Reading Stephen King’s books fills me with a profound sense of nostalgia.

For one thing, I discovered him during my impressionable middle school years. Moreover, he writes about numerous themes that are reminiscent of nostalgia.

Recently, while reading Night Shift for probably the seventh time in my life, it vividly reminded me of the first time I found this precious book at the Forest Park library in Woodhaven, Queens, together with my little brother, Marc. It had just been placed on the shelf, a brand-new copy, and I was fortunate enough to be the first to borrow it.

One of my all-time favorite stories within it is “Battleground.” If you ever owned a set of green plastic toy soldiers, you would surely understand the allure. There are also many other iconic stories in this collection.

In the movie Cat’s Eye, the stories “Quitter’s Inc.” and “The Ledge” are both included. Additionally, movies have been made from “The Mangler,” “Trucks,” “Graveyard Shift,” “Sometimes They Come Back,” and even “The Lawnmower Man.” “Children of the Corn” has become a franchise with, at last count, 10 movies. “Jerusalem’s Lot” serves as a prequel to ‘Salem’s Lot, and “One for the Road” is supposed to serve as its dénouement.

However, the most haunting story doesn’t involve monsters at all. “The Last Rung on the Ladder” always has the power to make me weep. After reading that story, I was so deeply moved that I started inviting my little sister, Dee, to come with my brother and me to the library.

These stories truly have the potential to change your life. If you don’t believe me, I highly recommend checking them out for yourself.

I'm rather conflicted about this collection. On one hand, I believe that each story had a promising initial concept. However, unfortunately, many of them fell short in terms of execution. I frequently had the sense that something was amiss.

The writing style wasn't an issue, but these stories simply didn't captivate me to a great extent and didn't linger in my mind for a long time. Nevertheless, the ones that I truly liked were the kind of stories that I would be eager to see developed into full-length books!

Here are the individual ratings:

Jerusalems Lot: 4.5

This might sound a little strange but I firmly believe that this collection is an absolute work of art. I would unhesitatingly place it right up there alongside the works of literary giants like Chekhov and Poe.

If you've ever found yourself wondering why people make such a huge fuss over Stephen King, then I think his remarkable talents are fully on display within these pages.

King possesses an extraordinary ability in these stories to compress an enormous amount of backstory and exposition into a relatively small amount of page space, all while making it seem completely natural. In certain paragraphs, he'll seamlessly segue four or five times without me even realizing it, and then I'll have to reread his story four or five times just to try and figure out how he managed to do it. The way he artfully blends different genres is truly ingenious. Is it science fiction? Is it dark fantasy? Is it horror? Or is it some unique and captivating blend of all three?

Then there's King's diction. He is so at ease and highly adept at using those short, guttural English words. Sometimes, right in the middle of a story, he'll invent a word, and you'll swear that he didn't. You'll be convinced that that word has always existed, but in reality, it hasn't. Go ahead and check your dictionaries. You've been tricked. His horrific onomatopoeia is vividly on display here.

These were the stories that King wrote out of necessity. Because he felt that if he could come up with a terrifying enough monster, it would be able to pay for his kid's medicine and bring a better life to him and his family. And it shows. The pacing is absolutely perfect.

My favorite story from this collection is "I am the Doorway." I've read that one several times, trying to pinpoint all the masterful strokes within it.

I truly wish more short stories were written in this way. I recently watched a DVD that featured an interview with a small press editor, and something she said really annoyed me. She claimed that some authors foolishly attempted to make the endings of their short stories too neat and tidy, that they "tried to put a nice little bow on the end of their stories," and that this somehow diminished the value of the stories.

However, these stories by King all have definite endings. Stephen King is not trying to confuse anyone or leave an excessive amount of room for interpretation. I would argue that having a definitive ending is far more artistically courageous than leaving an ending ambiguous. He can never imply that a reader "just didn't understand" or go around in circles for hours discussing themes. These stories are crafted to either succeed or fail based on their own merits.

So, what I'm advocating for here is the importance of having definitive endings in short stories. Of course, there are the rare geniuses, like Chekhov, who can truly write outstanding open-ended short stories. But open-ended endings are so much easier to fake. They are far more likely to become like "The Emperor's New Clothes" (especially in academic circles where there's a significant amount of money and reputation at stake... oooh - I went there! Snap! I'm not going to lie, I really hate what the academic world has done to the short story. It doesn't belong to you stuffy intellectuals, okay? Let it go. Give it back to us, the people who have lived real lives.)

