Full Dark, No Stars - Stephen King
"I believe there is another man inside every man, a stranger..." writes Wilfred Leland James in the early pages of the riveting confession that makes up "1922." the first in this pitch-black quartet of mesmerizing tales from Stephen King. For James, that stranger is awakened when his wife, Arlette, proposes selling off the family homestead and moving to Omaha, setting in motion a gruesome train of murder and madness.
In "Big Driver," a cozy-mystery writer named Tess encounters the stranger along a back road in Massachusetts when she takes a shortcut home after a book-club engagement. Violated and left for dead, Tess plots a revenge that will bring her face-to-face with another stranger: the one inside herself.
"Fair Extension," the shortest of these tales, is perhaps the nastiest and certainly the funniest. Making a deal with the devil not only saves Dave Streeter from a fatal cancer but provides rich recompense for a lifetime of resentment.
When her husband of more than twenty years is away on one of his business trips, Darcy Anderson looks for batteries in the garage. Her toe knocks up against a box under a worktable and she discovers the stranger inside her husband. It's a horrifying discovery, rendered with bristling intensity, and it definitely ends a good marriage.
Like Different Seasons and Four Past Midnight, which generated such enduring films as The Shawshank Redemption and Stand By Me, Full Dark, No Stars proves Stephen King a master of the long story form.
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Stephen King's collection, Full Dark, No Stars, consists of four haunting stories that highlight the darker side of human nature. In '1922,' Wilfred Leland James grapples with his inner demons triggered by his wife's decision to sell their family farm, leading him down a path of moral decay and violence. Similarly, 'Big Driver' presents Tess, a cozy mystery writer, who finds herself confronting a traumatic experience that awakens a vengeful spirit within her. 'Fair Extension' takes on a humorous yet disturbing tone, showcasing how a pact with the devil offers Dave Streeter a second chance at life but doesn’t come without dire consequences. Finally, in 'A Good Marriage,' Darcy's shocking discovery about her husband reveals the duality within intimate relationships, marking a poignant conclusion to the anthology. These narratives resonate with the complexities of human emotions and moral dilemmas, showcasing King's skill in character development. His ability to weave suspense and psychological depth into every story adds a layer of richness and ensures that readers are not only entertained but also compelled to reflect on the darker aspects of the human experience. As King delves into themes of revenge, betrayal, and the human psyche, Full Dark, No Stars stands as a testament to his mastery in storytelling.
