Four Past Midnight: Featuring "The Langoliers" : Book Review

"Four Past Midnight" by Stephen King is an enthralling collection of four novellas that demonstrate the author's incredible storytelling skills. Each story takes place at a different hour of the night and delves into the realms of suspense, horror, and the supernatural.

The first novella, "The Langoliers," follows a group of passengers who awaken on an apparently abandoned airplane that has flown into a time rift. As they attempt to unravel the mystery, they realize that the world as they knew it has ceased to exist. King's adeptness at crafting unexpected twists and turns keeps readers on the edge of their seats.

In "Secret Window, Secret Garden," we are introduced to Mort Rainey, a writer who is tormented by a stalker convinced that Mort has plagiarized his work. This novella explores themes of obsession and identity as Mort struggles to prove his innocence and safeguard his sanity. King's evocative descriptions and profound exploration of the human mind make this story exceptional.

"The Library Policeman" introduces us to Sam Peebles, a man haunted by a traumatic childhood encounter with a sinister librarian. When he uncovers dark secrets within the local library, he must confront his past and face the library policeman who has been terrorizing him for years. King's meticulous characterization and eerie atmosphere make this story both chilling and thought-provoking.

Lastly, "The Sun Dog" follows Kevin Delevan, who receives a Polaroid camera that captures lifelike images of a menacing dog getting closer with each picture. This novella delves into the consequences of tampering with supernatural forces and the perils of technology gone awry. King's captivating writing style ensures that readers are constantly engrossed and eager to uncover the next twist.

What are readers saying?

"Four Past Midnight" by Stephen King is a captivating collection of four thrilling and thought-provoking stories that have enchanted readers. The book begins with "The Langoliers," a gripping and eerie tale where passengers on a red-eye flight awaken to discover that everyone else aboard has mysteriously vanished. As they embark on a quest for answers, they encounter terrifying creatures known as langoliers. Readers have praised this story for its suspenseful plot and well-developed characters.

The second story, "Secret Window, Secret Garden," follows Mort Rainey, a successful writer accused of plagiarism by a stranger named John Shooter. As Rainey delves into Shooter's claims, he finds himself drawn into a twisted and dangerous game. Readers have commended King's ability to build tension and create a suspenseful atmosphere despite the story's brevity.

In "The Library Policeman," the third story, King delves into the dark secrets of Sam Peebles, a small-town librarian who encounters a terrifying entity called the Library Policeman. As Peebles unravels the truth behind this malevolent being, he must confront his own traumatic past. Readers found this story both chilling and emotional, praising King's skill in creating complex characters and a pervasive sense of dread.

The final story, "The Sun Dog," centers around a peculiar and sinister Polaroid camera that produces increasingly disturbing and dangerous photographs. Protagonist Kevin Delevan becomes entangled in the camera's sinister power, and readers have praised King's ability to sustain suspense and build a sense of impending doom.

Overall, readers have been deeply impressed with "Four Past Midnight," praising Stephen King's mastery of storytelling and his ability to weave intricate and compelling plots. They appreciate the well-drawn characters, atmospheric settings, and the skillful manner in which King builds suspense and tension throughout each story. Fans of Stephen King and aficionados of thrilling and horror fiction will undoubtedly find "Four Past Midnight" to be a truly engrossing and riveting read.

FourPastMidnight StephenKing BookReview