Skeleton Crew

While this collection of King short stories is not my absolute favorite, it does contain several outstanding pieces that I truly adored. By far, my favorites were "Nona", "The Mist", and "The Monkey". There was something about each of these three stories that really appealed to me and left a lasting impression. They seemed to sink their claws deep into my psyche, evoking a sense of unease and anticipation.

The rest of the stories in the collection were also quite enjoyable. They had their own unique charm and engaging plots. However, they simply didn't have the same impact on me as the three stories I mentioned above. They didn't leave me with that delicious feeling of unease that kept me on the edge of my seat and made me eager to see what would happen next.

Overall, while this collection may not be a masterpiece, it does have some great stories that are well worth reading. If you're a fan of Stephen King's work, you'll definitely find something to enjoy here.

My reread of Skeleton Crew approximately 14 years later has indeed dampened my feelings towards it. Previously, I regarded it along with Paper Menagerie as one of my favorite short story collections. However, it definitely isn't anymore. This is a collection that truly earns its 3-star rating. It is filled with average-to-decent stories that seemed to shine much brighter in my memory, mainly because of The Jaunt, The Raft, and Survivor Type. I still loved these three stories upon rereading. A couple of others, such as The Man Who Would Not Shake Hands and Gramma, are still fairly good. But one of the longest stories, The Ballad of the Flexible Bullet, was a huge slog, and there were quite a number of unmemorable ones. Next time, I will simply read those top three stories, which still rank among the best short stories I've ever read, especially The Jaunt.

Overall, it's not a bad collection of stories!

I'm still not completely certain about how I feel regarding Stephen King's writing. On one hand, there's something about his style that keeps me engaged. But on the other hand, I'm not entirely sold.

I do think, however, that I'm going to pick up some of his newer works. I'm curious to see if I'll have a different opinion and prefer those over his older stuff. Maybe his writing has evolved over the years, and I'll discover a new side of him that I really like.

It's always interesting to explore an author's body of work and see how they develop and change. So, despite my current uncertainty, I'm looking forward to delving into more of Stephen King's stories and finding out where I stand.

This is a great collection of short stories.

Some of them I liked more than others, but it was truly a pleasure to read the works of the old Stephen King once again.

His unique writing style and ability to create engaging and suspenseful narratives are still as captivating as ever.

Each story in this collection has its own charm and offers a different perspective.

Whether it's a tale of horror, mystery, or the supernatural, King manages to draw the reader in and keep them on the edge of their seat until the very end.

It's always a joy to revisit the works of a master storyteller like Stephen King, and this collection is no exception.

Highly recommended for fans of short stories and horror fiction alike.

Most of this extremely long review is composed of connections to King's other books, so you may wish to skip those. I do them for my own benefit.

Audiobook – Narrated by Frank Muller – The narration is excellent.

I have to qualify that 'excellent' because, for some unknown reason, The Mist sounds as if it's part of a different recording. The voice is faint and there's a continuous annoying crackle that makes it seem like it was recorded fifty years ago. And from what I can hear, it doesn't sound like Muller. So, I skipped The Mist. It's puzzling!

***

Ebook:

I'm not a fan of short stories, especially when it comes to Stephen King. Give me one of his thick novels and I'm a happy camper.

Nevertheless, there are some really good stories in this collection, and a few not so good. But as long as the balance is fairly even, which it is, I'm happy to rate it 3*** overall.

THE MIST - 4**** - It's even better than I remembered! It reminded me a little of The Stand.

CONNECTIONS:

Harrison (Nightsurf, Firestarter, The Body, The Mist)

Hartford (The Monkey)

Bridgton (The Stand Uncut, Dark Tower 6 - Song of Susannah, Dark Tower 7 – The Dark Tower, Needful Things)

Arrowhead Project (The Tommyknockers)

Carnival Glass - Not really a connection. David Drayton’s wife Stephanie collects Carnival Glass and this made me think of poor Nettie (Needful Things) who also collected Carnival Glass.

***

HERE THERE BE TYGERS – 3*** - It's short and sweet. Written when King was 18.

***

THE MONKEY – 3*** - I loved the story, but not the ending so much.

CONNECTIONS:

Hartford (The Mist)

Arnette (The Stand) Charles Campion plowed into the gas pumps at Hapscomb’s Texaco in Arnette after the Project Blue virus infected him.

Milford – Ted (Hearts In Atlantis) was born in Milford.

***

CAIN ROSE UP – 2** - Thankfully short.

CONNECTIONS:

Pig Pen – There was also a student nicknamed Pig Pen in Rage.

