1960. 1966. 1983. 1999. 2000.

Low Men in Yellow Coats



When the paperback copies of Hearts in Atlantis first came out, I was eager to read it. At that time, Stephen King had not yet written the final Dark Tower books. Those three novels, which were just three short years away, would be written back-to-back to complete Roland's quest. King might have known he would write them in succession, but I'm not so sure. He has said that everything he wrote during this period was turning towards the Tower. It was clearly on his mind and flowing out of him. Hearts in Atlantis, Black House, Everything's Eventual, From a Buick 8 - all of them had become related to the Dark Tower in one way or another.



When I opened the book to the first story, I was intrigued by the Low Men. They were something new and strange, as if "from a world other than this", as Jake would say. The Low Men, who would return in the later Dark Tower books, were more frightful in this book (at least in my opinion). They were regulators in yellow dusters, wearing the skin of men to hide whatever lay beneath, and carrying the eye of Sauron. Their cars were not just gaudy, chromed land cruisers with dice - they were alive. However, it's important to note that, despite these elements, this was not a typical horror story.



First, there was the opportunity to meet Bobby Garfield and Ted Brautigan. I liked them immediately, and my affection grew as the story progressed. I worried for them, especially Bobby, who was dealing with the known and unknown fears of childhood. In just a few short days, Ted, a stranger with a heart of gold, had become a father figure and a friend to Bobby, someone he hadn't realized he needed so desperately. Now, on this recent reading, I found myself worrying for them all over again, and I loved the story for that.

  “A week from now, I won't remember what was so neat about him. A year from now, I'll hardly remember him at all.”
  Was that true? God, was that true?
  No, Bobby thought. No way. I won't let it be.

Hearts in Atlantis



Hearts. Of course, it's about love and feelings. Unexpectedly, there's also a little card game named Hearts. All three aspects are seen through the eyes of Pete Riley in his first year of college. A character from the first story makes an appearance in this second one. The twelve-year-old life of Carol Gerber is now a distant six years in the past, along with the 1960 America, replaced by the fervor of the mid-60s. How could I have forgotten a majority of this story? Must be the passage of time again. This is a heartfelt story by King. Sentimentalism permeates this story, as it does much of this book. There may also be a few things from King's own past within these pages. Certainly, he knew about young hearts, a game called Hearts, and the prevalence of the Vietnam War. Once again, horror doesn't really apply here, except for the fear of dying across the sea and the loss of love.



Blind Willie



If you're keeping track of the years, Vietnam should be long over, but in this story, it's closer than ever, living both sporadically and constantly in the memories of Willie. This is the third story to feature the boy William Shearman, and the first time you hear the name Blind Willie. Climbing a ladder, Willie leaves Bill one floor down to enter his other self, the Harwich of long ago, and the regrets that are more complicated than they seem. This is the only story in the collection that doesn't quite click with me.



Why We're in Vietnam



It's Sully's turn to remember one horrifically painful day "in country", and how war changes everything. It changes more than one life, that's for sure. I had forgotten about "Old Mamasan". She haunts Sully, and has been since that one day in Vietnam. To understand, you'll have to read it, of course. Mostly, this is a story about "trying to get through fuckin' life". The closing pages are wild and a little wondrous. I appreciate the adult Sully far more now.



Heavenly Shades of Night Are Falling



The book opens with Bobby and closes with Bobby. It couldn't be any other way.

Until now, "IT" was my favorite novel by S. K.

However, after having finished "Hearts in Atlantis," this has become my new number one by the king!!

Actually, they are a collection of novellas that are firmly grounded in the sixties.

Moreover, they are also connected to each other.

The main story is "Low men in yellow coats."

The film is good, but the book is much better!!!

Well, the author provides us with a profound glance into the souls and our human nature.

The vivid description of the surroundings is truly magical.

King has astonishingly captured the spirit of the sixties.

And it is awesome how powerfully he managed to make you, the reader, care about the destiny of his fictional characters.

Let me state that this is a book about growing up. It's about the first love, the first kiss.

It's about the significance of making the right decisions and the loss of innocence.

And it's also about other dark worlds out there, populated with strange beings!!!

Beings that have infiltrated our reality and pose a threat to the lives of so many ordinary people.

Last but not least, this captivating collection of stories will keep you turning the pages until the end!!

So, if you haven't read it yet, then go for it!!!

