Night Shift

The Night Shift was the first collection of Stephen King short stories. Unlike most of the later collections, these are all true short stories. The longest is 34 pages and most are just 10-20 pages. As you might expect, some stories are more impressive than others, but almost all of them are good, and several are outstanding. Jerusalem's Lot: It could be argued that this is a prequel of sorts, to 'Salem's Lot , but it really doesn't connect with it at all. Still, it does involve the threat of undead creatures and an old family curse. One for the Road: This is a short sequel to 'Salem's Lot set primarily in a nearby town. It's a creepy little tale and I enjoyed it enough that it made me want to go back and read the book again. Graveyard Shift: This story was made into a movie ( Graveyard Shift ), and has some good elements. A number of factory workers clean out an old rat-infested basement and find an underground cavern. The rats don't like intruders and provide some very creepy moments. This one doesn't quite live up to its promise, but it's not bad. The Mangler: The fifth story in the book, and the first one that was strong from start to finish. Believe it or not, it's a bout a huge laundry machine that acquires a taste for human blood. It's something of a goofy concept, but the story is chilling and one of the best in the collection. Grey Matter: A classic horror tale. It starts off as a little odd as a boy's father starts to act strangely and then veers more and more into the realm of the fantastic. Excellent! Battleground: A hitman receives a box of little army men in the mail from the family of one his victims. Unlike toys, these guys might be little but they're alive and eager to fulfill their mission of killing him. Trucks: This could be looked at as Christine on a larger scale. All the trucks apparently gain free will and decide to take over. No explanation is given, but that doesn't stop it from being a suspenseful read. Sometimes They Come Back: A touching and suspenseful story about a teacher confronted with ghosts from his childhood. He saw his brother murdered by street punks when he was little and now some children in his classroom look impossibly familiar. The Ledge: This was made into an enjoyable segment in Stephen King's Cat's Eye and features a tennis pro who is challenged by a mobster to circle a high-rise building by walking on the ledge. It's a mixture of grim humor and suspense. Quitters, Inc: Another story that was made into a segment of Stephen King's Cat's Eye , and is also very entertaining. The mafia gets into business helping people stop smoking. And they use their tried and true methods to do it. Children of the Corn: At a whopping 29 pages, it's hard to believe that spawned a whole series of movies ( Children of the Corn ) but it did. Frankly, it's not one of the best, but it is a reasonably entertaining story of a couple who drive through Nebraska and discover a town that they only wish was as abandoned as it appears to be. There are other stories worth mentioning, but this review is already too long. Let's just say that this collection is well worth buying and most horror fans should enjoy it. Definitely a must-have for any King fan.

The first collection of short stories that King published, and it is filled with great stories. There are a lot of classical in here, but I think my favourite is Jerusalem's Lot, as I love that it is a prequel to the novel Salem's Lot.

Night Shift was my first dive into a compilation of Stephen King’s short stories. I really enjoyed this book a lot, and was very surprised considering I am not a fan of short story anthologies very much. However, the King of horror can seemingly pull anything off with finesse. Although Night Shift is packed with twenty stories, many of which have been adapted to film or television, it was a new experience. The aspect I loved the most was the very bleak nature to the stories that with many of the adaptations, although nostalgic, are a bit campy. I am a sucker for an extremely bleak ending. I picked five stories that I loved the best from Night Shift. Although I did enjoy almost the entire book, I had to choose my favorites. Therefore, I will say in this review I will rate Night Shift as a whole, but for fun will mention my top five. My top five favorite short stories of Night Shift has to be 1.) The Ledge 2.) Children of the Corn 3.) Sometimes They Come Back 4.) Trucks 5.) Quitters, Inc. The reason I chose these, and this order is for personal reasons and taste, but most of all how they are darker, more sinister, and definitely more bleak. As runners up I would probably have to choose Graveyard Shift, The Mangler, I Am the Doorway, and One for the Road. My top five I chose have been adapted into films, and two are included in the movie Cat’s Eye. I definitely felt that the adaptations, although fun, cannot hold a flame to the cold and bleakness of the endings of these short stories. Overall, I enjoyed most of the stories in Night Shift with the exception of a couple I thought were just alright. Therefore, I give Night Shift by Stephen King four stars out of five stars. I think this compilation is a great book to suggest to a reader new to King’s writing. It is a very easy, quick, and entertaining read. Until next time, my friends.

Some that connect to other novels, some that just grab you, and some that just make you think. Always a good read from Stephen King.

Bought this as a gift for a friend who loves Stephen King and it was a perfect choice. The hardcover edition is beautiful, great quality, and looks amazing on any bookshelf. Excellent price for such a nice edition. Totally recommended for any fan of horror or classic King stories!

Finished reading Night Shift by Stephen King, a collection of his short horror stories along with stories exploring the themes of anxiety, vertigo, hopelessness, emotional and so on. It also has everyday horror which upon spotting in your surrounding would very much remind you of a story from the book. This is my first Stephen King book since I wanted to explore the horror genre and dip my toes. It was very well worth reading each and every short stories. Some of them were not that interesting(keep in mind this was his first horror story collection book) but some of them gave me the creeps along with a gut-wrenching feeling. I still sometimes fear if there is a Boogeyman upstairs and never forget to flip the switch on. I would highly recommend giving this book a read since it has short stories which are easy to go through, definitely would need a dictionary/ E-dictionary beside you. It does has many sentences which mostly make sense in American culture/social life. But beside that it creates a grand atmosphere with well written characters. Book printing related: Towards the end of the final story after Page 474, there were inconsistent text beginning with a seperate paragraphs in between sentences which felt as if the texts weren't properly organised or fell too early or short for line breaks. It boggled my mind but the story kept me engaged which I overlooked. I'm not sure if this was only in my paperback book or all of this edition one's. I'd advice the sellers/buyers to look into it.

I enjoy novels. Short stories are fine, but more often than not I want something with a lot of layers, something I can be immersed in. I guess that’s why it took me a while to get around to reading Night Shift. Alongside Pet Sematary this has to be one of the best Stephen King publications I’ve read, and I’ve read a lot of them! The Boogeyman is, quite simply, one of the scariest pieces of literature ever. Like the best of King, it’s terrifying but also filled with heart and the ending is truly devastating. Similarly, Sometimes They Come Back is absolutely brilliant for the same reasons. And you would think a story about a box of toy soldiers coming to life and attacking a man would be stupid. It’s not, it’s entirely gripping. Even the lesser stories here (Trucks, Night Surf, etc.) are fun, entertaining reads. This really is vintage King. It’s scary, bloody, funny and there is a warmth to his writing that makes you really care what happens to his characters. Don’t let the fact that this is a collection of short stories put you off – this is right up there with the best King has written.

Came even early than I thought really good and nice

Excellent short stories

Original stories for tv series like Chapelwaite and movies like Children Of the Corn. Creepy and scary FOR SURE. From fear of heights to fear of addiction, one of these stories will definitely be fixed to your head. (Just don’t look under your bed! Sweet dreams.)