Stephen King is a master storyteller, and this book is no exception.

As I read it, I couldn't help but think that all books should be written like this.

It is interesting, meaningful, deep, revealing, honest, sad, funny, and thrilling.

The story is engaging, the style is superb, the dialogues are excellent, and the characters are vivid.

I was so hooked that I couldn't put it down for two days.

It's no wonder that Stephen King is one of the greatest living authors.

I'm glad that after all these years, I've returned to his works.

His books have a unique charm that keeps readers coming back for more.

Whether you're a fan of horror, mystery, or just good storytelling, you won't be disappointed with a Stephen King novel.

So, if you're looking for a great read, pick up one of his books and prepare to be amazed.

You'll be glad you did.

4.5 stars.

Hearts in Atlantis is that kind of work that when you finish it, you end up a different person than the one you were when you started it.

The hearts can break. Yes, the hearts can break. Sometimes I think it would be better if we died when they do, but we don't.

This is one of the King books that I liked the most. The five stories present in this novel seemed magnificent to me. All of them touch on delicate, terrifying and even have a high dose of drama. Some can become a bit heavy at times, however, King captivated me with what each one transmits. Each one is special. And it seemed brilliant to me that all of them are related, all of them share something. The five tales form a chain that you have to follow to know how far it will take you.

Reach a book as you would reach an unexplored land. Without a map. Explore it, and draw your own map... A book is like a pump. It gives you nothing if you don't give to it first.

Magnificent this work of King.

Hearts in Atlantis is a truly remarkable piece of literature. It has the power to transform the reader, taking them on a journey through a series of interconnected stories that are both thrilling and thought-provoking. The tales touch on themes such as love, loss, and the human condition, exploring the depths of our emotions and the choices we make. While some of the stories may be a bit heavy at times, King's masterful writing keeps the reader engaged and captivated from beginning to end. Each story is unique, yet they all come together to form a cohesive and powerful whole. Overall, this is a must-read for any fan of King's work or anyone who appreciates a great story.

Lots of dots to connect with these one. Salem's Lot, The Institute... and the Dark Tower series if I got everything right in my notes. This is one I'd like to come back to sometime and reread in conjunction with a few other stories. I'm excited to watch the movie sometime, but for now I'm going to plunge into Storm of the Century. Does anyone else ever get the feeling all these stories are like one giant puzzle? Each book feels like it's a single piece of the whole.

Thank you for the stories Constant Writer... Not that I think Stephen King reads these, but in case he does I'd like to thank him. I went into this year thinking I'd have about 30 books to read. This one marks 100, and while I'm still about 87 books behind schedule, I'm not worried. Some books may be impossible for me to find, but what's life without a little mystery leftover? Judging by his writing habits, I expect I'll have a few more books to add to my list before the end of this year.

To anyone reading this I'm terribly sorry, I only got a couple hours sleep last night. Either I needed to read or I needed to write, either way my brain won't let me sleep until I do. Hopefully this sleep deprived rant made some sort of sense.

If anyone else noticed any connections with this book and others, please point them out to me. I'm very excited to see what I might have missed while reading. I truly believe that exploring the connections between different works of literature can enhance our understanding and appreciation of the author's creative universe. It's like uncovering hidden treasures within the stories. I can't wait to discover more and share my thoughts with others who have the same passion for reading and analyzing these wonderful tales.

I read this in its unabridged audiobook format and was initially held spellbound.

At first glance, this isn't a book I'd pick up and read on my own, which is probably why I didn't purchase it before now. But I always enjoy Stephen King's voice, and the first story, "Low Men In Yellow Coats," is no exception.

It clocks in at 320+ pages and is a novel in and of itself. "Low Men" tells the story of Bobby, a young boy growing up in the 60's with a bitter, angry mother who claims to love him but who definitely does not like him. He has a small group of friends who dodge town bullies but finds true kinship with an old man named Ted who has an odd secret. When Bobby's mom goes away on business, Ted looks after Bobby. During their time together, Bobby learns many truths, some ugly, some stunning. It's funny and heartbreaking. Great stuff.

