Mosh’s Reviews > You Like It Darker > Status Update
Mosh
is on page 324 of 512
Laurie: 2½ stars
I must have read this on King's website when he released it there in 2018, as much of it felt familiar, but the story still doesn't grab me. I read a number of reviews calling it sweet or tender, but I never felt that attached to Lloyd or Laurie. This one feels much more tell instead of show and consequently doesn't grab me.
— Jul 08, 2024 08:02PM
I must have read this on King's website when he released it there in 2018, as much of it felt familiar, but the story still doesn't grab me. I read a number of reviews calling it sweet or tender, but I never felt that attached to Lloyd or Laurie. This one feels much more tell instead of show and consequently doesn't grab me.
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Mosh’s Previous Updates
Mosh
is on page 498 of 512
"The Answer Man": 4 stars
Because I no longer expect the darkness in this last tale, I can read it for what it is. It's simultaneously sweet and bittersweet. What I like most about it--where it differs from most of the other stories in this collection--is the fact that we get inside Phil's head and get to experience his joys and sadnesses, his curiosities and victories alongside him.
— Jul 21, 2024 09:10AM
Because I no longer expect the darkness in this last tale, I can read it for what it is. It's simultaneously sweet and bittersweet. What I like most about it--where it differs from most of the other stories in this collection--is the fact that we get inside Phil's head and get to experience his joys and sadnesses, his curiosities and victories alongside him.
Mosh
is on page 448 of 512
"The Dreamers": 2 stars
I'm coming to terms with a few facts: I'm likely going to remain underwhelmed by this collection and short stories just might not be King's forte; he works best when he has time to delve into who the characters are. This one feels way more tell than show. While it has potential, we don't get enough about anyone or the importance of the house to grab onto and feel something
— Jul 17, 2024 07:29AM
I'm coming to terms with a few facts: I'm likely going to remain underwhelmed by this collection and short stories just might not be King's forte; he works best when he has time to delve into who the characters are. This one feels way more tell than show. While it has potential, we don't get enough about anyone or the importance of the house to grab onto and feel something
Mosh
is on page 414 of 512
"Rattlesnakes" pt. 2
The flashback on pages 358-9, however, is King's most intense writing in this book so far. It's visceral and engaging, and while it doesn't make the overall story more interesting, it's nice to see that King can still bring it.
— Jul 15, 2024 04:53PM
The flashback on pages 358-9, however, is King's most intense writing in this book so far. It's visceral and engaging, and while it doesn't make the overall story more interesting, it's nice to see that King can still bring it.
Mosh
is on page 414 of 512
"Rattlesnakes": 2½ stars
This not-actually-a-sequel-to-Cujo limps along without much of a destination. The connection to Cujo is essentially irrelevant; actually, it's more of a distraction. King could have easily made this a stroy of survivor's guilt without the callback. In fact, it feels more like The Shining with the stroller taking the place of the hotel.
to be continued...
— Jul 15, 2024 04:52PM
This not-actually-a-sequel-to-Cujo limps along without much of a destination. The connection to Cujo is essentially irrelevant; actually, it's more of a distraction. King could have easily made this a stroy of survivor's guilt without the callback. In fact, it feels more like The Shining with the stroller taking the place of the hotel.
to be continued...
Mosh
is on page 300 of 512
The Turbulence Expert: 2 stars
Every so often I feel as if King has a glimmer of an idea that has absolutely nowhere to go, but he writes the story just to get it out of his system. This feels like one of those stories.
— Jul 07, 2024 07:37PM
Every so often I feel as if King has a glimmer of an idea that has absolutely nowhere to go, but he writes the story just to get it out of his system. This feels like one of those stories.
Mosh
is on page 285 of 512
Red Screen: 2 stars
Meh. Not a lot to this one, either in depth or surprises. Even King can't knock 'em out of the park every time.
— Jul 06, 2024 07:57PM
Meh. Not a lot to this one, either in depth or surprises. Even King can't knock 'em out of the park every time.
Mosh
is on page 276 of 512
"On Slide Inn Road": 4 stars
This one has the griminess, the internal struggles revealing what people do and don't have inside them, and the occasional secret we don't even dare tell ourselves for fear of others somehow overhearing. The dedication to Flannery O'Connor at the end makes complete sense. <spoiler> The only part I'd change is what can on some level be called a happy ending; in a book full of darkness, no.</spoiler>
— Jul 04, 2024 03:51PM
This one has the griminess, the internal struggles revealing what people do and don't have inside them, and the occasional secret we don't even dare tell ourselves for fear of others somehow overhearing. The dedication to Flannery O'Connor at the end makes complete sense. <spoiler> The only part I'd change is what can on some level be called a happy ending; in a book full of darkness, no.</spoiler>
Mosh
is on page 256 of 512
Finn: 3 stars
I'm beginning to think this book is not delivering the darkness I expected, at least not the way Full Dark, No Stars does. I might have to adjust my expectations. This story didn't seem to have much of a point to it, and King's attempts to sound genuinely English fall flat to me. It's an interesting enough story, but it doesn't go far enough.
— Jul 03, 2024 06:29PM
I'm beginning to think this book is not delivering the darkness I expected, at least not the way Full Dark, No Stars does. I might have to adjust my expectations. This story didn't seem to have much of a point to it, and King's attempts to sound genuinely English fall flat to me. It's an interesting enough story, but it doesn't go far enough.
Mosh
is on page 234 of 512
"Danny Coughlin's Bad Dream" - 4 stars
A fairly gripping tale about belief and certainty and how either can get a person in trouble. Watching Jalbert's descent is more terrifying than Danny's fleeing from injustice, and while the ending lacks the oomph it should have--and while the story doesn't have the overall darkness I thought this book was going to deliver--this one is a page-turner for sure.
— Jul 03, 2024 09:35AM
A fairly gripping tale about belief and certainty and how either can get a person in trouble. Watching Jalbert's descent is more terrifying than Danny's fleeing from injustice, and while the ending lacks the oomph it should have--and while the story doesn't have the overall darkness I thought this book was going to deliver--this one is a page-turner for sure.
Mosh
is on page 82 of 512
"Willie the Weirdo" 4½ stars
This one deals with the darkness on a few levels and is honing ever closer to what I expect from a Stephen King tale. Tackling issues that usually remain unspoken, King gives them voices that probably shouldn't be heard and caps it with a lovely twist.
— Jun 23, 2024 07:43PM
This one deals with the darkness on a few levels and is honing ever closer to what I expect from a Stephen King tale. Tackling issues that usually remain unspoken, King gives them voices that probably shouldn't be heard and caps it with a lovely twist.
