The Bazaar of Bad Dreams: Stories Paperback – March 20, 2018

I’ve been a Stephen King fan since before I was allowed to read his novels. When I was in first grade, Mom would make me get in bed with her when Dad was away on business and she was reading _The Stand_ because she couldn’t bear to read it alone. I remember being entranced by the cover illustration of an evil-looking crow-headed beast locked in battle with his fair-haired opponent. As far as I know, I’ve read every book and story King has ever written, some of them more than once, and he’s long been one of my favorite authors. But _The Bazaar of Bad Dreams_ is the first King book I’ve reviewed. Not because I doubt my ability to offer an objective review but because it’s only the third King book I’ve read since I started posting reviews publicly, and after finishing _Revival_ and _Finders Keepers_, both of which I liked a lot, a few months ago, I didn’t have enough free time and wasn’t inclined to write a review of either. Also, I so strongly disagree with some of the more critical reviews posted here and on Goodreads that I couldn’t help but offer my own opinion._The Bazaar of Bad Dreams_ is a great book. It’s not a thrilling, chilling horror anthology, although there are plenty of frightening moments in several of the stories. It’s not a terrific short story collection, although there are several in it worthy of prize consideration (if you’re interested, I’ve given a superbrief synopsis and rating of each story and poem below). As some reviewers have complained, it’s not even a collection of new work. In fact, of the 18 stories and 2 poems in the book, I believe only three (“Bad Kid”, “Mister Yummy”, and “Obits”) are previously unpublished, although it’s unlikely that anyone but King’s most diehard fans has read all of the previously published items. But in the Author’s Note at the very front of the book, King warns prospective readers that some of the stories were published previously then goes on to explain why they’re included here. Other reviewers have also lamented that some of the stories seem highly derivative of King’s prior works, and that’s not an unfair statement. But with an oeuvre the size of King’s, dedicated readers are bound to find similarities, overlaps, and repeated themes or events here and there, so I don't consider it a valid criticism.What makes this a great book is that, more than he ever has in any previous book except _On Writing_, King has let the doors of some of the darker, dustier closets of his imagination creak open, allowing his insatiable Constant Readers to rummage around and see how things work in there. Each story and poem (there are only two poems) is preceded by a brief introduction explaining a bit about how King first came to conceive of it, or what events in his life preceded it, or what situation or other author’s work inspired it. He references authors, books, movies, and stories that have impressed or influenced him throughout his life and career, and he shares anecdotes about interactions with and his feelings for friends and family members. With this book, King has opened up a dialogue with his readers and seems to be offering answers to some of the questions he fields at book signings, public readings, and in letters from fans. In the introduction to “The Little Green God of Agony”, King states that he’s “not in the business of confessional fiction”, but _The Bazaar of Bad Dreams_ is a good blend of fiction and autobiography, which of course is always a form of confessional fiction. I am grateful for the opportunity to peek behind the curtain, and I imagine most King fans will be grateful too. If you’re a longtime King fan, even if you have read some of these stories before, the book is worth owning or at least reading. If you’ve never read anything by King but enjoy good short stories, some of which are a little scary, if you’re a casual King fan, or if you’re an aspiring author who wants a rare glimpse into an established writer’s mind & creative process, I heartily recommend _The Bazaar of Bad Dreams_.SYNOPSES & RATINGS:“Mile 81”: People-eating alien disguised as car, child heroes; 3.5 stars.“Premium Harmony”: A souring marriage, a killer argument; 3 stars.“Batman and Robin Have an Altercation”: Elderly father with dementia, a dutiful son, a surprising stand; 4 stars.“The Dune”: An aging adjudicator, a dubious younger attorney, a shocking revelation; 3 stars.“Bad Little Kid”: Nasty demon in disguise, a would-be hero, a lamentable end; 4 stars.“A Death”: Desolate western story, a naive sheriff, fitting justice; 2.5 stars.“The Bone Church”: Narrative poem of supernatural adventure & madness; 3 stars.“Morality”: Struggling couple, ailing & twisted benefactor, lucrative but suspect decision; 4 stars.“Afterlife”: Two poor schlubs have deja vu all over again; 3 stars.“Ur”: Pitiful professor, out-of-this-world tech, and a great save; 5 stars.“Herman Wouk Is Still Alive”: Two aging poets musing on tragic deaths; 3 stars.“Under the Weather”: Self-deluded lovesick adman surrenders to the inevitable; 3.5 stars.“Blockade Billy”: Colorful narrator, a baseball tale, a killer catcher; 4 stars.“Mister Yummy”: Two aging friends discover the Grim Reaper isn’t always a cloaked figure with a scythe; 3 stars.“Tommy”: Narrative poem of a death in the psychedelic, queer 1960s; 3.5 stars“The Little Green God of Agony”: Wealthy insufferable boor gets undeserved exorcism; 4 stars.“That Bus Is Another World”: Chilling tale of apathy-inducing ambition; 4 stars.“Obits”: Struggling boomerang child discovers a powerful talent and its unforeseen consequences; 5 stars.“Drunken Fireworks”: Hilarious escalating war between two wealthy families across a lake; 4 stars.“Summer Thunder”: Two men go out on their own terms after the end of the world; 4 stars.

