Rating: 
Summary: Stephen King is not a PROFESSIONAL reader...
Review: I stopped listening after 5 minutes. His voice sounds so fake, that I could actually "see" him read. They should have gotten a professional to read this. Stephen King should stick to writing books, not reading them!
Rating: 
Summary: Not up to King Standards but still better than the rest
Review: I wanted to quit somoking and thought it would't be a bad idea to quit while listening to Mr King reading these stories.And guess what:The funny thing is that all the main characters gave up somoking a short time ago...(sounds like the author tried to quit himself wihile writing the material) The idea is good, the packaging is funny (the 3 tapes come in a box that looks like a pack of cigarettes) but I was't all too happy with the stories. The end of Srory Nr 1 is pretty good (eeh, eeh..) Story Nr 2 has a wonderful beginning but a lousy ending and Story Nr 3 has a predictable ending. However Mr King is still one of the best storytellers around and a very good reader. This man really knows how to tell a story even if the content is not all that brilliant.That's why he got 5 on this from me. Or to say it very short: This is bloody good stuff, check it out even if there are a few things that one could argue about.
Rating: 
Summary: Good not Great
Review: I would recommend this book to any hardcore King fans or for those that don't like to read long books. His best work has always been his longer novels (i.e. The Stand, IT, Talisman, etc.) because he is so great at developing his characters. This simply can't be done in such a short period of time. Each of these three stories are around an hour in length and carry a small theme of smoking. The best part is that King is the one reading these and his use of voices is excellent, especially in "In the Deathroom." "1408" which is about a haunted room is probably the best story and has some grotesque scenes. This isn't as good as some of his other short stories like Night Shift but I did still enjoy it.
Rating:
Summary: Blowing smoke...
Review: I'm sorry to say that I really thought that this audio bok was dull and annoying. I have red every one of King's books, enthusiastically waiting between releases for the next title. He is an amazing writer. However, this project was quite the failure. I was irritated by his reading and bored by the contents. I would like my money back. Sorry Stephen!
Rating:
Summary: Just Wonderful
Review: I've never bought an audio tape before but Amazon's recommendation section referred me to this tape. I have book by Steven King and I love this idea of an audio only book. The three stories are funny, fantastic and some times gory. But each one is just plain fantastic. I would also suggest if you haven't read "Smoke Enders, Inc." you've got to get it, just to add to your pack. I loved this audio. Stephen's reading is an eerie addition.
Rating:
Summary: Stephen King smokes it up!
Review: King's Blood & Smoke is an ASTONISHING audio!
©March 9, 2003
Reviewed by Brutal DreamerI've always wanted to hear Stephen King read, to hear him speak his nightmarish tales to me. I believe the King knows exactly how the tone, scene, and mood of the story fits in and can he captured it precisely. I personally *LOVE* King's voice and his natural reading skills and controlled voice. I enjoyed the 3 1/2 hours of listening to him read each story. The stories are SENSATIONALLY packaged together in puffs of tasty smoke sticks. There are three, each one involving smoking, henceforth: Blood and Smoke. Critics try convincing you, the fans, that audio is not something ones listen to anymore. I beg to differ. I find myself happily listening to audio every chance I get. Ones want to believe: if you don't have time to read the books then you won't give your full attention to the audio. I again differ on this opinion. I read an astronomical amount of books and spend at least an hour a day just on recreational reading (not including my job as 'reviewer' or reading of fellow author's books). I enjoy listening to stories being read while I straighten my desk, wash dishes, or even take a break and relax. And it is an honor to hear King sit right by me, as I snuggle up to him, and await his voice to explode and tell me his horrors so beautifully. "Lunch at the Gotham Cafe," is an extremely fabulous story. It is a very busy story; the climax is filled with a massive amount of activity. When Steve Davis arrives home his wife has flew the coup. Steve has just stopped smoking, and when his soon-to-be ex-wife's lawyer sets up a luncheon at the Gotham Cafe to discuss the details of the divorce. What's that spot on the maitre'd's jacket? Looks like blood. What a perfect time to quit smoking, eh? Is he feeling withdrawals? This is definitely King at his most horrific: Insanity running amok. "1408," This is my favorite of by far. Ghost stories will