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Everything's Eventual [Japanese] #1
Autopsieraum vier: Story aus Im Kabinett des Todes
Howard Cottrell wollte nur Golf spielen. Jetzt liegt er tot auf dem Seziertisch. Er selbst bezweifelt, tot zu sein, aber irgendwie kann er sich den Pathologen, die ihn aufschneiden wollen, nicht bemerkbar machen.
»Autopsieraum vier« ist No. 26 der Stephen King Story Selection (aus: Im Kabinett des Todes). Sie umfasst ca. 43 Manuskriptseiten.
»Autopsieraum vier« ist No. 26 der Stephen King Story Selection (aus: Im Kabinett des Todes). Sie umfasst ca. 43 Manuskriptseiten.
71 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 1, 2004
4 people are currently reading
624 people want to read
About the author
Stephen King
2,499 books886k followersStephen Edwin King was born the second son of Donald and Nellie Ruth Pillsbury King. After his father left them when Stephen was two, he and his older brother, David, were raised by his mother. Parts of his childhood were spent in Fort Wayne, Indiana, where his father's family was at the time, and in Stratford, Connecticut. When Stephen was eleven, his mother brought her children back to Durham, Maine, for good. Her parents, Guy and Nellie Pillsbury, had become incapacitated with old age, and Ruth King was persuaded by her sisters to take over the physical care of them. Other family members provided a small house in Durham and financial support. After Stephen's grandparents passed away, Mrs. King found work in the kitchens of Pineland, a nearby residential facility for the mentally challenged.
Stephen attended the grammar school in Durham and Lisbon Falls High School, graduating in 1966. From his sophomore year at the University of Maine at Orono, he wrote a weekly column for the school newspaper, THE MAINE CAMPUS. He was also active in student politics, serving as a member of the Student Senate. He came to support the anti-war movement on the Orono campus, arriving at his stance from a conservative view that the war in Vietnam was unconstitutional. He graduated in 1970, with a B.A. in English and qualified to teach on the high school level. A draft board examination immediately post-graduation found him 4-F on grounds of high blood pressure, limited vision, flat feet, and punctured eardrums.
He met Tabitha Spruce in the stacks of the Fogler Library at the University, where they both worked as students; they married in January of 1971. As Stephen was unable to find placement as a teacher immediately, the Kings lived on his earnings as a laborer at an industrial laundry, and her student loan and savings, with an occasional boost from a short story sale to men's magazines.
Stephen made his first professional short story sale ("The Glass Floor") to Startling Mystery Stories in 1967. Throughout the early years of his marriage, he continued to sell stories to men's magazines. Many were gathered into the Night Shift collection or appeared in other anthologies.
In the fall of 1971, Stephen began teaching English at Hampden Academy, the public high school in Hampden, Maine. Writing in the evenings and on the weekends, he continued to produce short stories and to work on novels.
Stephen attended the grammar school in Durham and Lisbon Falls High School, graduating in 1966. From his sophomore year at the University of Maine at Orono, he wrote a weekly column for the school newspaper, THE MAINE CAMPUS. He was also active in student politics, serving as a member of the Student Senate. He came to support the anti-war movement on the Orono campus, arriving at his stance from a conservative view that the war in Vietnam was unconstitutional. He graduated in 1970, with a B.A. in English and qualified to teach on the high school level. A draft board examination immediately post-graduation found him 4-F on grounds of high blood pressure, limited vision, flat feet, and punctured eardrums.
He met Tabitha Spruce in the stacks of the Fogler Library at the University, where they both worked as students; they married in January of 1971. As Stephen was unable to find placement as a teacher immediately, the Kings lived on his earnings as a laborer at an industrial laundry, and her student loan and savings, with an occasional boost from a short story sale to men's magazines.
Stephen made his first professional short story sale ("The Glass Floor") to Startling Mystery Stories in 1967. Throughout the early years of his marriage, he continued to sell stories to men's magazines. Many were gathered into the Night Shift collection or appeared in other anthologies.
