Mark's Reviews > Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption: A Story from Different Seasons

One of the best set of novella length stories ever put together. Period. For anyone out there who accuses King of not beinjg able to write well, this set should end that argument.

Shawshank: "Rita Hayworth and the Shawshank Redemption" is a masterpiece. A streamlined cast of characters and clever telling of the story using the narrator as a main character, only to shift into first person to finish the story with expectant yet unresolved hope.

Apt Pupil: Scary. Really spooky stuff. Not so much for the blood and gore, although I had an itchy feeling know how much thought the author put into how to properly knife a hobo to death. No, the creepiest idea is that a person could come so far off the tracks and still be able to function undetected in society. Very believably done.

The Body: Almost sweet in its recollection of waning childhood. A story of friendships doomed to end, innocence dead but not yet buried, and a quest to see something awful leads to understanding. Written by another man at another time, this story might be considered a classic. I hope someday it's recognized as such.

Breathing Method: The weakest sotry of the bunch, and tip of the hat to people who love King for his ability to shock and get all the "gooshy" stuff just right. Simple put, the story itself isn't up to par with the other three. Still a must read for King fans, but the odd man out in this set.