***

MRS TODD’S SHORTCUT – 3*** It's not as good as I remembered it.

CONNECTIONS:

Castle Rock (The Dead Zone, Cujo, The Body, The Stand, A Good Marriage)

Derry (Roadwork, It, Pet Sematary, The Running Man)

Haven (The Tommyknockers, It, Pet Sematary, 11/22/63)

Mechanic Falls (‘Salem’s Lot, Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption)

Gates Falls (Graveyard Shift, Rage, Bag of Bones)

Rangely (The Shining, Dreamcatcher, The Stand)
Rangely Lakes (The Dead Zone, Bag of Bones)

Joe Camber (Cujo) is mentioned.

George Bascombe shares his surname with the morgue attendant, Buddy Bascombe (‘Salem’s Lot)

Fryeburg Fair (Bag of Bones)

***

THE JAUNT – 3*** It's boring at the beginning, but I should have had more faith!

***

THE WEDDING GIG – 3*** It's average.

***

PARANOID: A CHANT – 2** I was underwhelmed.

***

THE RAFT – 4**** It's excellent!

CONNECTIONS:

Horlick’s University (Christine, The Crate)

Do you love? (Nona, The Reach)

WORD PROCESSOR OF THE GODS – 4*** I loved it!

CONNECTIONS:

Waterbury CT – Lester Billings (The Boogeyman) was from Waterford Connecticut.

***

THE MAN WHO WOULD NOT SHAKE HANDS – 3 *** It reminded me a little of Thinner.

CONNECTIONS:

Stevens (The Breathing Method)

The Club at 249B East 35th (The Breathing Method)

Emlyn McCarron (The Breathing Method) “who had once given us a frightening story about a woman who had given birth under unusual circumstances.”

Johanssen (The Breathing Method)

George Gregson (The Breathing Method)

Peter Andrews (The Breathing Method)

Henry Brower shares the same surname with Ray Brower (The Body)

***

BEACHWORLD – 3*** I wished it had been longer!

***

THE REAPER’S IMAGE – 2** It didn't work for me.

***

NONA – 3*** I enjoyed it.

CONNECTIONS:

Castle Rock (The Dead Zone, Cujo, The Body, The Stand, Mrs Todd’s Shortcut, Uncle Otto’s Truck)

Kittery (The Long Walk)

Ace Merrill (The Body, Needful Things)

Harlow (The Body, Uncle Otto’s Truck, Under The Dome, Revival)

Betsy Malenfant – Shares the same surname with Ronnie Malenfant (Hearts In Atlantis)

Oxford Plains (The Body) In Gordon Lachance’s published story “Stud City” Chico’s brother Johnny was killed at Oxford Plains Speedway.

Gretna (The Body) Gretna is the town in Gordie Lachance’s story of Lard Ass Hogan.

Charlie Hogan (The Body)

Vern Tessio (The Body)

Stackpole Road (Rage, Pet Sematary, The Dark Half, Revival)
Stackpole Church Road (Lisey’s Story)

“Do you love?” This question is also asked in 2 other stories in this collection. The Raft and The Reach.

***

FOR OWEN – 2*** I was underwhelmed…again.

***

SURVIVOR TYPE – 4*** It's gross and disturbing. I loved it!

***

UNCLE OTTO’S TRUCK – 3*** There are shades of Christine. Again, it's not as good as I remembered.

CONNECTIONS:

Castle Rock (The Dead Zone - Cujo - The Body - The Stand - Mrs Todd's Shortcut, Graveyard Shift, Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption, Pet Sematary, Gramma)

Derry ( Roadwork, The Body, It, Pet Sematary, The Running Man, Mrs Todd’s Shortcut)

Harlow (Nona, The Body, Under the Dome, Revival)

Central Falls (The Plant – Central Falls, RI)

Bridgton (Dark Tower 6 – Song of Susannah, Dark Tower 7 – The Dark Tower, The Stand Uncut, The Mist, Needful Things)

Fryeburg Fair (Bag of Bones, Mrs Todd’s Shortcut)

Billy Dodd – Frank’s Dodd’s (The Dead Zone) father

***

MORNING DELIVERIES (MILKMAN # 1) – 3*** It works for me!

CONNECTIONS:

Rocky (Milkman #2)

Spike Milligan (Milkman #2)

Cramer’s Dairy (Milkman #2)

***

BIG WHEELS: A TALE OF THE LAUNDRY GAME (MILKMAN # 2) – 3***

CONNECTIONS:

Rocky (Milkman #1)

Spike Milligan (Milkman #1)

Cramer’s Dairy (Milkman #1)

***

GRAMMA – 3*** I loved it.

