Everything's Eventual

By Stephen King

            At this point, I have read most of Stephen King’s body of work.  This includes a few of his compilations of short stories such as: Just After Sunset, Full Dark No Stars.  I have enjoyed his short stories in the past and was excited to crack open Everything’s Eventual; especially because of the story “Little Sisters of Eluria.”

            The way I feel about short stories is that they are pretty much hit or miss.  There is always something of value in each story, but in the end I usually liked it or didn’t like it.  The same can be said about Everything’s Eventual.  I won’t go through the good and bad of each, but I’ll hit the ones that had an impact worth mentioning.  The “Man in the Black Suit” was a suspenseful little thriller told from the perspective of a young boy.  The merit of the story resides in the exaggeration and runaway imagination of children and the way they can freak themselves out over nothing.  But is it all in his head?  Not surprisingly, the “Little Sisters of Eluria” is the most developed story of them all.  It was good to catch back up with Roland, and only made me excited to read “The Wind Through the Keyhole.”  I’d say it was my favorite story, but that is almost a meaningless statement due to my inherent bias.  “Everything’s Eventual” was in the typical sci-fi paranormal vein of so many of King’s novels.  Told from the perspective of an unnamed (if he was named I don’t remember it) narrator, who is in a unique living arrangement.  All of his expenses are taken care of, and he is given a salary.  However, he cannot save any money, and must dispose of any extra.  We soon find out that his living situation is guided by the exploitation of his psychic powers.  “The Road Virus Heads North” was just a creepy and tense story.  “Lunch at the Gotham Café” was very odd, and there are some scenes/mental images that have stuck with me.  “That Feeling, You Can Only Say What It Is In French.”  I liked the premise of the story, but wasn’t blown away by the story itself.

            This collection of short stories was definitely worth the read, but I wouldn’t go and insist that anyone pick this up immediately.  If you do check it out, appreciate it for what it is, but don’t have high expectations.  Also, I apologize if this wasn’t a very good review but reviewing short stories is rather difficult.  I have a huge backlog of books I have read, and this one was really slowing my progress.

Rating: 2.75 out of 5 Bunsen Burners

Up Next: Imajica by Cliver Barker