraging to hear people like you that have been reading SK since many years ago, and love him and his books still now with the same passion!
Good readings everyone!
Pay attention to the dark corners of your house 👻
Thanks for watching! Glad you enjoyed the review 😊
I gave the collection 4.5 stars, a lot of new favorites for me in this collection! a few of them are only good/pretty good, but for me, there weren't any bad ones.
1 Danny Coughlin's Bad Dream
2 Two Talented Bastids
3 The Answer Man
4 The Fifth Step
5 On Slide Inn Road
6 Laurie
7 Rattlesnakes
8 The Turbulence Expert
9 Willie the Weirdo
10 The Dreamers
11 Finn
12 Red Screen
Whoa, that's high praise from you Jake, I'm listening to the audibook now and only on the 4th story but I like them so far!
King is the king for a reason.
“Danny Coughlin’s Bad Dream” is easily my favorite story so far, and I agree it would be great as a Hard Case Crime standalone.
Yeah feels a real shame it wasn’t published that way
@@CriminOllyBlog They’ve carved out several of his novellas from the anthologies and sold them as standalones, so it could still happen.
@@halifirien oooohhh yea that would be cool!! Hadn’t thought of that!!
I’m 61 and have read about 75% of Kings work. His characters are so relatable and his writing is rarely boring. always look forward to his new books.
We are so many Constant Readers.
Time creeps up...
Sadly true
Great review, Olly! Definitely connect with your feeling like spending time with an old friend when reading Stephen King. I almost always feel that way when reading his work. His style is so unpretentious and conversational.
Yeah, he writes in a way that allows the words flow effortlessly into my brain
Was so excited to see this video 😁👏🏽 Will be getting this one for sure!
Hope you enjoy it!
Im new to US and my first book purchased online is You like it darker. thank you talking about it. You are amazing storyteller too.
If Im living in Pennsylvania Philadelphia， which book of SK you can recommendation with to me ？ thanks
Thank you!
Thanks Olly! SKs short story collections have been some of my favourites of his, so looking forward to reading this one!
Hope you enjoy it!
Terrific review, Olly! 🤩 I got my copy on Tuesday. I plan on reading the collection during the summer. Like you, I’ve read Stephen King all my life (since 13) and agree with those vibes of hanging out with an old friend. I’m most excited to read “Rattlesnakes.” Your review makes me even more excited to read the collection. 😊
Thanks Kat! Hope you enjoy it
emjoyed your review! one thing I really ENJOY about your reviews is that you don't OVER sell or over hype it. i see a lot of reviews or people discuss ANY media really and they seem so over animated that it takes away from it. you remain calm but yet we know youre excited about it. i hope that makes sense!
i really enjoyed You Like it Darker! I have read all of Sir King's works and I am actually enjoying some re-reads... i am reading Desperation again. I last read this back in high school over 20 years ago..
Thank you! It does make sense, glad you enjoy my reviewing style
Great job as always. Can't wait to get my hands on my copy.
Hope you enjoy it! And thank you!
You're spot on with your comments again, of course. That sense of nostalgic familiarity when you settle in to read this one is pretty awesome to feel. I get the same feeling from a few other writers that I've read for years, and it is something that can rarely be beaten, if ever. It's like a warm blanket of comfort that you only get from a few authors who have managed to hold your interest.
I got the Danny story as a preview a few months back with The Mist and it was fantastic. I'm buying the collection based on that story alone.
It really was a fun one
Ooh-thank you! I am going to be discussing one of these stories maybe next week. Totally out of my comfort zone!
Oh cool! Look forward to seeing that!
I might have to pick this one up for just myself. It sounds like a interesting mix of tone and tales.
Yeah there’s a lot going on
Great review!! My favourite short story was Danny Coughlin's Bad Dream
I'm about 36% in and liking it a lot so far. I rolled my eyes a bit in the first story revealed it's secret, but after that it's been good so far. I'm reading D.C. bad dream and loving it. I actually enjoyed the The 5th step and Weird Willie. 5th feels like it could have been in Night Shift and WW reminded me of Grandma in Skeleton Crew.
Glad you’re enjoying it! DC was the point when the collection really started working for me, such a great story
Thank you for the review... Will be checking it out.