CONNECTIONS:

Castle Rock (The Dead Zone - Cujo - The Body - The Stand - Mrs Todd's Shortcut, Graveyard Shift, Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption, Pet Sematary, Uncle Otto’s Truck)

Stratford Laundry – Stephen King’s mother worked in the Stratford Laundry where she worked on the mangle crew.

Joe Camber (Cujo)

Gates Falls (Rage, Graveyard Shift, Mrs Todd’s Shortcut, Bag of Bones)

***

THE BALAD OF THE FLEXIBLE BULLET – 3*** - I enjoyed it.

CONNECTIONS:

Four Fathers Bar (The Plant, Dark Tower 2 The Drawing of the Three)

***

THE REACH – 3*** - The telling of this tale reminded me, just a little, of Dolores Claiborne.

CONNECTIONS:

The Reach (Dolores Claiborne) Thanks to Edward Lorn for this one. I missed it!

Do you love? (The Raft, Nona)

I'm truly astonished that this collection doesn't possess a higher overall rating here on GR.

There are indeed some genuine treasures within this book. It's probably the fifth time I've perused it since its release, and without a doubt, it won't be the final time.

This collection offers a diverse range of stories and perspectives that are both engaging and thought-provoking. Each piece seems to have its own unique charm, drawing the reader in and keeping them hooked until the very end.

Perhaps the reason for the lower rating could be due to individual tastes and preferences. However, in my opinion, this collection is well worth the read and should not be overlooked.

I highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys a good book filled with interesting characters and captivating plots. Give it a chance, and you might just be pleasantly surprised.

I thoroughly enjoyed this short story collection. It was a captivating read that took me on various literary adventures.

I made a few notes about some of the stories.

The Mist was brilliant. It made me eager to see the movie version and check out the audio version that Scott mentions in the comments.

The Monkey was particularly creepy. I found it uncomfortably believable as anything with ominous toys or dolls tends to get under my skin.

Mrs Todd's Shortcut was quite beautiful. I loved it with an unexpected intensity.

The Raft made me hate LaVerne so much. She's that typical female character often present in books and movies, especially in horror. I've been thinking about my intense dislike of her and others like her. I concluded that some of it stems from a worry that I might react the same way in a similar situation. I hope I would be more like Mrs. Reppler than an Amanda or a LaVerne.

Word Processor of the Gods was a great story. I even Googled a picture of a word processor to have a better image of the technology. I really liked the unexpected outcome.

Survivor Type made me wince constantly while reading. It's stuck in my head and I wish it wasn't.

Gramma scared me. It was interesting how a story that didn't sound that bad from the blurb could be so terrifying.

The Ballad of the Flexible Bullet was probably my favorite in this collection. The line 'Madness is a flexible bullet' really stuck with me.

This short story collection was truly a gem and I would highly recommend it to others.

Life goes on - that's what I should have said. That's what one typically utters to people when a loved one passes away. However, upon careful reflection, I'm glad I didn't. Because perhaps that's precisely what she was afraid of.

Describing the experience of reading Skeleton Crew is no easy feat. The highs are truly high, and the lows - my goodness, they are shockingly low. It's a crazy collection where one gets to witness both the best and the worst of King's work.

Let's commence with the positives. There are several FANTASTIC stories within these pages, such as The Jaunt, The Raft, Survivor Type, Gramma, Mrs Todd’s Shortcut, Word Processor of the Gods, The Monkey, and so on. These were all a delight to read (yes, even Survivor Type, where I felt a strange mix of joy and the urge to vomit). I also noticed that quite a number of the stories are set in the fall, with some exquisitely atmospheric descriptions - a definite bonus!

Now for the bad. Let's put aside the stories themselves for a moment and discuss the portrayal of women in some of these tales. They were either depicted as fat and repulsive or overly sexualized, with detailed descriptions of breasts and legs. This has cropped up时不时 in his older books, and it确实 irritates me. Thankfully, I think he has improved with time, but it felt extremely prominent in this collection, which was rather off-putting. The story The Wedding Gig, in particular, had me seething with anger.

Other stories that I simply loathed or found to be very lackluster include the following: Beachworld, The Reaper’s Image, Cain Rose Up, Here There Be Tygers... and the poetry. I do not have a penchant for King's poetry. To borrow a term from Holly Gibney, it's poopy.

In case it isn't obvious from this review, Skeleton Crew was inconsistent in terms of quality and storytelling. I simply had no idea what to expect next. But on the whole, the INCREDIBLE aspects outweigh the very bad... it's worth it for those precious gems. 3 stars.