always get my attention. Especially, if they are doused with a lot of dialogue. Mike Enslin is a "ghostwriter" of sorts. He writes non-fic stories about ghosts. Although, he is skeptical and isn't a firm believer in ghosts himself, he enters the prestigious Dolphin Hotel. The hotel hasn't been used in twenty years, he stayed in the room 1408. Doing the math he has to admit the oddity of it all, the ironic number thirteen, and he stays on the fourteenth, oh, I mean, the thirteenth floor. What is odd about three lopsided pictures? Still life? There was something shocking about the image as well as how Mike didn't 'record' the instance on the tape. Mike has to get a hold of himself, he didn't believe he was being haunted but he worried he was being hypnotized by the hotel manager, Mr. Olan. Ashtray on the desk, book of matches with the Hotel Dolphin on the front of it. King's reading kept the story menacing, with insipid scenes he kept the listener in chills. The scene with the bloody woman and her wicked toothy smile, was captured through King's assured voice. If you want another truly heart thumper scene: the telephone call. (worse than listening to Wheel of Fortune) King's voice during this phone scene was almost too spooky. As he reads about the 'voice' pouring out of the room, its hungry voice. King has a fever for haunted hotels. 1408 certainly ranks up there with his "The Shining" novel. "In the Deathroom," Fletcher is an American reporter held in the "deathroom" a torture chamber in the South America. Fletcher, is offered a cigarette repeatedly. The room is definitely a 'deathroom' and Fletcher knew its gray atmosphere spoke many deathly tales. He felt his immediate death approaching and he desperately conceives of a plan that will free him, rather in death or freedom, one or the same to him at this point. His only hope is that final drag on a cigarette, one last cigarette, please. I was shocked these tales didn't take place in Maine (Castle Rock or Dury) but they took place in New York City. "In the Deathroom" reminds me a lot of one of my favorite tales of King's: Gerald's Game and even Misery, due to the fact, torture was inflicted in a particular room. The theme of SMOKE AND BLOOD is just that. Dealing with smoking with horror and gore bloody scenes. Stephen King is not only a writer but the true storyteller. Within his voice through the tells, you will be convinced that you see that cold gray floor in the deathroom. His acting shines through most in "The Deathroom" he is definitely putting himself and all he knows into that tale. In each tale: Fletcher, Mike, and Steve are transformed, and all linked together due to their habit of smoking, or their taste for it. He is the King of grotesque in Gotham Cafe, King of eerie in the ghostly room 1408, and King of fear in the "deathroom" --Stephen King is just that KING!
Rating:
Summary: Stephen King smokes it up!
Review: King's Blood & Smoke is an ASTONISHING audio!
©March 9, 2003
Reviewed by Brutal Dreamer I've always wanted to hear Stephen King read, to hear him speak his nightmarish tales to me. I believe the King knows exactly how the tone, scene, and mood of the story fits in and can he captured it precisely. I personally *LOVE* King's voice and his natural reading skills and controlled voice. I enjoyed the 3 1/2 hours of listening to him read each story. The stories are SENSATIONALLY packaged together in puffs of tasty smoke sticks. There are three, each one involving smoking, henceforth: Blood and Smoke. Critics try convincing you, the fans, that audio is not something ones listen to anymore. I beg to differ. I find myself happily listening to audio every chance I get. Ones want to believe: if you don't have time to read the books then you won't give your full attention to the audio. I again differ on this opinion. I read an astronomical amount of books and spend at least an hour a day just on recreational reading (not including my job as 'reviewer' or reading of fellow author's books). I enjoy listening to stories being read while I straighten my desk, wash dishes, or even take a break and relax. And it is an honor to hear King sit right by me, as I snuggle up to him, and await his voice to explode and tell me his horrors so beautifully. "Lunch at the Gotham Cafe," is an extremely fabulous story. It is a very busy story; the climax is filled with a massive amount of activity. When Steve Davis arrives home his wife has flew the coup. Steve has just stopped smoking, and when his soon-to-be ex-wife's lawyer sets up a luncheon at the Gotham Cafe to discuss the details of the divorce. What's that spot on the maitre'd's jacket? Looks like blood. What a perfect time to quit smoking, eh? Is he feeling withdrawals? This is definitely King at his most horrific: Insanity running amok. "1408," This is my favorite of by far. Ghost stories will always get my attention. Especially, if