In the fall of 1971, Stephen began teaching English at Hampden Academy, the public high school in Hampden, Maine. Writing in the evenings and on the weekends, he continued to produce short stories and to work on novels.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 83 reviews
August 23, 2020
Story 3.75 stars**
Audio 4 stars**
Narrator Oliver Platt
Audio 4 stars**
Narrator Oliver Platt
February 14, 2018
Not a typical scary story, you would expect from Stephen King. To be honest, it felt more comical than scary.
June 26, 2016
Kurz, knackig und spannend. Ein sehr interessantes Ende..
July 4, 2016
Meine Meinung:
Jeden Montag erscheint beim Heyne Verlag eine Kurzgeschichte des Autors. Da mir "Der Überlebenstyp" und "Der Hometrainer" von King gut gefallen haben, hatte ich Lust auf eine weitere Kurzgeschichte und diese hat mich sehr angesprochen. Die Geschichte stammt aus dem Buch "Im Kabinett des Todes".
Die Geschichte beinhaltet ein Thema was wohl so ziemlich jedem Angst macht: man liegt auf einem Seziertisch und soll untersucht werden, obwohl man meint noch zu leben, nur bemerkbar machen kann man sich nicht.
King hat hier eine Thematik gewählt, die wieder sehr mit der Psyche des Lesers spielt. Das zu durch leben, was der Protagonist durchlebt finde ich wirklich gruselig.
Bei dieser Kurzgeschichte verschwendet der Autor keine Zeit. Es geht sehr schnell zur Sache und man wird in die Geschichte gezogen.
Man leidet mit dem Protagonistin und fragt sich, was los ist und was Hintergrund der ganzen Sache ist. Ich hatte die Befürchtung, dass es nicht aufgeklärt wird, aber zum Glück gab es am Ende eine Aufklärung, mit der ich leben konnte.
Der Schreibstil von Stephen King hat mir wieder gut gefallen. Dieser Mann kann einfach schreiben und begeistern.
Fazit:
„Autopsieraum vier“ ist eine kurzweilige klasse Horrorgeschichte. Die Idee der Geschichte ist wirklich gruselig und Stephen King verschwendet hier keine Zeit, um auf den Punkt zukommen. Mir hat diese Kurzgeschichte sehr gut gefallen und ich kann sie jedem King Fan, aber auch allen Einsteigern empfehlen.
January 13, 2018
A good tale, suspenseful with laughs. A three star short story from King is at least a four star from almost anyone else.
Wolf Moon listen, but I'm off date, should have been the 1st...it's actually a waning crescent...so...Ketchup Moon.
Wolf Moon listen, but I'm off date, should have been the 1st...it's actually a waning crescent...so...Ketchup Moon.
February 5, 2020
Me gustó el cuento corto de SK. No conocía al autor en esta faceta.
Las historias de estar atrapado en un cuerpo muerto siempre son atrapantes, por lo horroroso que desde el vamos se pinta semejante situación. El final es inesperado la verdad jaja.
Las historias de estar atrapado en un cuerpo muerto siempre son atrapantes, por lo horroroso que desde el vamos se pinta semejante situación. El final es inesperado la verdad jaja.
April 11, 2017
Well, this is my very first Stephen King book.
Have watched most of the movies, but didn't have the luck to read !
It was good, better than expectation :D
I'm ready to read all the other horror ones !
Have watched most of the movies, but didn't have the luck to read !
It was good, better than expectation :D
I'm ready to read all the other horror ones !
June 22, 2016
"Autopsieraum Vier" ist eine knapp vierzig Seiten lange Kurzgeschichte, die in Deutschland erstmals in der Kurzgeschichten-Sammlung "Im Kabinett des Todes" erschienen ist. Da ich schon viele Kurzgeschichten der „Story Selection“ von Stephen King gelesen habe, musste auch diese unbedingt auf meinem Reader landen und ich muss sagen, das mich Stephen King wieder einmal überzeugen konnte.
