YA Buddy Readers' Corner ♥ discussion

From #1 New York Times bestselling author, legendary storyteller, and master of short fiction Stephen King comes an extraordinary collection of four new and compelling novellas —Mr. Harrigan’s Phone, The Life of Chuck, Rat, and the title story If It Bleeds— each pulling readers into intriguing and frightening places.

A collection of four uniquely wonderful long stories, including a stand-alone sequel to the No. 1 bestseller The Outsider.

News people have a saying: 'If it bleeds, it leads'. And a bomb at Albert Macready Middle School is guaranteed to lead any bulletin.

Holly Gibney of the Finders Keepers detective agency is working on the case of a missing dog - and on her own need to be more assertive - when she sees the footage on TV. But when she tunes in again, to the late-night report, she realizes there is something not quite right about the correspondent who was first on the scene. So begins 'If It Bleeds' , a stand-alone sequel to the No. 1 bestselling The Outsider featuring the incomparable Holly on her first solo case - and also the riveting title story in Stephen King's brilliant new collection.

Dancing alongside are three more wonderful long stories from this 'formidably versatile author' (The Sunday Times) - 'Mr Harrigan's Phone', 'The Life of Chuck' and 'Rat' . All four display the richness of King's storytelling with grace, humor, horror and breathtaking suspense. A fascinating Author's Note gives us a wonderful insight into the origin of each story and the writer's unparalleled imagination.

The novella is a form King has returned to over and over again in the course of his amazing career, and many have been made into iconic films, If It Bleeds is a uniquely satisfying collection of longer short fiction by an incomparably gifted writer.

Son has pinched my copy, so I may be a day late!

Mr. Harrigan's Phone - So far, I'm liking this - Mr. Harrigan is a bit odd...I wonder what is up with him (view spoiler)[ that was spooky when the phone kept answering after seven years, and when that guy that killed the kids favorite teacher died after he left a message for Mr. Harrigan (hide spoiler)]

The Life of Chuck 4.5 stars
(view spoiler)[I liked this little ghost story - a young boy lives with his grandparents after his parents die - and there's a scary cupala at the house = Chuck sees himself dead in the Cupala - (hide spoiler)]

If it Bleeds - 5+++ stars
(view spoiler)[Ralph Anderson he receives a disk from Holly Gibney (Mr. Mercedes fame) - what does it mean???
OMG I can't believe it's the Outsider again - Holly is kick-ass and so far from her original entry in the Bill Mercedes trilogy - I love her!! I'm so glad she escaped but I'm sure it's not the last we'll see of The Outsider (hide spoiler)]

Rat 4/5 stars
(view spoiler)[
Oh this one is narrated by Stephen Weber. I love him. Can't wait to see what happens!! Nice quirky fairy tale by Stephen King where a rat seems to have granted a wish to finish a great book, but with consequences... (hide spoiler)]

Mr. Harrigan's Phone 4/5 stars

Oh my gosh, I can't even imagine (view spoiler)[to keep getting phone calls from a dead person. lol What I wouldn't give to get a call from my parents! I liked Harrigan a lot.

Question: (view spoiler)[Did I miss something? Why do you think that Stand By Your Man was alluded to so many times? I was a little surprised to see so many biblical references, too. (hide spoiler)] (hide spoiler)]

The Life of Chuck 5/5 stars

Well, this one was different! (view spoiler)[ I don't know if I've ever read a story that begins with the last act and moves its way to the 1st. This story reminded me of 11/23/6211/22/63. Not sure if you read it, Jenny, but Trisha and I buddy read it quite a few years ago. I got some real feels for it, talking about California and in ways reminded me exactly of what's going on right now with the pandemic. I did feel like Act III was better than Acts II and I, so the reverse order fell a little short for me. And I can't hear "Chuckie" without thinking of the movie. lol I completely could see Chuck dancing to the beat of the drums. I would envision that more in San Francisco, but I've never been to Boston. I recall another story (not positive it was King's) of electricity dying and the technology and the Internet going awry. (hide spoiler)] Overall, I really liked this one.

