3.5 Misty Stars

"The Mist" was my very first encounter with the works of Stephen King. I have to say, I was truly captivated by his writing. It had this unique charm that made me unable to put the book down and read it continuously without any interruptions. Although the basic idea wasn't entirely new to me, as I had seen similar concepts in movies before, King's way of presenting it was simply outstanding. I just couldn't get enough of it!

However, I have to admit that I really despised the ending. I never in a million years expected the author to conclude the story in such an open-ended manner. It left me with so many unanswered questions and a sense of dissatisfaction.

The story revolves around a man named David. After a powerful hurricane, he decides to go to the supermarket with his son and neighbor, leaving his wife safely at home. But as soon as they reach the supermarket, they are greeted by a strange and eerie fog that seems to cover everything. There is definitely something very wrong with this fog. It gives off a creepy and scary vibe that sends shivers down your spine.

The story is told from David's point of view, using the first-person narrative. This makes it even more engaging and immersive, as we get to experience all of his emotions and thoughts. The writing is excellent, with a fast pace that keeps you on the edge of your seat throughout the entire book. It's a stand-alone novel, which means you don't have to worry about following a series. Overall, I really enjoyed reading "The Mist" (except for the ending, of course). I hope you will have a better experience with it than I did!

This book contains three stories.

The Fog: It was okay but not something to go crazy about. Personally, I didn't like the ending very much. It was left hanging in the air and I would have preferred it to be different. The creatures in it didn't appeal to me at all. Hahaha, instead of scaring me, they just annoyed me.

The Monkey: This is the best story among the three. I really loved it. That darn monkey is scary and to think that I had a toy like that once. Oh my nerves. Hahaha, it made my hair stand on end and I'm not easily scared, really.

Mrs. Todd's Shortcut: It has been the weakest of the three, without any real merit. I found it a bit boring. There's not much that can be done about it and although it improves a little (but only a little, almost at the end), as I said, it's without any real distinction.

I don't precisely recall when I first delved into this novel. However, it was shortly after the hardback edition emerged at my local library. So, I'm hazarding a guess of around 1985. It has been such a long time that the details of how the ending unfolded have escaped my memory. I'm aware that the conclusion of the novel varies from that of the movie, but just how distinct it is, I no longer know. There have been too many years and too many books, lol. And I've watched the movie countless times.

The highly regarded Will Patton serves as the narrator for the audiobook, and I'm truly grateful to Simon & Schuster Audio for engaging him once more. I have a profound admiration for this man's slightly coarse voice and his unique timbre. I could listen to him speak all day long.

Oh yes, the ending of the novel indeed differs from that of the movie, and that's all I'm going to disclose to you. Please obtain a copy today and discover for yourself what these disparities are. I firmly believe you'll relish it.

4 stars, and highly recommended.

There is SOMETHING in the fog! There is SOMETHING INSIDE the fog! Something that it brought with it, hiding it in the folds of its tattered robes, something that spreads menacingly in the western Maine, stinging with terror, death and despair.

\\"It is Death! It is Death!\\" The god-fearing Mrs. Carmody rants: \\"All of you will die out there. Don't you understand that the end of the world has come? The Demon has been set free!\\". And an auditorium of sleepy villagers shows willing and able to carry out every delusion of the 'witch': blood sacrifice!

Is there an escape and salvation after all? Will the fog recede and when? Will the order of things be finally restored? The answer in King's novella is different from that of Darabont's film adaptation (The Mist, 2007). So, even if you have seen the movie, read the book too. Summer is recommended. And the'scorching' temperatures as well.

3.5 stars, exactly as many as this suffocating fog left me to distinguish!

I saw the movie, and I absolutely hated it.

Just now, when I got to the novella, I felt a sense of relief. It's better and doesn't have the horrible celluloid ending that the movie had.

One of the best things about the novella is that I didn't have to listen to as much detailed spiel from that religious woman. She is definitely one of the most annoying characters in horror movie history.

The characters in the novella are fine. The child is cute and convincing, and the main character is strong enough, although he does get distracted by his carnal cravings. It's also interesting to see how the group disbands when they face trouble together.

The creepy mist is really creepy. There are some nightmarish monsters out there, especially horrible for those of us who detest spiders. As awful as the other creatures were, I would take them any day over the horrible spiders in this story. *shudder*

The novella reads pretty quickly, not only because it's short but also because it's not weighed down with excessive prose. It gets straight to the point and sets the creepy atmosphere really well.

It's not perfect because I was only half interested in the storyline (since I already knew it going in), but it's still a horror novella worth reading, especially during this time of the year.

3.5 Stars

One of my friend's dads had a habit of sharing numerous inspirational quotes with us. These quotes were intended to offer us insights and directions in life and various aspects. One of his favorites was: "Don't be afraid to go into the mist, be excited because you don't know where you will end up." Clearly, he never got the opportunity to read The Mist.

This dream belongs to David, our narrator and family man, who finds himself plunged into his own terrifying nightmare. It all commences after a destructive storm, when a thick and unnatural mist begins to roll in. David and his young son Billy are in a crowded supermarket when the mist enshrouds the building, effectively transforming it into a prison for the people inside, guarded by things that no one has ever witnessed before.

The Mist is an engaging novella with a highly eerie premise. King expertly plays with the horror of the unknown in the opening act and gradually lifts the curtain to disclose the main attraction throughout the narration. It adheres to a classic horror structure, and King executes it remarkably well.

Regrettably, I had watched the 2007 movie adaptation of the story multiple times during my university days. It was one of the gang's favorite movies, and we often had conversations like: "Dude, remember The Mist's ending? That was crazy." For me, the movie is the reason for my lower rating. While The Mist has a "Hitchcock" style ending (not my words), the movie had a definite one, and in this instance, I prefer the definite ending.