Stephen King konnte mich mit der Geschichte, die erstmals 1997 veröffentlicht wurde, nicht nur schockieren, sondern auch zum Nachdenken anregen, denn Howard erlebt hier wahrhaft einen Albtraum, den niemand auf der Welt erleben möchte. Da die Geschichte dabei immer aus der Sicht von Howard erzählt wird, erlebt man seine Ängste und Gefühl hautnah mit und man konnte seine Angst praktisch selbst fühlen, da King die Geschichte so intensiv erzählt.
Nach einem Schlangenbiss wird Howard noch auf dem Golfplatz für tot erklärt und wird in den Autopsieraum Vier des hiesigen Krankenhauses gebracht. Da sämtliche Sanitäter und Ärzte davon ausgehen, dass er an einem Herzinfarkt gestorben ist, soll er direkt für die Autopsie vorbereitet werden. Howard ist jedoch nicht tot, kann sich allerdings nicht bemerkbar machen, sodass er hautnah miterlebt, wie man die ersten Untersuchungen führt und ihn auf die Autopsie vorbereitet.
Stephen King nimmt dabei kein Blatt vor den Mund und zeigt auf, dass viele Ärzte und Sanitär oftmals sehr salopp mit dem Tod umgehen und nicht jeder Tote im Autopsieraum den nötigen Respekt erhält. Dies äußert sich in Howards Fall darin, dass er dem Sänger Michael Bolton sehr ähnlich sieht und dafür die Häme des Sanitäters Rusty auf sich zieht. So sehr mich Howards Situation und seine Ängste auch schockiert haben, so hat mich der Autor auch zum Nachdenken angeregt und somit habe ich mich gefragt, welche Ängste und Gedanken ich wohl in einer derartigen Situation durchstehen würde.
Das Cover ist nicht besonders ansprechend und enthält lediglich den Namen des Autors und den Titel. Die Kurzbeschreibung hat mich dagegen direkt angesprochen, denn diese liest sich so erschreckend, dass ich direkt mehr erfahren wollte.
Kurz gesagt: "Autopsieraum Vier" ist insgesamt eine spannende und schonungslose Geschichte, die mich durchweg in den Bann ziehen und zum Nachdenken anregen konnte. Ich bin wieder einmal begeistert und kann diese Kurzgeschichte somit nur empfehlen.
Stephen King konnte mich mit der Geschichte, die erstmals 1997 veröffentlicht wurde, nicht nur schockieren, sondern auch zum Nachdenken anregen, denn Howard erlebt hier wahrhaft einen Albtraum, den niemand auf der Welt erleben möchte. Da die Geschichte dabei immer aus der Sicht von Howard erzählt wird, erlebt man seine Ängste und Gefühl hautnah mit und man konnte seine Angst praktisch selbst fühlen, da King die Geschichte so intensiv erzählt.
Nach einem Schlangenbiss wird Howard noch auf dem Golfplatz für tot erklärt und wird in den Autopsieraum Vier des hiesigen Krankenhauses gebracht. Da sämtliche Sanitäter und Ärzte davon ausgehen, dass er an einem Herzinfarkt gestorben ist, soll er direkt für die Autopsie vorbereitet werden. Howard ist jedoch nicht tot, kann sich allerdings nicht bemerkbar machen, sodass er hautnah miterlebt, wie man die ersten Untersuchungen führt und ihn auf die Autopsie vorbereitet.
Stephen King nimmt dabei kein Blatt vor den Mund und zeigt auf, dass viele Ärzte und Sanitär oftmals sehr salopp mit dem Tod umgehen und nicht jeder Tote im Autopsieraum den nötigen Respekt erhält. Dies äußert sich in Howards Fall darin, dass er dem Sänger Michael Bolton sehr ähnlich sieht und dafür die Häme des Sanitäters Rusty auf sich zieht. So sehr mich Howards Situation und seine Ängste auch schockiert haben, so hat mich der Autor auch zum Nachdenken angeregt und somit habe ich mich gefragt, welche Ängste und Gedanken ich wohl in einer derartigen Situation durchstehen würde.
