Ease Reading-Find Your Next Favorite Book

Hot Search

Quitters, Inc

stephen king eric roberts

... Show More
Dick Morrison's life has become a nightmare of addictions, filling his days with overeating, overworking, and smoking way too much. When an old friend tells him about a surefire way to quit, he's more than willing to give it a shot. But what Dick doesn?t know is that Quitters, Inc. demands a high price from anyone who strays from their rigid rules? Forced to choose between his desperate need for cigarettes and the dire consequences of giving in to his addiction, Dick must decide just how important another drag really is.

19 pages, ebook

First published January 1,1978

This edition

Format
19 pages, ebook
Published
January 1, 2005 by
ISBN
ASIN
B0DTQW6LFY
Language
English
Characters More characters

More editions

About the author

Profile Image for stephen king

stephen king

... Show More
Stephen Edwin King was born the second son of Donald and Nellie Ruth Pillsbury King. After his father left them when Stephen was two, he and his older brother, David, were raised by his mother. Parts of his childhood were spent in Fort Wayne, Indiana, where his father's family was at the time, and in Stratford, Connecticut. When Stephen was eleven, his mother brought her children back to Durham, Maine, for good. Her parents, Guy and Nellie Pillsbury, had become incapacitated with old age, and Ruth King was persuaded by her sisters to take over the physical care of them. Other family members provided a small house in Durham and financial support. After Stephen's grandparents passed away, Mrs. King found work in the kitchens of Pineland, a nearby residential facility for the mentally challenged.

Stephen attended the grammar school in Durham and Lisbon Falls High School, graduating in 1966. From his sophomore year at the University of Maine at Orono, he wrote a weekly column for the school newspaper, THE MAINE CAMPUS. He was also active in student politics, serving as a member of the Student Senate. He came to support the anti-war movement on the Orono campus, arriving at his stance from a conservative view that the war in Vietnam was unconstitutional. He graduated in 1970, with a B.A. in English and qualified to teach on the high school level. A draft board examination immediately post-graduation found him 4-F on grounds of high blood pressure, limited vision, flat feet, and punctured eardrums.

He met Tabitha Spruce in the stacks of the Fogler Library at the University, where they both worked as students; they married in January of 1971. As Stephen was unable to find placement as a teacher immediately, the Kings lived on his earnings as a laborer at an industrial laundry, and her student loan and savings, with an occasional boost from a short story sale to men's magazines.

Stephen made his first professional short story sale ("The Glass Floor") to Startling Mystery Stories in 1967. Throughout the early years of his marriage, he continued to sell stories to men's magazines. Many were gathered into the Night Shift collection or appeared in other anthologies.

In the fall of 1971, Stephen began teaching English at Hampden Academy, the public high school in Hampden, Maine. Writing in the evenings and on the weekends, he continued to produce short stories and to work on novels.

Readers also enjoyed

Community Reviews

Rating(3.9 / 5.0, 100 votes)
5 stars
34(34%)
4 stars
26(26%)
3 stars
40(40%)
2 stars
0(0%)
1 stars
0(0%)
100 reviews All reviews
Profile Image for Kimberly .
Sparviero1001
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
... Show More
What a crazy story indeed!

It was not only great fun to listen to but also extremely thrilling at the same time.

I have to admit that I was pleasantly surprised by it, considering that I am not typically a big fan of Stephen King's works.

The story had so many twists and turns that kept me on the edge of my seat throughout.

It had a unique charm that managed to draw me in and make me completely engaged.

Even though I didn't have high expectations going in, this story really exceeded them and left me with a sense of excitement and satisfaction.

I'm glad I gave it a chance and discovered that there are still stories out there that can surprise and delight me, regardless of my initial preconceptions.
0 0 Reply
Profile Image for Kimberly .
qrdel
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
... Show More
My first (short) story by Stephen King. Actually quite good! A little bit eerie. I'm not planning to follow this therapy to get rid of my little chubby bits. No, nay, never!

Stephen King is a master of horror and his stories have a unique charm. This short story managed to create an atmosphere that made me feel a bit uneasy. The way he described the situation and the characters was very vivid. It made me think twice about any kind of strange therapy or treatment. I can't help but wonder what other strange and wonderful stories he has in store for us. Maybe I'll explore more of his works in the future. For now, I'm just going to enjoy this one and let the eerie feeling linger for a while.
0 0 Reply
Profile Image for Kimberly .
RedCellophane
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
... Show More
Good one!

This creepy suspense short story about a sure fire method to quit smoking was first published in King's collection, 'Night Shift' [1978].