Enjoy!
Standing by…..
Very thoughtful, balanced review, Olly. Thanks!
Glad you liked it, Pat!
I just finished and I really liked the first story - I agree it felt like King was sitting next to me just rambling but it was so pleasant to hang out with him. Great review!
i like that, well said
Fourth Story In, ‘Danny Coughlin……’ A Standout
I’m enjoying The King’s ‘You Like It Darker’ tremendously. I’m alternating between reading it / then listening to it on Audible on my daily walks - Will Patton is an extraordinary narrator (love his work).
I’m a huge fan of The King’s Novellas, and ‘Danny Coughlin’s Bad Dream’ is an engaging one, brilliant.
Some might get the link to Dennis Lehane’s The Given Day
Anyway onto the Fifth.
Hope you keep enjoying it!
I absolutely agree with you on the analogy of how reading King’s books is like having a good old chat with an old friend. I too started reading King when I was in my early teens and starting the first page was very much like a “hello there, where have you been?” kind of feeling.
I bought the ebook yesterday but only started reading it this evening. I’ve read up to nearly 50% already, having just finished Danny Coughlin’s Bad Dream (a million X WOW) but I think this book is going to make me stay up all night because so far, all the stories are riveting!
Thanks for your review. From a Constant Reader in Malaysia 🇲🇾❤️
I get the same cozy feeling when I read Kate Atkinson. King is a writer I’ve come to enjoy more and more as he and I have become older. My favorite thing about his work is his intros to the short story collections. Odd, I know, but they are so entertaining to me. 🦋
Kate Atkinson has a new Jackson Brodie novel being released in August and I am so darn excited!
@@baxtersmom279 Yes! Me, too! Did you read her recent short story collection? I loved it.
I haven’t read Kate Atkinson, might need to check her out!
Would you consider doing a video ranking Stephen King short story collections ?
I loved Night Shift and Skelton Crew growing up
Great idea! Seconded, would like to know Ollie's rankings.
I did do a video in the early days of the channel where I rank all the books of his that I’d read at that point. I think what I’ll do when I’ve finished the last 4 books of his that I have to read is a tier ranking of everything
Thank you for your review, I was looking foward to it 🎉
You are so welcome!
love Kings short stories. Already have so I'm looking forward to reading during this weekend.
Enjoy!
Being a certain age is like being in a group of people who share a common experience and history. Quite a while ago, before I stopped watching the news, there was a case like Danny Caughlin's Bad Dream. In New York City, some called the police. They found a dead body in a lot between two buildings. The caller refused to give his name. It was big news for a few days. The police just wanted to find the caller. They said, he wasn't a suspect but they wanted to find the caller. They asked the public if they had seen anyone in the location during the call. They identified the young woman. She had last been seen at a bar and had left late. The police were combing the area where the call was made. They talked to everyone living in the area and rounded up the homeless to interview them. The police said it was just a matter of time before they caught the person who made the call. For a few days, all the police cared about was finding this caller. I, at the time, thought, "This is insane. Why are they blaming the person who found the body?" Then the Hot coverage of the crime ended. The bartender found out who killed the girl. The bar owner had hired a new bouncer, and he had left with the girl. The bouncer had just left prison three days later. The bouncer had been gone to prison for rape. The bartender got the bouncer drunk and he admitted he killed the girl. For a few days, the regular broadcast was interrupted by the police doing a press conference. "We will have the caller soon." the police said. The nightly news had the dead girl's parent demanding to be told who the caller was. They had experts explaining how killers liked to report where bodies were. After they arrested the bouncer, no one talked about the caller again. Watching the news, I felt like the only sane person in a nation of lunatics. It's scary to see how society really functions. I'm sure King saw the same story. We as people have to work hard not to be caught in the mindlessness of society.
Mine just arrived! Cannot wait to read it.
Enjoy!
Great review! I just finished it today, loved it
I just finished the book and I really enjoyed it as well! I love king and as you said his writing is very natural. I did love the bad dream story as well and it was one of the best in the collection. The first story was the most forgettable for me. Dreamers was awesome! Great review!!
just bought it today!
The fastest trigger in UK. I always wait for new King's books, but I expext it only around september; you announced me this one. I've bought inpaper, starting just right now. Thanks!
