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... was located in the short story collection Bazaar of Bad Dreams. At least now I can still get ...

Reviewed in the United States on March 12, 2018

Verified Purchase

I bought this short story for my Kindle before I realized it was located in the short story collection Bazaar of Bad Dreams. At least now I can still get my SK fix, even when I don't have an ink-and-paper book with me.
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Mr King has a thing about cars in his works. We all know that Christine just wanted to be loved, and a muddy station wagon at a rest stop just wanted to eat. Is that so wrong? There is no moral judgement or societal pronouncement in this story; it's just a fun little read. Pete Simmons gets left behind by the "big kids", so he goes exploring. When he finds the secret entrance and the liquor stash at an abandoned rest stop, our young hero gets drunk and sleeps it off. In the meantime, the aforementioned wagon shows up, and patiently waits for lunch to arrive.
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As with 99% of King's short stories, just put reality in a holding pattern for a little while, and enjoy the creative, if slightly disturbed, mind of my favorite author.

A New Metal Monster

Reviewed in the United States on July 30, 2020

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MILE 81 by Stephen King is a novella I haven't read before, and I must admit, I have been reluctant to read anything King has written after THE GIRL WHO LOVED TOM GORDON. I am so glad I gave this story a chance because this is one of my new King favorites.

King appears to have channeled several of his older stories for this one: Christine, Trucks and The Raft. Even with all the horror elements, this is more or less Pete Simmons' coming-of-age story. All he wants is a cool adventure to share with his older brother and his bicycle gang, but he soon finds himself in a supernatural battle for survival.

The author torments readers further by including a horse as well as three children...kids and a defenseless animal? Nothing scares the crap out of me more than placing innocent lives within the grasp of a monster. I really wish King would stick with this style of storytelling.

As much as I enjoy the rest area nightmare, my favorite King story is still THE EYES OF THE DRAGON, and I highly recommend both to all readers.

GDH2

ONLY 80 PAGES? THAT'S 5 CENTS PER PAGE! WAIT - IT'S ONLY 49 PAGES!!

Reviewed in the United States on October 7, 2020

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I've read numerous S King short books. The Body & Shawshank Redemption are among his best writing, IMO. Yes, I should have read the details. But I sure felt stupid when I did my first pge flip and saw "2% read".

I have Kindle Unlimited (what a joke!) - maybe $3.99 was a "special price"? I cannot think of a single Kindle Unlimited read that has been satisfactory, and several have been positively dreadful.

ADDENDUM! Hey, the book is not 80 pages as advertised. IT'S ONLY 49 PAGES! Then there's 25 pages of another book, encouraging me to get that. Side note : that book is several years old and I've already read it.

Greggorio!

A CLASSIC FROM THE MASTER!!!

Reviewed in the United States on March 15, 2014

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It is not until the very end of part one of this gruesome short story, written by the master of the macabre, that the reader finds himself looking behind his shoulder, and feeling the need to lock the doors and make sure the windows are shut before they settle down for the night. This is the effect Mr King has on your consciousness when he is in top form. And he is certainly back to his best in Mile 81.

To be honest, the story starts off slowly. A group of school aged boys head off to explore the local town boundaries as well as some metaphorical ones, leaving the younger brother of one exposed to the ills of isolation. Following his heart instead of his head, said boy finds himself breaking into a closed down restaurant, drinking some left over alcohol and falling asleep. The chills for the reader arrive when Mr King decides to play on your emotions as well as bring in some delightfully effective tools used in manipulating your brain cells.

Parts two and three of the story are less chilling but we witness the first visitation of hard core horror. We witness Mr King enjoying himself by killing off two (somewhat short lived) cast members in very gruesome and original ways and it is here that the reader begins to wonder how the story will end.

This is a great purchase. Like I have already mentioned, it is gruesome, chilling and only a little violent. Everything is handled in a very sophisticated and intelligent manner. Mr King has been known for decades as the master of the horror novel, and Mile 81 is a fine example at what he can do with the novella, as well.

Four stars from me, and of course highly recommended.

BFN Greggorio!

Top reviews from other countries

Tintagel

Passed a few hours nicely

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on December 31, 2012

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Obviously you'd only buy this if you were looking for a Stephen King short story, right? That's what you pay for, that's what you are told you are going to get and - yes you've got it - that is precisely what you DO get. It's short, very easy to read and filled the gap that I wanted to fill brilliantly.

What is always amazing about Stephen King's writing - and this is no exception - is the way in which he draws the scene so vividly that you can imagine being there with the greatest of ease. Here the atmosphere of the Mile 81 rest area is clear and true.

It IS a short story in every sense, and so there isn't that much that can fit in. I suppose that there is a slight repetition to some of the - erm - incidents, but actually they really underline some interesting points about human nature! Even when there is obvious danger curiosity draws you in further. Even when there is clear information about the danger itself, doubts about information given by children is overridden - and curiosity once again lures people to their deaths.

In some ways I was disappointed with the outcome, but at the end of the day I quite like not being told absolutely everything. Don't expect to be told precisely why this is all happening, and you won't get too upset.

So here we have a simple story, simply told, with a simple ending. It'll take a few hours to read, but then that leaves time for some more. I went on to 'In the Long Grass' next, and that was altogether stranger.

At the price I'm not sure you are going to be too upset with this purchase.

Kindle Customer

H13: Short story - Read On!!!!!!

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 18, 2020

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Very interesting short story by the Author Stephen King. It is really the most weird, wonderful story beyond the imagination of people like myself. To have this talent as S.K. has is exceptional ++++++++++

b roberts

classic king

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 28, 2014

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im new to ebooks but certainly not to sk and one of the main reasons for buying my new kindle was to ensure i dont miss a word the man writes! i love short stories and novellas as a break from full length novels and believe sk to be a master of the genre. those who complain this is too short . . . go and buy a novel! those who write a synopsis of every book they review . . . please dont! i want the writers strory, not your version of it! i understand some of the criticisms described in the reviews but am glad to hear they mostly go on to say they enjoyed the tale regardless and wholeheartedly agree. classic king, worth every penny long. may he reign

ShayneyH

Creepy and Defiantly King

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 18, 2019

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3.5 stars
Don't touch the car!!!!
While reading this short read, there was no doubt that you were read a King story; the creepiness, the weirdness all equals to Stephen King. Mile 81 is defiantly one I will remember, but it also reminds me of another of Kings work.

Amazon Customer

Great read...Couldnt put it down usual of his until read..

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on June 22, 2018

Verified Purchase

Great entertainment of a read.. Usual can't put down until story is finished.
Amazing imagination of Stephen King never fails to floor me...A short story thats filled with his mastery of interlinked characters, and captures yourself with them... In the wrong place at the wrong time..Meets at the right place at the right time intermingled.
Gave a well deserved 5 star.

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