The Bazaar of Bad Dreams (in-depth book review)

a very diverse collection..

This isn’t a new review, though it is making its Substack debut. It was originally posted to my old Goodreads profile in June, 2016 I hope you enjoy it.

**

Introduction

Stephen King's introductions have always fascinated me. They serve a purpose, they aren't just filler. Naturally, they had a different feel than his stories, but I'm still in the presence of King and he and I are engaged in meaningful conversation. But unlike most conversations, they’re one-sided as I listen to him speak, in complete enrapture. Through his words, his personality shines through, and his New England accent pulls me in wider and before it's done, his love and respect for the short story are deeply imparted.

Now, let’s get into it, shall we?

Mile 81

Reminiscent of Christine or From a Buick 8, this particular offering centers around an insidious station wagon that patiently awaits its next victim. But how does it lure you in? How does it maul you? Can you prevail?

In all earnestness, I foundMile 81slightly verbose, and some of the vulgarity was unnecessary. Not that I normally have an issue with profanity (if I did, I wouldn't read Stephen King,) but story and prose would have been stronger without it.

There's minimal gore here. And at first, I wondered if that’s all it would amount to. Thankfully, that wasn’t the case. According to the introduction, King wrote a version of this science-fiction story in the 1970’s and lost it at a later date. We’re given the result of much rewriting, culminating in much depth and heart, as evidenced by the beloved Rachel Ann Lussier, Pete Simmons and even Trooper Jimmy Golding. They were neither good nor bad. They're like every one of us: seeking love and recognition, no matter the cost. Their actions can lead to bravery, animosity, even despair. They're endearing for both their flaws and virtues. They are neither good nor evil.
I just wanted more.

3.5 stars

Premium Harmony

King excels at the short story once again. His prose was beautiful and rich in profound and disturbing ways, all the while retaining a tightness necessary for the medium to succeed. It succeded on many levels. Like its predecessor, these characters live in shades of grey.

5 stars

Batman And Robin Have An Altercation

This was a slow burn. You know that catastrophe’s inevitable, and that you should look away, flee the scene, but you're mentally and physically unable to. Imminent carnage has power. Topping everything off, King delivers a blow-by-blow shocker of an ending. Beneath the surface was a surprising take on a misunderstood subject thatneedsto be communicated: Alzheimer's. Along the way, degrees of pathos were injected. Nobody does it quite like King.

If I had to give constructive criticism, I would have loved to know Pop and Dougie a little more. The father/son relationship was unique, almost magical, and I wanted to know how they developed it over the years. I was also curious about the antagonist, simply known as "Tat Man." The reader doesn't meet him until the end, and maybe that was a mistake. Nevertheless, I was intrigued.

4.25 stars

The Dune

In some ways, this reminded me ofDuma Key,but the two are completely different. His 1980's classic,Beachworld,also comes to mind, but that comparison isn't quite right, either.The Duneis unlike anything I've ever read. The three shouldn’t be compared. For originality alone, King should be commended.

It's fairly complex, complete with a supernatural element that astounded me. Its nature is diabolical, though it could be construed as divine intervention or destiny. There's also enough character development to satisfy, but not too much to keep you incurious about what might or might not be hidden beneath their skin. In the end, I was left with many unknowable answers, and I wonder if the story as a whole is enough. For these reasons, I'm vacillating betweenfour and four and a half stars.

Bad Little Kid

From the get-go, I knew I’d enjoy this one...a lot. Not to gloat, but my instincts were right. In hindsight, I was clueless just what I was getting into, and that’s always best.Bad Little Kidblew my mind, from start to finish. I proudly reveled in every jagged, gut-wrenching twist, which were plentiful. Some were life-altering, and though there were some which seemed insignificant at the time, I was wrong. Every ratchet towards death's door mattered. I’m still broken.

There was a moment, very early on, that felt reminiscent of the Breakers fromThe Dark Towerseries, and perhaps the narrative took place somewhere along there, only to fade away, but that feeling lingered. There’s zero comparison between the two, but I kept questioning King's originality, creativity. It is clever, I’ll give him that, and ultimately its scope was unlike anything I’d ever read. Period.Bad Little Kidmust be my favorite of this collection.

5 stars

Three pages in, I vaguely remember saying to myself, "I'm loving this," with a wide grin and excitement in my voice. The beauty and intrigue of the prose lured me in. Its dryness and laconic nature was a departure from his typically verbose and colorful style, but it worked incredibly well here. Think:Cormack McCarthyorThe Gunslinger.I'd like to read other stories written in the same vein.

This was some of King's most mature writing to date, as evidenced in his clear, visual stimuli and interesting word choice. Every element worked in unique ways which rendered me speechless. I was awed in ways I didn’t think possible, in ways I’d never imagined.The words were fluid, like churning spirits, which was a testament to his literary prowess. It seemed effortless, the veil between worlds seamless.
I don’t love this more than its predecessor, but the two are close, for different reasons. My only constructive criticism is the ending. I didn’t buy it then, and still don’t.

