Mile 81

I always recommend Stephen King to my friends. King, to me, is one of our most critically underrated American storytellers, even though he is a massive commercial success.

I've read a lot of King's body of work, but, I have come to get more and more excited with what he's written at this point in his life. Unlike some popular authors, he really seems to try to constantly improve his skills as an author and storyteller, always trying new ground rather than resting on his laurels. This was yet another crisp, well constructed short story by a short story master. Maybe what I liked best his how, in this short space, he surprised me. Without being specific as to spoil it for other readers, I'll just point out that you cannot take anything for granted. He'll pull the rug out from under your feet ... then do it again. And you can imagine him laughing at his keyboard while writing it.

Pete Simmons is the heart of the story. Not unlike Steven Spielberg, King does the perspective from a child's view very well. He never talks down to Pete, yet also does not idealize him. He's a real kid, but King finds in him his moment to shine.

I cannot imagine missing a new King creation, no matter what form it is, but a short story? Never. This is HIS format, no modern popular author can compete with King on this.

From a constant reader of Stephen King (I have read all of King's/Bachman's books up to date), King's best work is not his short stories because there is not enough pages/audio for classic Stephen King's character development.

Mile 81 is just okay. If you are looking for a darker and more gore, check out, "The Breathing Method" and "Survivor Type".

The Breathing Method can be found in Different Seasons (4 novellas).

Survivor Type is in Skeleton Crew (22 short stories).

These are better short stories from SK.

Two short stories - worth my time and coin. "Mile 81" takes a while to start, but it was quite satisfying in the end. I'll say the same for the other short story "The Dune."

Its high it reminds me a lot of the scary stories we told camping as kids.

they both do a very good job of narration, the stories are compelling and they keep you interested.

Some of my favorite king book hook me early and take me for a ride and this is one of those.

The narration was fine, no complaints there. Like most short horror stories, this one ended with no questions answered. I expected that, but my only real complaint is the language. I have no moral stance with it - it has it's place - I just can't take it seriously when used in excess. It takes me out of the foreboding atmosphere it's trying to create and puts me back in middle school where vulgarity was used as a pretense to maturity. Imaging putting the word "car" at the end of every other sentence. It has no meaning.
This actually contains two short stories. Mile 81 and The Dune. The Dune was much shorter, but I think I liked it much better. Like early 20th century horror, it was more subtle, slowly sneaking up instead of trying to shock you.

I loved the story, just what I would expected from all time "King" of horror stories.

It's a Stephen King story....
It is just what you would expect from him.
A good story with some very weird stuff in it.

Mile 81 is fun, engrossing short story. Its only detraction is in wanting more, wanting King to take us down one avenue before ending it.

It was just "okay" for a Stephen King short story.

The ending seemed uncharacteristically unimaginative.

The reading performance was done well.

I think I would have picked something else for the money.

This was an interesting story, narrated well, and enjoyable, though not the best of Stephen King's work.

I would still recommend it.