You will not be disappointed at all!!!

Dean;)

★★★★★Hearts in Atlantis by Stephen King

Hearts in Atlantis by Stephen King is, in my view, an outstanding book. It consists of 5 short stories that span different periods in Bobby's life.

The first story, "Low Men in Yellow Coats," reveals that Bobby's father passed away young due to a heart attack and had a penchant for gambling. His mother's favorite refrain is "your father didn't exactly leave us well off." Bobby spots a bike he desires for his 11th birthday, but his mother tells him they can't afford it.

The second story is "Hearts in Atlantis." "Blind Willie" is the third, and "Why We're in Vietnam" is the fourth.

"Heavenly Shades of Night are Falling" concludes the book, with Bobby returning home as a grown man. He hopes to find his first love still there. Redemption might just be within his reach after all. And there remains that one secret, but will it be revealed?

I would recommend this book. However, if you plan to watch the movie, I suggest doing so first. After reading the book, I had such high expectations for the movie, but I was severely disappointed as I felt cheated. I had expected it to be based on the entire book, but it was not even close.

I have always had the thought that after reading a Stephen King novel, I should delve into more of his works. It's a common misconception that all of his books belong to the stereotypical horror genre. The last one I read was "Billy Summers," and there wasn't a single monster in sight. In fact, this collection of stories only has a hint of a monster in the opening short story. However, the monsters that lurk in memory and nostalgia are present throughout all five stories.

The first story was my absolute favorite. It tells the tale of an 11-year-old boy who is growing up and encounters an older man with psychic powers. This man is being hunted by beings from another dimension. The story is filled with mystery and suspense, keeping the reader on the edge of their seat.

All of the stories in this collection are interconnected through the characters, and they beautifully capture the essence of the 1960s and the Vietnam War. The vivid descriptions and engaging plotlines make this book a truly enjoyable read. And yes, I definitely need to read more Stephen King in the future!

No one would claim that King is Shakespeare. That being said, Stephen King has crafted stories like "The Body" and "Rita Hayworth and the Shawshank Redemption" in such a remarkable way.

To simply dismiss the people within them or describe them as just "characters" seems somehow insufficient. The outer novella in HEARTS IN ATLANTIS was precisely like that for me.

"Low Men in Yellow Coats", although it has references to King's SF Gunslinger series, is easily a stand-alone piece. Bobby and Ted are drawn so expertly and deftly.

As I read this book, I had the distinct feeling that I was listening rather than reading, being pulled into the circumstances.

I was so emotionally connected with Bobby and Ted, and even Bobby's mother. Each reading was like visiting with and sharing the sadness of a friend.

King's ability to create such vivid and relatable characters is truly a testament to his skill as a storyteller. It is no wonder that his works have captivated audiences for decades.

If I could give six stars to this book, I would.

And seven. And eight...

And nine. And ten... This book is truly remarkable. It has captivated my attention from the very first page and held it firmly until the last. The story is engaging, filled with twists and turns that keep you on the edge of your seat. The characters are well-developed, each with their own unique personalities and motives.

The writing style is also excellent. It is clear, concise, and easy to follow, yet it still manages to convey the emotions and atmosphere of the story effectively. I found myself completely immersed in the world that the author has created.

In conclusion, this book is a must-read for anyone who loves a good story. It is one of the best books I have read in a long time, and I would highly recommend it to others. I can't wait to see what the author comes up with next.

I really enjoyed the audiobook narration that was expertly performed by William Hurt and Stephen King. Their voices added a certain charm and authenticity to the story. However, despite their excellent delivery, I have to admit that I didn't completely click with the story itself. It's not that the story was bad, but perhaps it just didn't resonate with me on a personal level. Maybe it was the plot, or the characters, or something else entirely. Nevertheless, I still appreciate the effort that went into creating the audiobook and the talent of the narrators. It's always interesting to listen to different interpretations of a story, and this one was no exception. Even though it didn't quite hit the mark for me, I'm sure there are many others who will love it.

This book is quite atypical for King.

Despite this, I was pleased with the outcome.

First of all, normally whenever I get myself one of his books, then I want to read something in genres like horror, supernatural... or something else that scares the hell out of me. However, this book is different.

At first I didn't even want to read this book. I just lent it from the library because I needed something to read. But after reading 15 pages, I was hooked.