Nevertheless, The Mist is the glorious source material and is truly well-written. Another aspect that King nails here is the mob mentality and the way people behave under the pressure of horrors. If you're in search of a short Stephen King story, this is the one to choose!

Afterthought

For some reason, I couldn't stop envisioning a scenario where The Mist makes its way to Derry during the reign of IT. Imagine you're running, and suddenly, BOOM, IT emerges from the damn smoke. That would make for a killer tale.

This is an absolutely great, gorey, and gripping story that leaves you on the edge of your seat from start to finish. The details are vivid and the plot is full of twists and turns that keep you guessing.

The ending is simply perfect. It ties up all the loose ends in a way that is both satisfying and unexpected. You'll find yourself thinking about this story long after you've finished reading it.

The accompanying image, a GIF of a spooky scene, adds to the overall atmosphere and gives you a visual representation of the story's setting. It's a great addition that really enhances the reading experience.

Overall, this is a must-read for anyone who loves a good horror story. It's sure to keep you entertained and scared at the same time.

A very unusual freak storm has just pounded a small Maine town, wreaking havoc and causing extensive damage.

In the wake of this disaster, numerous townsfolk make their way to the local grocery store. Their intention is to stock up on much-needed supplies and food to get them through this difficult time.

However, as they are inside the store, a thick, enveloping heavy mist descends upon the area. This mist is like nothing anyone has ever witnessed before. It is so dense that it seems to swallow everything in its path.

Soon enough, the people inside the store begin to realize that there is something lurking out there in the mist. But the question remains: what exactly could it be?

This was an extremely entertaining horror story that truly captivated me. I was thoroughly impressed by the vivid cast of characters. Each one had their own unique way of reacting to the situation they found themselves in while being stranded in the store.

Nerves were wearing thin, arguments were breaking out, and people were choosing sides. The story itself was incredibly atmospheric, with a palpable sense of foreboding that hung over everything.

I especially loved the grocery store setting. It added a sense of familiarity and claustrophobia to the whole experience. And as for what was out there in the mist, it was truly wild. It was creepy, scary, and yet, at the same time, a lot of fun.

Overall, this story held my attention from start to finish. It was a thrilling ride that I would highly recommend to anyone who enjoys a good horror story.

\\n  “People … it appears we have a problem of some magnitude here.”\\n


In northern New England, a powerful heat wave is followed by a fearsome storm, a thick fog, and finally an all-encompassing mist. This strange mist traps a diverse group of shoppers inside a grocery store. Little do they know that the mist is not just ordinary weather phenomenon, but something pure evil. As the story unfolds, what emerges from the mist will send shivers down the reader's spine.


THE MIST is a thrilling and gruesome gothic tale that is both imaginative and a real creep-fest. Stephen King demonstrates his remarkable talent for creating a cast of characters with a wide range of reactions to the over-the-top Hollywood horror that surrounds them. The story is filled with tension, suspense, and unexpected twists that will keep readers on the edge of their seats.


Despite its horror elements, THE MIST is also great entertainment. It offers a unique and engaging reading experience that is sure to satisfy lovers of the horror genre. So, if you're looking for a spine-tingling adventure, look no further than THE MIST.


Paul Weiss

This slip cased hardcover book holds a special charm. It is numbered 458 out of 500, making it a relatively rare find. What's more, it is signed by the artist Herbert Brandmeier on the title page, adding a touch of authenticity and value.

The word "Nebel" means fog in German. This is the First World Hard cover separate edition of the book. I had the good fortune to purchase it at Forbidden Planet book shop during a business trip to London, England in 1986.

Shortly after its publication, however, there was a bit of a drama. Mr. King had customs officials destroy most copies due to copyright infringement. Originally, it was first published as the first and longest story of the 1980 horror anthology Dark Forces. A slightly edited version was then included in King's 1985 collection Skeleton Crew. This book's history is as fascinating as the story it contains.

Stressful. Lol

Life can often be extremely stressful. There are countless factors that contribute to this stress. From the pressures of work, such as tight deadlines and heavy workloads, to the challenges in personal relationships. The never-ending stream of responsibilities and expectations can feel overwhelming at times.

However, it's important to remember that stress is a normal part of life. We all experience it, and it's how we cope with it that matters. Some people find relaxation techniques like meditation or yoga helpful in reducing stress. Others turn to hobbies or spending time with friends and family.

Laughing can also be a great way to relieve stress. A good sense of humor and the ability to find the funny side of things can make a big difference. So, even when life gets tough and stressful, remember to take a step back, have a laugh, and not take everything too seriously. Lol.

Stephen King is renowned for his ability to create spine-chilling and captivating stories. However, with "The Mist," it seems he has missed the mark.

This work fails to live up to the expectations set by his other masterpieces. It's not even close to being his most mediocre effort. The concept of the mist and the unknown horrors within it had great potential. But King's execution leaves much to be desired.

He could have enhanced the story by leaving more to the reader's imagination. Instead of spelling out every detail, a touch of mystery would have added an extra layer of terror. Additionally, the lack of character development is a significant drawback. The characters are so bland that it's difficult to distinguish one from another.

Moreover, the overuse of the word "conviction" becomes tiresome. It doesn't add depth to the story but rather feels like a crutch. Even if King had addressed these issues, it's doubtful that "The Mist" would have been a great book. The plot simply doesn't go anywhere. It starts with promise but fizzles out, leaving the reader disappointed. In conclusion, "The Mist" is a cool idea that unfortunately fails to deliver.