Night Shift

Rating:
Summary: A few scares can be found among these excellent stories
Review: Though not a work of genius like "Skeleton Crew", "Night Shift" is still a great and spooky collection of stories with only a few clunkers. The author's preface proves King's true genius, offering a perfect summary of fear and its effects on all of our lives. From there, there's something for everyone among the stories in the book: from gothic horror ("Jerusalem's Lot") to dark humor (maybe I'm the only one who saw something funny about the ending of "The Boogeyman", but I think it was meant to be blackly comic) to poignant drama ("The Last Rung on the Ladder", "The Woman in the Room") to fast-paced suspense ("The Ledge", "Quitters Inc.") to good old-fashioned supernatural chillers ("Gray Matter", "The Mangler", and most of the others). One of my favorite stories in the book was "I Know What You Need"; although not too scary, it was suspenseful and made a very good point about love and other things that can be mistaken for it. And although I don't see how they managed to make a fairly normal science fiction thriller out of the beyond twisted little story "The Lawnmower Man", it was still an enjoyable (but WEIRD) read. All in all, a great book for any Stephen King fan, horror lover, or just anyone who likes really good short fiction.

Rating:
Summary: Great Book + Contrasting Views of some stories
Review: For anyone who has read other books and short stories of Stephen King, this is a great read. Night Shift includes great stories such as Strawberry Spring, Gray Matter, and my personal favorite, Jerusalem's Lot. Contrary to other people's opinions, Jerusalem's Lot is an excellent story in a very unique form. The story takes form through a series of letters written by the main character. For those who read carefully enough, they would have noticed the implications of what the Worm really is. King followers should easily spot the reference of what it is. This little tid-bit has been a sort of calling-card of King's, alluding to various other short stories and novels that he has written. This also shows up in Night Surf, which is an obvious allusion to The Stand, one of his greatest works. All in all, this collection has a great number of horror stories, most of them including an ironic, but horrific, twist at the end that is typical of King. There were some stories that I skipped past the first time over, but having read every inch of that anthology, I am thoroughly pleased with the worlds King creates in each of them.

Rating:
Summary: Just when I thought I could shut off my bedside lamp...
Review: ...I read this. This was the (third?) Stephen King book I have ever bought. I began reading it on the day I got it, about a year ago, and I read "The Boogeyman" first. This was an extremely creepy experience. In time (up until today, 4/28/00) I read the following: Graveyard Shift (a very dark, gory, and spooky breathtaker of the underground world). Night Surf (a grim look at how people survive in stressful situations). I Am The Doorway (a gruesome "what-if" story of what a space mission's penalties can be like). The Mangler (because of this story of a Hadley-Watson Model 6 Steam Ironer and Folder, I'm never going to look at a laundry factory the same way again...). The Boogeyman (in addition to what I've already said about this dark memoir-like story, I am scared of closets in dark rooms now). Gray Matter (no comment, though I have to admit I never really *was* fond of beer...). Battleground (a tale of the bizarre possibilities of life, toys, and death). Trucks (a very scary tale about automobiles--what if it could happen?). Sometimes They Come Back (an unforgettable story of time and its victims... and allies... should have even been a novel!). Strawberry Spring (read it and find out how good this plain "wow"-zer is). The Ledge (an acrophobic tale that rendered me afraid of heights...). The Lawnmower Man (the movie has NOTHING to do with this super twisted and scary story of the bizarre). Quitters, Inc. (a story of a great way to quit smoking--I never have smoked, and now I never will...). I Know What You Need (a story that makes you wonder more than once if you can *really* trust just anybody). Children of the Corn (a tale of an abandoned town... or is it *really* abandoned?--don't see any of the movies). The Man Who Loved Flowers (another "wow"-zer--also a mystery). All in all, the book was extremely spooky and chilling. The amount of sleepless nights it has given me is more than I care to explain, but you know what I mean... If you want genuine scares, read this book. If you want the supernatural, science fiction, mystery, gorefest, and/or any other forms of genuine horror, read this book. Horror is working the Night Shift now, but gore is running the Graveyard Shift. ENJOY!

Rating:
Summary: Classic Horror
Review: This is one of my favorite SK books. Not every story is good: watch out for Jerusalem's Lot it is an homage to Lovecraft and gothic novels but is just dull and boring, also look out for Night Surf, it lacks definition and is a waste of time, but other than these scant two tales the book seriously is a great read! The best stories in it are "I Am the Doorway" "The Boogeyman" "The Mangler" "Strawberry Spring" and "one for the road". I read this book a few years ago, but these stories stick in my mind, and I reread them frequently. They are really original and scary.

Rating:
Summary: Many great stories, but also some boring ones.
Review: I really like this book, don't get me wrong, but I was upset because some of the stories were just too boring or hard to understand. I skipped over Jerusalem's Lot because I could not stand the layout, and I was disapointed by stories such as Gray Matter, Night Surf and I Am the Doorway. Gray Matter was just odd, and I Am the Doorway was not developed enough. Night Surf, however,was just downright stupid. There was no action or excitment, just conversation. But there were also many great stories in this book such as The Boogeyman, Quitters Inc., The Ledge, I Know What You Need, and my personal fav, Strawberry Spring. Quitters, Inc. was a great twist as was Strawberry Spring. The Boogeyman left me with many sleepless nights and believe me, it will leave you with some, too. This is a great book to reread and is full of chills and thrills. If the story doesn't suit you, just skip it and read on. Hope you enjoy it!

Rating:
Summary: This book is one of his best!
Review: I am an avid reader of Stephen King, and I consider it one of his absolute best. "Boogeyman" is one of the scariest f'n story I've ever laid eyes on. I also liked "Gray Matter" and "Jerusalem's Lot." You could not ask for a scarier collection and a better buy. Not exactly a page turner, but good enough for five stars.

Rating:
Summary: King Explores
Review: I love it when King comes out with collections of short stories because he has such a diverse amount of material. Anyone who appreciates a good story will like Night Shift. The master of horror should be more so the master of the medium because he provokes your imagination with so many wonderfully constructed tales. Not every book, novella, ect... written by King has been horror, they have been stories of people, and places, not just a subject. The supernatural, the unexplained, the weird, as King explores his writing, the readers experience this journey as well. That's why I enjoy the collections so much, the have so many tales and a broad richness to them. And even better, if a story doesn't strike a likeable cord, there a 20 or so more, waiting to be read. However, I've never found a King story intolerable.

Rating:
Summary: Night Shift
Review: This book is about mystery, horror, and hearing noises in the walls. A group of men find a place that they didn't think could exist. They find a town that they believe has been taken over by Satan. In this town there is a small church. On the mantel of the church there is a large, dirty book about mystery and exploration that was written in a strange language. This book will "scare the pants off of you" and leave you breathless. It is also a book of many stories; for example, Salems Lot and The Dark Half are just a few stories that follow the very scary and breathtaking story of Night Shift. I recommend this book to anyone who likes reading the horror/mystery books by Stephen King. This is a great story.

Rating:
Summary: Another Thriller by the Master of Horror!
Review: This book was so interesting, I couldn't put it down! I read every book by Stephen King, even though I had to borrow one from the librery of Congress. In fact, I'm watching IT even while I am writing this! My favorite story was CHILDREN OF THE CORN! I watch the movie every week, no kidding! So if you want to read a really good book, pick it up today!

Rating:
Summary: Quite boring
Review: I have just finished reading the book and found it quite boring. Only a few stories interest me. I am quite disappointed. Maybe I had expected too high from the book when I read the reviews of other readers. the ratings are a bit misleading. I think it deserves 3 stars.