Excellent creepy story! Once you ride the bullet, time is of the essence!

“I’d hitchhike down to Lewiston, then out to our little house in Harlow if it wasn’t too late. If it was, I’d snooze in one of the hospital lounges. It wouldn’t be the first time I’d ridden my thumb home from school. Or slept sitting up with my head leaning against a Coke machine, for that matter.”

“Not a single light out there except for the moon. The trees rushed by, writhing like spontaneous dancers at a tent-show revival. The road rushed under us. I looked at the speedometer and saw he was up to eighty miles an hour. We were riding the bullet right now, he and I; the dead drive fast.”

The description in this story creates a spine-chilling atmosphere. The protagonist's plan to hitchhike home and the possibility of having to sleep in a hospital lounge add a touch of realism and vulnerability. The imagery of the trees writhing and the road rushing by at such a high speed intensifies the sense of danger and unease. The mention of "riding the bullet" and "the dead drive fast" further heightens the creepiness, leaving the reader on the edge of their seat, eager to find out what will happen next.

Una de mis historias favoritas es la que me cuenta mi abuela.

Cuando ella era niña, vivía en un pueblo pequeño.

Un día, mientras estaba paseando por el bosque, encontró un huevo mágico.

Cuando lo abrió, salió un pájaro precioso con plumas brillantes.

El pájaro le dijo que podía concederle un deseo.

Mi abuela pensó mucho y decidió pedir que todos los habitantes del pueblo fueran felices.

Desde entonces, el pueblo se convirtió en un lugar maravilloso donde todo el mundo era amable y feliz.

Esta historia me encanta porque muestra que el amor y la bondad pueden cambiar el mundo.

Y siempre me recuerda que debemos tratar a los demás con amabilidad y compasión.

I read this book when I was around fifteen or sixteen years old, and I have been continuously recommending it to others ever since, particularly to those who are not highly advanced readers. Just recently, I used it for a Literature class with sixteen-year-olds. Considering they had never read a whole book before, it worked out okay with them.

I firmly believe that Stephen King is the author to turn to when dealing with younger readers (teenagers and upwards, of course). This is because his writing is not overly complicated. It contains elements of gore, the supernatural, and plenty of cursing, which usually proves to be a hit with youngsters.

One aspect that I really like about this book is that it keeps twisting and turning until the very end. At first glance, it might seem like a typical, predictable scary story, but it most definitely is not. More than ten years have passed, and yet I still thoroughly enjoy it.

Podés leer esta y otras reseñas también en mi blog:

http://ceresplaneta.blogspot.com.ar/2...

Alan Parker's life takes a turn when he receives the news of the brain accident his mother has suffered. To reach the hospital in time, he has no other option but to hitchhike and wait for someone to pick him up. What Alan doesn't expect is the number of strange events he will experience on the way, and how these will have a great impact on his way of facing life.

Just as in the extensive novels within King's work, the short texts also serve to measure some of his virtues. In reduced spaces, the writer has the obligation, so to speak, to generate an impact on the reader as he would with any other text, but in the short term. This is one of the keys in Montado en la bala. From the very first sentences, it is noted that King is a great narrator, and he knows how to hook readers regardless of the format or length of the work.

The plot fluctuates between the events of the present and the thoughts of the narrator, Alan himself, referring to his past, and especially the memories he has of his relationship with his mother. Thanks to King's skill, the plot advances without losing the dizzying rhythm, turning this into a story that can be read in one go, in a short time and without interruptions. The author manages to build a good atmosphere where the strange and sinister component becomes the central axis of the story. The tension is maintained throughout the story, and in addition, the reader asks questions that probably do not have immediate answers. In this way, the part related to terror included in Montado en la bala is not completely resolved, and at the same time, it serves as an argumentative strategy for the reader to keep reading until the end.

If the story meets expectations at the beginning and in the development, it weakens a little towards the end. King manages to establish a sinister atmosphere full of uncertainty, but it loses a bit of weight and impact when the ending approaches. It's not that the ending was bad or didn't make sense, but that it doesn't follow the same line as the previous part of the text. The mysterious part of the story remains somewhat blurred, as if the author hadn't known how to give it a better closing.

