This is yet another re-read for me, and oh, I'd say it's been at least 8 or 9 years since I've read it, but I remember liking it a lot back then, my friend had a copy and I didn't, I had dark thoughts of booknapping and possible ransom. Happily, I have my own copy nowadays to read whenever I please. I don't know why it's taken me so long to re-read this book, but I'm glad it's been patiently waiting for me.
So far:
"The Langoliers" was excellent. SK does the "small-group of survivors coping with and end-of-the-world sort of scenario" so well, they are among my favorite of stories. This group was great, I immediately fell for Nick, the tough British agent with the take-charge manner and good looks. I also really liked Albert "Ace" Kaussner, he was funny and yet I had the sense that he was stronger than he seemed. Even Mr. Toomy, the insights into his background were fascinating, seeing into why he is the way he is. And of course, Dinah, her ability to see so well into her surroundings and insights into people, all while being blind, she was a great character. I always like reading about deserted locations, world without people, and when they got to the Bangor Airport, at first, I was like, all right, no one's around, but you got this big whole place to take over, you're safe. But, of course nobody's safe, that'd be silly! As they tried to figure out what was going on, the fact that the world they had entered was "expired" and dead, useless, like a husk, I have to say that I do not like that theory about time-travel, lol, it's always been a dream to travel back in time and experience the people and places and things of the past, I would be sorely disappointed to go back to that! Then add in the craziness of the langoliers and Toomy doing his thing, my heart was pumping, I couldn't put the book down. Then, they get away, but will they be ok? The ending was actually rather happy though, and I liked it. I sort of want to see the movie now, but I know it definitely won't live up to my imagination.
"Secret Window, Secret Garden" I'm saving this one for last, because I'm going to read along to the audio I found at the library booksale: Secret Window, Secret Garden: Two Past Midnight, and partially because I love the movie and have watched it many times. Now if only I could find a cassette player!
"The Library Policeman" was the one that stuck out in my mind from my past reading the most, most likely due to what happened to Sam as a child. But I didn't remember the details of the story, and the details are what makes the story. As the story opens, Sam is just an average small-town guy, insurance salesman/realtor, friendly with most people in town, but with no real deep connections. However, as the strange things start to add up, and uncomfortable memories try to surface, Sam grows stronger. I liked the atmosphere as he walked into the library the first time, I could picture the gloomy, old-fashioned place, the spookiness of being alone in the stacks. Ardelia Lortz was an excellent baddy, like the wolf wearing the sweet looking grandma as a disguise, I was creeped out by her before even knowing what she was. When Sam lost his books, and was rushing trying to find them, and trying to find out about Ardelia, I was rushing right along with him, knowing something bad was going to happen if he didn't find those books. Once Sam told the truth to Naomi and Dave, and they joined in as bigger parts in the story, it really got rolling. I enjoyed Dave's backstory about Ardelia, it gave him much more depth, and I liked finally hearing about what it was that Ardelia had done, because I had been just as baffled as Sam when he tried asking what the deal was with everyone freaking out when they heard her name. The last quarter of the story flew by, and when Sam finally unlocked the memory from his childhood that had been buried for so long, I felt relief, like now he could go on and do battle. What happened to him was terrible, and I was so glad he could defeat his demon and emerge stronger and better for it. This story was more than just another spook tale, it was about the things people keep locked away in their memories, and the power those memories can hold.
"The Sun Dog" I vaguely remember used to be my favorite in the collection, and I still think it's a great, entertaining story. It was cool going back to Castle Rock, and Pop Merill was a great character, lol, full of character. I could picture his junk shop perfectly. I was intrigued by the idea of the camera, what world was it taking pictures of, and why? And what exactly was the dog? I wanted to know more. Then, there was a part, where Kevin was dreaming, he dreamt that (view spoiler)[he was in Oatley, wearing a backpack, asking an old man with a shopping cart if there was anywhere hiring, and the old man started shouting, "fushing feef!". Kevin was somehow seeing/dreaming about something that happened to Jack Sawyer in The Talisman. (hide spoiler)] I had to smile. Even if it meant nothing really in the big scheme of things in the DT universe, it still brought me joy seeing that little part. The end was a bit rushed I thought, but it did serve to make me rush a little, blood pressure was up and I was reading faster than normal, like I had to hurry b/c something bad was going to happen. The dog will be back though, and the epilogue of the story sort of reminded me of the ending of a scary movie with 6 sequels, but it was alright. There was some hinting of more things to come in Castle Rock, which I'm guessing is detailed Needful Things: The Last Castle Rock Story if I remember correctly. That's another one that's on the 'need to re-read b/c it's been a few years' list.
All in all, another great collection by my favorite author. I liked the introductions to each story, I always like it when "Uncle Stevie" writes his extras, it's like getting to know the stories and the author better, and ya gotta like the conversational tone of those writings, forewords, afterwords, intros, what have you.