Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption - 4
This story is a classic that has captured the hearts of many. It tells the tale of Andy Dufresne, a man wrongly convicted of murder and sent to Shawshank Prison. Through his determination and resourcefulness, he finds a way to survive and even bring hope to those around him. The relationship between Andy and Red, another inmate, is also a central part of the story, adding depth and emotion.

Apt Pupil (reread 2nd time) - 5
This is a powerful and disturbing story about a young boy named Todd who discovers the identity of a Nazi war criminal living in his neighborhood. Fascinated by the man's past, Todd begins to form a dangerous relationship with him, which ultimately leads to tragic consequences. The second reading of this story only deepened my understanding and appreciation of its complex themes and characters.

The Body - 5
This is a coming-of-age story about four boys who set out on a journey to find the body of a missing boy. Along the way, they face many challenges and learn important lessons about friendship, courage, and growing up. The story is filled with vivid descriptions and memorable characters, making it a truly engaging read.

The Breathing Method - 4
This is a short but intense story about a man who discovers a strange and powerful breathing method that allows him to control his emotions and even his physical condition. However, as he delves deeper into this method, he begins to realize that there may be dangerous consequences. The story is well-written and builds tension effectively, leaving the reader on the edge of their seat until the very end.

Different Seasons is truly what the concept of an anthology was designed for. Okay, perhaps a slight exaggeration, but you catch my drift. This collection features four outstanding short stories that are at the pinnacle of literature. Three of them have been adapted into films, and I thoroughly enjoyed each one.

First is Rita Hayworth and the Shawshank Redemption. Everyone has seen the movie. It's the tale of 30-year-old Andy Dufresne, who receives a life sentence in Shawshank for the murder of his unfaithful wife and her lover. The story is narrated through the eyes of someone who considers himself one of Andy's few friends, a facilitator who obtains the things Andy requests. The first item, of course, is a large poster of Rita Hayworth for his cell wall. But Andy is a rather unassuming man, not outspoken, yet determined in his innocence and with a plan that will take nearly 27 years to achieve.

Next is my favorite among the four, Apt Pupil. I read this and immediately purchased the film. While not entirely faithful to the book, it's still extremely good. I mean, having Gandalf as the hidden Nazi Kurt Dussander is a winner in my eyes. Thirteen-year-old Todd Bowden develops what some might call an unhealthy obsession with the war, the Nazis, and the Holocaust. When he spots an old man he recognizes from his research, a sickness takes hold in his mind, and he engages in a game with Dussander that starts with him in control but quickly turns into a nightmare. Dussander directly references Andy Dufresne of Shawshank as a banker who handled some transactions for him but is now in jail for murdering his wife.

The Body is the third story, and the film was titled Stand By Me. Set in the fictional town of Castle Rock, Maine, after a boy named Ray Brower from Chamberlain, Maine, disappears and is presumed dead, Gordie Lachance and his three friends, Chris Chambers, Teddy Duchamp, and Vern Tessio, set out to find his body after telling their parents they will be camping. On their journey, the boys, all from abusive and dysfunctional families, encounter some of the harsh realities of growing up in a small town that offers little in the way of a future. The story is told in the first person by the now forty-something novelist Gordon Lachance, and during the story, he relates some of his early writing to his friends. On their trip, we also come across a dog named Chopper, who is compared to Cujo, and Chamberlain is, of course, the setting for his first novel Carrie. The town Jerusalem's Lot is also mentioned.

The final story is called The Breathing Method and is told through the eyes of David, a middle-aged lawyer. At the invitation of a senior partner, he joins a strange men's club where the members, in addition to reading, chatting, and playing chess, like to tell stories, ranging from heartfelt to bizarre. One Thursday before Christmas, the elderly physician Dr. Emlyn McCarron tells a story of a patient who is determined to give birth to her illegitimate child, regardless of financial problems and social disapproval. McCarron comes to admire her bravery and humor and may even have fallen a bit in love with her. The breathing method is intended to help her through childbirth, but when she goes into labor and is on the way to the hospital on an icy winter night, her taxi crashes, and she is decapitated. Yet, amazingly, the breathing method prevails in an almost macabre conclusion.

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