4.75 stars

As I read the first of the two poems contained therein, I visualized Uncle Stevie reading it to a silent crowd of a couple hundred, and wondered if they were as captivated as I was.The Bone Churchisn't typical poetry. Rather, it's a story in poetic form,and I think it works splendidly here. The small details resonated, and the nuances brought the characters to life. The larger details have their place, as well. The overall tone was haunting, creepy, and virtually all-encompassing. There was another crucial element at play: it’s downright mysterious. This worked surprising well, inexplicably strengthening the whole and leaving me breathless and craving more. If beggars were choosers, I’d long for an entire novel written in this unique style.

5 stars

Having readMoralityoriginally in Blockade Billy, circa 2010, it was refreshing to revisit the individual journey’s of Chad, Nora and Father Whinnie. But it wasn't everything I'd remembered with such fondness. It was both more and less. I'm an increasingly analytical reader, which afforded me a deeper understanding and respect for the intricacies of character, theme and plot, as well as an appreciation for the quality of writing itself. I basically sat back and watched it unfold. Along the way, I reacquainted myself with some seriously questionable individuals with idiosyncrasies all their own. It wasn’t the characters themselves which could, at times, be unscrupulous, but their choices. Even more staggering was the fact that they attempted to justify their actions, and how they attempted to do so. The fact that they genuinely believed that they were right. Afterward, I could only shake my head, angry. You'll find no happy ending here, folks.

5 stars

"There is a folk tale that before birth, every human soul knows all the secrets of life and death and the universe. But then, just before birth, an angel leans down, puts his finger to the new baby's lips, and whispers'Shhh.' "

I think we all ponder imminent mortality, and what lies beyond. Will we go to heaven? Suffer a perpetual stasis called purgatory? Or will we learn to relate toDante Alighieri'sseven levels of hell? There are those that believe in reincarnation. The questions are endless, and are seemingly enough to drive you insane.
Our protagonist, Bill Andrews, hasn't lived the most virtuous life. He’s mostly good, but he has his secrets, too. Dark secrets.
These are the kinds of questions that Stephen King posed, and having turned seventy last September, it's only natural and telling that he wrote this.

4 stars

I'd been curious about this one for many years, but because it was once exclusive to Kindle. My wife and I didn’t own one at the time, so I didn’t have access to it. Now that I've fully processed its fifty-six pages, I'm not sure that it lived up to its reputation. Furthermore, I wondered what exactly took place in that time. Not that I misunderstood it, or that I struggle with retention; it simply felt like a lot less had taken place at the time. In some cases that can be a good thing. For instance, when a story is a genuine page-turner, and you’re loathe for it to end, but when it does, overwhelming feelings of exaltation ensue. That wasn’t the case here. I’m not sure what what went wrong. Though if I had to guess, I’d say it was a lack of substance.

The opening intrigued me, complete with an engaging premise that showed real promise, with likeable and dislikeable characters in equal measure. The concept behind the UR(s) was really unique and creative. In fact, it was this which kept my imagination awhirl. I couldn’t wait to discover how it would end. But ultimately, its lackluster denouement did me in. I hated the ending, and while the premise initially seethed with originality, eventually it evolved into something inarguably cliché in science-fiction. My rating would be lower, if not for the aforementioned strengths, and the numerousDark Towerconnections, which are always a plus. Discovering the Easter Eggs in a Stephen King story is half the fun.
UPDATE, March 14, 2018: I got to thinking about the subplot, and given the two-plus years since reading this, I couldn’t precisely what I was referring to, so thanks to Wikipedia (admittedly not the most reliable source,) I have a renewed respect for the complexity of the plot. My constructive criticism was probably too harsh. I’m raising my rating from THREE to FOUR stars.


https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ur_(nov...

Herman Wouk Is Still Alive

I originally read this inThe Atlantic'sMay, 2011 issue, but rereading it didn't lessen my enjoyment. In fact, I don't think I'd realized just how good it really is, or its testament to the times in which we live. Or both.
There were no wasted words here. From the introduction of Brenda, Jasmine, and the seven children between them, to the elderly poets, Paula and Phil, every chosen word serves a purpose. And, as the title suggests, it’s a homage to Herman Wouk, who turns a hundred and three this year. There is both powerful and frequently beautiful prose here, and liberal doses of bleakness. King's plot is sinister, the introspection of Brenda and Jasmine almost feels lighthearted and apathetic. Ultimately, it’s tragic.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Herman_...

5 stars

The hardcover version of Full Dark, No Stars does not contain this brief narrative of love, and how it often blinds us in unimaginable ways. I’m kind of glad things worked out as they did, for a few reasons which I’ll not go into here, except to say that waiting to read it gave me a little something more to look forward to.

I wasn’t bored withUnder The Weather,but it wasn’t a page-turner, either. As usual, King kept it interesting, and pulled this off mostly through the telling of Brad and Ellen's marriage and their enduring love. I cheered for them, wept with them; I grew to know and love them. Their unique kinship knew no bounds. Theirs is the heart of the story. But likeA Death,I had big issues with the ending, for the same reason, too. It wasn’t believable, for reasons which should be obvious to anyone. I will say no more.