This is a very strong collection by Mr. King. I have always appreciated his shorter works because it forces him to be efficient in presenting the plot elements and coming to a resolution in a relatively short number of pages. The writing style is reader friendly as usual and the stories (and one narrative poem) are all entertaining. I especially liked the short introduction essays for each story that gives the inspiration or tells what he was trying to communicated in the piece. Most of the stories are not horror with a supernatural element, but more horror as terrible events that can happen in daily life. With what is going on in the world and, as I have gotten older, what can happen to a person and people around them that they love the term horror has change over time. A good collection that I strongly recommend.

Great read

Not always scary; not always suspenseful - but always enjoyable. Whenever I finish a book (whether it’s a novel or a biography or a history), I go to King’s short stories. He never fails to reel me in.

"The Bazaar of Bad Dreams: Stories" is a collection of short stories by Stephen King, published in 2015. The book features 20 stories, each with its own unique style, tone, and genre. From horror to science fiction to suspense, this collection showcases King's versatility as a writer and his ability to explore different themes and styles within the realm of speculative fiction.One of the strengths of "The Bazaar of Bad Dreams" is King's ability to create a sense of dread and unease in his readers. Many of the stories are horror-based, and King uses his signature style of psychological terror to great effect. From a haunted house to a sentient car, the stories in this collection will keep readers on edge and provide plenty of jump scares.Another strength of the book is King's ability to tell a story in a short amount of space. Each story is brief but complete, and King is able to pack a lot of narrative and emotional impact into just a few pages. This is a testament to his writing skill and his ability to craft a compelling story in a limited format.In terms of the individual stories, some of the highlights include "Mile 81," which is a tense and thrilling story about a haunted rest stop; "Bad Little Kid," which is a suspenseful and creepy story about a child with a sinister secret; and "The Dune," which is a heart-wrenching story about a man's loss and regret.Overall, "The Bazaar of Bad Dreams" is a strong collection of short stories by one of the greatest horror writers of all time. Whether you're a long-time Stephen King fan or just looking for a good collection of horror stories, this book is well worth your time. If you're looking for an engaging and thought-provoking collection of stories that will keep you up at night, "The Bazaar of Bad Dreams" is an excellent choice.

Character development - outstanding as always

The Bazaar of Bad Dreams" is a collection of short stories by the master of horror, Stephen King. This anthology offers a diverse selection of tales, ranging from the macabre to the thought-provoking. Here's why it deserves a four-star rating:Diverse Themes: The stories within this collection cover a wide range of themes and genres, from supernatural horror to psychological drama, making it a compelling and varied read.King's Signature Style: King's storytelling prowess is evident in each narrative, with his ability to create relatable characters and unsettling scenarios that will linger in your mind.Human Element: Many of the stories explore the depths of human nature, revealing the darker aspects of humanity and the consequences of one's actions.Varied Settings: The settings of these stories are diverse, offering readers a chance to journey through different time periods and locations, from a small town in Maine to a Florida retirement community.Surprising Twists: Stephen King's knack for delivering unexpected twists and conclusions remains intact, leaving readers on the edge of their seats.In summary, "The Bazaar of Bad Dreams" is a dark and eclectic collection that showcases Stephen King's enduring talent for storytelling. The four-star rating reflects its ability to captivate readers and leave a lasting impression with its thought-provoking narratives and unforgettable characters. Whether you're a longtime fan of King's work or new to his writing, this anthology is sure to entertain and haunt your imagination.

The media could not be loaded. That's a very nice book I loved it so much

Such a wide range is new stories are available. What I like about the book is that at the beginning of each tale, you get to read king himself telling you about how he came up with those ideas although some of them may not be called 'horror' or at leats one in which a mysterious creature is involved. These are, undoubtedly, real ones.If you are a king's fan, you must read this book. =)

I loved every single story, they’re genuinely entertaining. Some of them are, of course, better than others, but in general it’s a book I totally recommend.PS: if you go for the scariest; this is not. It’s more disturbing or stories that’ll leave you thinking.