This collection stands as one of King's remarkable achievements.

Despite the author's fluctuating fortunes and the diverse receptions of his novels and short stories, the readers have surprisingly few criticisms for his collection of novellas. It appears to be the domain where he truly excels; it's that comfortable space between the novel and the short story, a place where a tale can be developed without succumbing to being overly bloated or verbose, maintaining a mood and adhering to a theme that would be otherwise unachievable in short fiction.

Rita Hayworth and The Shawshank Redemption is a classic, on par with tales like "Bartleby the Scrivener". Indeed, the comparison with Bartleby is more than fitting; both stories deal with imprisonment, although the first is much more literal. They affect the reader in completely different ways yet touch on the same essence: the strength of the human spirit. While "Bartleby" is pessimistic and depressing, "Rita Hayworth..." is its complete opposite. In fact, I don't think I'm far off when I say that it's one of the best and most beautiful testaments to the strength of human will and devotion in seeking and attaining the goal. With the seasons theme King set for the book, it perfectly captures the motto: "Hope Springs Eternal".

Apt Pupil, which illustrates "The Summer of Corruption", is arguably the most disturbing novella in the volume and one of the most disturbing pieces in all of King's oeuvre. A 13-year-old boy discovers that an ex-Nazi lives in his neighborhood, hiding under an assumed name. He confronts the old man, who initially denies the allegations but eventually acknowledges his previous identity. In fear of being turned in to the authorities by the boy, he agrees to satisfy his demand: he starts telling him tales about his previous life and service in a concentration camp. But the boy is not interested in turning him in and demands more and more detailed stories; soon the old man finds himself willing to tell them, needing to indulge in the telling.

The story brings to mind the Nietzschean theme of the Abyss; the famous quote is well known: "If you stare into the Abyss long enough the Abyss stares back at you". But what if there were two abysses opposite each other? What would they see in each other, and what monsters would emerge from them? "Apt Pupil" is a story that tackles such a theme. Two abysses stare at each other; two leeches suck at one another. Whereas the previous novella was about hope and the strength of the human spirit, this one is about its decay.

The Body is the tale for the Fall, and it's not hard to guess that it'll be "The Fall from Innocence". Of all the novellas collected in this volume, this one is probably the most endearing. It's not difficult to envision an older man, sitting on the porch of his house in the golden sunshine of an afternoon, rocking in his favorite chair and recalling the memory of the summer when he and his three friends went to see a dead body in the woods. Not too far removed from the works of Ray Bradbury and Robert McCammon, "The Body" manages to capture both the period and adolescence surprisingly well in a relatively small number of pages. King is excellent at writing from an adolescent's point of view; I believe that a significant part of a 12-year-old boy still remains in him (even if his heart is in a jar on his desk). But he is also a grownup; reflecting on his childhood and how the trip has changed the boys, shaped their lives, and impacted their future. "The Body" feels autobiographical and truly recaptures the essence of childhood and the maturing process into adulthood. I like to think of this novella as a fantastic warm-up to King's later novel "IT", which captures childhood almost perfectly.

The Breathing Method is aptly subtitled "A Winter's Tale". While the previous three tales have a "contemporary" feel, this one is reminiscent of other, much older authors. Indeed, it is not very far from what Dickens might have written when he was in the mood for ghostly little books; but the closest comparison that can be made is that of Henry James and his "The Turn of The Screw".

Much like "The Turn...", "The Breathing Method" is also a story within a story. Dedicated to King's fellow writer and friend Peter Straub and his wife Susan, it is the sole tale of the volume with a touch of the supernatural and the sole tale that could be classified (albeit very broadly) as horror. I'd rather say that it's more Gothic than scary - what could be more gothic than a group of old men gathering around the fire and telling tales of the uncanny?

In my opinion, this is one of King's most underrated stories and the sole overlooked gem in this collection. I was surprised to see how many readers considered it the weakest; while I can't really choose the strongest tale in this volume, as they are all strong in different ways, this is certainly not the worst of them and most definitely deserves the appraisal and recognition that the preceding ones received. It's wonderfully atmospheric and chilling, even though it is not scary - and perhaps precisely because of that. "The Breathing Method" plays on the all-too-familiar string of disturbance - the gentlemen's club with the creaking chairs, the members telling tales that they would never tell anywhere else, the mysterious, ominous butler who is both encouraging and threatening... the club library with its most strange volumes...

