Full Dark, No Stars by Stephen King

I’ve only had the opportunity to read two Stephen King novels namely “The Stand” and “Pet Sematary” – I couldn’t tell you why, and although I couldn’t answer a pop quiz about the contents or characters, their stories remain ensconced in my fading memory!

Stephen King’s latest offering is a dark quartet of novellas entitled “Full Dark, No Stars” and is published by Hodder on the 9^th November 2010.

One thing is clear from the outset; at 63 Stephen King still writes beautifully. Engaging his readers effortlessly, he weaves his atmospheric and engrossing magic from page one, his narrative throughout is eerie and at times cruel in its message.

I found “1922” the first novella in this collection, simply mesmerising. A first person narrative, told through the confession of Nebraskan farmer Wilfred Leland James. Married with a teenage son, he regales a pivotal period in his life after making the decision to murder his wife in the hope of saving his farm from the greedy hands of corporate farming.

What transpires is a dark tale of actions and consequences. He mentally “goes to work” on his son who finally capitulates and helps his father kill and dispose of the body.

“I cozened him into it, playing upon his fears and beating down his quite normal objections over a period of two months,”

Truly compulsive we follow the victory, despair and inevitability all the while King hypnotising with his majestic prose.

Of all four novellas “1922” was the most harrowing for me. It just wouldn’t let me go, no let up leaving me exhausted at the end.

“Big Driver” features a writer travelling home after a book club function. Advised to take a short cut she is brutally raped and left for dead. She embarks on a journey of revenge and murder avenging not only herself but his previous victims. The second novella reads well but not as strong as the first.

I really enjoyed the third novella, “Fair Extension”. It’s a mysterious tale of deal making and betrayal. David Streeter has an inoperable cancer and is in rapid decline.

“Streeter only saw the sign because he had to pull over and puke. He puked a lot now, and there was very little warning”

With all hope lost, George Elvid offers him (at least) 15 years of good health but it comes at a cost. If Streeter agrees to sell his soul and 15% of his salary – his best friend (Tom Goodhugh) suffers.

“In words of one syllable, you have to do the dirty to someone else if the dirty is to be lifted from you”

The story loosely reminded me of a black & white film I saw a number of years ago about a baseball pitcher making a deal with the devil – did I say Devil?

The dialogue is crisp and King’s delivery exceptional, and although not as horrifying as “1922” its delivery was slicker for me.

“A Good Marriage”, the final of the four novellas examines a marriage that has lasted for close on thirty years. While Bob (an accountant) is away on business his wife Darcy discovers a box in their garage. The contents lead her to believe her husband isn’t who she really thought he was – watch out there’s a sting in this “tail”!

Stephen King is at the top of his game and although I’m not usually a fan of short novellas, this book has a certain endearing quality about it. It held me captive throughout and once again I’ve re-discovered my passion for King’s narrative – Elegant and harrowing at the same time.

King reigns supreme!

Published by Hodder (9th Noveember) the book is available at Amazon & The Book Depository.