The second story, "Hearts In Atlantis," unfortunately, didn't do it for me. I often found my drifty mind floating away as I pondered all of the laundry that I had left to do when I returned home from work. The rewind button got a lot of use during the rest of this audiobook. It's basically about a group of college students living through the Vietnam War. The boys do a lot of trash talking and play a card game called "Hearts," which becomes an obsession for many of them. As the Vietnam war protests heat up and these guys fear expulsion for their lackluster grades, the plot plods on.

Next up is the story of one of the unlikable kids featured in the first novella. Will is all grown up but is haunted by his past, particularly the incident that made him such an unlikable character for me in "Low Men." This story, like the previous one, was unremarkable and tough to get through. Same goes for the next two stories which wrap up a few loose ends. I wish I had stopped the audio after reading "Low Men," but I'm a glutton for punishment.

Primera vez que leo un libro de relatos cortos hilvanados, muy genial!

It's the first time I have read a book of intertwined short stories, and it's really amazing!

The way the author weaves these short tales together is truly remarkable. Each story has its own unique charm and plot, yet they are all connected in a seamless manner. It's like a beautiful tapestry, where every thread contributes to the overall picture.

As I turn the pages, I find myself completely immersed in the different worlds and characters created by the author. I am drawn in by the vivid descriptions, the engaging dialogues, and the unexpected twists and turns.

Reading this book has been a truly enjoyable experience. It has not only entertained me but also expanded my imagination and understanding of different perspectives. I can't wait to explore more works by this talented author.

Cuori in Atlantide is a collection of five stories, two long and three short. In general, we can say that the common thread is the war in Vietnam (considering that the term Atlantide refers precisely to Vietnam), and more specifically, it will be recurring characters who are the connection of each story.

The first two stories are the ones I liked the most, and this once again confirms my conviction that Stephen King is much better with long stories than with short ones.

Surely the first story I liked a lot also because it seemed to me a sort of prequel to the series I love so much, The Dark Tower. It talks in fact about Vectors, of a king and a red eye, of breakers, of a gunslinger (hello Roland, I never forgot you), of a tower on which one turns and piles up the whole existence that is then directly called The Dark Tower, of petals of the reddest red, and then there are a series of terms invented by King that refer back to the series like ka-mai (stupid), ka (destiny), te-ka (predestined friend), the word ka-tet was missing otherwise we would have played bingo.

There is a Tower, he thought. It holds everything together. There are Vectors that somehow protect it. There is a Red King and there are the breakers who work to destroy the Vectors… not because the breakers want to but because that's what he wants. The Red King.

The second story I liked almost as much as the first – slightly less – and I think it's because I too, like the protagonists, was obsessed with that damned card game that I had an absurd hard time understanding, and that made me sweat the penances of hell before making me come out victorious. I'm talking about Hearts, which I have always known as Hearts so I didn't even understand right away which card game Stephen King was referring to. A real genius.

Ah, Derry is also mentioned, more than once, but it's not important for the purposes of the story.

As I was saying at the beginning, the general point in common of the stories is the war in Vietnam which has brought with it many victims, both there, in the green, and at home, once those boys, treated like cannon fodder – but let's remember that among the cannon fodder there were also the volunteers, those convinced that that war was a just war (as if wars could be just) – have returned to their native country.

"When the Vietcong enter a village in the South," said Dearie, "the first thing they do is look for those who have crosses, St. Christopher medals, Madonna medals, objects of this nature. The Catholics are killed. All those who believe in God are killed. Do you think we should back off and let the Communists kill all the people who believe in God?"

"Why not?" Stoke replied from the stairs. "We stood by for six years watching the Nazis kill the Jews. The Jews believe in God, or so I'm told."

A fair reflection, don't you think?

Honestly, I can tell you that I would have liked the first story even without the references to The Dark Tower, it's a nice story, no discussion. That is, there will surely be those who will have something to say, but I think that in general the validity of the first story will be recognized.