This is a wonderful video Olly. You're so warm and honest speaking about King it makes me consider picking him back up. We can't approach him as high literature but a fun friend that you've known forever.
Thank you! Glad you enjoyed the video
Just got my copy on my kindle. I just love the cover.
Enjoy!
Without trying to give anything away; I liked the story that was a tribute, and a fun twist on a Flannery O’ Connor story the most.
Yeah that was a good one! Although I haven’t read the O’Connor story (and should!)
@@CriminOllyBlog yeah, at first I thought he was ripping off “A good man is hard to find”, there was the twist in genders, and then his afternote ‘thinking of Flannery O’ Connor’ it kind of made me reexamine it
Thanks for the review! I hope to read it soon!
❤❤❤❤ about to buy the book love Stephen king
Enjoy!
Thanks for this Olly 🙏
Thanks bro .🎉
90% of his writing gets adapted. But, "Danny Coughlin's Bad Dream" really felt like a slam dunk movie to me.
100%!
I was so engrossed in the story! Just fantastic
I just started reading this collection - and last night finished the 'Bad Dream' novella. It's funny how readers can have different perceptions - i.e., I don't think the opening story is "rambling" at all; I think it's nicely done. The next 2 stories have a definite Richard Matheson vibe (with those endings done in a Matheson-twist way). 'Bad Dream' is exceptional; so much fascinating detail and sharp observations. It seems to me to go slightly OTT in the last few pages but, after thinking about it, the 'forced' notch-up didn't bother me much.
Glad you're enjoying it, but yes, I think every book is different for every reader
@@CriminOllyBlog Finished the read last night. LOVED 'The Answer Man'; in its own way as touching as 'The Green Mile'. The 6 shortest stories are minor SK but none of them bothered me enough to be that critical of them. BookTubers with a devotion to SK can have wildly different opinions re: which stories / books are his best but I think that reflects SK's wide appeal. I don't have the desire to read as much of King's work as you've read - and there are some novels and short story collections that I may not want to get to - but I'm enjoying narrowing down the works that I'm likely to respond to. Up next: 'If It Bleeds' and 'Mr. Mercedes'.
I’m almost done with it. Just need the last 3 stories but so far Danny coughlins bad dream was my fav. I’m thinking Danny and Holly need a book together where they solve a crime. Do it king!
Thank you,😊
You're welcome 😊
Great review! I'm excited to get to this one! I'm obsessed with the cover 🤩🐊
I just saw the crocodile on it today of all the days haha!
The US cover is so much better than the UK one
I am 50 and have read all of his books except 2 (Faithful and Danse Macabre) and his books are just like that: very cozy. Great review. Looking forward to reading it!
I hadn't even heard of Faithful until this comment! Hope you enjoy YLID when you get to it
@@CriminOllyBlog Thanks! I am sure I will. Just got to finish The Silo Trilogy first!
I love all Steven King material. To me it’s like pizza. There is no such thing as bad pizza , just some are way better than others. But The Dreamers was my favorite. I love his Lovecraftian stuff (N, Revival, Crouch End, etc.) That stuff really scares the hell out of me!
What a splendid review. I really enjoyed it. :-)
Thank you!
Hi Olly, great review, I'm glad you touched on the politics issue, my concern is just how 'little' politics are in this book? I don't want ANY politics in his books, I think it's unnecessary and it literally only takes one sentence to take a shot at someone (or a large demographic of his readers) and given his recent form just ONE sentence where King has a go at someone for not following the covid narrative or heaven forbid someone not voting the same way he does and I'm out.
There are definitely references to Covid having happened but nothing like Holly
I'm always a little puzzled about the complaints about the politics comments, cause when I read all his books last year I noticed that politics has been in his writing his whole career. And what comes to Covid, I don't see that as politics, maybe cause I'm not from US. It's just topical, many of his stories are really nailed in one time or another, so it would be weird if he didn't write about it at all when the story happens in covid years.
@@sadie608 yeah I was surprised by how many comments on got on my Holly review about politics in the book. I agree that he’s always been reasonably political. I think that what’s changed recently is that he’s had a particular figure to focus his politics on (Trump) which may have made it a bit more in your face for some people.