they are doused with a lot of dialogue. Mike Enslin is a "ghostwriter" of sorts. He writes non-fic stories about ghosts. Although, he is skeptical and isn't a firm believer in ghosts himself, he enters the prestigious Dolphin Hotel. The hotel hasn't been used in twenty years, he stayed in the room 1408. Doing the math he has to admit the oddity of it all, the ironic number thirteen, and he stays on the fourteenth, oh, I mean, the thirteenth floor. What is odd about three lopsided pictures? Still life? There was something shocking about the image as well as how Mike didn't 'record' the instance on the tape. Mike has to get a hold of himself, he didn't believe he was being haunted but he worried he was being hypnotized by the hotel manager, Mr. Olan. Ashtray on the desk, book of matches with the Hotel Dolphin on the front of it. King's reading kept the story menacing, with insipid scenes he kept the listener in chills. The scene with the bloody woman and her wicked toothy smile, was captured through King's assured voice. If you want another truly heart thumper scene: the telephone call. (worse than listening to Wheel of Fortune) King's voice during this phone scene was almost too spooky. As he reads about the 'voice' pouring out of the room, its hungry voice. King has a fever for haunted hotels. 1408 certainly ranks up there with his "The Shining" novel. "In the Deathroom," Fletcher is an American reporter held in the "deathroom" a torture chamber in the South America. Fletcher, is offered a cigarette repeatedly. The room is definitely a 'deathroom' and Fletcher knew its gray atmosphere spoke many deathly tales. He felt his immediate death approaching and he desperately conceives of a plan that will free him, rather in death or freedom, one or the same to him at this point. His only hope is that final drag on a cigarette, one last cigarette, please. I was shocked these tales didn't take place in Maine (Castle Rock or Dury) but they took place in New York City. "In the Deathroom" reminds me a lot of one of my favorite tales of King's: Gerald's Game and even Misery, due to the fact, torture was inflicted in a particular room. The theme of SMOKE AND BLOOD is just that. Dealing with smoking with horror and gore bloody scenes. Stephen King is not only a writer but the true storyteller. Within his voice through the tells, you will be convinced that you see that cold gray floor in the deathroom. His acting shines through most in "The Deathroom" he is definitely putting himself and all he knows into that tale. In each tale: Fletcher, Mike, and Steve are transformed, and all linked together due to their habit of smoking, or their taste for it. He is the King of grotesque in Gotham Cafe, King of eerie in the ghostly room 1408, and King of fear in the "deathroom" --Stephen King is just that KING!
Rating:
Summary: Stephen King smokes it up!
Review: King's Blood & Smoke is an ASTONISHING audio!
©March 9, 2003
Reviewed by Brutal Dreamer I've always wanted to hear Stephen King read, to hear him speak his nightmarish tales to me. I believe the King knows exactly how the tone, scene, and mood of the story fits in and can he captured it precisely. I personally *LOVE* King's voice and his natural reading skills and controlled voice. I enjoyed the 3 1/2 hours of listening to him read each story. The stories are SENSATIONALLY packaged together in puffs of tasty smoke sticks. There are three, each one involving smoking, henceforth: Blood and Smoke. Critics try convincing you, the fans, that audio is not something ones listen to anymore. I beg to differ. I find myself happily listening to audio every chance I get. Ones want to believe: if you don't have time to read the books then you won't give your full attention to the audio. I again differ on this opinion. I read an astronomical amount of books and spend at least an hour a day just on recreational reading (not including my job as 'reviewer' or reading of fellow author's books). I enjoy listening to stories being read while I straighten my desk, wash dishes, or even take a break and relax. And it is an honor to hear King sit right by me, as I snuggle up to him, and await his voice to explode and tell me his horrors so beautifully. "Lunch at the Gotham Cafe," is an extremely fabulous story. It is a very busy story; the climax is filled with a massive amount of activity. When Steve Davis arrives home his wife has flew the coup. Steve has just stopped smoking, and when his soon-to-be ex-wife's lawyer sets up a luncheon at the Gotham Cafe to discuss the details of the divorce. What's that spot on the maitre'd's jacket? Looks like blood. What a perfect time to quit smoking, eh? Is he feeling withdrawals? This is definitely King at his most horrific: Insanity running amok. "1408," This is my favorite of by far. Ghost stories will always get my attention. Especially, if they are doused with a lot of