There is truly nothing not to love about this piece, and if I had to state a complaint, I would have only one: I wish it was longer. I wish to read more about the history of the club, about the members, about the rooms upstairs... but alas, it's not going to happen, which is better in a way; the civilized human spirit cannot rid itself of the feeling of the uncanny, and "The Breathing Method" provides plenty of such feelings and is a perfect closure for this volume.

To conclude: I would wholeheartedly recommend this collection to any reader who enjoys good fiction. If you dislike King's work because you think it's too scary or the horror aspect doesn't appeal to you, this could be a great way to discover the other side of his work - the emotional, sensitive one. It will make you think and reminisce about things you thought were long forgotten. All the stories are utterly original and independent; even if you are a long-time King reader and have read most of his work, you'll discover that this volume provides a fresh breath of imagination without author intrusion or any hint of staleness and boredom. This is a work of a master storyteller at his absolute peak, and when you reach the last page, it will make you want to flip it over and start again. A truly fantastic collection, worthy of a place on every shelf.

"Fear can hold you prisoner. Hope can set you free."

Considered by many to be King's best collection of stories/novellas, Different Seasons contains two stories that were ultimately developed into two of the greatest movies of all-time: The Body, which became Stand by Me, of course, and Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption - the movie is obvious, no?

Sometimes I really hate reading an awesome Stephen King book. No, I'm not crazy. I just get stressed about where I'm going to rank it in my top books list and what other books are gonna get pushed down the list!! Different Seasons is simply a masterpiece. Having read most of King's epic stories, I thought I'd seen King at his best - but no, this is his best. The writing, the characters, the storylines, it feels like everything is turned up a notch here. This is a prime example of how King is so much more than just horror.

Let's start off with Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption. Now I've already seen the movie, along with the majority of the population, but somehow that didn't matter. I still raced through each page, eager to see what comes next, even though I already knew the outcome! It's a story ultimately about hope, resilience and survival. Set against the backdrop of a bleak prison, these themes shine through even more prominently. A touching, emotional story and now one of my favourites.

Next up was Apt Pupil. Now I really liked this one. A former Nazi finds a willing student in young Todd Bowden and what follows is pure horror. The most unsettling parts of this novella were those wherein Dussander relays stories from the concentration camps in WWII. Having visited Auschwitz only last year, the atrocities that happened there just feel more real. This novella is a terrifying look at evil and the darkness that resides in these evil humans. Todd has to be one of the most hateful characters I've ever encountered in literature, a sexual sadist, a psychopath, just downright disgusting. Nevermind Dussander himself! Yet this story is absorbing, once it hooks you in, you can't get back out.

The horrific nature of Apt Pupil is swiftly followed by the nostalgic novella, The Body. Reading this novella is similar to being transported back in time to when you were a child, when all you wanted to do was hang out with your friends. You'd leave the house early morning and not come back again until it got dark. It's a beautiful story, and yet also quite tragic. Each of the boys come from homes or backgrounds that aren't entirely supportive and they are able to find true friendship and support within each other. In particular, the friendship between Gordie and Chris is touching, Chris is such a great character - wise beyond his years and he really cares for Gordie. Overall, this is a great look into those years where you "grow up" and relinquish your innocence, symbolised by the dead body out in the woods. Simply amazing!

Lastly, The Breathing Method - I actually read this one first as Abbie recommended to me. It is considered to be the "stinker" of the collection, and therefore I decided to read it first, so as not to end the collection on a bum note. But to be honest, I quite liked it! I liked the gentleman's club and their penchant for telling stories, it kinda sounded like a cool set-up that I'd love to be a part of. Miss Stansfield herself was a pretty badass woman, determined and strong. I don't really understand why people would forget about this one, or just cast it off as the "other story" in this collection. Granted, it's not as brilliant as the others, but it still left a lasting impression with me.