If it Bleeds - 5 amazing stars!

Holly (view spoiler)[ is back again! I loved her in the outsider and I love, love, LOVE her in this one! Hahaha! I'm sure she'll be resurrected too! He can't let Holly go for sure. She's too much a fan favorite. (hide spoiler)]

I really didn't know what to expect of this book, but I should've known that with Stephen King it would be a winner!

RAT 4/5

Any time I see the word RAT I cringe! Literally...so I wanted to hate this one. Lol But I really, really liked it, but it didn't meet the love I had for If It Bleeds. King is just so dang good, but that's so redundant to say!

When Drew (view spoiler)[convinces his wife to go to the cabin with him, I know something very creepy is going to happen. I love the suspense (in my own head) when reading King's stories. I already know it's going to be eerie! lol I mean who makes a deal with a rat?! lol (hide spoiler)] I loved it!

Even though I rated 2 stories 4 stars, If It Bleeds blew me away and it overrides the 4 star stories. And I don't really do points, like 4.5 but overall this book is a 5 star book for me.

Son has returned it...finally. I’ll try and get caught up - but, rats, doesn’t sound good!

Oh you'll love it and we'll comment back :)

Vicki wrote: "The Life of Chuck 5/5 stars

Well, this one was different! [spoilers removed] Overall, I really liked this one."

Yes that would freak me out too - reminds me of that classic Rod Sterling twilight zone episode with the phone that grandmom gave to her grandson

Vicki wrote: "The Life of Chuck 5/5 stars

Well, this one was different! [spoilers removed] Overall, I really liked this one."

I really liked this one too and was laughing (view spoiler)[ when the whole dance after school group was moonwalking on the gymnasium floor (hide spoiler)]

Vicki wrote: "If it Bleeds - 5 amazing stars!

Holly [spoilers removed]

I really didn't know what to expect of this book, but I should've known that with Stephen King it would be a winner!"

My favorite story in the whole book too. And I think this performance of Holly should put her in the Kick-Ass Heroine list on Goodreads!!

Vicki wrote: "RAT 4/5

Any time I see the word RAT I cringe! Literally...so I wanted to hate this one. Lol But I really, really liked it, but it didn't meet the love I had for If It Bleeds. King is just so dang ..."

Same with me for the ratings Vicki!!! Love, love, love Holly!!! I think Stephen King does too which is why he brought her back to see how she was doing...

That’s true, Jenny. I’d love to ask him who his favorite characters are.

Have finally got on with this, and read Mr Harriman’s phone last night. Craig is quite a typical teen but I like way King establishes the relationship between these two. Harriman’s excitement over the internet was funny, and though it wasn’t that scary I can see why Craig got scared.

The Life of Chuck wasn’t quite what I expected. The chronology made a big difference to how I saw Chuck, and though it was an odd story I really enjoyed this. Definitely have questions as to what was happening at the start (or the end) of Chuck’s story.

Would agree with both of you regarding the high rating for If It Bleeds. This was a great story! Holly isn’t fearless, but her vulnerability makes what she does even more impressive. From the opening it was clear we were going to be dealing with something unusual.

Jammin Jenny wrote: "If it Bleeds - 5+++ stars
Ralph Anderson he receives a disk from Holly Gibney (Mr. Mercedes fame) - what does it mean???
OMG I can't believe it's the Outsider again - Holly is kick-ass and so far f..."

(view spoiler)[ I wonder whether he'll feature again - that ending made me convinced he's found a link to her uncle somehow. (hide spoiler)]

Jammin Jenny wrote: "Vicki wrote: "RAT 4/5

Any time I see the word RAT I cringe! Literally...so I wanted to hate this one. Lol But I really, really liked it, but it didn't meet the love I had for If It Bleeds. King is..."

There's an interview with King where he talks about his fondness for Holly. I guess sometimes you just get a character that works.