Das Cover ist nicht besonders ansprechend und enthält lediglich den Namen des Autors und den Titel. Die Kurzbeschreibung hat mich dagegen direkt angesprochen, denn diese liest sich so erschreckend, dass ich direkt mehr erfahren wollte.
Kurz gesagt: "Autopsieraum Vier" ist insgesamt eine spannende und schonungslose Geschichte, die mich durchweg in den Bann ziehen und zum Nachdenken anregen konnte. Ich bin wieder einmal begeistert und kann diese Kurzgeschichte somit nur empfehlen.
June 9, 2017
This was interesting and comical in a way. I was told it was unlike all of King's other stories as it was more on the funny side than horror. Unfortunately, I still find King's writing style hard to enjoy as the unnecessary vulgarities take me right out of the story. Perhaps some day I will find a King story I enjoy...
March 12, 2021
4 stars
First story in SK’s Everything's Eventual
Similar to my fear of being buried alive, Probably going to have nightmares tonight!
First story in SK’s Everything's Eventual
Similar to my fear of being buried alive, Probably going to have nightmares tonight!
January 19, 2015
Kinda makes you think, but most of Kings stuff does.
November 6, 2020
SPOOKTOBER! HIDE!
fulfilling my shortie Spooktober challenge to read one spooky short story a day.
Day one: The Magic Shop by H.G. Wells
Day two: Everything's Fine by Matthew Pridham
Day three: It Came From Hell and Smashed the Angels by Gregor Xane
Day four: Sometimes They Come Back by Stephen King
Day five: The Curse of Yig by H.P. Lovecraft
Day six: The Spook House by Ambrose Bierce
Day seven: An Account of Some Strange Disturbances in Aungier Street by J. Sheridan Le Fanu
Day eight: The Murders in the Rue Morgue by Edgar Allan Poe
Day nine: Graveyard Shift by Stephen King
Day ten: Bitter Grounds by Neil Gaiman
Day eleven: Finding Emma by Matthew Iden
Day twelve: To Be Read at Dusk by Charles Dickens
Day thirteen: Children of the Corn by Stephen King
Day fourteen:The Lady Maid's Bell by Edith Wharton
Day fifteen: The Black Cat by Edgar Allan Poe
Day sixteen: Four Wooden Stakes by Victor Roman
Day seventeen: Carmilla by J. Sheridan Le Fanu
Day eighteen: For the Blood is the Life by F. Marion Crawford
Day nineteen: The Transfer by Algernon Blackwood
Day twenty: The Dune by Stephen King
Day twenty-one: The Cask of Amontillado by Edgar Allan Poe
Day twenty-two: The Night Flier by Stephen King
I haven’t read this story for 16 years when I read the collection, Everything’s Eventual, in which this story is included. I knew I wanted to revisit three stories from that collection for my challenge, and I went with the three that were the most vivid in my mind. Of the three I chose, this one is the one that I remembered the most about.
In true King fashion, the tension in this story is very well done. It is from the point of view of Mr. Howard Cottrell, who finds himself naked, on a cold slab in some kind of medical facility, and completely unable to move or speak. As he tries to piece together what has happened to him, he eventually realizes that he was golfing when something happened, was found by an ancient doctor who was golfing behind him and who in turn signed a death certificate.
So Howard has had a really bad day, made worse by the fact that he realizes that a lovely lady doctor and her hunka hunka med student colleague are about to perform his autopsy.