Overall, this book was just unbelievable. I lost count of the number of times where I just felt completely blown away by King's writing. This is a great, GREAT collection and now one of my favourite King books.

Reread throughout each season in 2020. Fantastic way to revisit this collection. Still one of my favourites. The Breathing Method resonated even more this time around.

4.50 Stars (Rnd ⬆️)

There's not a whole lot that I can say about this outstanding book or collection of stories that hasn't already been said by many who are far better than I.

Whether it's the thrilling and intriguingly crafted 'The Body' or the superbly constructed and highly lauded 'The Shawshank Redemption', this book is filled with first-class story-telling from cover to cover. 'Apt Pupil' is often underrated as well, just to add to the mix! (It's yet another story that has been adapted into a movie.)

After some brief reflection, it occurred to me, as I'm sure it has to most of you, that this storybook, amazingly, remains seldom revered, even in the short fiction genre. How can this be possible? It may not have been considered literary fiction at one time, but in today's literature, it undeniably can and should be. Even if not, it still remains a genuine must-read.

January 2020 Re-Read update - original review still below

I have completed the next book in my chronological re-read of King's novels. I was well aware that I was in for a wonderful experience as I have always affectionately recalled this book as one of his finest. It did not disappoint me the second time either.

In the afterward, King makes the point that this book was his first release attempting to demonstrate that he was more than just a horror writer. I would say that this is indeed true, yet it still contains some horrific elements. So, don't enter with the thought that it's all about cute bunnies and cuddles!

This book is raw and genuine. The human condition, temptation, coming-of-age, salvation, and so on are all on display in an amazing exhibition of storytelling. While it may not represent King's horror as effectively as some others, there is a definite argument to be made for this being the finest writing he has ever produced.

One observation during the re-read (and I sort of remember this from the first time): there is a short story within The Body, Stud City, which is unrelated to the main story, and it doesn't really seem necessary. It's not a bad part nor does it make the overall experience any less enjoyable. It's just the only tangent in the whole book that feels like it doesn't need to be there. If it were removed, it wouldn't change the book at all.

In conclusion - the re-read confirms for me - a 5+ star book all the way!

ORIGINAL REVIEW

This book is PERFECT King! Each story is interesting and unique in its own way. At least two of them ("Rita Hayworth and The Shawshank Redemption" and "The Body") are must-read classics that were adapted into equally great movies. Apt Pupil might be a little less accessible to some, but it is one of King's best character studies. The Breathing Method is one of his shortest novellas, but it is extremely creative and is sure to leave you exclaiming, "WOAH!"

Every King fan should have already read this. Looking to get into King for the first time? This is a great place to start!

Overall, this collection earns a solid 4.5 stars!

Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption is a true gem, deserving of its 5-star rating.

As one reads this, it's nearly impossible to keep Morgan Freeman's voice out of one's head. However, this doesn't detract from the remarkable writing. The story is an elegant and beautiful arrangement of words that strikes a deep chord. Hope truly springs eternal here.

Apt Pupil, on the other hand, earns 3.5 stars.

It's a bleak, mean, and uncomfortable read, which is fitting given its subject matter. An all-American teenager discovers a Nazi war criminal in his community and blackmails him to share his horrifying WW2 stories.

The Body receives 4 stars.

It feels like a deeply personal story for King. Four young boys embark on a journey to find a dead body along a railway line. The two-day trip includes an exhilarating scene where they dodge a train on a bridge and a grossly horrifying one with leeches. The power of the story lies in how the central character, Gordy, contemplates life in a small rural town and deals with the revelation from his friend, Chris. While it's considered one of King's finest stories, some of its themes reoccur in other books and are better explored there. Additionally, the Stud City section is overly long. Nevertheless, the writing is as elegant as that of Shawshank.

The Breathing Method also gets 3.5 stars.

When I first read this collection as a teen, it was my favorite as it seemed like the spooky story I expected from King. However, it doesn't quite run like a typical King story and feels more in the vein of Peter Straub. The story involves a group of elderly men who meet in a mysterious building in New York to trade stories. The main story is interesting and enjoyable, but the mystery surrounding the building is even more intriguing.