The second story, as I was telling you, I liked. The fact that I knew the card game and the obsession that enveloped me for a few months did its job; I think it's still a valid story, but decidedly very slow in some parts. Nevertheless, the slowness that characterizes it did not bother me at all. It was another story that I really read willingly and in really little time.

The other three stories, the short ones, are okay, they are acceptable, the third is even enjoyable in my opinion, but that's it. Nothing special, in fact, fortunately they were short because those I really found heavy with consequent drowsiness around the corner.

But just for the first two I feel comfortable recommending you to read Cuori in Atlantide. Keep in mind that no, it's not the best collection of Stephen King, but it's not the worst either.

“Hearts in Atlantis” by Stephen King is an outstanding anthology that I deeply regret not reading earlier.

Although it may not contain the typical level of horror found in King's novels, it is still an incredible story that comes together flawlessly.

Divided into mini-stories, the way it all converges is truly wild. It is sheer brilliance at its finest.

Before commencing my review, I identified two major trigger warnings while reading. They were bullying and rape.

If either of these triggers you, please refrain from reading this novel. Right from the start, I adored how King incorporated some remarkable references throughout these stories.

I grew up with “Lord of the Flies,” and witnessing that theme in “Hearts in Atlantis” was truly awesome.

I also grew up with the legendary 80s movie “Flash Gordon,” which was a great reference to encounter, and “The Exorcist,” which still induces nightmares.

The anthology begins with the short story “Low Men in Yellow Coats,” which was my favorite as it filled even more gaps in my journey to The Dark Tower.

In case you weren't aware, I am in the midst of doing various pre-readings before finally delving into the entire Dark Tower series.

If you wish to embark on a similar reading adventure, after extensive research and conversations with some of the most avid Constant Readers I know, here is my precise reading journey...

The Stand, The Eyes of the Dragon, Insomnia, Hearts in Atlantis, ‘Salem’s Lot, The Talisman, Black House, Everything's Eventual (The Little Sisters of Eluria), The Dark Tower I: The Gunslinger, The Dark Tower II: The Drawing of the Three, The Dark Tower III: The Waste Lands, Charlie the Choo-Choo, The Dark Tower IV: Wizard and Glass, The Dark Tower: The Wind Through the Keyhole, The Dark Tower V: Wolves of the Calla, The Dark Tower VI: Song of Susannah, The Dark Tower VII: The Dark Tower.

Returning to the beginning of this anthology, I most enjoyed Bobby's character as he was so relatable as a child.

Witnessing his development throughout the anthology was wonderful. Rest assured, I would never spoil anything for anyone, but seeing some recurring characters in each story was a great addition by King.

I also loved all the subtle graphics in the chapters, adding another layer of immersion. Moreover, this anthology had a horror mystery vibe as we tried to figure out what was happening with these mysterious “low men” in their yellow coats.

It is a genuine page-turner, and although I would have preferred more scary moments, it is still a fantastic story from start to finish.

Besides Bobby, Ted was another fascinating character who left me puzzled for the most part. His development was also significant as this journey to The Dark Tower has established many character connections for me through the books I've read.

As a Constant Reader for over 25 years, I cherish all these connections, potential tie-ins, and hopefully, the return appearances of these incredible characters in the future. I'm extremely excited!

This is especially true since all the references to The Dark Tower, The Crimson King, and even Randall Flagg in “Hearts in Atlantis” were excellent.

I love learning about all these characters and what will prepare me for The Dark Tower. I would consider this “required reading” for those also traveling there.

This was a fantastic read, and King once again demonstrates why he is a master storyteller, even without an abundance of horror.

It is an excellent anthology with recurring characters for an amazing connected story that, in the end, filled me with joy. It was an incredible and memorable reading experience that I will remember for many years.

I rate “Hearts in Atlantis” by Stephen King a 5/5 for being another anthology that delivered and exceeded expectations.

I would have loved more horror here, but there is still plenty to enjoy. As a reminder, pay close attention to all the main characters you encounter in each story as their journey continues into the next one.

I'm certain this won't be the last time I see some of them, as they could be waiting for my arrival at The Dark Tower. Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm done searching for low men in yellow coats since it's time for my next reading adventure. I already read “‘Salem’s Lot” in 2021, so I'll skip that and search for a Talisman.