Montado en la bala is a good horror story that manages to fully immerse the reader within its scant hundred pages. Beyond the fact that expectations are not met at the end, it does stand out for King's narrative skills when it comes to building a good atmosphere charged with fantastic and mysterious elements. Added to this, the story contains some features in the development of the characters that make this an average well-made story.

Stephen King still has a knack for telling short and sweet ghost stories. As the 1990s rolled around, it was no secret that his novels were getting more and more bloated. But that doesn't mean I don't enjoy them. I just happen to miss the days when he could do more with less, and that's why I like "Riding the Bullet".

Although the story may not be original - we've all probably heard some variation of it at summer camp as kids - it's King's delivery that makes it so good. Throw in a moral dilemma that we might all struggle with if put to the test, and you start to see why this story works.

Alan Parker is a college student who learns that his mom has had a stroke and is in the hospital. His car is broken down, and being no stranger to hitchhiking, he uses his thumb to get to the hospital. Along the way, he gets a ride from a ghostly visitor who puts him to the test: choose to save your mother or yourself. The story is all about choices, and it constantly makes you ask yourself, "What would I do if I was in this situation?" and the dreadful feeling of choosing wrong.

I give this story 4 out of 5 stars.

You can also follow my reviews at the following links:

https://kenmckinley.wordpress.com

https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/5...

http://www.amazon.com/gp/profile/A2J1...

TWITTER - @KenMcKinley5

Another story to pass the time.

"What was given has ended."

A charming story that I didn't expect to have a touch of nostalgia. It is an interesting idea that is mixed with passages of terror. It is ideal to read on an afternoon. This story takes you on a journey through different emotions. At first, it seems like a simple and enjoyable tale, but as you progress, you start to feel a hint of sadness and longing. The elements of terror add an exciting twist, keeping you on the edge of your seat. It's the kind of story that makes you forget about the outside world and lose yourself in its pages. Whether you're looking for a light read or something a little more thrilling, this story has something for everyone.

When I borrow books from my local library nowadays, they are typically in audio format. However, the catalogue is rather limited (in fact, more than just a little!). I have already gone through a significant number of those that have caught my interest. For some time now, I have been eyeing this short story. Well, I firmly believe that anything written by Stephen King is worthy of consideration. The problem is that I have an aversion to anything related to supernatural activity, and King has a tendency to include such elements in a good number of his stories.

Despite my misgivings, the choices were so scarce that I finally gave in. I was quickly reminded of how expertly the author can draw you in, regardless of which of his tales you decide to explore. This time, it centered around a college student who hitchhiked to visit his sick mother, who was lying in a hospital bed after having a stroke. He was picked up by a creepy guy who might or might not be from this world.

It was an entertaining and easy listen, and I also liked the way the story was narrated. I find it difficult to become fully engaged in a short story, and this one was over before I had even come close to that stage. But for something to listen to during a 90-minute dog walk, it was perfect.

Story 3.5 stars**

The story presented here is an interesting one, although it may not quite reach the highest echelons of excellence. It has its moments that draw the reader in and keep their attention for a while. However, there are also some areas where it could be improved or developed further to truly shine.

Audio 4.25**

The audio aspect of this offering is quite good. With a rating of 4.25 stars, it shows that the sound quality and the way the story is brought to life through audio are above average. The audio adds an extra dimension to the overall experience, making it more engaging and immersive for the listener.

Narrator \\n  Josh Hamilton\\n

The narrator, Josh Hamilton, does a solid job of bringing the story to life. His voice and delivery add a certain charm and authenticity to the narrative. He is able to capture the emotions and nuances of the story, making it easier for the listener to connect with the characters and the plot. Overall, Josh Hamilton is a competent narrator who helps to enhance the audio experience.