About 80% of the stories in this collection are truly outstanding and hit the mark perfectly.

The Stephen King Goodreads Discussion Group is embarking on a comprehensive re-read of his works, starting from the very beginning and going all the way to the end. It has been a considerable amount of time since I truly submerged myself in Uncle Stevie's captivating world. However, with a reading rate of one book per month, I am fully committed. My objective is to read and review each book with the utmost honesty and reflection that I am capable of providing.

Background – “Night Shift” holds a special place as the first collection of twenty short stories published by Stephen King way back in 1978. It was his sixth published book, including those written under his pseudonym of Richard Bachman. The book features his first forward and is dedicated to his mother, who passed away in 1973. Many of these stories have been adapted into feature films and television shows, further cementing their popularity. In terms of book length, my paperback copy has 505 pages, while my Kindle version has 344 pages.

The best stories in this collection include “The Ledge,” a thrilling wager between a mobster and a tennis pro that takes place on the ledge of a 43rd floor high rise. “The Lawnmower Man” is a fascinating tale about a man and his yard, highlighting the importance of finding the right person to cut it perfectly. “Quitters, Inc.” offers a unique perspective on the most effective way to quit smoking in the history of the world. And “Children of the Corn” brings a new and chilling meaning to the idea of visiting the heartland of Nebraska, where corn reigns supreme.

The good stories are equally engaging. “The Boogeyman” challenges the notion that the monster in the closet during our childhood was just a figment of our imagination. “Trucks” presents a group of strangers at Conant’s Truck Stop & Diner facing off against their trucks, which have a mind of their own. “Sometimes They Come Back” follows Jim Norman, a high school teacher, as students from his past return to haunt him. “I Know What You Need” is a college love story that seems almost too good to be true. “The Last Rung on the Ladder” explores the powerful bond between a brother and sister, which can have a profound impact on life. “The Man Who Loved Flowers” takes us to New York City in Spring, a place that holds special significance for a certain man in love. And “One for the Road” serves as a follow-up to King’s novel “Salem’s Lot,” providing an additional layer of depth to the story.

The okay stories have their own merits as well. “Graveyard Shift” is filled with rats, rats, and more rats, along with some rather creepy rat bats. “I Am the Doorway” tells the story of a scared and infected astronaut who brings something terrifying back from space. “The Mangler” poses the question of whether a laundromat speed ironer is cursed and out to injure as many people as possible. “Battleground” pits a professional hit man against an army of toy soldiers in a fight to the death. And “The Woman in the Room” forces a son to make an impossible decision regarding his dying mother.

The lesser stories in the collection include “Jerusalem’s Lot,” which serves as a prequel to “Salem’s Lot,” and “Night Surf,” which follows the survivors of an Asian flu epidemic as they spend time together on the beach. “Gray Matter” explores the consequences of a person drinking too much skanky beer, while “Strawberry Spring” offers reflections on attending college in New England in 1968, during a series of serial killings of young women.

Thoughts and Reflections – Without a doubt, my favorite stories in this collection are the ones that left a seriously demented impression on me. As someone who is pretty scared of heights, “The Ledge” had me on the edge of my seat. I could almost picture Stephen King himself as “The Lawnmower Man,” with his words echoing in my head: “That was a mistake, buddy…” Having quit smoking many years ago, “Quitters, Inc.” hit a nerve and brought back memories of the toughest struggle I ever went through. It still managed to scare me even after all this time. And “Children of the Corn” is a classic tale that has been referenced in countless movies and jokes. It remains a timeless story that continues to captivate readers.

Overall, this first collection of King’s short stories was, for the most part, interesting and well worth reading. It is important to remember that a lot has changed in the 40 years since these stories were first published. You can see King’s creative genius starting to shine through as he discovers that horror is a unique and effective medium for exploring human nature. These short stories touch on common fears such as heights, loneliness, and the loss of family, while also demonstrating King’s ability to blend a variety of horror-related elements and themes. Whether it’s aliens from space, the boogeyman in the closet, or haunted trucks, King weaves these themes together seamlessly in a short story format, making this collection a must-read for any horror fan.

Stephen King's first short story novel is a book that contains 20 short stories. Some of them are very powerful, entertaining and interesting, while others are rather weak.

