Tag: Short Stories Reviews

“Strawberry Spring” by Stephen King Review

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An article in the newspaper causes the narrator to recall a time when he was in college and several students were killed. It was a strawberry spring, a false spring, that brought cool weather and fog at night. The first night of fog ended when a young man tripped over the body of a co-ed.

It’s important to say that this short story isn’t a typical Stephen King story where there is monsters running around and chasing kids. This story is a mystery thriller story about a killer who strikes only when it’s foggy outside during the “Strawberry Spring”.

The whole plot story is pretty good, however the whole idea of a killer who kills people during a special time which in this case is the “Strawberry Spring” isn’t that unique now on days but since this story was published in 1978, it needs to get its points for sort of being unique. 

The ending is probably the best part of this whole story, because it comes with a twist and it sort of makes this whole story so much better than it was. But of course this review is spoiler free. 

The twist at the ending was that great but most of you wont probably see it coming. So there will be a little surprise at the end for some people. 

The whole atmosphere in this story is spooky, moody and it will give you chills. And the descriptions in this story which make it even better than expected. But still story is far as good as the huge novels written by Stephen King as “IT” or “The Shinning”.

Some of these descriptions which Stephen King gives us in this story sort of gives you the vibe of Edgar Allan Poe or H. P. Lovecraft. Because these descriptions in this story have some gothic elements to it which makes you feel that it was written many years before it was actually written. 

It’s important to say that this story isn’t a horror story is more a thriller story. Because it isn’t scary enough to be a horror story but definitely it has some mass hysteria, suspecting each other, and searching for the killer elements which makes this story to a thriller story.

However this story could have been much better if it was a novel than a short story. But again it is personal thing which people will disagree on so it’s up to you on this one. 

I give this story 2 / 5

“The Man in the Black Suit” by Stephen King Review

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Gary, a nine-year-old boy, whose brother has died, not long ago, due to a bee sting. One day, Gary goes out fishing and falls asleep. When he awakens, he’s startled to discover a bee sitting on the edge of his nose.

Another pretty good story from Stephen King, it wasn’t the best thing ever. There were a lots of things in this story which could have been much better but in the end this story was pretty good.

This story is one of the best short stories written by Stephen King have written so far. But as we all know his novels are much better than the short stories. 

This story needs to get points for being short and enjoyable. This story is far from the “average” Stephen King novel because there are a lots of things in this story which could have been better.

Stephen King in this story does a good job in building up the tense atmosphere for the entire story as well as creating an unforgettable & terrifying imagery describing this monster.

The beginning of this story may remind some of you of “IT”, because it involves a young kid, a monster and water. Which some of you may find dark and powerful.

The whole plot was pretty basic, it could be much better if Stephen King would have put much more effort into creating a little bit deeper plot in this story. 

The writing style was pretty good, however it is far from the classic Stephen King style which we can see in his novels. 

It’s important to mention that this whole story have some nostalgic parts in it, which the adults and older folks will appreciate.

The concept of this story is pretty good. But still not much to talk about here. For me this story shows that some authors should stick with the long novels which they are known for.

This story is for the most part about grief and centers around a young boy and his fear of losing his Mom, which most kids relate to.

I give this story 2 / 5

“The Gold Bug” by Edgar Allan Poe Review

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Believing William Legrand to have gone insane following an insect bite, his friend initially decries his quest for gold as the ramblings of a madman. Yet when Legrand’s conviction fails to waiver, they set off on a bizarre journey, accompanied by Jupiter, Legrand’s loyal and equally skeptical servant. What follows is a strange tale of coded messages, hidden treasure, and uncanny prophecy that will both enthrall and baffle even the most perceptive readers.

It wasn’t the best Edgar Allan Poe story which we can find. But it is the best treasure hunting stories ever written. 

The characters here are oh boy. The main character which is William Legrand is actually pretty well written. But his servant is written the most stereotypical black character style which you can possible imagine. We can say that his character didn’t age well.

If you keep in mind that this story was written before Civil War, where slaves and all that were legal. Then you will see that this story is actually pretty good. And you will also see that this story is a pretty fun and enjoyable adventure story.

This story needs to get points for involving treasure maps, ciphers, pirate gold and buried treasure. Which every adventure book fan will more or less appreciate.

This story also needs to get points for the moody and gothic vibe to it which every horror, mystery, adventure fan will appreciate no matter if they are 10 years old or 80 years old.

Edgar Allan Poe manages in this story to make you unsettled describing the most basic aspects of everyday life.

The writing style is brilliant. The writing style in this story is so good that it makes you feel that you are a part of the story which you read. 

