You Like It Darker

Stories

By: Stephen King

Narrated by: Will Patton, Stephen King

From legendary storyteller and master of short fiction Stephen King comes an extraordinary new collection of twelve short stories, many never-before-published, and some of his best EVER.

“You like it darker? Fine, so do I,” writes Stephen King in the afterword to this magnificent new collection of twelve stories that delve into the darker part of life—both metaphorical and literal. King has, for half a century, been a master of the form, and these stories, about fate, mortality, luck, and the folds in reality where anything can happen, are as rich and riveting as his novels, both weighty in theme and a huge pleasure to digest. King writes to feel “the exhilaration of leaving ordinary day-to-day life behind,” and in You Like It Darker, listeners will feel that exhilaration too, again and again.

“Two Talented Bastids” explores the long-hidden secret of how the eponymous gentlemen got their skills. In “Danny Coughlin’s Bad Dream,” a brief and unprecedented psychic flash upends dozens of lives, Danny’s most catastrophically. In “Rattlesnakes,” a sequel to Cujo, a grieving widower travels to Florida for respite and instead receives an unexpected inheritance—with major strings attached. In “The Dreamers,” a taciturn Vietnam vet answers a job ad and learns that there are some corners of the universe best left unexplored. “The Answer Man” asks if prescience is good luck or bad and reminds us that a life marked by unbearable tragedy can still be meaningful.

King’s ability to surprise, amaze, and bring us both terror and solace remains unsurpassed. Each of these stories holds its own thrills, joys, and mysteries; each feels iconic. You like it darker? You got it.

©2024 Stephen King (P)2024 Simon & Schuster Audio

Chilling and beautiful stories

It’s hard for me to choose a favorite from this new collection. It’s excellently written, and superbly narrated.

I could choose ‘Rattlesnakes’ for the power of its writing, creepy imagery (and superbly creepy narration!) This story, ‘The Dreamers,’ ‘Willie the Weirdo,’ (which reminds me very strongly of ‘Grandma’) and ‘On Slide Inn Road’ are the ones I’d say are more “pure” horror, in the tradition of the genre.

‘Two Talented Bastids’, the opening story, is also a strong contender. Not for its science fictiony plot device, but for its examination of deep friendships between men, and the relationships between men and their sons. It also highlights the type of kindness, as well as courage, that can be nurtured in those relationships. It’s a great story, and it gave me some chills on the way.

I think my overall favorite is ‘The Answer Man’ because it’s beautifully crafted, and because it serves up an answer to many of the questions Stephen King has spent his life asking through his fiction.

It’s always interesting to me when a writer wrestles with an idea in multiple ways. Stories in this collection either directly connect to, or remind me of themes in, “Tommyknockers,” “The Dead Zone,” “Cujo,” “Duma Key,” “Hearts in Atlantis,” “Dreamcatcher,” and stories from “Everything’s Eventual,” and “Just After Sunset.”

Some critics have claimed that “the pacing is uneven.” I’m not sure how one manages a collection of 12 disparate stories, each written with their own rhythm, without that being true. If it’s a concern, perhaps read each story one at a time.

Overall, this is a wonderful collection of mostly new, unpublished stories from a lifetime writer who, much to my pleasure, is still wrestling with questions about fate, what it is to be both human and humane, aging, childhood, marriage, and what might live beyond the veils of our reality.

As for the audiobook, it’s performed by both Stephen King and Will Patton. Patton’s narration is as excellent here as it was in “The Outsider.” He is a highly gifted narrator.

King isn’t the narrator that Patton is, but it’s always good to hear his familiar voice regardless. I’m glad this collection includes some of his narration.

Fantastic!

I love this new set of stories; well-worth the wait. Only slightly hard to navigate due to audible lack of chapter titles; but fabulous writing by King as always.

Never disappoints!

What more can be said than I was so very sad when the last story was done…

Solid

Stephen King has been one of my favorite authors my entire life. No other author has ever made me read hours past when I said I'd stop reading because I felt I needed to know what was going to happen next. I've enjoyed some of his late life writing a great deal and I put Duma Key right up there as one of my most favorite books.

This was not among my favorite King books. The man has every right to slow down, if not stop entirely. I appreciate these books more than his collaborations, which (for me) simply don't seem to work except with Peter Straub. Those books were greats- the stories were actually better than had one or the other have written them alone. This book sometimes felt like torturing character who had already been hit hard in earlier works. Sometimes I just felt... squirmy. I don't know how else to name it. I understand that squirmy is what passes for the slow build-up of terror in the best horror books these days, but it doesn't feel right in a King book. That's just me. Honestly, this book felt exactly like a King's agent received a call from whatever publisher he's signed with and was told they didn't care if King published the thoughts he had while shaving in the morning and had some AaI bot transcribe, but at least one book needed to be put out there because people (even readers) have the attention spans of gnats these days. So some employees went through the dozens and dozens of boxes of all kinds of writing that a writer. with a work ethic like King must produce over the course of a career. "People love that stuff now- they all want to see how the sausage is made" so stories that might not have ever been published get tossed into a book and everyone makes more money because capitalism is a hungry beast that must be fed. I don't know how I feel about this- would I rather have this stuff reliably or a great book every 3 or 4 years? And how does a man who has built his entire life around a work ethic that has ensured that generations of King's descendants will have secure futures turn that faucet off? I don't know. A new King book will never make me unhappy, but this wasn't a book that left me especially satisfied. I will still pre-order the next book (unless it's a collaboration with Chizmar-sorry, I just don't want to give any more of my life to that awful story (which many loved, which just goes to show that authors should write what they love and not read reader reviews, lol).

I don't resent the hours of my life I gave to this book and I truly enjoyed some of the stories- the answer man I'd have loved to read more about. Honestly, saying that this book wasn't my favorite King is a little silly- it's still far and away better than most horror writers ever write.

I love you Stephen King

I’m 56 and a constant reader since my teens. I’m so excited when any part of his stories intertwine or make a cameo, and there are many hints of other titles in these fabulous stories. I was pleased to hear King read, I love his cameos in his movies and enjoy his unique voice but also happy it was short. Love love love Will’s narration as always Grats on another great collection!

Good, but have been better

like the title says, it was good. it was entertaining, but it isn't his best or even second best set of short stories.

King/Patton Best Combination 5 Stars

Five stars for narration and stories. Stories range from 3.5-5 for me.
I enjoyed all of them; though on a couple I wanted more of the story (Turbulence Expert/Red Screen), the rest were just right. Danny Coughlin's Bad Dream was a good one; I had noticed Jalbert was like Javert as King mentioned in the Afterword. (I thought, cool, he must like Les Mis too).
I see many liked Rattlesnakes; though it wasn't my favorite, it was good and it was creepy. I love it when King's stories mention things from his other books; places, people, or events. Rattlesnakes gives a tiny update on a small island. It has the very same feel as that story as well.
Two Talented Bastids was a good opener. Followed by the Fifth Step, oof!! And we're off and running to another great Stephen King Short Story collection.

Another Fantastic Collection!

I said once, while listening to Will Patton read another of King’s short stories, that I could listen to him read for days. The stories from king are great, and Patron’s voice elevated each line with his own sprinkling of added emotion or enunciation. A great listen!

The depth of each story resonate long after finished

This collection is stellar. I was sorry when they ended, though in fact each ended perfectly.

Absolutely loved it.

This is such a great collection of short stories. I loved everyone. My favorite was Rattlesnakes.