This is based on a short story called Breakdown by Louis Pollock and was turned into an episode on the old TV show Alfred Hitchcock presents. King says in the afterward following the story that the episode scared him completely as a child and he wanted to pay homage to it. Howard Cottrell, himself, also compares his current state to the one experienced by the actor in that TV episode. I’ve never seen the show, but this story this story is written is supremely chilling. It is sensory horror and we see and hear everything from the man very much alive who is seconds away from being cut open. From the antiseptic smells to the sounds of the bone saw, we experience everything with Howard until the story’s conclusion.
King also exerts a little locker room humor into the ending which I appreciated, as it was refreshing that his homage did not try to outdo the original nor did it take itself too seriously. And my biggest critique was the “epilogue” of the story which, excepting the final humorous punch line at the very end, was completely unnecessary. I dropped a whole star for this, but overall, this was my favorite of the three stories I chose, and loved the tension King created.
Also true to King fashion, the basic plot may have been borrowed, but Howard Cottrell is also the name of a minor character in The Shining, and is described as having “The Shine.” Knowing this little itty bitty fact makes the events of this story slightly more interesting to think about.
Solid 4 stars for tension and sensory terror.
fulfilling my shortie Spooktober challenge to read one spooky short story a day.
Day one: The Magic Shop by H.G. Wells
Day two: Everything's Fine by Matthew Pridham
Day three: It Came From Hell and Smashed the Angels by Gregor Xane
Day four: Sometimes They Come Back by Stephen King
Day five: The Curse of Yig by H.P. Lovecraft
Day six: The Spook House by Ambrose Bierce
Day seven: An Account of Some Strange Disturbances in Aungier Street by J. Sheridan Le Fanu
Day eight: The Murders in the Rue Morgue by Edgar Allan Poe
Day nine: Graveyard Shift by Stephen King
Day ten: Bitter Grounds by Neil Gaiman
Day eleven: Finding Emma by Matthew Iden
Day twelve: To Be Read at Dusk by Charles Dickens
Day thirteen: Children of the Corn by Stephen King
Day fourteen:The Lady Maid's Bell by Edith Wharton
Day fifteen: The Black Cat by Edgar Allan Poe
Day sixteen: Four Wooden Stakes by Victor Roman
Day seventeen: Carmilla by J. Sheridan Le Fanu
Day eighteen: For the Blood is the Life by F. Marion Crawford
Day nineteen: The Transfer by Algernon Blackwood
Day twenty: The Dune by Stephen King
Day twenty-one: The Cask of Amontillado by Edgar Allan Poe
Day twenty-two: The Night Flier by Stephen King
I haven’t read this story for 16 years when I read the collection, Everything’s Eventual, in which this story is included. I knew I wanted to revisit three stories from that collection for my challenge, and I went with the three that were the most vivid in my mind. Of the three I chose, this one is the one that I remembered the most about.
In true King fashion, the tension in this story is very well done. It is from the point of view of Mr. Howard Cottrell, who finds himself naked, on a cold slab in some kind of medical facility, and completely unable to move or speak. As he tries to piece together what has happened to him, he eventually realizes that he was golfing when something happened, was found by an ancient doctor who was golfing behind him and who in turn signed a death certificate.
So Howard has had a really bad day, made worse by the fact that he realizes that a lovely lady doctor and her hunka hunka med student colleague are about to perform his autopsy.
This is based on a short story called Breakdown by Louis Pollock and was turned into an episode on the old TV show Alfred Hitchcock presents. King says in the afterward following the story that the episode scared him completely as a child and he wanted to pay homage to it. Howard Cottrell, himself, also compares his current state to the one experienced by the actor in that TV episode. I’ve never seen the show, but this story this story is written is supremely chilling. It is sensory horror and we see and hear everything from the man very much alive who is seconds away from being cut open. From the antiseptic smells to the sounds of the bone saw, we experience everything with Howard until the story’s conclusion.
King also exerts a little locker room humor into the ending which I appreciated, as it was refreshing that his homage did not try to outdo the original nor did it take itself too seriously. And my biggest critique was the “epilogue” of the story which, excepting the final humorous punch line at the very end, was completely unnecessary. I dropped a whole star for this, but overall, this was my favorite of the three stories I chose, and loved the tension King created.
