You Like It Darker

Stories

By: Stephen King

Narrated by: Will Patton, Stephen King

Length: 20 hrs and 12 mins

Publisher's summary

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

Worth the wait

I enjoyed all of the stories in this conglomeration, but some of my favorites were definitely answer, man and rattlesnake.

Love this!!!

Stephen King is awesome. Loved this book. I will have to go back and listen again!!!

I am NEVER disappointed with a SK book, but I am ALWAYS disappointed when it is done.

I am NEVER disappointed with a SK book, but I am ALWAYS disappointed when it is done.
This one is full of fabulous characters, that take us past our own reality, and into a safe place of sheer terror or humorous horror. I just love his books, every one!!

One of his best yet.

This felt like King at the top of his game. I will play these on repeat for years to come.

Fantastic Stories, Perfect narrator Will Patton

Stephen king can't write a book without calling Black folks Niggers! It breaks my heart!!!

(Long Sigh)

I decided to pick this up because I have been a fan of King’s since the 80’s. I read somewhere that this collection was reminiscent of his earlier works and that made me think of Christine, Pet Sematary, The Shining, etc. I miss his earlier writing style. So, while a few of the stories in this collection were slightly reminiscent of these works, I found them very much the same as what King has been churning out lately with the exception of a few. Now, with that being said, I did enjoy a few and I couldn’t put them down. Others not so much. Did they scare me? No. Did they play mind games? A little. Overall, enjoyable but nothing earth shattering.

Thank you thank you

I’ve written a review on another Stephen King book about how tragic to the listener it is when an author reads their own novel, when there are talents like Will Patton out there who make a living bringing life to books through narration. Ahhhh. Like a warm bath!! Will Patton is back! So is Mr.king. Although I liked Holly. I like Holly Gibney more than I actually like the book Holly. Thought the fantasy novel before it was half baked. I felt that it lacked the true grit of SK. Not just the darkness was missing either. I feel like you can tell when Steven King gets excited as a writer. IMO, These short stories excited him! . Oh man! I couldn’t recommend this more! What makes Stephen King the best going is his ability to craft an antagonists and have you not only believe them, but understand what drives their affliction. This book is no different. SO MANY wonderful characters in this book! What separates a good Stephen King book from one of his many masterpieces is in the character development. He’s just good books are about story and his masterpieces have it all. I put this up there in the masterpiece category. Like SK reader candy! Thank you Mr. King. You really are the best.

He's back

Love this set of short stories. Little to no politics, just stories. I binge listened to the whole thing. No one can lead me through the full range of emotions like King, one moment laughing and another tears. Makes me want to buy it again in print so I can read it at leisure.

Will Patton is the man

Great collection of stories. Obviously with any short story collection, some are better than others, none are bad however and with the majority read by Will Patton there really isn’t a thing I can complain about.

Side bar. I don’t have a very common name. It’s not like, one in a million in the stratosphere unique but it’s pretty uncommon nonetheless, so on “The Answer Man” when <SPOILER ALERT> our protagonist gets a driver with MY name on the year of MY birth, my heart skipped a beat.
Is that a coincidence? Probably…..did Mr King dislike my review of “Holly” and hope to freak me out? Probably not… but I’d pay $25 dollars for the answer.

Put the chapter titles back. Some great stories here!

Will Patton is excellent, really enjoyed most of the stories. I was jumping stories as the chapter titles were on at first, now it’s just showing the chapters numbered so I’m lost as to where I was. Please Audible put it back!