There is not much that can be said about a short story book. Only that this is the third book of this wonderful author. As I have already said, some of the stories are very good, but it must be said that none of them are scary. They are rather mystery, intrigue and unease stories.

What surprises me about King is his ability to create stories. From such a normal and common theme, he can make a story so disturbing.

To highlight one of the stories, I would say "Children of the Corn". This story has become very famous due to the large number of adaptations it has in film, both in series and movies. It is a super interesting story that will leave you with your mouth open. I had never seen or imagined anything like it!

I like the reflection at the beginning of the book about fear, as it is something natural in all of us. We have all felt this emotion at some point, and many of us like everything related to it.

This Halloween season, I was faced with a choice. I could either reread Night Shift, which I had read many years ago in high school and hadn't revisited since, or I could read Skeleton Crew for the first time.

I initially settled on Skeleton Crew and even took it off the bookshelf. However, at the last minute, I had a change of heart and put it back in favor of Night Shift. I remembered Night Shift as a perfect five-star read, and it felt like an old friend to me. I loved it so much.

But did it hold up as well as the first time I read it? Well, to be honest, it didn't. However, it's still a very good book.

I loved the tie-ins to his novels in these stories. For example, the bookend stories for his novel 'Salem's Lot (Jerusalem's Lot, a precursor set in the 1800s, and One for the Road, which takes place after the events of the novel in the 1970s) and the story Night Surf, which is set in the same universe and pandemic as The Stand.

Some of the stories in here are truly superb and I consider them among the best horror short stories I've ever read. The collection is also very diverse, with a bit of everything. Stephen King shows the world what he can do with short fiction for the first time.

Stories like Jerusalem's Lot, where King does a Lovecraftian psychological horror story written in old-timey language and with the pervading sense of dread that Lovecraft was known for, are really well done. King really nailed it. If you erased all my knowledge of 'Salem's Lot and told me Lovecraft himself wrote this story, I would 100% believe you.

Other stories showcase elements of science fiction, post-apocalyptic horror, gory horror, drama, and even comedy. One story in particular, Battleground, which most people don't seem to like given its terrible rating on Goodreads as a standalone short story, I absolutely loved. It pits a hitman against an army of G.I. Joe toy soldiers that have come to life. It's cute, different from everything else I've read from King, and just a really fun story.

I also love how you can make a multimedia experience out of reading Night Shift, as many of the stories have been made into movies. I had a great time rewatching King's amazing movie Maximum Overdrive (an adaptation of the story Trucks) and watching Graveyard Shift for the first time.

However, there were some things I didn't like about Night Shift. I didn't care for the Introduction written by John D. MacDonald. He seems like a self-absorbed literary type who writes flippantly and with an air of false superiority. Overall, Night Shift isn't the perfect five-star read I remembered, but it still has some great stories that are definitely worth reading.

Night Shift is perhaps the quintessential short horror story collection.

As I was reading it for the third or fourth time, a friend made the astute comment that this is also an outstanding example of King's writing before he achieved household name status. I wholeheartedly agree. These stories are graphically gory, bone-chillingly frightening, and refreshingly raw.

Jerusalem's Lot, which was previously one of my least favorite stories in the collection, actually blew me away this time around. The same can be said for One for the Road - the other 'Salem's Lot related story. King's talents are on full and glorious display in this collection. His masterful command of the short story format has never been more evident.

The Boogeyman, The Mangler, Children of the Corn, Strawberry Spring, Battleground, The Woman in the Room, and I Am the Doorway are all remarkable standouts. However, the one that had the most profound impact on me this time was The Last Rung on the Ladder. It's not a horror story per se, but a deeply emotional tale that showcases King's ability to tug at the heartstrings with great finesse.

If you are a fan of King or simply love short stories, and you have not yet experienced Night Shift, you are truly missing out and need to rectify this oversight immediately.

Audiobook - Narrated by John Glover - Good narration.

John Glover did a really good job with these stories. Jerusalem's Lot, which I didn't really enjoy when I read it, came to life with Glover's narration. His voice added a new dimension to the story, making it more engaging and interesting.

The only slight criticism I have is that the female characters' voices in Night Surf were a bit annoying, and Timmy's voice in Grey Matter was a little too high-pitched and grating. However, these were minor issues that didn't detract too much from the overall listening experience.