Also true to King fashion, the basic plot may have been borrowed, but Howard Cottrell is also the name of a minor character in The Shining, and is described as having “The Shine.” Knowing this little itty bitty fact makes the events of this story slightly more interesting to think about.
Solid 4 stars for tension and sensory terror.
August 7, 2023
*Nederlandse versie gelezen, maar die staat niet op Goodreads 😆
Read
January 21, 2016 Imagine being alive, but not being able to move. You know you are in an autopsy room about to be cut open, but no one else knows your are alive. The short story Autopsy Room Four by Stephen King fits into the horror short stories genre. This story takes place in a hospital and at a golf course. The main characters in the story are Howard Randolph Cottrell, Peter Jennings, Rusty, Mike, and Dr. Katie Arlen. Howard Cottrell is the most important character of this story. He is the whole reason as to why the story is written the way it was. Peter, Rusty, Mike, and Dr. Katie Arlen all work at the hospital where Howard is transferred to.
This story has to do with a man named Howard Randolph Cottrell that was just out playing golf with his friend when their ball rolled into a bush. When he went to retrieve his ball he was bitten by a snake and that caused his whole body to go paralyzed. The doctor at the hospital he was taken to misdiagnosed him with a heart attack. He was then transferred to an autopsy room where Dr. Katie Arlen was training Peter Jennings. Her assistant Rusty was sent with his work partner Mike to get Cottrell’s golf bag. While they retrieved Cottrell’s bag he desperately tried to find ways to let Dr. Arlen and Peter know that he is still alive and they should not cut him open. The ending of this story was very entertaining to read. It gives you a feeling of suspense that makes you keep wondering what will happen next. It is very worth it to read.
After reading this story I would definitely recommend it to other people. This is the kind of story that while reading you will be at the edge of your seat waiting to read what will happen next. The ideal reader for this story is one that likes suspense and horror. This is because this story is filled of only things that have to do with a horrific crime that is about to be committed. After reading this I will most likely read another short story by Stephen King because his stories are filled with suspense that make you just want to keep reading and hoping the story will never end.
This story has to do with a man named Howard Randolph Cottrell that was just out playing golf with his friend when their ball rolled into a bush. When he went to retrieve his ball he was bitten by a snake and that caused his whole body to go paralyzed. The doctor at the hospital he was taken to misdiagnosed him with a heart attack. He was then transferred to an autopsy room where Dr. Katie Arlen was training Peter Jennings. Her assistant Rusty was sent with his work partner Mike to get Cottrell’s golf bag. While they retrieved Cottrell’s bag he desperately tried to find ways to let Dr. Arlen and Peter know that he is still alive and they should not cut him open. The ending of this story was very entertaining to read. It gives you a feeling of suspense that makes you keep wondering what will happen next. It is very worth it to read.
After reading this story I would definitely recommend it to other people. This is the kind of story that while reading you will be at the edge of your seat waiting to read what will happen next. The ideal reader for this story is one that likes suspense and horror. This is because this story is filled of only things that have to do with a horrific crime that is about to be committed. After reading this I will most likely read another short story by Stephen King because his stories are filled with suspense that make you just want to keep reading and hoping the story will never end.
November 28, 2024
Autopsy Room Four is a chilling short story from Stephen King that delivers suspense, tension, and horror in a compact, brilliantly executed package. Set in the disorienting confines of an autopsy room, the story follows the terrifying experience of a man who finds himself mistaken for dead and undergoing an autopsy while fully conscious. King, as always, plays with his trademark ability to make the mundane terrifying, and in this case, the sterile environment of a hospital becomes the perfect setting for an escalating nightmare.
The suspense builds with each page as the protagonist, struggling to communicate or move, tries to make sense of his situation. King’s writing is tight and suspenseful, with a deep sense of helplessness and dread. The internal monologue of the protagonist is compelling and visceral, allowing readers to feel his panic and confusion. King masterfully creates a sense of isolation, as the protagonist, trapped in a body he can’t control, is left to wrestle with his own mind and the frightening realization that he may not survive.