It admittedly is a rather unusual book itself. In fact, it is an anthology novel so to speak, in which only certain life stages of each narrator are exposed.

But above it all, there wafts a supernatural atmosphere. Especially the first story, at the end of which it pulls most into this direction.

It also was an interesting turn that the narrators telling each of the unequally sized episodes, in one way or another, had experienced something in their story that was a major change to them in some way.

And there always was one and the same girl involved in these stories. She is like a red ribbon that flutters through the whole book. Yet, the girl herself has no own episode to tell.

This unique structure and the presence of the mysterious girl make the book a captivating read that keeps the readers engaged from start to finish.

Stephen King is truly a master when it comes to weaving a story.

His works have the power to draw readers in and keep them on the edge of their seats.

One of the events that has often found its way into his stories is the Vietnam War, which began in 1960.

This war was a significant and tumultuous period in history, filled with chaos, violence, and the loss of countless lives.

King has the ability to bring this war to life through his vivid descriptions and engaging characters.

He explores the themes of war, trauma, and the human condition, making his stories not only entertaining but also thought-provoking.

Whether it's through a horror story or a more mainstream narrative, King's use of the Vietnam War as a backdrop adds depth and authenticity to his work.

It allows readers to gain a better understanding of the war and its impact on those who lived through it.

Overall, Stephen King's talent for storytelling and his ability to incorporate historical events like the Vietnam War make his books a must-read for any fan of literature.

This book has been lingering on my to-read list for an incredibly long time.

Why did I decide to pick it up and read it now? Well, I truly have no clue. One random night, out of the blue, I simply had this overwhelming urge to do so. So, I gave in to that desire and just dived right in.

I really should do this more often. Forget about schedules, forget about following a series religiously, and forget about those "this is what I'll read next" promises.

Random choices can be so much fun. I firmly believe that 50% of the enjoyment I derived from reading this book stemmed from the fact that I was reading exactly what I felt like reading, precisely when I felt like reading it, without any pressure whatsoever to finish it.

The other 50% of my enjoyment came from the stories themselves. I absolutely adored the way in which all the stories were interconnected.

Moreover, I was really drawn to the semi-historical fiction nature of the tales.

By the end, I have to admit that I was a little bit sick of hearing "We're going bitch hunting, boys!" Seriously, it started to make my blood itch whenever I read that line.

However, the overall story arc was so captivating that it kept me reading right to the very end.

These are not those typical happy stories with picture-perfect happy endings.

To me, they felt incredibly real. Maybe that makes me a pessimist, probably so, but it's the unvarnished truth.

From the innocence of childhood to the harsh realities of real life, the characters in these stories come to learn just how far removed life is from a fairy tale.

Happy endings are few and far between, if they exist at all. I think these stories did an excellent job of representing that aspect.

When all was said and done, this was yet another King book that I thoroughly relished. I would rate it 4 stars.

A few small stories are artfully wrapped around the titular novella. This is King in the remarkable "The Body" mode. He writes with elegance and a touch of pain, delving deep into the complex emotions of growing up. The happiness that comes with new discoveries and friendships, and the heartbreak that follows when those precious moments fade away or are disrupted.

King's prose in this work is a masterclass in storytelling, painting vivid pictures in the reader's mind and evoking powerful emotions. It's a journey through the trials and tribulations of adolescence, seen through the eyes of characters who are both relatable and unique.

For those who want to explore more of King's works and my thoughts on them, head on over to my Great Stephen King Reread. There, you'll find in-depth analyses and discussions of his most iconic books, including this one.

Read more over at my Great Stephen King Reread.

Such an interesting book indeed. It's understandable that this tapestry of interlinked stories might not appeal to everyone's tastes. The first part is widely regarded as the favorite. No one can capture the essence of kids coming of age as masterfully as King does. The story is truly ablaze with intense emotions that are felt most strongly at that indefinable moment when one exits childhood innocence.

The remaining parts, in my opinion, are equally excellent. They are all coming of age stories in their own unique ways, depicting the loss of innocence and the closing of circles, whether for the better or for the worse.

As the quote goes, "There are also books full of great writing that don't have very good stories. Read sometimes for the story, Bobby. Don't be like the book-snobs who won't do that. Read sometimes for the words - the language. Don't be like the play-it-safers that won't do that. But when you find a book that has both a good story and good words, treasure that book." This book seems to fit that bill perfectly, with its engaging stories and beautiful language.