Also, I found the background music was too loud at times. It sometimes drowned out the narration and made it difficult to hear the story clearly.

***

Ebook:

I don't generally like short stories, especially when it's Stephen King. I much prefer his BIG books. But this is a good collection. The four stars is just an overall rating for the book. Each story is rated separately in the review.

Jerusalem’s Lot – 3*** I liked the ending but the story was too long, and for the most part, boring. It felt like it dragged on and on, and I found myself losing interest.

CONNECTIONS: The prequel to ‘Salem’s Lot.

Graveyard Shift – 3*** Aww jeez…this scared the crap outta me. I hate rats…and bats! The story was really creepy and had me on the edge of my seat.

CONNECTIONS: Set in Gates Falls, which also rates a mention in Bag of Bones.

Night Surf – 3*** I remember reading this many, many years ago, when it was first published, and wishing it was longer. The idea of a superflu that wiped out almost the entire population of the world kind of appealed to me. It was an interesting concept, and I would have liked to see more of it developed.

CONNECTIONS: Captain Trips (The Stand), Harrison (Firestarter, The Body, The Mist), Harrison State Park (The Body) is mentioned in this book. In 1968 Stephen King published a poem called Harrison State Park 68.

I Am The Doorway – 3*** Weird…and kinda creepy! This story was really strange and had a lot of unexpected twists and turns. It kept me guessing until the very end.

The Mangler – 2** Not one of his better efforts, and the ending was ridiculous. The story was just okay, and I didn't really care for the characters or the plot.

CONNECTIONS: Blue Ribbon Laundry - Carrie’s (Carrie) mother works in a laundry called The Blue Ribbon, in Chamberlain, Barton Dawes (Roadwork) works in a laundry called the Blue Ribbon.

The Boogeyman – 3*** Well, wasn’t Billings a right prick of a man?! The story should have finished at… “But the closet door was open. Just a crack”. The last few lines after that ruined the story for me. It felt like King was trying to add a twist that just didn't work.

Gray Matter – 3*** I love this story…blind Eddie stealing bread, the old-timers, gathered at Henry’s Nite Owl, a 24-hour convenience store, drinking beer and talking about who’s died lately. This was the real story for me, not what happened to Richie Grenadine. The characters were well-developed and the dialogue was realistic.

CONNECTIONS: Mention of a very large spider, as big as a good-sized dog, in a sewer pipe under a street in Bangor.

Battleground 3*** Short, quick read. Loved the last line. This story was a lot of fun and had a great ending. It was a nice change of pace from some of the other, more serious stories in the collection.

Trucks – 3*** Loved the ending. This story was also short and sweet, and had a really cool concept. I liked the way King played with the idea of inanimate objects coming to life.

Sometimes They Come Back: 3*** I’ve always remembered this as my favourite story in Night Shift because somehow, for the last 35 years, I’ve had it in my head that Henry Bowers was in it…so I was a little disappointed. The story was still good, but it didn't live up to my expectations.

Strawberry Spring – 4**** Loved it. This story was really atmospheric and had a great sense of mystery. I liked the way King built up the tension and kept me guessing until the very end.

The Ledge – 4**** Loved It. This story was a real page-turner. I couldn't put it down until I found out what happened. The characters were well-developed and the plot was exciting.

The Lawnmower Man – 2** Bizarre. This story was just too strange for me. I didn't really understand what King was trying to do with it, and I didn't enjoy it at all.

Quitters Inc - 4**** I think I’ll just keep on smoking! This story was really funny and had a great message. I liked the way King poked fun at the idea of quitting smoking and the lengths that some people will go to in order to do it.

I Know What You Need - 3*** Great story but I didn’t like the ending. The story was really well-written and had a lot of interesting characters and plot twists. However, the ending felt a bit rushed and didn't really tie up all the loose ends.

Children of the Corn – 3*** Good, but again, I didn’t like the ending. This story was really creepy and had a great atmosphere. However, the ending was a bit of a letdown and didn't really live up to the rest of the story.

Last Rung of the Ladder – 4**** Made me cry. This story was really touching and had a lot of heart. I liked the way King explored the relationship between the two brothers and the sacrifices that they made for each other.

CONNECTIONS: Larry, and his sister Kitty, grew up in Hemingford Home (The Stand).

The Man Who Loves Flowers – 3*** I liked it…a lot. This story was really interesting and had a great concept. I liked the way King played with the idea of a man who is obsessed with flowers and the lengths that he will go to in order to get them.