"The Great Gatsby" by Francis Scott Fitzgerald captures the spirit of America in the 1920s. "Hearts in Atlantis" by Stephen King captures the spirit of America in the 1960s. And this is not just a blurb printed on the back cover of the book, but the pure truth.

In essence, this is a novel, conditionally divided into five novellas, in which there are common heroes, their life paths are traced, and the things that happen around them, filtered through the perspective of each one of them. King covers a large period with the five novellas - a full 39 years from the 1960s to 1999, from a moment just before everything starts until today, when there is still a reflection of the problems. Atlantis becomes a metaphor for the US, a country literally sinking beneath people's feet. The dreams collapse in the 1960s when the Vietnam War divides the country - not just a war, but also a wound that has not healed to this day. The hippies, who preached free love, world peace, and nuclear disarmament, sell their ideals for income bonds, drugs, and money, and then blend into the gray mass of suited men with briefcases. Turned into passive observers, they do not realize the saddest thing - that they have missed the unique opportunity to take everything into their own hands.

A little about each of the novellas:

1. "Low Men in Yellow Coats" (1960: They Were Ready for Anything) - probably the most well-known to you, filmed with Anthony Hopkins in the lead role, but named after the next novella. A quiet, kind-hearted middle-aged man arrives in a small and peaceful town, rents an attic, and hides there. This man, named Ted Brautigan, befriends the young Bobby Garfield, who realizes that Ted is just a walking treasure trove of something. Unfortunately, Ted also hides many secrets - he is running away and hiding from evil creations that gradually start to prowl in the town... A unique story, a deviation from "The Dark Tower" - I thought the film was great, but after reading the novella, I understood that it was just genius. A beautiful story about a sunny childhood, about friendship, about the irretrievably past days. It is worth noting how the boy gradually grows up and inside is no longer a child at all, the image of the powerful mother (oh, there is no such description!), and let's not forget the powerful quote: "This book tells a very nice story, but it is not very well written. There are books that are written superbly, but with an uninteresting plot. Read for the stories that are told in the books, don't be a snob. Another time read for the language, for the words, don't be like those who avoid filling their heads. But when you find a book in which both the plot and the language are good, you have found a treasure."

2. "Hearts in Atlantis" (1966: Brothers, How We Laughed, We Were Going to Jump for Joy!) - here is the most voluminous novella that reveals the essence. The Vietnam War begins, and with it the protests. Those who managed to become students hid, but those who didn't were sent to the jungles to fight. In the student dormitory, the boys start playing like crazy with a deck of cards, which affects their grades, and some start dropping out of the university directly into the Mekong Delta. It is unique how the boys support each other, those who share something - whether it is college, war, or even a stupid card game. King very well described the wild passion that can catch you and not let you go, but kill you for years - whether it is gambling, drinking, drugs, cigarettes, women, video games, or just some madness. I know what it's about, I can rate it.

3. "Blind Willie" (1983: God Bless Us All) - the war is already over, and those who survived it are no longer the same. Willie Sherman is slightly crazy, suffering from multiple schizophrenia, and several souls live in him. I was left stunned by the way Stevie describes the beggar on the lively boulevard and the coins he throws into the hat, so as not to be picked up, as well as the money he takes out. Obviously, such things happen not only here at Serdika metro station.

4. "Why We're in Vietnam" (1999: When Someone Dies, You Think About the Past) - here is the truth about the Vietnam veterans, those who returned. How many of them are invalids, how many with broken families and health, with sick brains, and how cruel everything is. The truth is terrifying.

5. "And the Heavens Have Come Down" (1999: Hyde, You Old Dirty Dog, Go Home) - rather a short story that summarizes everything so far and puts a period at the end. The end is so smeary that your eyes water and you are grateful that you are sitting down, otherwise, if you are standing, you will fall to your knees.

