Justin’s review of You Like It Darker > Likes and Comments
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Can't wait for this one!
Thank you for all of the notations of the previous publication locations of the stories that had been already released. I included a link to your review in case anyone happening upon mind would like to click over for the information. I know I appreciated it!
Happy reading!
Happy to help, Panda! Just finished the first story and it's AMAZING. Your review has me really excited to keep going! Sounds like this is going to be a superb collection of stories.
Great review!! My copy has the story "The FIFTH Step" rather than The Final Step, just FYI or was your copy titled differently (I've seen that happen before.)
Thanks Cathryn! I updated it since it looks like “final step” was a typo in my edition :)
You are in for a treat when you get to Duma Key. I listen to the audio book every second year in the summer and it's one of my top five favourite Stephen King books. I've read the physical book as well, but the audio version adds something extra special. John Slattery (Roger Sterling on Mad Men) is so perfect. Read it or listen too it, either way, you will be delighted.
CUJO the film has a different ending than the novel. The short story here follows the novel's ending.
Hey Dave! Oh, that's right! It's been so long since I saw the movie I forgot they made a significant character change at the end. I also remember it being a poor substitute for the novel, which was so psychological.
Sean, thank you for the pro tip about Duma Key. It's been on my reading list since it came out. Sounds like now is a good time to finally dive in!
Rattlesnakes was exquisite on every level! Can’t wait to see it adapted!
OMG yes, Rattlesnakes will be such a freaky movie! If it's not already in the works, I'm sure it will be soon.
I completely agree with your 100/5 scores, especially for Danny Coughlin's Bad Dream. After staying up about two hours too late to finish Danny and suffering for it the next day, I made sure not to pick this book up too late in the evening! The tie-ins to Duma Key and Cujo, as well as to the short story Laurie, in Rattlesnakes were fascinating. King excels at that building of interlocking stories, as he did so well in the books that connect to the Dark Tower series.
Good catch! I totally skimmed over the line about Lloyd & Dog (Laurie) showing up. Makes sense, and again another clever world-building technique of the collection!
Thanks for going into so much detail in your review. My review was bare bones because I couldn't single out just one story. Bonus: I had totally not noticed the imagery in the cover until you drew it to my attention. Subtle but genius.
Do you think I would be able to fully appreciate this collection if I haven't read any other King (besides It, which I don't think has any relation to this collection)? Or do you think I'd be better served reading some of his previous novels before delving into this? And if the latter—which novels do you think are necessary to appreciate and understand this collection?
Hi Constellations! I think the only King book that is recommended reading for this collection is Cujo. That’s only for the novella “Rattlesnakes” since it is a sequel. Everything else stands alone.
Great review! I love your attention to details and how many connections you found. From a fellow Constant Reader, thank you for sharing this review!
I just finished this last night and absolutely LOVED it! I started reading Fairy Tale and set it aside because I just can’t stay interested in. Which is unusual for me. Stephen King is favorite author. I am currently reading Sleeping Beauties, started it immediately after You Like It Darker.
Hi Sammi! Glad you enjoyed this one as well. Hope you like Sleeping Beauties more than I did! About halfway through I switched from reading it to listening to the audio. That helped, still a little rough though.
You reviewed this collection like I wish I could! Danny Coughlin’s Nightmare was my favorite also. Stayed awake until 3am just to finish! Talented Bastids had me hooked. I read Holly earlier this year and it reminded me why I love Kings storytelling so much.
Totally agree about Bad Dream. Finished it today, and it gave me actual anxiety. Could all too easily have been a full novel. Brilliant storytelling.
Just finished Danny Coughlin’s and holy moly I do not know what to do with myself. I’ve only read one other Stephen King novel before this collection (Misery) and I’m consistently astounded at his ability to write tension, to throw curve balls, to absolutely keep me on the edge of my seat. I honestly don’t know what to do with myself except keep reading.
Fabulous review Justin and I agree 100%!
You are glazing this old man so hard... jesus. hope you remembered to zip up his pants when you were done
Ladies and Gentleman….This is how a good review should be done!!!
Great review!! I’m currently reading it and am blown away by how good it is!
I really liked this review. I am on the fourth story right now
I'm reading the collection now and was curious to see what others thought of Danny Coughlin's Bad Dream because I absolutely loved it. Good to see it getting love from others!
Wow, what a review! Finished the book yesterday, and it was amazing. Also yesterday I saw the crocodile for the first time, and now I can't unsee it.. Danny Coughlin was without any doubt my favorite, and Rattlesnakes really made me put Cujo on my TBR!
Why he mentioned Flannery O’Connor in “On Slide Inn Road” can someone explain?
I'm glad I'm not the only one that thought Rattlesnakes was Stephen King from the 80s/90s. Truly creepy.
Just finished this masterpiece!! I literally didn’t see the crocodile until I was over 70% done with this book! I think my favorite stories were The Dreamers, Rattlesnakes and the Answer Man. The AM really had me hooked bc WHAT?! I don’t want to spoil for those that are still reading it and may come across this, but my mind was everywhere! Such a great review!
This collection was spectacular, agreed! I find it interesting though, my fave was The Answer Man and would go with 100/5 rating you gave Rattlesnakes and my least fave but still enjoyable was Rattlesnakes, 4/5. Anyhow, thank you for the very detailed review! 💜
Thanks, Nicki! You know, even though "The Answer Man" didn't blow me away as much when I first read it, I still think about it a lot. Definitely a haunting, lingering story.
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May 21, 2024 02:03AM
Can't wait for this one!