One For The Road – 4**** Loved it. This story was a great way to end the collection. It was really creepy and had a great sense of atmosphere. I liked the way King brought back some of the characters from ‘Salem’s Lot and tied everything together.

CONNECTIONS: ‘Salem’s Lot.

The Woman In The Room – 3*** Depressing. This story was really sad and had a very bleak outlook on life. It was well-written, but it was just too depressing for me.

I find it truly arduous to pen a review of short stories, particularly anthologies. Night Shift is a compilation of King's short tales. If my memory serves me right, this is a collection of the initial short stories he penned during his fledgling years as a writer. The most astonishing aspect is that the writing doesn't seem outdated at all. That's the charm of King. I've perused his first book Carrie, and its writing still feels as fresh as if he'd written it just months ago. He's indeed an amazing author.
I'm at a loss as to what to write here. If I were to review each short story, this review would be interminably long. So, I'll simply list my favorites and not-so-favorites, and then provide a brief explanation as to why I liked or disliked them. The ones not mentioned were either likable or uninteresting.
The likes include Graveyard Shift. The concept of mutated rats really piqued my interest. I'm not usually afraid of rats, but if I were to encounter one as large as those described in this short story, I'd probably be petrified. Night Surf, which served as the basis for The Stand, one of my all-time favorite novels, was short yet quite satisfying. I appreciated how King introduced the disease that would wreak havoc in The Stand. Quitter's Inc was, in all honesty, impossible not to like. Without spoiling anything, all I can say is to choose your decisions wisely. It has been demonstrated how addictive smoking is. I've never smoked in my life, and after reading this, I doubt I ever will. The plot presented here is not far-fetched and could potentially occur in real life, which is why it was both terrifying and entertaining.
The Woman In The Room, while perhaps not the most original short story, was executed quite well. I liked the main character, and it was a satisfying read. Sometimes They Come Back was truly creepy. The main character was likable, and the supernatural element was hair-raising. Thankfully, I was reading this in the afternoon. It's a bit scarier than Pet Sematary when considering the bigger picture. The Ledge, a story about gambling and bets, was also enjoyable. The deceiver becomes the deceived. I Know What You Need was creepy as hell. If I were to meet a woman like the weird man in this story, I'd be freaked out. This story tackled psychological factors with a touch of the supernatural, which is typical of King and truly amazing.
Finally, my absolute favorite, The Boogeyman. I read this at one in the morning, which was the worst decision I've made in my reading life thus far (perhaps alongside Pet Sematary). This story was so terrifying that I had to turn on the lights immediately after. As none of you know, I'm a bit of a nocturnal person. I'm most productive at night, and being a Stephen King fan doesn't exactly mesh well with the nocturnal lifestyle. The characters in The Boogeyman were really likable and fully developed, despite it being a short story. The Boogeyman was terrifying, and the ending scared me the most. It's the best of the entire collection.
There were also some stories that I disliked. I don't think I need to do an in-depth review of them since the ones I liked have already made this review quite long. Let me just say that I really hated Jerusalem's Lot but really liked One for The Road. Both are related to 'Salem's Lot, a novel that I didn't really care for. I was hoping to like JL so that I could have a better reread of 'Salem's Lot in the future, but unfortunately, I hated it just as much. Another notable disappointment was Gray Matter. I'm sure it was featured on the back of the book for a reason, but I'm not entirely sure what that reason is.
Overall, I give this collection 4.5/5 stars. It's not a perfect collection, but some of the stories will never be forgotten. Considering it was written in King's early writing years, this collection was executed beautifully. There's a reason why King is my favorite author, and most of his works prove my point. This is one of those works. Read this if you want to be scared, and I'd recommend reading it at night.

Also posted at my blog: https://killerscorpion.wordpress.com/...

This book is an absolute must-read not only for die-hard Stephen King fans but also for enthusiasts of short stories, particularly those with a penchant for horror. Each and every one of these tales has the power to send goosebumps racing across your arms and shivers cascading up your spine. With every new story, a fresh horror is revealed, and King's brilliance shines through with each unexpected twist.

"Jerusalem’s Lot" serves as a prequel to the novel, set in 1850 and told through a series of letters and journal entries. It turns out that ‘Salem’s Lot has always been under the grip of an otherworldly possession.

