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In the Deathroom and Lunch at the Gotham Café: Two Unfiltered Stories

stephen king

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Read by the author.

0 pages, Audio CD

First published January 1,1995
Literary awards
bram stoker award, 

This edition

Format
0 pages, Audio CD
Published
August 1, 2005 by Hodder \u0026 Stoughton
ISBN
9781844560608
ASIN
1844560600
Language
English

More editions

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 / 5.0, 99 votes)
5 stars
28(28%)
4 stars
42(42%)
3 stars
29(29%)
2 stars
0(0%)
1 stars
0(0%)
99 reviews All reviews
Profile Image for Kimberly .
Half-Gifts
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 14,2025
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This so could happen.

It is not an impossible scenario. There are various circumstances and events that might lead to it.

Maybe it's due to a series of coincidences or a particular set of conditions.

It could be a result of human actions, decisions, or even external factors beyond our control.

We can't simply dismiss the possibility.

It's important to consider all the potentialities and be prepared for different outcomes.

This so could happen, and we need to be ready to face it when it does.

Whether it brings challenges or opportunities, we should approach it with an open mind and a willingness to adapt.

Only then can we navigate through such situations and make the best of what comes our way.
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applesaucekun
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 14,2025
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Este libro pasa con pena y sin gloria al fondo de mi librero.

I spent on it believing that it would be something very interesting since it didn't sound familiar to me at all. It was Stephen King and with a hardcover edition by Nórdica, the book was very expensive and it's not worth a penny of my money because of the story.

Regarding the introduction or synopsis, the good Fany said that he was walking on the street and saw through a window of a restaurant a couple who were surely getting divorced and the waiter leading them to their table who gave a bit of an insolent wink to Fany, and that's it, that inspired him and in three days he achieved his task regarding this book. And I suppose that you too can create something with what I commented above and it will result in the same simple story....

Seriously, 0 recommended... give me my money back!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The only star goes for the illustrations and the good edition :).
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Tobiiverse
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 14,2025
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The original article may not be the greatest.

It might have some flaws or areas that could be improved.

Perhaps the content could be more in-depth or the presentation could be enhanced.

However, that doesn't mean it's completely without value.

There could still be some interesting points or ideas within it.

Maybe with a bit of refinement and additional research, it could be transformed into something better.

We should not simply dismiss it as not being the greatest, but rather look for ways to build on its strengths and address its weaknesses.

This way, we can help to improve the overall quality of the work and make it more worthy of recognition.

After all, even the greatest works often start from humble beginnings and are refined over time.

So, let's not be too quick to judge and instead give the article a chance to grow and develop.

With a little effort and attention, it could potentially become something truly remarkable.
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JimCanSwim
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 14,2025
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A star for the shoddy commercial operation regarding a story that has already been published and thus, for all the fans of the King, already read. The whole thing with minimal visibility, only for attentive readers (and I'm not in that category). Fortunately, I didn't remember it and so, for the story and the illustrations, ⭐⭐⭐.

For the King, God save him, always ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ !!!

This review seems to be expressing dissatisfaction with a particular commercial venture related to a previously published story. The lack of proper visibility for this work is a point of concern, as it limits its reach to only the most observant readers. However, the reviewer still manages to find some merit in the story and illustrations, awarding them three stars. On the other hand, the King is highly regarded, receiving a perfect five-star rating. Overall, it's a mixed assessment that highlights both the shortcomings and the redeeming qualities of the situation.
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La_BigTreee
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 14,2025
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This is a fairly good story that manages to pack in a good amount of horror.

To be honest, it is a little bit predictable. However, what makes it truly stand out are the grotesque imagery and the vivid descriptions of the desperate situation.

The author has a talent for painting a picture that is both disturbing and captivating. The use of such detailed and vivid language allows the reader to truly immerse themselves in the story and experience the horror along with the characters.

Despite its predictability, this story is definitely worth reading for anyone who enjoys a good horror tale. It will keep you on the edge of your seat and leave you with a sense of unease long after you have finished reading.

Overall, it is a well-written and engaging story that I would recommend to others.
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tatasauce
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 14,2025
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On an ordinary day like any other, Steve Davis arrives home only to find a note from his wife asking for a divorce. After two years of marriage, on the very day Diane disappears from his life, Steve decides that it's a good time to quit smoking.

During the time they are separated, Steve reflects on the past few months. Lately, they had argued and his way of handling things reveals a somewhat repulsive character, yet nothing explains why Diane feels anger, fear, and resentment. She wants nothing to do with him. The only thing that keeps them in contact is a divorce lawyer, who summons Steve to the Café Gotham.

The lunch for three is a sinister and visceral tale, but the newly divorced couple couldn't care less about me and the outburst of violence isn't macabre enough to recommend it even for a bad time. All of them have a degree of madness and surrealism. They are characters who blur under jets of blood and add nothing to a plot that lacks meaning.

I have appreciated an unexpected point of black humor, but the tension of the attack lasts too long, the last few pages become tedious, and the ending is hollow. Curiously, I have been more entertained by the introduction of some characters who are unlikable, unpleasant, and have little development.

The illustrations of Javier Olivares perfectly reflect every little detail. They have the darkness and tone that the story exactly required. Marvelous.
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karuinekom
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 14,2025
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\n  “In The Deathroom” \n represents a significant departure from the typical Stephen King narratives.

Unlike his usual works, there is no supernatural element present, and it can't be strictly classified as a horror story. The entire plot unfolds almost entirely within a single room: a stereotypical interrogation chamber located deep within an unnamed Latin American country.

Fletcher, an American reporter, has been captured and now finds himself at the mercy of a sadistic team of interrogators, facing the prospect of torture.



In an explanatory note accompanying the story, Stephen King reveals, \"This is a slightly Kafka-esque story about an interrogation room in the South American version of Hell. In such stories, the fellow being interrogated usually ends up spilling everything and then being killed (or losing his mind.) I wanted to write one with a happier ending, however unreal that might be. And here it is.\"


The question of whether the story truly has a happy ending (as it remains open to interpretation) and whether Fletcher actually survives will keep readers on the edge of their seats throughout the entire narrative.

What is most fascinating, though, is the vivid depiction of the mind games that unfold between the interrogators and Fletcher. It's a game of mental chess, with Fletcher skillfully tricking his captors into believing his lies, while the interrogators employ promises, threats, and pain in an attempt to break Fletcher's resistance.

Overall, this is a powerful story, although it concludes with a slightly weak (and rather gruesome) ending. Nevertheless, if you expect the unexpected, you won't be disappointed.

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Reered
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 14,2025
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Simpatico is a wonderful and charming quality. It implies a certain compatibility and likability that makes people naturally drawn to each other. When two people are simpatico, they seem to have an unspoken understanding, a connection that goes beyond words.

It's that special feeling when you meet someone and immediately feel at ease, as if you've known them for a long time. Simpatico relationships can bring joy, support, and a sense of belonging.

Whether it's in friendships, romantic partnerships, or even in professional settings, being simpatico can enhance the quality of our interactions and make life more fulfilling. It allows for smooth communication, shared interests, and a mutual respect that enriches the experience of being together.

In a world where connections are so important, simpatico is a valuable trait that can lead to meaningful and lasting relationships.
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