I found it in the 'Masterpieces of Mystery and Suspense' anthology compiled by Martin H. Greenberg (1988).

The story immediately grabs the reader's attention with its eerie premise.

It delves into the mind of a smoker who is desperate to break the habit.

As the narrative unfolds, we are taken on a thrilling journey filled with unexpected twists and turns.

King's writing style is masterful, creating a sense of unease and anticipation that keeps the reader on the edge of their seat.

The characters are well-developed, and we can't help but empathize with their struggles.

The setting is vividly described, adding to the overall atmosphere of the story.

Overall, this short story is a must-read for fans of mystery and suspense.

It will leave you thinking long after you've finished reading it.
0 0 Reply
Profile Image for Kimberly .
ScanskyNero_CnHy
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
... Show More
I have a great passion for this specific story!

It has always intrigued me and drawn me in with its unique charm.

The details and the plotline are so captivating that I find myself constantly thinking about it.

Every time I revisit this story, I discover something new and exciting.

It's like uncovering a hidden treasure chest filled with interesting characters and thrilling adventures.

I can't get enough of it and I will continue to explore and enjoy this amazing story for a long time to come.

It truly is a gem that has a special place in my heart.

0 0 Reply
Profile Image for Kimberly .
traflaw30
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
... Show More
A very “smooth” and quick read by King.

Being heavy on dialogue sure helps to bring the story to life and engage the reader.

On the flip side, one really has to suspend their disbelief and take a few points for granted in order to reach the climax and still appreciate the story.

For instance, if everything occurs in the real world (and there is no reason to believe otherwise), it is rather puzzling why Dick, our “hero,” doesn't go to the police or even deal with the Quitters employee who torments him out of the office building. Dick is far too tame and fails to react adequately.

Also, as mentioned several times by other reviewers, it is difficult to accept Dick's wife being so cool and understanding after the treatment she received (avoiding spoilers). It seemed almost like an easy choice by King to wrap up the story he was due to send to the magazine as soon as possible.

Anyway, the story is fun, Twilight zone like, reads very quickly and ends in a pretty satisfactory manner.

Overall, it can be rated 3.5/5.
0 0 Reply
Profile Image for Kimberly .
rpgromero
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
... Show More
It was truly disturbing.

I felt an intense discomfort while reading it. The main reason was that, for some inexplicable cause, I could vividly visualize it in my mind. It was as if I was actually there, just standing and observing.

I really detested what I witnessed.

However, the fact that I could envision it so clearly was astonishing. Just wow.

4/5 (minus one point for the rabbit).

Overall, the experience of reading this was a strange mix of unease and a certain fascination due to the vivid mental images it evoked. It left me with a complex feeling that I couldn't quite shake off easily.

Despite the discomfort, I couldn't help but be impressed by the power of the description to create such a clear picture in my mind.

It was a unique and somewhat unsettling encounter with the written word.
0 0 Reply
Profile Image for Kimberly .
playa03
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
... Show More
Wow. This was SO messed up.

It was truly a chaotic and strange situation. But at the same time, I totally understand the logic used.

Stephen King has once again shown his masterful storytelling skills.

He has the ability to create a world that is both disturbing and captivating.

The way he weaves the plot and develops the characters is truly remarkable.

Even when the story takes unexpected turns and things get really messed up, there is still a certain logic to it that makes it all make sense.

Stephen King didn't disappoint, and this work is yet another example of his genius as a writer.

It keeps you on the edge of your seat, wondering what will happen next and how it will all end.

His stories have a way of getting under your skin and staying with you long after you've finished reading.

Overall, it was a great read, despite being so messed up.

I can't wait to see what he comes up with next.
0 0 Reply
Profile Image for Kimberly .
ACanadianGoose
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
... Show More
I liked this one, but didn't love it. Maybe it's because I smoke, I dunno, but it kind of fell a bit flat.


I understand the concept that smoking is harmful to everyone in your life. However, according to this, quitting can also be a challenge. If you slip up, it can have serious consequences. I think the people who join this group do so because they have truly felt the benefits of quitting. Or maybe they have a personal reason, like someone they don't like. I don't understand why the wife was so understanding. But I don't think she'll be losing any fingers. It seems like Morrison really changed.


I haven't seen the adaptation yet, but I'm sure it would be an interesting watch. The idea of having someone else control your life to that extent is really scary, especially when there is a threat of violence against your family if you mess up.


4 of 5

0 0 Reply
Leave a Review
You must be logged in to rate and post a review. Register an account to get started.