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Riding the Bullet

stephen king josh hamilton

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A Stephen King ghost story in the grand tradition, Riding the Bullet is the ultimate warning about the dangers of hitchhiking.

A college student's mother is dying in a Maine hospital. When he hitches a ride to see her, the driver is not who he appears to be. Soon the journey veers off into a dark landscape that could only be drawn by Stephen King.

2 Cassettes / 2 Hours

66 pages, Audio Cassette

First published January 1,2000

This edition

Format
66 pages, Audio Cassette
Published
May 1, 2002 by Simon \u0026 Schuster Audio
ISBN
9780743525879
ASIN
0743525876
Language
English
Characters More characters

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About the author

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stephen king

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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.

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Community Reviews

Rating(4.1 / 5.0, 100 votes)
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Profile Image for Kimberly .
LegendaryPlasma
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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Riding the Bullet is a horror novella penned by the renowned Stephen King. This short-story doesn't adhere to the typical horror tropes of blood, gore, and blatant suspense that one might anticipate. Instead, it presents a more subtle, mind-bending variety. It delves into the theme of making an impossible choice, which almost always triggers self-reflection. That's precisely where the horror aspect comes into play. One can't help but wonder, what would they do in a similar harrowing situation? After all, they don't dub Stephen King the king of horror without reason!


My favorite quote from the novella is: "I know something now that I didn't before. The worst stories are the ones you've heard your whole life. Those are the real nightmares." This quote truly encapsulates the essence of the story and the power of the horror that King is able to evoke. It makes one realize that the most terrifying things often lurk within the familiar, and that the stories we've heard countless times can hold the greatest potential for fear and dread.

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qianka
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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This story I have never told anyone, nor did I plan to do so; and not exactly out of fear of not being believed, but out of shame... and because it was mine. I have always had the feeling that telling it would be equivalent to lowering both of us, me and the story, making it smaller, more anecdotal, like those ghost stories that are told in camps before turning off the light. I think I was also afraid that if I told it, if I heard it with my own ears, I might start not to believe it.


I am a kind of messenger, a fucking messenger from beyond the grave, do you like that? Types like me actually come out quite often when the circumstances are right. Do you know what I think? I think whoever manages the whole thing - God or whoever - must like to have fun. He always wants to see if you will stay with what you already have or if he can convince you to discover what is behind the curtain. However, the circumstances have to be right. Tonight they were.


There are countless stories of roads, hitchhikers and apparitions. But this one, without a doubt, is one of the good ones. Interwoven with a noisy and dramatic background, and which poses a decision and a dilemma that no one would want to go through. In that dilemma lies the true terror.
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Memion
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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I really like it. It's a good short story, perhaps even too short. You can read it in a couple of hours. But well, King knows how to always leave us with a good taste in our mouths. Although in this case, with an ending that is a bit up in the air. And more than a horror story, it's a reflective tale about who we are, who we want to be, and how important others are to us.

Check out the review soon on my little website :D

axesbooks.blogspot.mx

This short story by King has a certain charm. Despite its brevity, it manages to engage the reader and make them think. The ending, while a bit ambiguous, adds to the overall allure of the story. It makes you wonder about the deeper meanings and implications within. King's writing style is as captivating as ever, drawing you in and keeping you hooked until the very end.

I highly recommend this story to anyone who enjoys a good read that makes them think. It's a quick and easy read, but one that will stay with you long after you've finished it.

So, head on over to my website and check out the full review. I'm sure you won't be disappointed!

axesbooks.blogspot.mx
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Profile Image for Kimberly .
vash_the_bash
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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A college kid decides to hitch a ride to see someone. She stands by the side of the road, hoping for a kind soul to give her a lift. Soon enough, a car pulls over, and the driver offers her a ride. She gets in, relieved and excited for her journey.


However, as they drive along, the college kid begins to notice some strange things about the driver. He doesn't seem to be who he appears to be. His behavior is a bit odd, and his answers to her questions are evasive. She starts to feel a sense of unease creeping in.


Despite her growing concerns, the college kid tries to stay calm and hopes that everything will be okay. But as the miles pass by, her doubts continue to grow. She wonders if she made a mistake by getting into this car with a stranger. Will she be able to reach her destination safely?

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peytonservais
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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I completed this task a while ago. However, I forgot to actually mark that I was done. That's kind of how it made me feel.

I was extremely engaged in the beginning. The creepiness factor was absolutely on point. It really had me on the edge of my seat, with that tingling sensation at the back of my neck.

But then, unfortunately, that intense feeling gradually faded away into nothing. It's not that the ending was bad by any means. In fact, it wasn't bad at all.

It was just that after the amazing emotions and excitement that the first part of the story evoked, the ending was a little underwhelming.

Overall, I still like it. But it's not one of my all-time favorites. There were definitely aspects that I enjoyed, but it just didn't quite reach that level of being a top-notch, unforgettable piece for me.

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edthecrazyboy
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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Video Review:


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You can find the video at the following link: https://www.instagram.com/reel/C6Ml2i...
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ralupy
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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Más logrado en lo que significa, en varios sentidos, que en lo que ofrece de manera directa.


Género. Novela corta.


Lo que nos cuenta. The book "Riding the Bullet: montado en la bala" (original publication: Riding the Bullet, 2000) presents us with Alan, a young university student who receives a call informing him that his mother has suffered a stroke. Alan decides to travel immediately the almost two hundred kilometers that separate him from the hospital where she is admitted, and for this he will hitchhike. One of the drivers who picks him up will make him experience an unexpected event.


¿Quiere saber más de este libro, sin spoilers? Visite:


https://librosdeolethros.blogspot.com...



This short novel, "Riding the Bullet," holds a certain allure. It's not just about the direct narrative it offers but rather what it implies on a deeper level. Alan, the protagonist, finds himself in a desperate situation when he learns of his mother's stroke. His decision to hitchhike such a long distance shows his determination and perhaps a bit of naivety. The encounter with one of the drivers is bound to be a turning point in his journey, leading to an experience that will likely change him in some way. For those curious to know more about this book without having the plot spoiled, they can visit the provided link. There, they can explore further details and perhaps gain a better understanding of what makes this novel so captivating.
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CRUZER108
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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Stephen King is more than just a horror writer. Reading his works takes you through a wide range of emotions. Sometimes you will feel introspective and find pleasure in it, while at other times it may not be so pleasant.

However, his writing can never go unnoticed. The ending of this particular work was a bit abrupt, but it still serves its purpose.

King has a unique ability to create vivid and engaging worlds that draw the reader in and keep them hooked until the very end. His characters are complex and relatable, making it easy for the reader to empathize with their experiences.

Whether you are a fan of horror or not, Stephen King's writing is definitely worth exploring. You may be surprised by the depth and range of emotions that his works can evoke.

So, if you haven't already, pick up one of his books and prepare to be taken on a wild ride.
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