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B's Reviews > Different Seasons
Different Seasons
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To tell someone I've read the bulk of Stephen King's catalog but never read Different Seasons just made me feel silly. There's only 4 stories in this collection, and two of them were made into blockbuster, run-away-hit movies. What was I waiting for?
I'm not sure, but I'm glad I'm no longer waiting.
The first story is Rita Hayworth and the Shawshank Redemption. Even if you're not a Stephen King person, chances are you're familiar with this story. The movie was running on cable TV every day from 1999 - 2011. It was a weird experience to read the story for the first time, knowing the plot so well thanks to the adaptation. That said, the knowledge didn't take away from my enjoyment of the tale. 5 stars.
Apt Pupil goes on for too long. The story is about a sociopath of a child who blackmails a Nazi hiding his identity. The dream sequences were trippy, but the descent into violence and madness and the drawn out conversations about grades and how stupid the child's parents was tiresome. It doesn't help I read this story deeply jetlagged in a Tokyo hotel. 2.75 stars (the review reflects the absurdity, no regrets).
The Body is a classic. King perfectly captures the urgency and awe of being a child. To fold that into the very adult violence and tragedy these 4 best friends encounter on their quick adventure together... I mean. This is one of his strongest stories for sure. I need to re-watch Stand By Me. 5 stars.
I wanted a different focus for The Breathing Method. I wanted to know about the house, about Stevens, about how these men found themselves in this storytelling club, and why the narrator's boss chose to invite him in the first place. I wasn't that invested in the story of Sandra Stansfield, though I did appreciate King's blunt and unforgiving assessment about how deeply women get fucked by society. Also: WHO IS THE MAN AT THE END IS HE ANOTHER CHARACTER WE KNOW?!?! 3.5 stars.
I'll end this review with how King ends his afterword:
Okay. Gotta split. Until we see each other again, keep your head together, read some good books, be useful, be happy.
I'm not sure, but I'm glad I'm no longer waiting.
The first story is Rita Hayworth and the Shawshank Redemption. Even if you're not a Stephen King person, chances are you're familiar with this story. The movie was running on cable TV every day from 1999 - 2011. It was a weird experience to read the story for the first time, knowing the plot so well thanks to the adaptation. That said, the knowledge didn't take away from my enjoyment of the tale. 5 stars.
Apt Pupil goes on for too long. The story is about a sociopath of a child who blackmails a Nazi hiding his identity. The dream sequences were trippy, but the descent into violence and madness and the drawn out conversations about grades and how stupid the child's parents was tiresome. It doesn't help I read this story deeply jetlagged in a Tokyo hotel. 2.75 stars (the review reflects the absurdity, no regrets).
The Body is a classic. King perfectly captures the urgency and awe of being a child. To fold that into the very adult violence and tragedy these 4 best friends encounter on their quick adventure together... I mean. This is one of his strongest stories for sure. I need to re-watch Stand By Me. 5 stars.
I wanted a different focus for The Breathing Method. I wanted to know about the house, about Stevens, about how these men found themselves in this storytelling club, and why the narrator's boss chose to invite him in the first place. I wasn't that invested in the story of Sandra Stansfield, though I did appreciate King's blunt and unforgiving assessment about how deeply women get fucked by society. Also: WHO IS THE MAN AT THE END IS HE ANOTHER CHARACTER WE KNOW?!?! 3.5 stars.
I'll end this review with how King ends his afterword:
Okay. Gotta split. Until we see each other again, keep your head together, read some good books, be useful, be happy.
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Reading Progress
July 6, 2024
–
Started Reading
July 6, 2024
– Shelved
July 31, 2024
–
Finished Reading