@@sadie608 there is a big difference in his older work from the more recent books, Gwendy's Final Task for example he literally stated his political opinion as fact, detracting from the story completely. And in terms of covid, does anyone really want to be reminded of that? His stories are set in an alternative reality, and if it was just a mention of covid it would be fine - it's his opinions about the reaction to covid (again presnted as facts) that is absolutely political.
@@BobbyHall-eu1xv But his political leanings hasn't been a secret, he's always leaned heavily to left in US standards. And maybe we don't want to be reminded of covid, but it did happen, so I don't see the problem there either. Idk, I just don't see the problem, but if you do, it's totally okay. Everything isn't for everyone and that's fine.
Love most of his work. Enjoying this latest collection so far, currently on Willy the Weirdo 😎👍🏻
at the end the answer man said yes and I wa so moved. "It was Yes"... happy to see that King minimizes his political comments in this book... and the slight mention also seems more moderate than usual. Thanks for the great recap. I did not finish Cujo so I skipped the snake one. Enjoyed all four new stories. Darker and fantastic.
I listened to Rattlesnake on Audible and pulled my earbuds out scared to listen at one stage...squeak . I also was scared listening to Duma Key so nice to have an extension book ,though i know Duma isnt one of peoples favs.
Hoping to read Duma Key soon!
Rattlesnakes is a bit of a sequel to Cujo from what I hear? Also Duma Key is my favorite Stephen book, incredibly evocative, that book transported me haha, I remember reading it on a bus going home from work and it was a magical experience.
@@kaiju_k5042 i have read Stephen King books in a constant cycle for over 40 years , i have read Duma Key the second most. Rattlesnakes is very similiar to Duma Key and it takes place on the island next to Duma. Its referenced plenty.The link to Cujo is very tenuous its just the kids from cujos dad thats it. Rattlesnakes is much more a sister to Duma Key than a cujo sequel.
@@littlenicky31 Ahh that's great, thank you for taking the time to comment back, can't wait to get to this story :)
This is exactly how I feel about King! I have been reading him since I was nine and his stories helped me during tough times .
He is a comfort read now. (Not sure if he would like being called that..😂)
I don't think he'd mind it, I think he likes hanging out with us as much as we like hanging out with him
What have you not read? I own almost all his novels, and lots of his shorter works. I’m working my way through the collection.
The 4 I still have to read are:
Lisey's Story
Duma Key
Gwendy's Final Task
Fairy Tale
@@CriminOllyBlog Duma Key is one of my favorite King books and is featured in Rattlesnakes to a degree.
@@noelle1225 Yeah there were certainly lots of mentions of the place
Stephen King aka 'the Stain from Maine.'
Benja aka the Punjabi who still loves with his ma'ami
Appreciate your review. I will be buying this. Can you recommend any other books that are similar to The Jaunt. I really enjoyed the sci/ fi horror dread feelings it gives. Thanks
The one that leaps to mind is an old one (and one I know King is a fan of) The Great God Pan by Arthur Machin
@@CriminOllyBlog Thanks for getting back to me. Ill check it out. Cheers 👍
I bought the book and read the first three stories and just was not impressed. The first story felt rather pointless and meandering, the second one was so obvious (as you mentioned), and the third one felt like there was an interesting idea behind it but it wasn't articulated well.
I have all of King's books in hardback, trade paperback or mass paperback (depending on how they were originally released), and I am a genuine fan of his work. But those first three stories were clunkers, especially when compared to If It Bleeds, which I thoroughly enjoyed.
Thanks for the review. I'll start reading it again with hopes that the fourth story is better.
I love a lot of SK’s work, but man oh man, sometimes I wish his editors would rein it in a little.
Yeah the editorial touch on his books does seem to be super light
I understand you didn’t care for the story, Rattlesnakes, but that was my favorite. There were a lot of references to Duma Key as well as Cujo. It contained some horrific passages that, as with other King novels or short stories, are very visual and will never fade. It was one of the scariest stories in this collection, in my opinion.
I think I should be reading Duma Key in July. Glad you liked that story so much!
@@CriminOllyBlog Duma Key was my fave King for a really long time (now replaced by Finders Keepers/End of Watch). Hope you enjoy it!