3 stars

I didn’t recall liking this as much as I did. I didn’t recall much of it, save the supernatural twist ending, which floored me completely. I didn’t expect that at all, and it totally worked for me. This time, it started off a little slow (which is necessary for its unique setup,) but once I hit a good pace, the words flew and everything fell into place. It helped though that while I'm not a sports fan today, there was a time about fifteen years ago that I became a fan of the Mariners, which gave me a layman’s sense of the basics. I think that made a difference. When I first read it in 2011, I was kind of indifferent to it, but mostly I just wanted to start the bonus tale,Morality.Therefore, I didn't take the time to really enjoy and appreciate King's passion for the game as played in the 1950's. That shines through most of all, and that alone warrants an extra star. As always, theDark Towertie-ins are an exciting touch.

4 stars

Homosexuality and AIDS were abound here, which intrigued me because it was different from anything he'd written before. There was more to it, though. There was beauty in the living as well as the dead. Beauty is all around us, if only we're brave enough to grasp it. Life is gone too soon, it moves too swift. It's up the individual to find like-minded friends and hone lasting relationships; to take comfort and pleasure in the little things that life has to offer; and to love deeply, honestly, to regret nothing. There’s complacency and loss, suffering and joy, mourning and forgiveness. Life is a gift-- embrace it. Life is what you make it.

4.25 stars

I didn't like this poem as much as The Bone Church, but reading it aloud invoked the same feelings. As before, I envisioned King reciting it to an enrapt crowd. The latter, however, wasn’t as grand and, in some ways, it’s less dire. The stanzas flew smoothly, out of touch and somehow melodic, kind of soothing in a dissonant manner. I can’t articulate the ease of the composition, the depth of my experience, or its complex themes. The emotions were fierce and tragic, the Big Picture never more pressing.

4 stars

This was written mostly as a means to gain closure from the hellacious accident which nearly killed him in 1999. But what fun would it be for anyone (reading and writing,) if he’d mundanely explored the tolls of suffering and the long journey toward recovery, reconciliation, and- ultimately—forgiveness?The Little Green God of Agonyis a breathtaking look at those things, but it’s not perfect, either. Nor should it be, because life isn’t perfect. The narrator, Kat, exudes strength and cheekiness. I was envious of her for those reasons, and liked her instantly. I wanted more from her, though; an intimate understanding of her. I also liked Rideout and Newsome, while Jenson was essentially a set piece.

We’re told about Newsome’s life-changing injuries and we’re given the results. What’s lacking was the factual extent of his pain, both physical and mental. It’s because we see things from Kat’s POV that there was no sense of his emotional state, pre or post-op. However, given that suffering was a central theme, I should have feltsomethingfor the guy. I wanted some mental anguish, physical pain, or both. I was invested in Kat’s well-being, instead.

The denouement was spectacular, unexpected, and fundementally King, albeit simplistic. Overall, a valient effort, one which worked rather well.

3 stars

Wilson, down on his luck and feeling the effects of his domineering mother and father’s advice, must right an environmental catastrophe. Doing so required him to take a stand, to redefine his comfort zones. What he finds is a plausible visage, a portal into another world. Is what he sees a false reality or one all too real? King lets the reader decide.

3.25 stars

Told in first person POV, Michael Anderson told his tale in classic journalistic style (a beginning, middle and end,) about his time at theNeon Circus,an online tabloid equivilant toTMZ.While in its employ, he inadvertantly discovered a latent talent. A power of the gods. What will he do with it, and where will his actions, or inactions, lead him and the world?

4 stars

Told in an authentic and likable lexicon,Drunken Fireworksis exactly what it sounds like. Alden and Hallie McCausland, two Yankees in need of better prospects, unexpectantly inherit a lot of money and end up spending much of their time and money in the family cabin (located on Abenaki Lake,) drinking into a daily stupor. Across the way lived a wealthy Italian family, whose only intent was to antagonize the duo. This rivalry soon spiraled downward. Where it ends was unpredictable. Weaved within was a surprising amount of pathos, when I’d anticipated a strictly action-orientated story, which it was, overall. The ending was anticlimatic, despite that July 4th’s colorful display, culminating in loud explosions and a fiery night sky. I’ll say no more.

I’m curious as to what Hollywood will do with the forthcoming adaption, starring James Franco, who also starred in the Hulu mini-series,11.22.63

http://variety.com/2016/film/news/jam...

4 stars

Gandolf and Robinson only had one another in a world decimated by nuclear fallout, presumably the blowback of a terrorist attack. By the Arabs? Russia? ISIS? There were no answers. After June Sixth, the duo found and then befriended Timlin, an approximately seventy-five year old kind and compassionate man. He provided the only source of conversation in an increasingly silent and lonely world.

I think this was one of best in this collection (on many levels,) but like some of the previous offerings, I wanted more. More answers and character development, particularly that of Robinson, whom I adored. More of a lot of things. In all fairness, what we did get was impressive, given that this was a mere fourteen pages. The denouement could’ve been stronger, but all things considered, I’d be hard pressed to come up with a better or different one. If I were in his position, I might make the same choice. Might.

4 stars

**

Overall

Rating: 5 stars