You Like It Darker: Stories

4.5 | 408 ratings

Price: 14.99

Last update: 05-27-2024

About this item

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 read. King writes to feel “the exhilaration of leaving ordinary day-to-day life behind,” and in You Like It Darker, readers 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.

From the Publisher

Top reviews from the United States

Randy Ohh

Another notch.

Reviewed in the United States on May 24, 2024

What can I say. Stephen can still spin a good yarn. Some, of course, are better than others but none disappoint. I particularly love his short story complications and this one is no different. I always take one or two favorites and as always look forward to what's next. Being a "constant reader" as long as he keeps writing them, I'll keep reading them. A' yuh.

Just Me

Loved it.

Reviewed in the United States on May 23, 2024

Stephen King is the absolute master of writing. I couldn't put it down. The writing is magic. I am immediately transported to wherever Mr. King leads me. I was captivated from the first paragraph. Stephen King does not disappoint.

Kindle Customer

I Do

Reviewed in the United States on May 23, 2024

I do like it darker. Stephen King has another great book of short stories here. The first one is my favorite but they're all good. Read it you won't be disappointed.

kimberly

Not intact

Reviewed in the United States on May 22, 2024

I got to page 8 and the pages started to fall out

Seven Seven

So far so good

Reviewed in the United States on May 22, 2024

Stephen king has yet to disappoint me. So far the first few pages are going good. Hope everyone likes it and hope I do too.

sue f.

Arrived on release date!!

Reviewed in the United States on May 23, 2024

Only just started this new release book. Glad I found it at such a good price. Thanks!

RalphKW

Just started reading, but book is falling apart

Reviewed in the United States on May 22, 2024

Several pages just fell out of the book while I just started reading today. Will be returning for replacement. I will update the review when I get the replacement.

Dan

Enjoyable, but past his prime

Reviewed in the United States on May 22, 2024

When one is called out for going soft, and fires back with a new book titled, "You Like it Darker", perhaps it would be best to start with a story on the darker end of the spectrum. Instead, we get more of the same PG rated pseudo-thriller softness with a sci-fi twist. Some of the later stories are better, and darker, but be prepared for a weak first impression.

I was hoping to get a bit of the "old King", but we get past-his-prime King instead. We get *old* King, not the "old King". At least this past-his-prime King collection of short stories is still above average, and I don't regret reading them.

A few things that didn't affect my rating, but are worth mentioning. The pages are super thin and text bleeds through. It bothers me that this has become the standard for most hardcovers, but I try to rate books on the quality of the writing alone.

The "d" and "b" letters are awkward in the font they used. Maybe this helps with dyslexia, which would be fair enough.

Lastly, the editing is sloppy and not of the caliber I would expect from such a famous author. There are inconsistencies in details, such as embossing on a case being silver on one page and then gold a few pages later. No - this was not intentional and has no deeper meaning. It was an oversight. They also reference things that didn't exist at the time, such as Judge Judy in 1987. Again, there was no time travel or justifiable context for the slip up. It was simply an oversight.

Aside from the nitpickings, it's still mostly enjoyable and earned a 4/5. It just won't be your favorite book of the year, and certainly not your favorite King novel.

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