Stephen King Fans discussion

Discuss Night Shift here. Please mark all spoilers for those reading along.

I don't usually read short stories because they're, well, too short. And I don't always get the point of the story (I hope you all can help me with this aspect). I'd rather read multi-volume fantasy series than a collection of short stories. But this is SK! So I'm making an exception.

Jerusalem's Lot
I really like this. I like the Gothic feel of the story. I like the gloomy, creepy atmosphere. I like the epistolary style. I like the ending. I like everything about it!

Graveyard Shift
I don't really get this one. So my questions: (view spoiler)[What's the connection between Warwick and the spiders that Hall keeps trying to figure out? Is it that Warwick doesn't want to pay for an exterminator and tries to get the guys to get rid of the rat instead? And why is Hall willing to risk his life to get Warwick to the rats' lair? Is it because he's dissatisfied with his life (a college graduate and yet still doing odd jobs)? (hide spoiler)]

Night Surf
It's nice to go back to the plague period of The Stand, my favorite part of the book. As for the point of the story, I'm guessing that it's about (view spoiler)[the twist at the end. The whole story is about a bunch of people who thought they were the last living people on earth who were immune to the plague. And at the end, it turned out that they weren't immune after all. Which is probably why they didn't get dreams to go to Nebraska or Vegas? (hide spoiler)]

Jerusalem's Lot I don't really enjoy this story, even though 'Salem's Lot is my favorite of his novels. This one has too much of a Lovecraft feel for it. I've never understood how King can be sol heavily influenced by Lovecraft and I can love King, but not care for his influence. It's a puzzle.

Graveyard Shift (view spoiler)[Yes, it's exactly the hope of saving money that makes this entire story plausible. Probably not today, but when this was set? There were some cheap ass mofos! (hide spoiler)]

Jerusalem's Lot
I've never read Lovecraft, but since I like this SK story, I think I probably should try some of his work one of these days.

Graveyard Shift
Kandice wrote: "Yes, it's exactly (view spoiler)[the hope of saving money that makes this entire story plausible. (hide spoiler)]"

Thanks for confirming this, Kandice. I was expecting something (view spoiler)[more sinister and supernatural (hide spoiler)].

I also never read lovecraft but I did read Dracula. I felt that Jerusalem Lot read like a diary....similar to Dracula
I did enjoy sometimes they come back....

Femmy wrote: "Jerusalem's Lot
I've never read Lovecraft, but since I like this SK story, I think I probably should try some of his work one of these days.

Graveyard Shift
Kandice wrote: "Yes, it's exactly [spoi..."

Lovecraft is...odd. I personally love his work, but it’s not everyone’s cup of tea. There are many, many collections out there. I’d try The Shadow Over Innesmouth first to him a try. Kandice is spot on, Jerusalem’s Lot is very Lovecraftian.

Thanks for the rec, Matt. I checked Amazon and it's only 99 cents. (Adding yet another book to my TBR Kindle pile.)

All this talk about the stories is making me crave the movie adaptations. There are a lot of bad ones, Graveyard Shift comes to mind, and a lot of good ones (Shawshank, Green mile). Sometimes the bad ones are so bad that I end up enjoying them for a good laugh. Would there be any interest in following up the books, stories with a movie adaptation discussion?

I am the Doorway
What a horrifying ordeal Arthur has to go through. Great story from beginning to end.

I am the Doorway was a good one. Reminded of something we could of seen on the Twilight Zone, would’ve made a great episode.

Yeah, I would love to see a good movie/TV adaptation of this story.

I just checked on IMDB and it looks like a short that has been completed, not sure when and how it is being released though.

According to an answer in the movie's Facebook page:

"Hi Paul, it's not available online at the moment but we hope to screen at a variety of festivals and cities around the world over the next year so, so keep an eye on the page for updates and thanks for following!"

Cool. Thanks!

Marc-Antoine wrote: "All this talk about the stories is making me crave the movie adaptations. There are a lot of bad ones, Graveyard Shift comes to mind, and a lot of good ones (Shawshank, Green mile). Sometimes the b..."

I belong to a RL book club at my local library. We only do books that also have a screen adaptation. We read and watch then compare and discuss. It's really fun and oddly enough, very occasionally, the adaptation is a bit better! Never with King's stories, though.

Marc-Antoine wrote: "All this talk about the stories is making me crave the movie adaptations. There are a lot of bad ones, Graveyard Shift comes to mind, and a lot of good ones (Shawshank, Green mile). Sometimes the b..."

I just added a thread for this movie. I'm surprised but the group never had a thread going for this before now.

Awesome thanks Angie

This is ordered from book depository and will arrive shortly, however I have two rather large Tomes to read for another group plus a really hectic work schedule. So it will be later this month before I pick it up.

Just finished Jerusalem’s Lot. I forgot how creepy it is. The journey into the cellar is especially frightening. It’s funny, I just finished The Amityville Horror (I don’t recommend it), and so much of what Jay Anson was trying to get across with the terror in the house, King nails with just a few sentences.

