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13th out of 14 books
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11 voters
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We're All in This Together: A Novella and Stories
by
Owen King (Goodreads Author)
"An exceptional debut...Funny and poignant, these stories are textured gems."--People (four-star critic's pick)
The stories in this collection, along with Owen King's brilliant title novella set in Maine after the 2000 election, carry the weight of real emotion and revelation and showcase the impressive versatility of a rising talent.
An adolescent encounters a gia...more
The stories in this collection, along with Owen King's brilliant title novella set in Maine after the 2000 election, carry the weight of real emotion and revelation and showcase the impressive versatility of a rising talent.
An adolescent encounters a gia...more
Paperback, 229 pages
Published
July 11th 2006
by Bloomsbury USA
(first published 2005)
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I found this book at Dollar General, when I saw it, I was like, "no way, I've always wanted to check out Owen's writing!" I've been a Stephen King fan for years and years, and I've since come to love the few things I've gotten to read by the other members of his family. So, yea, I was a tad excited to find this book, and for a good price. Plus it's a collection of short stories, which I have a soft spot for... bonus points if you will :) I'll say right off the bat that I was not disapp...more
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My library branch has a sad bookcase with a few books turned face out on each shelf. There's a sign that says something like, "These books are in danger of being permanently removed from the shelves due to not being taken out very much. Please do a good deed and take one home with you to read today!"
So, being a Good Deed Do-er, I took this book and checked it out, literally and figuratively. Largely because it was by Owen King, son of Stephen and brother of Joe Hill. I'd n...more
So, being a Good Deed Do-er, I took this book and checked it out, literally and figuratively. Largely because it was by Owen King, son of Stephen and brother of Joe Hill. I'd n...more
This book was a quick read, a totally random find at the library, and I'm very happy I decided to give it a shot. It was quirky and amusing, and oddly touching at times. I am somewhat disappointed that the copy I read does not contain the "and Stories" bit, it only has the title novella, so I cannot rate how those short stories compare. All I can say is, the novella was a simple and intriguing read, and I'd recommend others to read it. =)
Stephen King has a son who can write-- it's not this one. The Novella is passable with characters who do speak to you. Those are the absolute worst published short stories that I've ever read.
The sad part is, I'm not even being harsh, because I went into this really wanting to like this son's writing as much as I adore Joe Hill. I was very disappointed. In a family of writing geniuses, this fell so far below the mark.
The sad part is, I'm not even being harsh, because I went into this really wanting to like this son's writing as much as I adore Joe Hill. I was very disappointed. In a family of writing geniuses, this fell so far below the mark.
Stephen King's other son...after reading HEART SHAPED BOX by Joe Hill (Stephen King's other other son) I was amazed by the protege of the family. Although Tabitha doesn't really do it for me, she keeps Stephen in check, I had to check out the other son's work. It's not horror at all.
Although there are some thought provoking and distubing sequences, Owen seems to write literary works. His tales wound you into a surprising thought provoking atmosphere. I respect his talent. T...more
The title story, a novella, is an interesting read. Though the revelatory part where everything comes together seems a bit rushed. Still, I liked it.
There are four short stories bound with the title novella. They all come across as unfinished, abruptly ending for no apparent reason. I gave it a middling rating because of this sense of fragmentary fiction.
Owen King's style is more or less genre-less. He does not write horror. Like his father (sorry for the comparison, but ...more
There are four short stories bound with the title novella. They all come across as unfinished, abruptly ending for no apparent reason. I gave it a middling rating because of this sense of fragmentary fiction.
Owen King's style is more or less genre-less. He does not write horror. Like his father (sorry for the comparison, but ...more
This is a really great collection of stories. I totally loved We're all in this together, and it totally surprised me in the end. The other stories were great too. I hope Owen will have more in the offing soon.
Owen taught my first writing class at Columbia. He's a great guy, and an amazing writer. I picked up his book. Great short stories. Especially "Frozen Animals". I hope he's doing well, and writing.
I only gave this three stars, perhaps unfairly, because I really don't care for short stories - I like my books long, the longer, the better. BUT this was good.
Even trying to be fair and separate Owen from Stephen, this book does little to prove that the author is a writer. I spent much of the time trying to decide whether there was some deeper political agenda embedded in the stories and whether there was a plot.
I think Owen King is trying to write in the style so well-done by his father, but he lacks the ability to do so.
