You Like It Darker

Last updated
You Like It Darker
You Like It Darker by Stephen King.jpg
First edition cover
Author Stephen King
Audio read by
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Genre Horror
Publisher Scribner
Publication date
May 21, 2024
Media typePrint (hardcover), eBook, Audiobook
Pages502
ISBN 978-1668037713
Preceded by If It Bleeds  

You Like It Darker is a collection of twelve stories by American author Stephen King, published by Scribner in May 2024. It delves into the darker aspects of life, both metaphorically and literally. Exploring themes such as fate, mortality, luck, and the unexpected turns of reality, the book comprises a mix of new and previously published stories. Each narrative, distinct in its approach, collectively contributes to this volume, marking its first comprehensive assembly. [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7] The book was announced on November 6, 2023, via Entertainment Weekly , which provided a look at the book's wraparound cover, table of contents, and an excerpt from "Rattlesnakes", a sequel to King's 1981 novel Cujo . [8]

Contents

Stories

#TitleOriginally published in
1Two Talented BastidsPreviously unpublished
2"The Fifth Step"March 2020 issue of Harper's Magazine
3"Willie the Weirdo"Spring 2022 issue of McSweeney's (#66)
4Danny Coughlin's Bad DreamPreviously unpublished
5"Finn"Finn e-book (2022)
6"On Slide Inn Road"October/November 2020 issue of Esquire Magazine
7"Red Screen"Red Screen e-book (2021)
8"The Turbulence Expert" Flight or Fright (2018)
9"Laurie"stephenking.com (2018) [9]
10RattlesnakesPreviously unpublished
11"The Dreamers"Previously unpublished
12"The Answer Man"Previously unpublished

Selected stories

The collection has a diverse range of stories, each delving into aspects of the human experience, often through a lens of supernatural or psychological horror. [8] Each story in You Like It Darker offers an exploration of themes such as fate, grief, the supernatural, and the line between the known and the unknown. [4] Notable stories within the collection include:

Rattlesnakes

Serving as a sequel to King's 1981 novel Cujo , this tale follows a grieving widower who, in search of solace, travels to Florida. However, his journey takes an unexpected turn when he receives a peculiar inheritance, accompanied by significant conditions. [8] [10]

Two Talented Bastids

This story unravels the concealed secret behind the remarkable abilities of the titular characters, offering a narrative rich in mystery and revelation. [8]

Danny Coughlin's Bad Dream

Focusing on the impact of a sudden and unprecedented psychic event, this tale explores the profound upheaval caused in numerous lives. [8]

The Dreamers

A narrative centered around a reticent Vietnam veteran who, upon responding to a job advertisement, discovers that certain realms of the universe are better left undiscovered. [8] Stephen King said that though it's very rare that he scares himself with what he writes, a story in the upcoming collection titled The Dreamers was "so creepy" that he "couldn’t think about it at night". [11]

The Answer Man

This story probes the dual nature of prescience, contemplating whether it constitutes good fortune or a curse, and reflects on how lives marked by profound tragedy can still hold significance. [8]

Publication

The collection was published on May 21, 2024 by Scribner. It is available in physical, digital and audio book formats. [12]

Critical response

As of May 23, 2024, You Like it Darker has received a positive critical response, with an average review of 4.3 stars. Critics of the book think the book has a slow and uneven pacing, while fans of the book enjoy the exploration of dark topics and the tone King uses to explore them. [13]

See also

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References

  1. Pride, Philippa (2024). "YOU LIKE IT DARKER, A NEW COLLECTION OF STORIES, IS COMING IN MAY 2024". Stephen King Books UK. Retrieved 2024-01-21.
  2. Constant, Paul (January 18, 2024). "The most anticipated books of 2024: from Stephen King to Kathleen Hanna". The Seattle Times. Retrieved 2024-01-21.
  3. "You Like It Darker". Stephen King's Official Website. 2024. Retrieved 2024-01-21.
  4. 1 2 "You Like It Darker: Stories by Stephen King". Barnes & Noble. Retrieved 2024-01-21.
  5. King, Stephen (2024). "You Like It Darker. Stories by Stephen King". Simon & Schuster. Scribner. ISBN   978-1-6680-3771-3 . Retrieved 2024-01-21.
  6. King, Stephen (2024). You Like It Darker: Stories. Scribner. ISBN   978-1668037713.
  7. "You Like it Darker, by Stephen King". Cemetery Dance Publications. Retrieved 2024-01-21.
  8. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Collis, Clark (November 6, 2023). "Read the start of Stephen King's Cujo sequel in excerpt from story collection, You Like It Darker". Entertainment Weekly . Retrieved 2024-01-21.
  9. King, Stephen. ""Laurie"" (PDF). Retrieved 2024-01-22.
  10. Lynn Tozan, McKenzie (7 November 2023). "We're Screaming: New Stephen King Short Story Collection & 'Cujo' Sequel: 'You Like It Darker". Lit Shark. Retrieved 2024-01-21.
  11. Reed, Betsy (August 16, 2023). "Stephen King says he may continue the Talisman series". The Guardian . Retrieved 2024-01-21.
  12. "You Like It Darker: Stories". Kazoo Books. Retrieved 2024-01-21.
  13. "You Like It Darker". Goodreads. Retrieved 2024-05-23.