Im 20 years old and am an avid reader. I also like writing which is what inspired me to come on her...
Im 20 years old and am an avid reader. I also like writing which is what inspired me to come on here and write reviews for things. I like the thought of people reading what i've written and actually rating and commenting on it.
Member since:05.04.2008
Reviews:32
Members who trust:5
Buying The Book
I bought this book from a charity shop to further my Stephen King Collection, I have alot of his books now, some of which I love and some I absolutely hate and having read them once will never read them again! This book however was one of the ones I loved.
The Book
Four Past Midnight is a collection of four stories - titled one past midnight, two past midnight, three past midnight and four past midnight. Each one also has it's own sub-title.
One Past Midnight - The Langoliers
The Langoliers is a story about a red-eye flight, something happens midair and they end up in some kind of parallel universe. There is no electric in this universe and there is a strange sound in the distance heading towards the airport they are in. It is a very good story and you are on edge the whole time to see if they make it home alive. There is a film version of this story and I really want to see it to see what it is like in a visual capacity rather than just as a story.
Two Past Midnight - Secret Window Secret Garden
Secret Window Secret Garden is good, the film version is just called Secret Window and stars Johnny Depp. The film and the book do differ, in some ways drastically. For example then endings are different (which i will not reveal).
Secret Window is the story of author and recluse Mort Rainey, a stranger comes to his house and accuses him of stealing his story. Mort knows he didn't steal the story and sets out to prove this. Then, things start to happen that prevent him from getting the necessary proof he needs. Add this stranger to the stress of going through a divorce and you have a recipe for disaster.
A brilliant story, the best in the book.
Three Past Midnight - The Library Policemen
The Library Policemen wasn't one of my favourites. It is about a man named Sam Peeble who goes to his local library to do some research. Whilst there he see's the childrens section, with some disturbing posters saying that the library policemen go after those who do not return there books on time. He has some kind of built in fear of the childrens section that he cannot explain.
When Sam misplaces his library books he returns to the library and everything has changed, the posters are gone for one. Something knows though, something knows that he has lost his library books and is coming to get him. What or who are the library policemen?
Four Past Midnight - Sun Dog
Sun Dog is an ok story, although not as good as the first two. It is about a boy named Kevin who, for his 15th birthday gets a polaroid camera, the exact one he wanted. He takes a photo of his family but his sister knocks the camera off a table and it gets damaged. When he gets the first photo out of it he is shocked to see a photo of a scary looking dog in front of a white picket fence.
His father proimises to send the camera back and get a new one after the weekend, Kevin cannot wait that long and takes the camera to Pop Merril. Pop takes more photos and they are all different, same dog, same fence, but the dog appears to be moving, turning around to face them as if it knows they can see it.
This bizarre story is better that The Library Policemen but not that brilliant.
All in all this is a great book and keeps you jumping right to the end.
The Author
Stephen King is the master of horror, he has written many books and alot have been made into films. I think his most famous work has got to be Carrie, or The Shining. Everyone has heard of these even if they have never seen or read them.
What I Thought Of It
I thought it was a brilliant book, because there was four shorter stories it was easier to get into them and enjoy them. SOme of his books are very hard reads and are a bit long winded.
My recommendations
I recommend this as a good starting point for people who haven't read his work before. It is also a must have for existing King fans.
How helpful would this review be to a person making a buying decision? Rating guidelines
It would be a more helpful review if you could remember the last 2 stories. I find that it's easiest to write reviews shortly after finishing reading the book. Have a look at some other book reviews to get an idea of what makes a good review. best wishes, MaryX
Jun 2nd, 2008
(Jun 3rd, 2008)
helpful by (17%):
somewhat helpful by (83%):