I just came away from this shrugging my shoulders and wondering what to read next.
I think Owen King is trying to write in the style so well-done by his father, but he lacks the ability to do so.
I just came away from this shrugging my shoulders and wondering what to read next.
Okay stories that were well written. I think I was expecting more tho...
So far I have finished the novella We're All in This Together I have yet to read any of the other short stories included in the book. I am absolutely blown away. WAITT is one of the most touching stories I have ever read. It completely captures the uncertainty of adolesence and youth in the lead character George and at the other end of the scale the ingrained conviction of the older generation in Gil and Henry. A beautiful yet chilling tale about life and the unexpected cards we are sometimes de...more
I actually give this a 4.5
Now after reading this collection, I feel that the short stories that come after the novella are pretty good, but the endings fell a little short. To me, it seems like there could be more and it can be resolved a bit better.
But the novella is really good, I like it. It’s because of that story that this is getting most of its rating. So for the most part if anyone else wants to read this collection, the story that titles this book will be fulfilli...more
Now after reading this collection, I feel that the short stories that come after the novella are pretty good, but the endings fell a little short. To me, it seems like there could be more and it can be resolved a bit better.
But the novella is really good, I like it. It’s because of that story that this is getting most of its rating. So for the most part if anyone else wants to read this collection, the story that titles this book will be fulfilli...more
Denise M.
marked it as to-read
AKA: Owen Phillip King - son of Tabitha & Stephen King
I really would not recommend this book. The stories were rather odd and difficult to follow. I thought some of the endings were incomplete. The novella started out rather interesting but did not move quickly or keep my interest.
137/223
This was a very interesting collection. The first story (novella, really) was intriguing but not really catching. To me it was just another teen angst tale, and I've been a bit critical of those of late. The other short stories were most interesting in their variety. Everything from early 20th Century baseball to Alaskan trappers to snakes. All well written but not particularly spectacular.
One of the nicest things I can say about Steven King is that his wife and kid can write. :)
I have an inordinate fondess for short storis, and Owen King's debut does not disappoint. He shows us the world through the eyes of a young American male, not a jock, not a scholar, but a human being with a keen eye for the oddity around him. Very nice.
I have an inordinate fondess for short storis, and Owen King's debut does not disappoint. He shows us the world through the eyes of a young American male, not a jock, not a scholar, but a human being with a keen eye for the oddity around him. Very nice.
Beth Shields-Szostak
marked it as to-read
1st edition
This is a compelling story that left me sad at its conclusion only because it had ended. Mr. King has a gift for sense of place. His prose is incredibly readable and very often witty. I could see the novella as a film in the vein of Simon Burch.
So this writer/reader is left asking - where's the next book from Mr. King?
So this writer/reader is left asking - where's the next book from Mr. King?
A strong and imaginative debut from a writer to watch. My favorite story is "Frozen Animals," a creepy and evocative snow globe about an itinerant dentist which still gives me the chills when I think about it. Which I still occasionally do, three years later.
Enjoyed this. The Denver Post got it right when it declared that no one escapes unscathed. Makes one wonder about how King passes his free time, or if he just has a really vivid imagination. I know I say this about everything I like, but he writes with class.
The title novella was a 5-star read, but I found the short stories that followed less compelling. King -- Stephen's youngest son -- is a talented writer, but seems suited to a longer form than a shorter one. I'd love to read a novel of his.
This is a great collection of carefully crafted short stories and the novella "We're All in this Together" which puts mixes recent politics (the 2000 election to 9/11) and narrative together splendidly.
Passed on to me by my sister...she says it was a wonderful read as she came home from Greece. Helped her to realign priorities after a difficult year. Looking forward to it.
I liked this novella quite a bit. Great coming of age story. The short stories were less successful in my opinion. I really liked "Snake."
my copy is autographed by the author, who happens to be Stephen King's son :)
great debut from king's son owen...other son goes by the pseudonym Joe hill...
the short stories were just good.
the novella was great.
the novella was great.
Stephen King's son
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I'm the author of We're All In This Together: A Novella and Stories, and co-editor (with John McNally) of the anthology Who Can Save Us Now. My writing has appeared in The Bellingham Review, Prairie Schooner, and One Story, as well as the anthologies Hang The DJ: An Alternative Book of Music Lists edited by Angus Cargill and When I Was A Loser: True Stories of (Barely) Surviving High School edite...more
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