Hmm, in the translation, in some moments, there are big mistakes, hmm! Especially the following throws me into a stupor - "Rumpelstiltskin" and a note under the line - the heroine of the German fairy tales, whose hair constantly grows. It is shamefully stupid. First, the heroine is called Rapunzel and has nothing to do with the topic, and second, Rumpelstiltskin (as the correct name is) is a judge, and moreover, a HERO of the male gender, who is a bastard: he does you favors, but in return always wants something from you and is calculated, you can only overcome him if you know his name. That's why it is mentioned in the relevant context.

After this book, I have to tell you something, all of you, boys and girls, especially those who do not like King and his work. It is true that there are better writers than him. It is true that he also has flaws. But he is not just a skilled storyteller, a winning author and a master craftsman. He is a great writer who has not just blazed a trail, as thin as a thread in the forest, but has dug a wild highway along which both writers and readers walk. He will be talked about for centuries to come, I am sure of that, just as I am sure that this book is in the top 5 of his entire oeuvre. A book from which honesty and sincerity flow from every line, and every word is pure and unadulterated truth.

No one has ever written the joys of boyhood better than Stephen King. That's not what people usually talk about when they discuss him, but it's an absolute truth. It's a subject that demands to be written about without any pretense, free from language that's too grand for the simple pleasures of ball games and playing in the mud. Between The Body and It, the discerning reader will find himself transported into the actual moments of youthful delight.

Before girls enter the picture and disrupt the perfect freedom of true youth. Of course, girls aren't bad. It's just that something fundamental changes when boys become aware of them, and it never quite returns to the way it was. Often, I wonder how much of a man's life is spent trying to navigate the space between that moment before and the excitement that follows the discovery of girls. This small gap is the territory that King explores in several of his books, and all of them are both delightful and thrilling in the way that only a carnival can be to a young boy.

Putting aside the supernatural moments and the plot, it's this subject that truly draws me to the book.

For reasons I can't quite fathom, I've read the first 200 pages of this one half a dozen times over the years but never managed to finish it. I've even purchased the audiobook twice by accident and bought the paperback two or three times, only to lose the copies. This time, I've decided to finally finish it because it's been lingering there, an unfulfilled desire that's been hanging over me for years. Somehow, I need to be free of it, or at least have this experience become part of the history of my reading pleasures. So here I go.

William Hurt was an excellent choice for the audiobook. There's something about his voice that's trance-like and lulls you right in. I'm glad I've decided to fully experience the book in this way.

King himself read the next two stories in the book. Some reviewers claimed that the other stories were dull, but that wasn't my impression at all. I quite enjoyed them, especially the title story. However, I can see that someone whose only motivation for reading King is for action/horror excitement might not find much value in a book that's mostly composed of nostalgia and a look back at the turning points that shaped us as individuals. It's not exactly the stuff of horror lore. If you're that kind of reader, you might want to move on and find another book because this one is far too delicate and filled with too much longing for the adventure-seeking reader.

Hurt returned for the final story. By now, the crossover between all the stories and characters was tightly woven and无处不在. It seemed almost like a novel with shifting perspectives over the years. Depending on your perspective, the interconnections could come across as overly coincidental or simply a neat way of letting us know where things ended up for the various people we'd come to know in their youth. I prefer the latter. In fact, I loved checking in on people years later and finding out how they'd turned out, even though the direct story of it wasn't really the main point of the story itself.

The plain truth is that this book affected me far more than it probably should have. It was a beautiful novel in the guise of short stories, crafted from lost youth and unwound memories. Maybe it took me so long to actually read it because I needed the passage of time to lose more and more of my past in the old fireplace of time. Maybe I needed to remember just enough to know how much I'd lost and how beautiful so much of it had been. Maybe it's a book that can only be truly understood when your life has taken the same sorts of strange turns and you look back, filled with wonder, a sense of loss, and a touch of longing.

Stephen King is a renowned author, but there is one of his books that, based on his usual themes, you would never think it was his.

It is a book about childhood and youth, and in the later stories, about bitterness and melancholy. It is very good.