dialogue. Mike Enslin is a "ghostwriter" of sorts. He writes non-fic stories about ghosts. Although, he is skeptical and isn't a firm believer in ghosts himself, he enters the prestigious Dolphin Hotel. The hotel hasn't been used in twenty years, he stayed in the room 1408. Doing the math he has to admit the oddity of it all, the ironic number thirteen, and he stays on the fourteenth, oh, I mean, the thirteenth floor. What is odd about three lopsided pictures? Still life? There was something shocking about the image as well as how Mike didn't 'record' the instance on the tape. Mike has to get a hold of himself, he didn't believe he was being haunted but he worried he was being hypnotized by the hotel manager, Mr. Olan. Ashtray on the desk, book of matches with the Hotel Dolphin on the front of it. King's reading kept the story menacing, with insipid scenes he kept the listener in chills. The scene with the bloody woman and her wicked toothy smile, was captured through King's assured voice. If you want another truly heart thumper scene: the telephone call. (worse than listening to Wheel of Fortune) King's voice during this phone scene was almost too spooky. As he reads about the 'voice' pouring out of the room, its hungry voice. King has a fever for haunted hotels. 1408 certainly ranks up there with his "The Shining" novel. "In the Deathroom," Fletcher is an American reporter held in the "deathroom" a torture chamber in the South America. Fletcher, is offered a cigarette repeatedly. The room is definitely a 'deathroom' and Fletcher knew its gray atmosphere spoke many deathly tales. He felt his immediate death approaching and he desperately conceives of a plan that will free him, rather in death or freedom, one or the same to him at this point. His only hope is that final drag on a cigarette, one last cigarette, please. I was shocked these tales didn't take place in Maine (Castle Rock or Dury) but they took place in New York City. "In the Deathroom" reminds me a lot of one of my favorite tales of King's: Gerald's Game and even Misery, due to the fact, torture was inflicted in a particular room. The theme of SMOKE AND BLOOD is just that. Dealing with smoking with horror and gore bloody scenes. Stephen King is not only a writer but the true storyteller. Within his voice through the tells, you will be convinced that you see that cold gray floor in the deathroom. His acting shines through most in "The Deathroom" he is definitely putting himself and all he knows into that tale. In each tale: Fletcher, Mike, and Steve are transformed, and all linked together due to their habit of smoking, or their taste for it. He is the King of grotesque in Gotham Cafe, King of eerie in the ghostly room 1408, and King of fear in the "deathroom" --Stephen King is just that KING!
Rating:
Summary: Awesome!!!!!!
Review: Man oh man, was this ever outstanding!! Before I go on, I just wanted to let you guys and gals know, this isn't for sale as a book, just in tape or cd. The first is called, "Lunch at the Gotham Cafe." This is a story of a man who is going through a divorce and has to meet his ex and her lawyer. He has no idea at the horror which is waiting for him. What makes this so wonderful is when you get to the end....you undstand the horror and what drives the person to the edge, and knows that it can happen to any of us. I know that makes no sense, but when you listen to the story, it will, promise. I just dont' want to spoil it. 1408 is down right spooky!! At one point I had to snap the light on b/c I got the willies. This is a story of a man who is "ghost Hunter" and has writen several book on haunted houses and graveyards.....ect. He thinks he's prepared for what awaits for him...nothing can prepare him for what's waiting for him in Room 1408 in a hotel. What makes matters worse is that he's an ex-smoker. Perhaps it was the wrong time to quit. He will need all the vices he can get...if he wants to live through the night. The last story that King reads in called, "In the Deathroom". I'm not going to sya to much about his story, except that smoking saved the life of a man who is at the hands of an evil and toruous man. Then odds swing in the man's favor when his captors offer him a cigarette. This is packaged in a box that looks like a box of cigarettes complete with a waring in the side. The warning tells the reader what could happen is you listen to this in the dark. I did..the warnings are true. If you are silly enought to do what I did, make sure your in a arms reach if the the light switch. For when you listen to this in the dark, the rules will change and the monsters will come out. Beware of the dark.... This is a must for all King fans
Rating: 
Summary: Yuck! Yuk? Ugh!....
Review: Much as I enjoy Stephen King, I can't wax poetic on this one; loved the stories; hated the graphic gore and details...
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