‎Different Seasons by Stephen King

"Different Seasons" (1982) is a remarkable collection of four novellas penned by the renowned Stephen King. Unlike his typically famous horror fiction, this collection takes on a more serious and dramatic tone. The four novellas are ingeniously tied together through subtitles that correspond to each of the four seasons. What makes this collection even more notable is that three out of the four novellas have been adapted into Hollywood films. One of these adaptations, "The Shawshank Redemption," was even nominated for the 1994 Academy Award for Best Picture. The novellas in this collection include "Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption," "Apt Pupil," "The Body," and "The Breathing Method."

First read on August 10, 2006, this collection titled "Different Seasons: A Winter's Tale" was written by Stephen King and translated by Mahnaz Qahramanloo. Published in Tehran by Qatrah Publications in 2005, it consists of 992 pages and is part of the Qatrah Publications series 667, under the category of World Arts and Literature 113. With the ISBN 9643415589, it focuses on the short stories of 20th-century American writers.

The collection of stories "Different Seasons" contains four stories in four different styles, with various moods and themes, written in 1982. The winter story, or "The Breathing Method," is narrated by David, a Maine lawyer from Minnetonka. He becomes a member of a club where the members, in addition to reading books, enjoy chatting, playing chess, and billiards, and even tell stories to each other. Stephen King, an American writer and the creator of over two hundred literary works in the genres of horror and fantasy, has once again shone brightly in these four short stories.

Published on 09/11/1399 Hijri Shamsi and 15/10/1400 Hijri Shamsi by A. Sharbiani.

Stephen King writes in an insanely captivating manner. This collection of novellas is truly brilliant.

"Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption" is an absolute gem. I was deeply concerned for Andy Dufresne as I watched him hope and struggle for freedom from the prison. The ending was both emotional and heartwarming, leaving me completely invested and attached to the story. It is without a doubt a classic.

In "Apt Pupil," it truly hurt to see Todd's marks deteriorate and his sadistic behavior emerge as he ceased to be the good 'Apt Pupil' he once was.

"The Body" was touching, showing the understanding between friends who joked, swore, laughed at one another, and supported each other during their quest. The part where they were in the jungle and Stephen King's description of the rainy clouds was on an entirely different level. I could actually feel the weather, and for some reason, I was really amazed by the description.

"Breathing Method" was not creepy but had a unique idea and imagination for the story. Overall, this collection of novellas is a must-read for any Stephen King fan or lover of great literature.

I am peaceful and I am against all violence. In addition, I am one meter sixty tall and I can't do a single push-up even if my life depended on it. And I never swear, I drink moderately and I pay my taxes.

However, if you believe that at least three of the four stories in this book are not works of horror literature, come and tell me to my face, because I'll tear your head off, you son of a bitch.

The only American novel I read among the Americans!! And this is a review to explain the circumstances of reading the novel and accompanied by detailed reviews for each story.

I took this remarkable novel along with two other books on a European trip that I booked a long time ago in 2010. As a native single in the middle class, I had a short study period in Italy. Due to the speed of check-in, we took it from the check-in counter, so we had a long train journey across three countries, going and coming. And for this, I was happy and of course my heart was beating.

On the return journey, I took my place by the window in the closed cabin that accommodates six people. And my travel companions entered: four 18-year-olds of different appearances. I took out King's novel consisting of 4 novellas and I had read two-thirds of the first story, Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption.

Adam, who sits in front of me, shouts. He looks a lot like us, "Oh, the king of horror and mystery." And he talks to us a little about King and about them. I found out that they are students who came to study the history of art in Italy for two months and at the end of the week they wander in the neighboring countries. They were given tickets for a scary night tour in Prague. "My travel companions, I refused it completely!" And here the police came to check the passports.

We didn't object and we were ready for the joke we were used to. As I took out my travel companion's passport, the officer's face darkened and he asked for a laptop from his colleague and started checking the authenticity of the ticket with a magnifying glass, waiting for the result of his check on the Internet. And he asked him several times about the reason for the trip and one of them talked on the mobile. And as usual, he ignored me!! After a quick glance at my tickets for a few seconds. And I will mention the reason for the difference for those who ask.

