FULL DARK NO STARS by Stephen King

Narrated by Craig Wasson, Jessica Hecht

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Stephen King has written four very dark novellas—as the title indicates. The first “1922” is from the point of view of a wife-killer trying to justify his crime. Truly horrific. It is so bleak that I had to set it aside for a while until my sanity returned. I finished it because Craig Wasson is simply fantastic.

The second entry “Fair Extension” is King’s entry in the “China-man Button story.” But, true to form, King explores the depths of the character as he spirals into deeper cynicism embracing his hatred.

“Big Driver” is my favorite; starting as a brutal assault and then finishes with an ending worthy of Vigilante Force. Jessica Hecht narrates this story expertly.

“A Good Marriage” is a wry excursion into the “two wrongs make a right” philosophy. Amusing.  

All four stories exemplify Stephen King’s strong suit: his characters are fascinating. You just want to go along with them and see what they are up to. I don’t like it when King reels me in and them drags me down the sewer. I like the stories where the people are good hearted in a bad situation better than those with black hearts in a blacker darkness.