You Like It Darker

Stories

De: Stephen King

Narrado por: Will Patton, Stephen King

Duración: 20 h y 12 m

Resumen del Editor

From legendary storyteller and master of short fiction Stephen King comes an extraordinary new collection of twelve short stories, many never-before-published, and some of his best EVER.

“You like it darker? Fine, so do I,” writes Stephen King in the afterword to this magnificent new collection of twelve stories that delve into the darker part of life—both metaphorical and literal. King has, for half a century, been a master of the form, and these stories, about fate, mortality, luck, and the folds in reality where anything can happen, are as rich and riveting as his novels, both weighty in theme and a huge pleasure to digest. King writes to feel “the exhilaration of leaving ordinary day-to-day life behind,” and in You Like It Darker, listeners will feel that exhilaration too, again and again.

“Two Talented Bastids” explores the long-hidden secret of how the eponymous gentlemen got their skills. In “Danny Coughlin’s Bad Dream,” a brief and unprecedented psychic flash upends dozens of lives, Danny’s most catastrophically. In “Rattlesnakes,” a sequel to Cujo, a grieving widower travels to Florida for respite and instead receives an unexpected inheritance—with major strings attached. In “The Dreamers,” a taciturn Vietnam vet answers a job ad and learns that there are some corners of the universe best left unexplored. “The Answer Man” asks if prescience is good luck or bad and reminds us that a life marked by unbearable tragedy can still be meaningful.

King’s ability to surprise, amaze, and bring us both terror and solace remains unsurpassed. Each of these stories holds its own thrills, joys, and mysteries; each feels iconic. You like it darker? You got it.

©2024 Stephen King (P)2024 Simon & Schuster Audio

Chilling and beautiful stories

It’s hard for me to choose a favorite from this new collection. It’s excellently written, and superbly narrated.

I could choose ‘Rattlesnakes’ for the power of its writing, creepy imagery (and superbly creepy narration!) This story, ‘The Dreamers,’ ‘Willie the Weirdo,’ (which reminds me very strongly of ‘Grandma’) and ‘On Slide Inn Road’ are the ones I’d say are more “pure” horror, in the tradition of the genre.

‘Two Talented Bastids’, the opening story, is also a strong contender. Not for its science fictiony plot device, but for its examination of deep friendships between men, and the relationships between men and their sons. It also highlights the type of kindness, as well as courage, that can be nurtured in those relationships. It’s a great story, and it gave me some chills on the way.

I think my overall favorite is ‘The Answer Man’ because it’s beautifully crafted, and because it serves up an answer to many of the questions Stephen King has spent his life asking through his fiction.

It’s always interesting to me when a writer wrestles with an idea in multiple ways. Stories in this collection either directly connect to, or remind me of themes in, “Tommyknockers,” “The Dead Zone,” “Cujo,” “Duma Key,” “Hearts in Atlantis,” “Dreamcatcher,” and stories from “Everything’s Eventual,” and “Just After Sunset.”

Some critics have claimed that “the pacing is uneven.” I’m not sure how one manages a collection of 12 disparate stories, each written with their own rhythm, without that being true. If it’s a concern, perhaps read each story one at a time.

Overall, this is a wonderful collection of mostly new, unpublished stories from a lifetime writer who, much to my pleasure, is still wrestling with questions about fate, what it is to be both human and humane, aging, childhood, marriage, and what might live beyond the veils of our reality.

As for the audiobook, it’s performed by both Stephen King and Will Patton. Patton’s narration is as excellent here as it was in “The Outsider.” He is a highly gifted narrator.

King isn’t the narrator that Patton is, but it’s always good to hear his familiar voice regardless. I’m glad this collection includes some of his narration.

Fantastic!

I love this new set of stories; well-worth the wait. Only slightly hard to navigate due to audible lack of chapter titles; but fabulous writing by King as always.

Never disappoints!

What more can be said than I was so very sad when the last story was done…

I love you Stephen King

I’m 56 and a constant reader since my teens. I’m so excited when any part of his stories intertwine or make a cameo, and there are many hints of other titles in these fabulous stories. I was pleased to hear King read, I love his cameos in his movies and enjoy his unique voice but also happy it was short. Love love love Will’s narration as always Grats on another great collection!

Darker How?

Not really what I was expecting considering the title. Not really dark at all.

As in any collection, some of the stories were good, and some were not as good.

If Mr. King reads this:
I have read and listened to you since I was a kid. I love your work for the most part, but please keep two things in mind:
1) We read/listen to books for entertainment. We watch sports for entertainment. We go to the movies for entertainment. Please keep your politics/ideology out of your work. I am so tired of hearing about COVID, Trump, and anything else along those lines. Had a hard time finishing Holly, ruined what could have been a great book.
2) Please do not read your own work. It rarely works out for the good, for any author.

Good, but have been better

like the title says, it was good. it was entertaining, but it isn't his best or even second best set of short stories.

Another Fantastic Collection!

I said once, while listening to Will Patton read another of King’s short stories, that I could listen to him read for days. The stories from king are great, and Patron’s voice elevated each line with his own sprinkling of added emotion or enunciation. A great listen!

King/Patton Best Combination 5 Stars

Five stars for narration and stories. Stories range from 3.5-5 for me.
I enjoyed all of them; though on a couple I wanted more of the story (Turbulence Expert/Red Screen), the rest were just right. Danny Coughlin's Bad Dream was a good one; I had noticed Jalbert was like Javert as King mentioned in the Afterword. (I thought, cool, he must like Les Mis too).
I see many liked Rattlesnakes; though it wasn't my favorite, it was good and it was creepy. I love it when King's stories mention things from his other books; places, people, or events. Rattlesnakes gives a tiny update on a small island. It has the very same feel as that story as well.
Two Talented Bastids was a good opener. Followed by the Fifth Step, oof!! And we're off and running to another great Stephen King Short Story collection.

Long Live The King

This is another wonderful anthology from King. The stories are dark and many catch you off guard just as the twists and turns of the lives we live play out. Each story hooks you and keeps you reading. Each story is filled with the observations and empathy I’ve come to know and love while visiting many of the other tales spun by The One and Only.

lots of nostalgia...

by Mr. King and Will Patton is a dream to listen to per usual