For me, Graveyard Shift is one of the most horrifying stories I’ve ever read. (view spoiler)[ I hate rats, I’m absolutely terrified of them. I can handle just about anything, but I see a rat and I’m doing the hundred meter dash the other way. (hide spoiler)]

Outside of my own phobia, this is classic, fun horror straight from the pulps. No real point to it, just a quick chiller.

The Mangler
So gory and gruesome. I was sick to my stomach reading it. I guess that's one sign of a good horror story.

Granted, SK at his most weird is not my favorite thing, but I’m going to give the short story colections a shot since I’ve skipped so many of them. So far I quite liked The Mangler and The Boogeyman was pretty good (what a great way to illustrate the difficulties of being a parent). But I Am the Doorway was so utterly weird (and Gray Matter is shaping up the same way) that’s it’s slowed down the reading a bit for me.

Battleground
This was a fun story! I love it.

Going through these stories and I had forgotten how much I love this collection. I think I'll jot down my brief thoughts on each one I've gotten through for the sake of possible discussion. Can't say if I'll do the same for the rest though.

Jerusalem's Lot - (view spoiler)[I'm torn on this one. On one hand I think it's a fantastic display by King of Eldritch horror. I'm a sucker for it when done well, and with the tension built quickly and the knowledge left that all is not done, I kind of have to like it. My problem however, is that it's considered a kind of prequel to 'Salem's Lot, and perhaps I'm missing something beyond the town itself, but I just don't see it. So I spend the whole story thinking "How in the heck does this eldritch horror connect with vampires?" (hide spoiler)]

Graveyard Shift - (view spoiler)[This one is a dud for me. There's just something about the way it plays out that just doesn't click with me. I think my biggest issue here is the characterization just feels a bit rushed and unnatural. Might have worked better as a novella to allow a slower dread buildup, and bring us a better viewing of why Hall decides to do what he does. As it stands it just feels like he does it solely for the sake of the story, and I'm just not a fan. (hide spoiler)]

Night Swim - (view spoiler)[I feel like this one is just average. Not terrible, but also something I could easily skip in further reads. Sure it connects with The Stand, but it's not really a story that adds any depth to that world that warrants it being told in my eyes. (hide spoiler)]

I Am the Doorway - (view spoiler)[I don't have have much to really say on this one. It's a nice short little story that gets incredibly weird. But I'm a sucker for when King gets weird in his stories, so I like it. (hide spoiler)]

The Mangler - (view spoiler)[This story is currently my favourite of the bunch. I just love how it starts out as what first seems like a bizarre accident and develops into an overwhelming demonic force. (hide spoiler)]

The Boogeyman - (view spoiler)[I like this one for the most part. I just wish King would have stopped just a few lines before he did. I like the twist that our narrator is actually speaking to the Boogeyman in disguise, I just feel like the dread of discovering this fact is enough to end the story on. Bringing the Boogeyman out of the closet just pushes it a bit too far for me. Almost as if it's saying "In case you didn't get it, the doctor was the boogeyman!". I don't know, I just prefer a little more subtlety for these kinds of stories. (hide spoiler)]

Tim, I was also thinking about the connection between the story Jerusalem's Lot and the book Salem's Lot. The monsters in the story are (view spoiler)[more like zombies than vampires. Also, the feeling of evil that permeated the town is not at all mentioned in the book. I think it's better to think of the story as a stand-alone, instead of a prequel to the book (hide spoiler)].

Graveyard Shift
Tim wrote: (view spoiler)[I think my biggest issue here is the characterization just feels a bit rushed and unnatural. Might have worked better as a novella to allow a slower dread buildup, and bring us a better viewing of why Hall decides to do what he does. (hide spoiler)]

I agree completely about the characterization in this story. I don't think (view spoiler)[what Hall does makes any sense. (hide spoiler)]

Michael wrote: "(view spoiler)[The vampires in 'SALEM'S LOT came from outside the town, so I think "Jerusalem's Lot" having different monsters shows us the town attracts evil. (hide spoiler)] "

That makes sense.

Michael wrote: "Femmy wrote: "Tim, I was also thinking about the connection between the story Jerusalem's Lot and the book Salem's Lot. The monsters in the story are [spoilers removed]."

[spoilers removed]"

I'm not convinced that Jersalem's Lot and 'Salem's Lot are talking place on the same level on The Tower. I think that general area is an attraction for evil. Just my take.

Femmy wrote: "Tim, I was also thinking about the connection between the story Jerusalem's Lot and the book Salem's Lot. The monsters in the story are [spoilers removed]."

Better to think of it that way of course, the story itself it certainly better that way. I just can't ever seem not to think about it when I read it.

Femmy wrote: "Battleground
This was a fun story! I love it."

That was a great one! It’s what Toy Story would’ve looked like if it had been a Christopher Nolan movie. So far that one’s my favorite.

are they taking place in the same where and when? Are they even on the same earth ? The only way to really find out is to look for specific items in the book and short story. What type of cola's and cars do they have.

mrbooks wrote: "are they taking place in the same where and when? Are they even on the same earth ? The only way to really find out is to look for specific items in the book and short story. What type of cola's an..."