What makes Autopsy Room Four so effective is its simplicity. King doesn’t need a complex plot or excessive gore to create horror. Instead, the terror is psychological, relying on the human fear of death and being trapped in one’s own body. The story is darkly humorous at times—King has a knack for blending humor and horror—but it never diminishes the underlying tension. The ending is both satisfying and twisted, staying true to King’s ability to leave readers with a lingering sense of unease.
If you’re a fan of Stephen King’s ability to take everyday scenarios and turn them into something terrifying, Autopsy Room Four is a must-read. It’s a short but impactful tale that will keep you on the edge of your seat from start to finish.
Rating: 5/5
A perfect example of King’s mastery in creating psychological horror in a short, digestible format.
The suspense builds with each page as the protagonist, struggling to communicate or move, tries to make sense of his situation. King’s writing is tight and suspenseful, with a deep sense of helplessness and dread. The internal monologue of the protagonist is compelling and visceral, allowing readers to feel his panic and confusion. King masterfully creates a sense of isolation, as the protagonist, trapped in a body he can’t control, is left to wrestle with his own mind and the frightening realization that he may not survive.
What makes Autopsy Room Four so effective is its simplicity. King doesn’t need a complex plot or excessive gore to create horror. Instead, the terror is psychological, relying on the human fear of death and being trapped in one’s own body. The story is darkly humorous at times—King has a knack for blending humor and horror—but it never diminishes the underlying tension. The ending is both satisfying and twisted, staying true to King’s ability to leave readers with a lingering sense of unease.
If you’re a fan of Stephen King’s ability to take everyday scenarios and turn them into something terrifying, Autopsy Room Four is a must-read. It’s a short but impactful tale that will keep you on the edge of your seat from start to finish.
Rating: 5/5
A perfect example of King’s mastery in creating psychological horror in a short, digestible format.
March 9, 2020
Another very good 'Short Story' from Stephen King. I definitely prefer his short stories compared to his larger tones for the 'horror genre'.
This story focuses on an individual going through the motions of an autopsy. Rather like a monologue observing everything that is happening. This is a terrifying experience within itself, even more so for the unexpected twist at the end.
This story focuses on an individual going through the motions of an autopsy. Rather like a monologue observing everything that is happening. This is a terrifying experience within itself, even more so for the unexpected twist at the end.
Read
June 23, 2016King's reincreation of edgar alla poe classic tale that was adapted before him by Hitchock in the 50's in the tv show and presented in the 70's italian giallo black belly of the tarantula..straight suspense
January 28, 2023
This is a fantastic story about a golfer who is bitten by a snake that causes absolute paralysis. He ends up in an autopsy room observing the examination and disposal of his "dead" body. If only he could…
March 13, 2016
Short story. Creepy!
April 19, 2015
The story wound my guts like a washrag with suspense. A snake paralyzes a man with its bite and the conscious man lives through the horror of his own autopsy. Surprise ending.
January 27, 2016
I loved this short story. Suspenseful and has enough dirty humor to make me smile. Perfect example of what Mr. King can do.
December 23, 2015
3.5 stars
February 10, 2016
Might have lost a little sleep in this one. It was truly horrifying, I'm grateful it was a short story.
April 24, 2016
First thing I've read in a month. It was decent, but wasnt amazing, it was a short story so it didn't have a lot of time to impress me.
December 26, 2016
A funny, scary and exciting take on 'almost' dying. The last sentence of the short story is definitely the funniest.
November 22, 2017
I like this short story Elicits a lot of emotion in a short amount of time and the outcome isn't just a fluke...
March 26, 2021
I think this one's plot is ingenious.
November 8, 2024
what a nightmare
December 13, 2024
Eh. True story but still not as good as I’d hoped.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 83 reviews