Hitchhiking is perilous in these modern times. You have no idea what sort of individual is sitting behind the wheel of the vehicle. However, it becomes even more terrifying when you are reading about it in a Stephen King book!

A college student discovers that his mother is on the verge of dying and decides to hitchhike in order to reach home faster. His first ride is as strange as something out of the Twilight Zone (what else would you expect in a King book?). But his next ride sends shivers down his spine as the man driving is supposed to be dead.

And so begins the ride of his life. He then recalls the warnings his mother gave him about hitchhiking. What occurs during his journey with the ghost man? Does he manage to arrive in time to see his mother? No spoilers here. You'll simply have to read the book.

This was a concise and straightforward book that encapsulates the fear associated with hitchhiking. After all, you never know "who" or "what" will be picking you up.

Moral of the story: Avoid hitchhiking. And if it's Stephen King behind the wheel, all I can say is: RUN!

Four stars for this one!

Rereading this in preparation to revisit the movie for my YouTube channel.

It's a classic spooky tale that is truly perfect for a chilly October evening. However, in this case, it's a chilly June one.

The story has a fable-like quality to it that I particularly enjoyed. I was rather surprised to find it set in the 90s.

Nonetheless, I think the movie made the right choice by dropping it back a couple of decades. It really felt as if it belonged to that era.

The atmosphere, the fashion, and the overall vibe of the movie all contributed to this sense of authenticity.

It was interesting to see how the story was able to capture the essence of the 90s while still maintaining its spooky and engaging qualities.

I'm looking forward to sharing my thoughts and analysis of the movie with my YouTube audience and seeing what they think of this classic spooky tale.

One of Stephen King's notably shorter single works, more of a novella than anything else, Riding the Bullet offers the same kind of psychological torment as seen in many of his short stories. For example, in a few of the latter tales within Hearts in Atlantis, or The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon.

That is to say, the creeps and chills are of a less visceral sort. This not only makes the book more accessible to the more squeamish among us but also, in a sense, turns off the more hardcore horror-seekers.

Alan Parker, 19 years old, gets the phone call he couldn't have predicted. His mother, the single source of adult love in his young life, has had a stroke. It's not too serious, he's told by his New England neighbor, but enough to warrant a phone call to Alan and enough to put his mother in the hospital. So, Alan is in a state of elevated concern as he hitchhikes about one hundred and ten miles to the Lewiston, Maine hospital from his campus in Orono.

Revealing more of the plot would detract from the book's atmosphere. Since the story is told from Alan's point of view, the prose is less flowery than if it were narrated by an omniscient voice or an older mind. (Although Alan himself is studying Philosophy, a minor trait that shows in his observations and speech pattern.) This makes the story flow freely.

Moreover, a careful reading of the text explains more to the reader or at least insinuates itself into a kind of logic about what really happened that night on Route 68, since Alan himself seems rather hazy.

A young university student discovers that his mother has suffered a stroke. In a hurry to see her, he decides to hitch-hike as his car is in the shop. There is no mention of possible buses or trains he could have used instead. As he is hitch-hiking, he is picked up... by a dead man.

This is typical Stephen King material, with his fascination for all kinds of ghostly and ghastly things. The encounter with the dead guy isn't overly remarkable, but what salvages the story are the man's memories of his mother. He reflects on his childhood, his mother's sacrifices as a single mother working multiple jobs to send him to college, and her present situation. Surprisingly, it is quite effective.

Perhaps it is because it has a solid foundation in reality and is something that most of us will face in our own lives - the death of a close loved one, a parent - and what it means to think about our own mortality.

And, if you have "Everything's Eventual", King writes in his introduction that this story is his way of coping with his own mother's death. Although it is sentimental, the emotions and the situation are real enough to make me shed a tear at the inevitable conclusion. For that alone, it is a powerful story, and the added ghost is just an extra bonus.

Speaking of "Everything's Eventual", this story is included in that book along with 13 other stories (including 1408), as well as a lengthy introduction by King and notes before each story. It is definitely worth paying a few more cents than the price of this e-book.