I didn’t know it was out
Read several of Clive barker novels . And Stephen king was bag of bones,the dark tower (his version of Robert brown’s unfinished poem, the it . Geez read the it as a kid reading it constantly repeated about the clown that was not a clown in the end , and other repeating stuff that could been condensed. He is a talented author possibly a modern hp lovecraft or Robert E Howard ,Clark Ashton smith,Robert w chambers the king in yellow!! Sorry I love the classics!
My favorite story was Danny Coughlin’s Bad Dream. I enjoyed them all to varying degrees except Willie the Weirdo.
Thanks again for leading me to him through his story in ODM
Just coming here to say that the title is nearly identical to Leonard Cohen’s last album, “You Want it Darker”
I appreciate the review Olli!
I will purchase it ( duh its Stephen king ) but there are other books That i Cannot wait to read first.
Hope you enjoy it!
The old Stephen Snooze. He still gives me narcolepsy. I nodded off at least twice during this video. 🤭🤭
😂😂
Interesting: The original american edition has the stories in another order than your british version.
From your review, you made it sound like the collection doesn’t really live up to its given name…
You Like It Darker makes me think King was going back into a focus on more grim-dark horror, so I was surprised by the amount of times you said words like, “sentimental”, and, “sweet”.
Do you feel like the book was misnamed, or were there enough stories to make it Aptly so?
It’s probably not the name I would have chosen for it! There are some dark stories for sure, but definitely some gentler ones too
He's taken the title from a Leonard Cohen album almost
Great review! 🐊
Thank you!
I get that it's like coming home thing. I'm 51 as well, but for me as a woman I just can't relate to a man in his 70's. if I want to I can go talk to my dad! :) for me horror has become more about women/queer horror, or horror that's transgressive and pushes the envelope more i.E. chandler morisson. King feels traditional, and I just don't vibe with it much anymore.
How do you know what I would like?
Well my videos are really about what I like. If our tastes overlap then brilliant.
Willie the weirdo is a copy of Gramma from Skeleton Crew
Similar ending, hugely different story leading up
Stephen Dung.
❤❤❤
3 stars? 😁
Yeah maybe I was a bit harsh
@@CriminOllyBlog You gave “The Devil Takes You Home”2 stars, just sayin’ 🤭
@M-J yeah I was a bit generous with that one
@@CriminOllyBlog FFS 😁
@@CriminOllyBlog FFS 😁
I tried reading the first story in this collection and found it extremely boring. I hope the rest of the stories get better.
There are definitely some better ones in there
Hope you’re going to reveal which cover you got under the dust jacket?
Nope! Because I got it on my Kobo 😁
I have read a lot of Stephen King but none of his short stories. I was tempted to try this one but your review makes me wonder if it’s worth it.
Big King fan but absolutely did not like this book. Nothing scary in it. Boring in parts. Usually love short stories
Have you read Voyagers of hell. You must try it if you want to read something original in horror genre.
🦇
I DNFed it on the first story. I just think king isn't for me anymore, sad to say.
That wasn’t one of the stronger ones
It's off to a better start compared to Holly when he went full blown with his TDS.
I'm unaware of any rare disease SK has. Is TDS causing him problems or is it fatal?
I'm more a fan of the van, meself.
I can't stand a lot of politics in King's books. A little? Ok, sure, but no more than a little.
There’s not too much
King does seem an utter, UTTER prat, but mostly I still enjoy his books.
Does he? 😂
Awesome and thorough review. Unfortunately, ever since Stephen King has ranted out on Twitter with his politics, revealing his extremist political viewpoints - that has spoiled every book for me going forward. I can’t read Steven King anymore without thinking about his political views and how a lot of his writing is inspired by his hatred.
Glad you enjoyed the review! I must have missed his extremism on Twitter
@@CriminOllyBlogIt’s not hard to miss if you look at his views during the last 8 years
The hatred and extremism in American politics is not coming from Stephen King, but from the MAGA-fied lunatics in the Republican Party.
I don't even care what he says on Twitter, and I don't use it, but Holly was garbage and so heavy handed. Trump lives in his head rent free.
I don't think Stephen is very good at short stories.
Frank from the story old slide in road reminds me of Donald Trump