Quick review: JUST AFTER SUNSET
01/01/09 16:50
I’ve not
gotten as much reading done over break as I had
hoped, but I did let myself digest Stephen King’s new
book of short stories, JUST AFTER SUNSET. I think the
reviews are right: he’s still got it. At least most
of it, anyway.
I’ve been a fan of King for a loooong time, since I was in middle school, which was right after he’d written some of his greatest novels (CARRIE, THE SHINING, THE STAND, etc.). When I read them as a youngster, I didn’t get them. But I was still able to absorb his literary prose, his ability to create a character (he’s a master), some of the themes he was working with (what happens when reality bends on you?), and his love of language (hail Mary, full of grace, let me win this stock car race). Even as a kid I could appreciate his ability to spin a good yarn. All of those things are still present in JUST AFTER SUNSET, but now as a grown-up, I can also tap into some of the craziness and desperation that comes with King’s characters. As a kid, I was oblivious to most of that subtlety.
In some of the stories there were holes. After I finished “Gingerbread Girl,” I wanted to e-mail him: “Dear Uncle Stevie, you need some backstory. It would help.” A couple others left me rather neutral. But there were also ones that piqued my mind. One story was about an English teacher and his alter ego, his writer persona, and the writer persona has to step in where the English teacher cannot. That story fascinated me. Other stories were old themes (possessed objects) with new twists (possessed objects whose owners were killed as a result of terrorism). The last story in the volume, which I think is called “In a Tight Place,” is vintage King, absolutely fantastic stuff. I didn’t really buy his main character (weird convolutions, and some “the character has to do X so Y can happen later on”), but the rest of it was amazing, just incredible. I was honored to read it.
So, for someone who’s retired a time or two from writing, he’s still producing good stuff. I’d wait until it’s in softcover, but I’d still buy it, if I were you. Even if you’re not a King fan, it’s still worth your time.
One more note: happy 2009! I am excited for this year--it’s going to bring good things. Here’s to good things for you, too!
I’ve been a fan of King for a loooong time, since I was in middle school, which was right after he’d written some of his greatest novels (CARRIE, THE SHINING, THE STAND, etc.). When I read them as a youngster, I didn’t get them. But I was still able to absorb his literary prose, his ability to create a character (he’s a master), some of the themes he was working with (what happens when reality bends on you?), and his love of language (hail Mary, full of grace, let me win this stock car race). Even as a kid I could appreciate his ability to spin a good yarn. All of those things are still present in JUST AFTER SUNSET, but now as a grown-up, I can also tap into some of the craziness and desperation that comes with King’s characters. As a kid, I was oblivious to most of that subtlety.
In some of the stories there were holes. After I finished “Gingerbread Girl,” I wanted to e-mail him: “Dear Uncle Stevie, you need some backstory. It would help.” A couple others left me rather neutral. But there were also ones that piqued my mind. One story was about an English teacher and his alter ego, his writer persona, and the writer persona has to step in where the English teacher cannot. That story fascinated me. Other stories were old themes (possessed objects) with new twists (possessed objects whose owners were killed as a result of terrorism). The last story in the volume, which I think is called “In a Tight Place,” is vintage King, absolutely fantastic stuff. I didn’t really buy his main character (weird convolutions, and some “the character has to do X so Y can happen later on”), but the rest of it was amazing, just incredible. I was honored to read it.
So, for someone who’s retired a time or two from writing, he’s still producing good stuff. I’d wait until it’s in softcover, but I’d still buy it, if I were you. Even if you’re not a King fan, it’s still worth your time.
One more note: happy 2009! I am excited for this year--it’s going to bring good things. Here’s to good things for you, too!