I give this story 3 / 5

“Battleground” by Stephen King Review

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Renshaw is a professional hit-man, who returns from his assassination of a toy-maker to find a package delivered to his penthouse apartment. The package contains a G.I. Joe Vietnam Footlocker, sent to him by the mother of the toy-maker he had recently killed. When he opens the package, he finds that the toy soldiers are alive with working copies of weapons, jeeps, and helicopters. To Renshaw’s surprise, the tiny soldiers begin to attack him

This story is involving toys coming to life and trying to take over humanity come from. Which isn’t bad but this it is super overused now on days. However Stephen King with this story was able to o reel us in and still entertain us with just 10 ish pages.

A lots of horror fans or Stephen King fans will enjoy this story however there will be some people who will don’t like it because in the end this story is very bizarre. 

However this story needs to get points for being humorous yet grotesque. This story is good when you just want to read something without putting any brain power to it. Because in the this story is Toy Story written by Stephen King.

The writing style was okay, but don’t expect the classic Stephen King style in this one because you wont get it here. Which is very disappointing.

I need to give this story points for having an interesting idea which could have been so much better than it actually was. 

The beginning itself was pretty hard to understand the concept of. So thats that, the ending is some how better but still it isnt something which is good.

I give this story 1 / 5

“The Black Cat” by Edgar Allan Poe Review

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The tale centers around a black cat and the subsequent deterioration of a man – from one of enjoying family life with his wife and numerous pets through his radical change for the worse.

This short story is one of the most darkest stories written by Edgar Allan Poe. So keep that in mind, if you are easily scared. This story is also very disturbing but at the same time very interesting and entertaining.

This story is very similar to “The Tell-Tale Heart”, which I have reviewed one month ago. However I personally feel like there is much more into this story than the “The Tell-Tale Heart” have. 

We have only 4 characters in this story, which again Edgar Allan Poe doesn’t fail us on the “Quilty over quantity” term. Every character in this story is unique in some way. 

There are death involved in this story as well as animal abuse and alcohol abuse, which isn’t for everyone. So keep that in mind as well before you read this story.

There is a scene in this story where the killing of a cat is very brutally described. Which might be triggering for some readers. 

This book doesn’t fail to show the process of someone very stable slowly going madder and madder, and how someone can suffer from hysteria or something very close to hysteria. This tale also shows how a pet or a small thing can make you lose your sanity. 

The writing style is just brilliant, it is written in again a very typical 1800s style. A horror story together with the 1800s writing style is really something which more authors should do now on days.

This story is told from a distant and very calm + very sane perspective. Which makes this story even more interesting especially when you are an Edgar Allan Poe lover like me.

I give this story 4 / 5

“Ligeia” by Edgar Allan Poe Review

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The story follows an unnamed narrator and his wife Ligeia, a beautiful and intelligent raven-haired woman. She falls ill, composes “The Conqueror Worm”, and quotes lines attributed to Joseph Glanvill shortly before dying

Lady Ligeia which this story is about gothic woman’s image in this tale.

The ending is for the most part unexacting and enjoyable. Isn’t that why people love Edgar Allan Poe’s work?

The whole story is definitely creepy and interesting. However the point of this story might be hard to understand for some people. The basic premise of this story is the narrator’s relationship with Ligeia, his wife, to the grave and beyond.

The tone to this story is very gothic and very Edgar Allan Poe style. Which makes this story to a classic Edgar Allan Poe tale. But in the end this story is very similar to other Edgar Allan Poe’s work, which doesn’t make this story to something remarkable.

Some people will have hard time with this tale because they will feel that this tale is the same tale told in another perspective. Because this tale have all the main topics which some other Edgar Allan Poe’s work has. These topics are death of a beautiful woman, monomania, drug and narrator wondering if falling in love with another woman is right or wrong.

This tale is another story about a man descanting into madness because of his love have died. 

The writing style is of course very gothic, moody and amazing. As we all can expect from Edgar Allan Poe.

I give this tale 2 / 5

“The Fall of the House of Usher” by Edgar Allan Poe Review

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“The Fall of the House of Usher” recounts the terrible events that befall the last remaining members of the once-illustrious Usher clan before it is — quite literally — rent asunder. With amazing economy, Poe plunges the reader into a state of deliciously agonizing suspense. It’s a must-read for fans of the golden era of horror writing.

The whole tale is written in a very gothic and moody style, which a horror fan will enjoy. 

Characters, there are very few of them. There are only 5 characters if you count the narrator. Every character have something unique to it, and they are pretty much written in different perspectives which gives us a unique vibe to every character. 

This story predates the modern psychology that eventually is able to put a name to those illnesses which the main characters suffer from. Of course back then people knew very little about various illnesses and mental health which makes this story even more interesting.

