If It Bleeds – Stephen King
A solid addition to Stephen King’s bibliography, though it may not stand alongside his most enduring works. Each novella demonstrates his rare ability to seamlessly blend plot with character depth, and the assorted leads of each story — a teen boy, a middle-aged accountant, private investigator Holly Gibney and a frustrated writer — all appear on the page as living, breathing people.
The stakes in each story feel high, and while not every piece reaches the heights of his best work, the collection as a whole offers a compelling, if occasionally uneven, journey into King’s evolving narrative style. His recent shift toward themes of mortality and reflection may divide readers — with some bored by the introspection and not always finding the balance between indulgence versus impact — but for those willing to embrace this evolution, the rewards outweigh the lulls.
Mr. Harrigan’s Phone
With echoes of “The Body” and “Apt Pupil,” Craig, a young boy in a small Maine town, forms an unlikely bond with the reclusive and wealthy Mr. Harrigan. Their relationship is steeped in mentorship and mutual respect, with Harrigan imparting life wisdom while Craig introduces him to the wonders — and potential horrors — of modern technology.
When Craig places Harrigan’s phone in his coffin after his death, the lines between life and afterlife blur. What follows is a subtle, unsettling meditation on revenge and the dangers of meddling with forces beyond our comprehension.
Despite a somewhat heavy-handed ending, the story strikes a perfect balance between sentimentality and unease. Will Patton’s narration redeems his previous missteps, proving that fiction remains his forte.
Rating (story): 4/5 stars
Rating (narration): 4/5 stars
The Life of Chuck
Reading this was the reason I picked up the collection as I wanted to tackle the source material before Mike Flanagan’s big screen adaptation. While not the strongest story in the collection, it was certainly one of the more interesting.
Structured in reverse, it begins with a world spiraling into darkness, both literally and metaphorically. The apocalyptic landscape serves as the backdrop to an enigmatic farewell message appearing on billboards: “Thanks for 39 great years, Chuck!”
As the story progresses, it unravels the mystery behind Chuck Krantz, an ordinary accountant whose life somehow holds cosmic significance. In its middle act, Chuck’s spontaneous street performance — a euphoric dance free from inhibition — becomes a celebration of small, luminous moments. King leaves readers questioning whether Chuck was an integral force holding the universe together or merely a man whose life, like all lives, rippled outward in unseen ways.
Rather than a cop-out, its ambiguity invites reflection on the power of human connection. King, ever more preoccupied with mortality in his later works, focuses on the meaning we create in the face of inevitable endings.
Rating (story): 3.5/5 stars
Rating (narration): 4/5 stars
If It Bleeds
As a direct sequel to “The Outsider,” this novella finds Holly Gibney — one of King’s most intriguing modern characters — settling into her role as the head of Finders Keepers. The story unfolds around a school bombing, which leads Holly to realize an all-too-familiar creature preying on human suffering is behind the attack
While King excels in developing Holly’s character, this installment feels like a retread of “The Outsider” rather than a necessary addition to her arc. The execution lacks fresh urgency and in many ways felt like it was a post-script cut from its predecessor. For those deeply invested in Holly’s evolution, there are rewarding moments, particularly in revealing some of her past traumas.
However, “If It Bleeds” ultimately feels like an intriguing yet inessential companion piece. Unfortunately, Will Patton’s narration does the story no favors, with some passages slipping into an odd imitation of Donald Trump – an unwelcome distraction. Justine Lupe remains the definitive voice for Holly Gibney, and one can only hope future adaptations recognize this.
Rating (story): 3.5/5 stars
Rating (narration): 2/5 stars
Rat
King returns to one of his most beloved — and personal — tropes: the struggling writer. Drew, a short story writer haunted by a failed novel attempt, isolates himself in a remote cabin to finally complete his dream project.
As illness and paranoia set in, he encounters a talking rat that offers him a sinister deal: he will finish his novel, but at the cost of a loved one’s life. With shades of Jack Torrance and Paul Sheldon, the story weaves fevered hallucination with psychological horror.
The question of whether the rat is real or a manifestation of Drew’s unraveling mind remains deliciously ambiguous. Steven Weber’s narration is stellar, elevating the eerie atmosphere and making one wish he had narrated the entire collection. No matter how many times King revisits this theme, this Faustian dark fairy tale was the most compelling story in the collection — and the closest we get to classic King in this collection.
Rating (story): 4/5 stars
Rating (narration): 4/5 stars
Rating (collection): 4/5 stars
Rating (narration): 3.5/5 stars
Format: Audiobook (library loan)
Dates read: March 23 – March 30, 2025
Multi-tasking: Good to go. These stories largely avoid the bloat of some King novels, so it’s important to only do activities that allow you to pay close attention to the little details.