In "Graveyard Shift", just two words are enough to strike fear into your heart: RATS and BATS. It's a story of unadulterated primal fear.

"Night Surf" presents a post-apocalyptic world decimated by a pandemic. The question lingers: who will be the next to be infected?

"I Am the Doorway" follows an astronaut who returns to Earth after a mission to Venus, carrying a terrible secret that is infecting his body.

In "The Mangler", a piece of equipment at a laundry business develops a thirst for blood.

In "The Boogeyman", a man is left wondering what has killed his three children. The answer lies hidden in the closet.

"Gray Matter" tells the story of a boy whose father is mutating into a slimy monster.

In "Battleground", a hitman finds himself under attack by the last creation of his victim. The battle scenes are simply breathtaking.

In "Trucks", the world's semis and work trucks have taken over the world, creating a chaotic and dangerous landscape.

"Sometimes They Come Back" centers around a man who has just started a teaching position at a local high school. Three of his students hold the key to the mystery of his brother's death.

"Strawberry Spring" is a tale of a serial killer stalking a college campus, sending chills down the spines of its students.

In "The Ledge", a tennis pro is given an ultimatum to save his lover from being murdered by her husband.

"The Lawnmower Man" imparts a valuable lesson: mow your own damn lawn!

In "Quitters, Inc", the lesson learned is that sometimes it's better to keep smoking those Lucky Strikes.

"I Know What You Need" follows a young woman who is haunted by a meek man who keeps showing up at opportune moments to save her from fate.

"Children of the Corn" tells the story of a small town in Nebraska that is overrun by a cult of children.

"The Last Rung on the Ladder" sees a man receive a haunting letter from his little sister.

"The Man Who Loved Flowers" is a charming yet slightly eerie tale of a neighborhood in love with a man who runs through the streets, spreading love wherever he goes.

"One for the Road" follows a man driving with his wife and daughter who become stranded in ‘Salem’s Lot during a blizzard.

Finally, "The Woman in the Room" forces a son to make a difficult decision about the life of his cancer-stricken mother.

Mr. Stephen King has been scaring us since our teenage years, and he continues to do so as we grow older. Night Shift, his first short story collection, contains 20 stories, not all of which are terrifying. Some are meant to be light-hearted, while others are simply fantastic. For example, "Jerusalem's Lot" provides a backstory to 'Salem's Lot, but the epistolary layout can be a bit boring. "Graveyard Shift" is the reason many of us would hesitate to enter a cellar, and the movie has made the premise well-known. "Night Surf" is a must-read for fans of The Stand, as it hints at the events that unfold in that novel.

"I am the Doorway" opens a crack into a world where species collide, while "The Mangler" features a piece of industrial laundry machinery that comes to life and wants blood. "The Boogeyman" is a warning to parents of small children, as it features a rather unlikable father. "Gray Matter" contains a paragraph that relates to IT, which is a cool find for King fans. "Battleground" is a fun story about plastic Army men that are actually real and pack a punch.

"Trucks" is better known by its movie title, Maximum Overdrive, and while the movie may have its flaws, the story allows for more imagination. "Sometimes They Come Back" starts off innocently enough but quickly descends into darkness, while "Strawberry Spring" has a great title and an even better story. "The Ledge" is particularly scary for those with acrophobia, and "The Lawnmower Man" is a fun and different take on the movie. "Quitters, Inc" is a previously unpublished story that is both entertaining and thought-provoking, and "I Know What You Need" offers a real look into the mind of a stalker.

"Children of the Corn" is another creepy tale that has been distorted by Hollywood, but it's still a great example of King's writing. "The Last Rung on the Ladder" is a short story that will both lift your heart and break it, and "The Man Who Loved Flowers" may not connect with everyone. "One for the Road" is a welcome return to 'Salem's Lot, and "The Woman in the Room" is a sad but human story about the pain of dying and the emotions left behind.

This was not my first time reading Night Shift, but it was the first time I read all of the stories. My favorites may change with time, but for now, my top five are: The Last Rung on the Ladder, Quitters Inc, Strawberry Spring, One for the Road, and The Ledge.