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Thank you for all of the notations of the previous publication locations of the stories that had been already released. I included a link to your review in case anyone happening upon mind would like to click over for the information. I know I appreciated it!Happy reading!
Happy to help, Panda! Just finished the first story and it's AMAZING. Your review has me really excited to keep going! Sounds like this is going to be a superb collection of stories.
Great review!! My copy has the story "The FIFTH Step" rather than The Final Step, just FYI or was your copy titled differently (I've seen that happen before.)
Thanks Cathryn! I updated it since it looks like “final step” was a typo in my edition :)
You are in for a treat when you get to Duma Key. I listen to the audio book every second year in the summer and it's one of my top five favourite Stephen King books. I've read the physical book as well, but the audio version adds something extra special. John Slattery (Roger Sterling on Mad Men) is so perfect. Read it or listen too it, either way, you will be delighted.
CUJO the film has a different ending than the novel. The short story here follows the novel's ending.
Hey Dave! Oh, that's right! It's been so long since I saw the movie I forgot they made a significant character change at the end. I also remember it being a poor substitute for the novel, which was so psychological.
Sean, thank you for the pro tip about Duma Key. It's been on my reading list since it came out. Sounds like now is a good time to finally dive in!
Rattlesnakes was exquisite on every level! Can’t wait to see it adapted!
OMG yes, Rattlesnakes will be such a freaky movie! If it's not already in the works, I'm sure it will be soon.
I completely agree with your 100/5 scores, especially for Danny Coughlin's Bad Dream. After staying up about two hours too late to finish Danny and suffering for it the next day, I made sure not to pick this book up too late in the evening! The tie-ins to Duma Key and Cujo, as well as to the short story Laurie, in Rattlesnakes were fascinating. King excels at that building of interlocking stories, as he did so well in the books that connect to the Dark Tower series.
Did you notice that Lloyd Sunderland & his dog, Laurie turned up at the funeral in Rattlesnakes?
Good catch! I totally skimmed over the line about Lloyd & Dog (Laurie) showing up. Makes sense, and again another clever world-building technique of the collection!
Thanks for going into so much detail in your review. My review was bare bones because I couldn't single out just one story. Bonus: I had totally not noticed the imagery in the cover until you drew it to my attention. Subtle but genius.
Do you think I would be able to fully appreciate this collection if I haven't read any other King (besides It, which I don't think has any relation to this collection)? Or do you think I'd be better served reading some of his previous novels before delving into this? And if the latter—which novels do you think are necessary to appreciate and understand this collection?
Hi Constellations! I think the only King book that is recommended reading for this collection is Cujo. That’s only for the novella “Rattlesnakes” since it is a sequel. Everything else stands alone.
Great review! I love your attention to details and how many connections you found. From a fellow Constant Reader, thank you for sharing this review!
I just finished this last night and absolutely LOVED it! I started reading Fairy Tale and set it aside because I just can’t stay interested in. Which is unusual for me. Stephen King is favorite author. I am currently reading Sleeping Beauties, started it immediately after You Like It Darker.
Hi Sammi! Glad you enjoyed this one as well. Hope you like Sleeping Beauties more than I did! About halfway through I switched from reading it to listening to the audio. That helped, still a little rough though.
You reviewed this collection like I wish I could! Danny Coughlin’s Nightmare was my favorite also. Stayed awake until 3am just to finish! Talented Bastids had me hooked. I read Holly earlier this year and it reminded me why I love Kings storytelling so much.
Totally agree about Bad Dream. Finished it today, and it gave me actual anxiety. Could all too easily have been a full novel. Brilliant storytelling.
Just finished Danny Coughlin’s and holy moly I do not know what to do with myself. I’ve only read one other Stephen King novel before this collection (Misery) and I’m consistently astounded at his ability to write tension, to throw curve balls, to absolutely keep me on the edge of my seat. I honestly don’t know what to do with myself except keep reading.
Fabulous review Justin and I agree 100%!
You are glazing this old man so hard... jesus. hope you remembered to zip up his pants when you were done
Ladies and Gentleman….This is how a good review should be done!!!
Great review!! I’m currently reading it and am blown away by how good it is!
I really liked this review. I am on the fourth story right now
I'm reading the collection now and was curious to see what others thought of Danny Coughlin's Bad Dream because I absolutely loved it. Good to see it getting love from others!
Wow, what a review! Finished the book yesterday, and it was amazing. Also yesterday I saw the crocodile for the first time, and now I can't unsee it.. Danny Coughlin was without any doubt my favorite, and Rattlesnakes really made me put Cujo on my TBR!
Why he mentioned Flannery O’Connor in “On Slide Inn Road” can someone explain?
I'm glad I'm not the only one that thought Rattlesnakes was Stephen King from the 80s/90s. Truly creepy.
Just finished this masterpiece!! I literally didn’t see the crocodile until I was over 70% done with this book! I think my favorite stories were The Dreamers, Rattlesnakes and the Answer Man. The AM really had me hooked bc WHAT?! I don’t want to spoil for those that are still reading it and may come across this, but my mind was everywhere! Such a great review!
This collection was spectacular, agreed! I find it interesting though, my fave was The Answer Man and would go with 100/5 rating you gave Rattlesnakes and my least fave but still enjoyable was Rattlesnakes, 4/5. Anyhow, thank you for the very detailed review! 💜
Thanks, Nicki! You know, even though "The Answer Man" didn't blow me away as much when I first read it, I still think about it a lot. Definitely a haunting, lingering story.
