Review: Stephen King masterfully explores our dreams, frailties in 'If It Bleeds' collection
The main character in one of Stephen King’s novellas in his new collection, “If It Bleeds” (Scribner, 448 pp., ★★★? out of four), is aces with short stories but has real issues getting a novel together.
Now, King himself doesn’t have that problem at all – the horror master’s astounding bibliography, with epic tomes like “It” and “The Stand,” speaks for itself. But as classic as his novels are, his shorter fiction has been just as gripping over the years, and includes such classics as "The Body" and "Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption."
Joining fellow past collections "Different Seasons," "Four Past Midnight" and "Full Dark, No Stars," “If It Bleeds” showcases King’s gift for crafting personas – in one case, fleshing out someone fans already know well – and exploring themes such as mortality and friendship.
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King’s Constant Readers, as well as those who adored HBO’s recent adaptation of “The Outsider,” will be most interested in the title novella. Inspired by the journalism adage “If it bleeds, it leads,” the story is a first solo outing for heroic private eye Holly Gibney, who was originally just a “quirky walk-on” in “Mr. Mercedes” and is now one of King’s most indelible personalities. This time, she’s investigating a horrific school bombing in Pennsylvania and a TV newsman who has an uncanny knack for covering major tragedies. “If It Bleeds” also digs into her backstory, her family and how far she’s come from being a mousy supporting character to a bona fide modern Sherlock.
“Rat” centers on the aforementioned writer, a man named Drew Larson with an acclaimed short story to his credit. He’s given himself over to academia because every time he tries to turn a good idea into a novel, things go seriously bad – mentally, physically or both. But his latest concept, a Western thriller, is gangbusters, and he goes out to an old family cabin in the woods to get the novel done. When storms, insecurities and sickness (including some aspects that feel a little too close to our current viral crisis) hit, Drew strikes a sinister bargain with a rodent that turns out to be a thought-provoking (and punny) spin on a “Monkey’s Paw” situation.
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King’s penchant for coming-of-age yarns – seen not only in “It” but also his novella “The Body” (the basis for “Stand by Me”) – comes through in “Mr. Harrigan’s Phone.” Craig is a youngster in a small Maine town hired by a rich old businessman to read and do the odd chore after he retires. After winning some cash off a lottery scratcher gifted by Mr. Harrigan, the kid buys his friend an iPhone. The device gets buried with Mr. Harrigan when he dies, though communication continues beyond the grave in chilling fashion.
The true highlight of the collection, however, is the phenomenal “The Life of Chuck,” told backward and in three acts about a businessman named Chuck Krantz. It begins with the end of everything (as well as a billboard emblazoned with “39 great years! Thanks, Chuck!”), moves to a chapter with a joyous dance and concludes with a room that no one wants to talk about in Chuck’s grandparents’ house. Just when you think things are getting really weird, it all snaps together like an epiphany and you get to the gorgeous meat of the matter.
King’s recent “Elevation” leaned toward the uplifting in grappling with how we deal with each other’s differences, and “Life of Chuck” similarly tackles the significance of an ordinary dude in the grand scheme of the universe.
“I think when a man or woman dies, a whole world falls to ruin,” one character intones.
Sure, King still owns the fright business like none other, but the iconic author will keep you up late at night engrossed in four tales about our dreams and our frailties.
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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Stephen King's 'If It Bleeds' offers tales exploring dreams, frailties