Jerusalem's Lot is pre-cars and cola I think (just imagine, a world without Jack and Coke). In any case, what leads me to believe they're on different levels is the lack of references in the novel. The evil in 'Salem's Lot seems to begin with Hubie Marsten, well after the events of the story.

True but wasn’t hubie martson influenced by the events in Jerusalem Lot??

Kenneth wrote: "True but wasn’t hubie martson influenced by the events in Jerusalem Lot??"

I can't remember if it was ever said. Definitely possible.

Kenneth wrote: "True but wasn’t hubie martson influenced by the events in Jerusalem Lot??"

I think so, yes. If so, then this could definitely be on the same level of the tower.

Night Surf is interesting, though I would have liked a bit more, if just to see (view spoiler)[ how they deal with Needles having Captain Trips. Bernie’s a real jerk. I wonder, if he doesn’t get sick, does he go to Boulder or Las Vegas? (hide spoiler)].

Jerusalem's Lot (view spoiler)[Eldritch horror! I loved the epistolary arrangement (perfectly used here) and that it concludes exactly where it begins. I think I'll give 'Salem's Lot a go next. (hide spoiler)]

Graveyard Shift (view spoiler)[I liked it but has me utterly confused. Hall quickly signs up for a crusade to investigate the hole and forces his foreman with him. What's his reason? What has Warwick done to Hall that justifies feeding him to that gnawing monstrosity? (hide spoiler)]

Red wrote: "Jerusalem's Lot [spoilers removed]Graveyard Shift [spoilers removed]"

Michael wrote: "Femmy wrote: "Tim, I was also thinking about the connection between the story Jerusalem's Lot and the book Salem's Lot. The monsters in the story are [spoilers removed]."

[spoilers removed]"

Jerusalem's Lot: Not a book to be reading when all the lights go off at midnight. Scary as hell. How about a shoutout for King's powers of description. We talk a lot about his characters but the way he describes places and actions and horrors take him right to the top of the list of writers with artistic skills. (view spoiler)[I'm figuring the ghouls were satanic worshippers - so whatever afterlife awaits them fits in here. Not necessarily vampires. I'm assuming the house was the same one in Salem's Lot. (hide spoiler)]

Lol just realised Jerusalems lot is the short story included in the additional extras in my copy of 'Salems lot. So I have read it quite recently :)

Maria wrote: "Lol just realised Jerusalems lot is the short story included in the additional extras in my copy of 'Salems lot. So I have read it quite recently :)"

And One for the Road, right?

Kandice wrote: "Maria wrote: "Lol just realised Jerusalems lot is the short story included in the additional extras in my copy of 'Salems lot. So I have read it quite recently :)"

And One for the Road, right?"

Yes ;)

Hey I have the same copy

Nick wrote: "Red wrote: "Jerusalem's Lot [spoilers removed]Graveyard Shift [spoilers removed]"

Michael wrote: "Femmy wrote: "Tim, I was also thinking about the connection between the story Jerusalem's Lot and ..."

I concur Nick, with one exception Edgar Allen Poe is the best in my eyes and Sai king is a close second.

Michael wrote: "Nick wrote: "Jerusalem's Lot: ..."

I didn't quote what I'm replying about because is was behind a spoiler.

My first thought, Nick, was [spoilers removed]"

Great second thought, Michael. Makes perfect sense. I wonder if King thought of it... probably.

Kenneth wrote: "Hey I have the same copy"

Me too. I love 'Salem's Lot.

I got Night Shift at the library this morning getting ready to start it.

Kandice wrote: "Kenneth wrote: "Hey I have the same copy"

Me too. I love 'Salem's Lot."

Me three. It’s a gorgeous edition of the book.

The Boogeyman
I'm not sure how I feel about this. I hated the main character for (view spoiler)[sacrificing his child to save himself. It's just unacceptable. (hide spoiler)]

Grey Matter
I didn't like this one. It's not scary or creepy at all.

Trucks
An admirable effort from the characters to survive this situation (view spoiler)[though they lose in the end (hide spoiler)].

Sometimes They Come Back
I don't like bullies and I don't like stories focused on bullies.

Strawberry Spring
An okay story. The twist at the end was predictable.

Michael wrote: "Nick wrote: "Jerusalem's Lot: ..."

I didn't quote what I'm replying about because is was behind a spoiler.

My first thought, Nick, was [spoilers removed]"

While I don't believe 'devil worship' is quite the right term based on my own interpretations of the grimoire in question, I do believe you are absolutely right. (view spoiler)[Not counting the discovery of 'Nosferatu' I had forgotten about in the short story, after a little research I pulled up something else I had forgotten about in the novel. It seems in the novel Mark and Susan discover a book written inside of the Marsten Home. A book they can't translate, but Susan believes to be Latin. I'd say it's a good bet it's the same book as the short story. (hide spoiler)]

Tim wrote: "Michael wrote: "Nick wrote: "Jerusalem's Lot: ..."

I didn't quote what I'm replying about because is was behind a spoiler.

My first thought, Nick, was [spoilers removed]"

While I don't believe '..."

Great find, Tim. Since Jerusalem's Lot was written after Salem's Lot it makes sense that King would do it that way... grab onto clues that he placed in an earlier book and explained them in a later one.