Edgar Allan Poe takes us through the darkest corners of the human mind in this tale. Which we need to give him points for, because there are a lot of horrors / thrillers authors now on days who are failing to do so. However if you read other works of Edgar Allan Poe in the past you will have no problem with getting  in and getting out of this tale. Because it is written in the typical Edgar Allan Poe style. 

This tale is very good at showing the reader that our imaginations can always conjure up worse horrors than those we can actually see.

This story is at some point very unique because it is all about This short story the last days of two survivors of a prestigious family, which we don’t read a lot about in books. Of course it is fiction but it doesn’t make it less interesting or less realistic in your head while you are reading this tale. 

There is a huge dark atmosphere to this tale, and it is very clear to see that this tale is one of the best works by Edgar Allan Poe. 

This tale might be hard for someone people to get into, because it starts a little bit confusing, and you sort of don’t know what’s happening at the beginning. 

This tale can be read in one short sitting, which is amazing. Especially when you are struggling to focus on reading for some reason. 

Another thing which may be a little bit of topic is that this tale is perfect to read while quarantine. Because the story of this book focuses on a man who has been in isolation for an extended period of time and is deteriorating into madness. Which is always better to read about when you need to be in quarantine or isolated. 

There are some good and deep gothic elements in this tale. Which for the most part are a haunted  house, a mysterious illness, madness, death, entombment, a dungeon, a violent storm, a cursed family, resurrection and much more. There are a lot of elects in this tale which somehow Edgar Allan Poe puts together in a perfect way, where everything makes sense. 

I give this book 4 / 5

“Hop Frog” By Edgar Allan Poe Review

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94Hop-Frog and his friend Trippetta have been captured by one of the king’s generals and brought back to the King as servants. Hop-Frog serves as jester to the king and Trippetta helps to plan and decorate for social events. She is also forced to dance for the king and his court. Both Hop-Frog and Trippetta are dwarves. The King and his ministers enjoy laughing at and abusing Hop-Frog. Even his name is the result of their making fun of the way he walks. When the abuse becomes unbearable, Hop-Frog devises and carries out an ingenious but horrific plan of revenge upon the King and his ministers.

This is a very short story written by Edgar Allan Poe. This is sort of a horror / fiction short story, which for the most part is like survivable. Of course it can’t be compared with “raven” by Edgar Allan Poe but  after all this was a pretty decent revenge story.

This short story was one of the lesser known story written by Edgar Allan Poe. And whole story can be wrap up with only 3 words which are “Revenge, retribution and dark”.

It was a pretty unique story about a dwarf.  However the narrator of this story wasn’t named, and it wasn’t said what relation the narrator had to this story. I personally like to know what relation to the story the person who narrates the story have. There are a point in the story where you will think that the narrator was actually the dwarf himself.

I mean this book wasn’t that great, so that I could talk for 2 hours about it but nether it wasn’t so bad that I would put horse shit on it.

There are few characters in this story. Which for the record is fine as long as the characters are good.

I give this book 2 / 5

“The Oblong Box” by Edgar Allan Poe Review

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Typical of mystery stories of the Victorian Period. The narrator is an observer to the main action, while trying to solve the mystery of the oblong box. The reader follows the narrator’s view point as he makes assumptions and finally learns the truth.

For the most part this is a short and captivating read. Which once more can be read in 1-2 hours.

The narrator is on a sailing trip from Charleston to New York. Aboard is a friend of his, an artist named Wyatt and his entourage. A very inquisitive unknown narrator tells the story of his voyage, which happens again in a Edgar Allan Poe tale.

Baffling right from the beginning with a delayed voyage, a mysterious box, strange nightly noises followed by muffled sobbing, and then dead stillness.

At first it seemed like a detective story with a touch of supernatural. But it turned out to be of a completely different type. Even though this one is predictable.

However this tale dont feel like the typical work written by Edgar Allan Poe. Because instead of the foreboding atmosphere of horror, this felt more inquisitive.

I give this book 3 / 5

“The Tell-Tale Heart” by Edgar Allan Poe Review

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A murderer is convinced that the loud beating of his victim’s heart will give him away to the police.

Another incredible tale written by no other than Edgar Allan Poe.

It is more or less a perfect haunting short story that will allow you to examine madness and wickedness at the depths of the human soul. I wouldn’t call this tale a horror story, because it is more a psychological tale.

It is a strange story, but it is an easy and good read. And no less it is a quick tale, which again can be read in just 1-2 hours.

This tale is a written from the first-person storytelling. And the writing style is almost too perfect to be true.

The story itself is intense and will make you ponder for a long time. The whole tale is a typical Edgar Allan Poe tale.

An unnamed narrator who is telling this story plots to kill an elderly man because he hates his horrible and scary “vulture eye” makes this story unique at least .

More or less this tale is a dark tale, which is about a man’s descent into madness

I give this tale 3 / 5