I confess that I had prejudices against this author for quite some time, considering him just another of those bestselling authors without essence. But King is a competent writer, which is evident in many of his texts, and he can even be brilliant, as he demonstrates in this novel. Perhaps it is more noticeable when he abandons terror, mystery, and the supernatural. Maybe that's when the psychology of his characters and the depth of their feelings shine through more. In many of his books, there is some of that, but it is overshadowed by the showiness of the thriller. Here, devoid of those artificial fireworks (except for a small concession to the supernatural in the first story, which is really completely unnecessary and does not change the true story of childhood and friendship at all), the quality shines in all its splendor. It is one of those novels where you feel like underlining countless phrases or paragraphs.

It is a beautiful book, with two long stories and three short ones, connected by their characters although ultimately completely independent of each other; but all of them are beautiful in one way or another. It is highly recommended, although not if you are looking for the typical Stephen King book.

4.5 Stars
I truly have a deep affection for this collection. The title story, in particular, holds a special place in my heart. It's evident that this is a highly personal work for King. It has a lot to convey and is extremely relevant. However, there were a few moments in a couple of the stories that didn't quite capture my full attention. Nevertheless, I firmly believe it's a very well-crafted collection. In fact, it almost feels like one continuous story, doesn't it?

Originally read Jan. 2015, rated 5/5 stars
If there's any book that can transport me into the Stephen King - Dark Tower - Randall Flagg atmosphere, this is it. Wow , it was outstanding.

This book consists of a series of five interconnected novellas or short stories. Each one follows a different character, except for the one at the end. They are all linked in various ways, mainly through the appearance of characters from previous books in others. It spans the sixties and the subsequent years, with the influence of the Vietnam War.

The first story, "Low Men in Yellow Coats," was so reminiscent of The Dark Tower series. It was简直疯狂. I adored it. It was truly fantastic, with numerous mentions of the Tower and the Crimson King, and even a passing reference to Roland and his ka-tet. This made me extremely happy as I have a great love for Roland Deschain and his ka-tet. Additionally, it features an 11-year-old as the protagonist, and I really appreciate it when King writes about child characters as I believe he does it so well .

However, my favorite was probably the second story, "Hearts in Atlantis." It's rather strange because it's literally about a group of college students getting addicted to playing Hearts and dropping out of college. But it's such a wonderful story. I loved it. I loved it to bits. It probably wouldn't have been as enjoyable if I hadn't known how to play Hearts or didn't enjoy playing it, but it was an absolute blast.

Also, this book is the reason I learned how to play Hearts. My dad read it and decided to teach us all how to play because of Stephen King. So, thank you, Stephen King.

The other stories were also really good, but not quite remarkable enough for me to dedicate an entire paragraph to. I liked Sully's story at the end, and the very last part was excellent. The only one that I didn't like as much was the third story, but even that was delightfully strange and overall a fun read, so I still loved it.

And I truly loved this book. I was completely smitten. I fell in love with a book all over again. I think it might have more to do with Stephen King's writing style. As I've mentioned before, reading Stephen King feels so personal . It's such a great writing style, and I love it. I loved this book, and it was just amazing.

Ben Jonson called time `the old and bald deceiver´— said Ted Brautigan, taking a deep drag on the cigarette and then exhaling the smoke through his nose in two identical streams—. And according to Boris Pasternak, we are captives of time, hostages of eternity´.

`Hearts are very resilient, he had said, almost never break, and surely that's the case... but then what? What do we know about ourselves? What do we know about hearts in Atlantis? ´

This is an anthology of interconnected stories with strong connections to the Dark Tower. Despite the good connections to King's main saga, it has disappointed me a bit. The first story was okay, but as for the others, they seemed rather soporific to me. In fact, I would say it's one of the novels that has been hardest for me to finish by this author. King's style saves some parts. On the other hand, the stories have everything except the originality that precedes the author.

A novel that I have been told good things about. Having said this, I think it could have given more of itself with the first story of the anthology, even relating it more closely to The Dark Tower. In my opinion, in the first story and in the last one, there are quite a few things that are unconnected to each other. They give me the feeling that they are not finished stories. Nevertheless, as I said, what saves this anthology is the author's style and character construction. As for some parts of the different plots, they are nothing special.