While my American companions took out their expensive passports, he didn't even open them. And with a wide smile and a request to return them

Amazing, as always! rtc.

This simple statement holds a world of meaning. It implies that whatever is being referred to is constantly astonishing and remarkable. The word "always" emphasizes the consistency of this amazing quality.

Perhaps it is a person who continuously performs at an outstanding level, or a thing that never fails to impress. It could be a work of art, a scientific discovery, or an act of kindness.

No matter what it is, the fact that it is amazing as always is a testament to its excellence. It makes us look forward to seeing what it will do next and leaves us in awe of its capabilities.

rtc might be an abbreviation or a code that further defines or identifies the amazing thing. Without more context, it remains a mystery, but it adds an element of intrigue to the statement.

In conclusion, "Amazing, as always! rtc" is a powerful and evocative phrase that captures our attention and makes us appreciate the extraordinary.

I'm still on my journey to read/re-read all of Stephen King's books in publication order (well there or there about). What a book! This is a collection of'short stories' (that really aren't that short) and they are all amazing.

The last short story in the series let this book down a little but I still had to give it 5 stars because 85% of the book was perfection!

Rita Hayworth and The Shawshank Redemption - 5 stars!

Yes, I have already seen the film so it did warp my perception a little when my inner voice was reading as Morgan Freeman but this is such a great story. The whole book is written from one person's perspective which was really enjoyable. It also led to some speculation which I loved. The hand Andy is dealt during this book is pretty crappy but he never lets it get him too down - he always has hope! This is a story of life, hope, freedom and friendship and the whole thing is set inside a prison. It's a pretty unique story and I can see why it was made into a full length film. It's heart wrenching and it tackles not only the justice system in America but also the horrors that are allowed to continue inside institutions like Shawshank. A masterpiece!

Apt Pupil - 5 stars

We have all heard of Shawshank and have a good idea of what it's about but Apt Pupil really shocked me and I couldn't get enough of it. This story has that classic King feeling with its gore and its pretty horrific and disgusting descriptions, but it's so much more than that. This is about how everything can seem fine on the surface but nothing is as it seems. It's how a person can be driven mad by their own intrigue. The two main characters in this book end up in a power struggle and it's written so well. A young boy's obsession with an old man with a nasty secret and the most unusual dynamics I've ever read! Another masterpiece.

The Body - 5 stars.

Well he just knew what he was doing with this collection of short stories because this next story fully deserves this 5 star review too. The body is such a simple concept. A group of boys go on a journey to see a dead body and find themselves discovering much more on the way. The way Stephen King writes about the friendship between these boys is beautiful and hilarious - we have moments of such humor and silliness perfectly in sync with heartfelt moments that will make your eyes water. The actual finding of the body really isn't important. It's all about the journey they make not just physically but mentally, and a man's memory of his own childhood. Yet again a masterpiece!

The Breathing Method - 3.5 stars.

Here it is, the 15% that just didn't quite cut it - but the shortest story of them all. This story's main issue is that it doesn't really go anywhere until the last 30 - 40 pages. Once we get there it's horrific and gory and it will stick in my mind for a very long time. This story is told by a character who we don't know anything about - it felt like an unreliable narrator a little for me which I liked but it isn't my favorite. Not a bad story but next to the others I can't help but judge it harshly! Not a masterpiece just a short shock!

I haven't read them all yet. However, from what I've read so far, I think it's safe to say that this is the best novella collection from King.

Each novella in this collection seems to have its own unique charm and style. King has a remarkable ability to draw the reader in and keep them engaged from the very first page.

The characters are well-developed and the storylines are both captivating and thought-provoking. It's as if King has a magical touch when it comes to writing these shorter works.

Even though I still have some novellas left to read, I can already tell that this collection is going to be a classic. It's a must-read for any fan of King's work or for anyone who enjoys a good story.

I can't wait to see what else King has in store for us in the remaining novellas. I'm sure it's going to be just as amazing as what I've read so far.