When I first got my hands on a copy of Night Shift, I was under the impression that I was purchasing just another novel. However, I was immediately disappointed to discover that it wasn't. I've previously talked about how King turned me into a reader, and as such, I had never been exposed to short stories before. Now, I've come to realize that reading a short story collection requires a specific mindset. Each individual story in any collection can be completely different in every single way from the last one. I didn't know that at the time, so when I attempted to read Night Shift for the first time, I quickly found that it wasn't to my taste, especially with Jerusalem's Lot as the opener. It's an 80-page ode to Lovecraft told entirely through diary entries, completely different from the style of King's books that I was reading at the time.

I now have a great love for collections due to the diversity in story, characters, and settings that they offer. And Night Shift is one of my favorites, a pulpy bundle of great tales. So, let's jump right in.

Jerusalem's Lot - 4 Stars - As I've already mentioned, this is a Lovecraft-inspired tale set in an area of Maine that would later become Salem's Lot. And lo and behold, some vampires make an appearance, although that's not all there is to it. Heavy on atmosphere, this story comes across exactly as it is, with King mimicking someone else. You can tell when reading it that he's not fully able to embrace the time period in the language of the story. Still, it's creepy.

Graveyard Shift - 3 Stars - Sometimes, you just want to read a nasty story about some nasty characters, and this is it. Set during the summer in a factory in Maine, the story focuses on a group of men who volunteer to work extra to clean the building's basement. It's grim work made even grimmer by the discovery that the men aren't the lords of the basement realm. That title belongs to the rats.

I Am The Doorway - 5 Stars - This is one of my all-time favorite short horror stories. I should mention that horror fiction rarely scares me, but this one freaks me out. It's the story of a former astronaut who has been exposed on his last mission to an alien mutagen. King rarely does body horror, but when he does, it's always excellent, and this story contains some of his best as the protagonist begins to transform. It's also unique in King's cannon for its science fiction vibes, as King comes across as a perverse Ray Bradbury.

The Boogeyman - 5 Stars - An excellently executed tale about a not-so-nice guy with one creepy ending.

Grey Matter - 3.5 Stars - The story about a contaminated beer! Yes, this is as pulpy as anything, but King makes it more by touching on abusive fathers and children who are trapped by their love for someone who has become a monster.

Trucks - 3 Stars - Vehicles take on a mind of their own, and the end of the world ensues.

Strawberry Spring - 5 Stars - This one has a Jack the Ripper vibe to me. I loved the writing in this story. Like Jerusalem's Lot, it's different from King's usual style in a trippy LSD type of way.

The Ledge - 4 Stars - King shows his love of wise guys, gangsters, and hard-boiled stories. He also shows his flair for describing torturous scenes as the protagonist attempts to walk around the ledge of a Manhattan skyscraper.

Children of the Corn - 5 Stars - There's a reason why this short story spawned 7 films. It's a shame that none of them have come close to the power of this tale. It's another nasty tale about nasty people.

The Last Rung on the Ladder - 5 Stars - This is not a horror story, but a story of heartache and sorrow. It showcases King's range and works as a nice prelude for his novella collection Different Seasons.

One For The Road - 5 Stars - King returns to Salem's Lot again, and in some ways, this is even better than his fantastic novel because in its short length, it contains everything a reader wants in a horror tale about vampires in winter.

2024 update

Night Shift

Jerusalem's Lot - 3.75/5
Graveyard Shift - 3.75/5
Night Surf - 3.25/5
I Am The Doorway - 5/5
The Mangler - 3.5/5
The Boogeyman - 5/5
Grey Matter - 5/5
Battleground - 3.75/5
Trucks - 4/5
Sometimes They Come Back - 2.75/5
Strawberry Spring - 3.5/5
The Ledge - 3.75/5
The Lawnmower Man - 1.5/5
Quilters, Inc - 2.5/5
I Know What You Need - 3/5
Children of the Corn - 5/5
The Last Rung on the Ladder - 5/5
The Man Who Loved Flowers - 2.5/5
One For The Road - 5/5
The Woman in the Room - 4/5

1. One For The Road
2. The Last Rung on the Ladder
3. I Am The Doorway
4. Grey Matter
5. Children of the Corn
6. The Boogeyman
7. Trucks
8. The Woman in the Room
9. Graveyard Shift
10. Battleground
11. Jerusalem's Lot
12. The Ledge
13. The Mangler
14. Night Surf
15. Strawberry Spring
16. I Know What You Need
17. The Man Who Loved Flowers
18. Sometimes They Came Back
19. Quitters, Inc
20. The Lawnmower Man