The Bazaar of Bad Dreams

Title: The Bazaar of Bad Dreams

Author: Stephen King

Published in: 2015

Date read: 10th September 2021

Score: 4/5

Genre: Horror, Fantasy, Psychological, Supernatural

Plot: (Warning, may contain spoilers):
"The Bazaar of Bad Dreams" by Stephen King, published in 2015, is his sixth collection of short stories, showcasing his enduring talent for short fiction and his continued exploration of horror, suspense, and the darker aspects of the human condition. The collection features twenty stories, each preceded by an insightful introduction from King himself, explaining its genesis, inspiration, or personal significance.

The stories in the collection display a wide range of themes and styles, from classic supernatural horror to more psychological thrillers, and from science fiction to poignant literary fiction. King uses these introductions to connect with the reader, offering glimpses into his creative process and sometimes sharing the deeper meanings behind his narratives.

Some notable stories from "The Bazaar of Bad Dreams" include:

"Mile 81": A seemingly abandoned, strange car appears by the side of the highway, luring unsuspecting passers-by into a horrifying trap. A classic King monster story with a modern twist.

"Premium Harmony": A grim and darkly humorous tale about a couple's marital discord reaching a shocking, unexpected conclusion, reflecting on the mundane horrors of everyday life.

"Batman and Robin Have an Altercation": A poignant and unsettling story about an elderly man caring for his ailing father, blending elements of family drama with a disturbing psychological undercurrent.

"Ur": A novella-length story previously published as an Amazon Kindle exclusive. A college English instructor buys a pink e-reader that allows him to access books from parallel universes, leading to fascinating and dangerous discoveries, particularly concerning the JFK assassination.

"Blockade Billy": A chilling baseball story, presented as a "true" account, about a rookie catcher in the 1950s with a dark secret and a violent past that makes him unforgettable.

"Mister Yummy": A touching yet ultimately heart-breaking story about an elderly gay man confronting his mortality and past loves, with a touch of the supernatural.

"Bad Little Kid": A lawyer finds his life tormented by a mysterious, evil child who brings misfortune and death to everyone he cares about.

"The Little Green God of Agony": A wealthy, bedridden man suffers from an unbearable chronic pain, which is revealed to be caused by a small, monstrous entity that feeds on agony.

"Obits": A journalist discovers he has the terrifying ability to kill people simply by writing their obituaries.

"The Bazaar of Bad Dreams" is a testament to King's mastery of the short story form, offering a diverse and compelling array of narratives that explore the breadth of his imagination and his continued ability to disturb, entertain, and provoke thought. The collection's strength lies not only in its varied plots but also in King's intimate framing of each piece.

Comments:
As a Kindle reader, I particularly liked "Ur". Another great collection and, I had to wonder about the power of "Obits". Would I like that power?

Books that we've read by Stephen King (68):
Carrie (1974), 'Salem's Lot (1975), The Shining (The Shining, #1) (1977), The Stand (1978), Night Shift (1978), The Dead Zone (1979), Firestarter (1980), Cujo (1981), The Gunslinger (The Dark Tower, #1) (1982), Different Seasons (1982), Christine (1983), Cycle of the Werewolf (1983), Pet Sematary (1983), The Talisman (The Talisman, #1) (1984), Skeleton Crew (1985), It (1986), The Drawing of the Three (The Dark Tower, #2) (1987), The Eyes of the Dragon (1987), The Tommyknockers (1987), Misery (1987), The Dark Half (1989), Four Past Midnight (1990), The Waste Lands (The Dark Tower, #3) (1991), Needful Things (1991), Dolores Claiborne (1992), Gerald's Game (1992), Nightmares and Dreamscapes (1993), Insomnia (1994), Rose Madder (1995), The Green Mile (1996), Desperation (1996), Wizard and Glass (The Dark Tower, #4) (1997), Bag of Bones (1998), The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon (1999), Hearts in Atlantis (1999), On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft (2000), Black House (The Talisman, #2) (2001), Dreamcatcher (2001), Everything's Eventual (2002), From a Buick 8 (2002), Wolves of the Calla (The Dark Tower, #5) (2003), Song of Susannah (The Dark Tower, #6) (2004), The Dark Tower (The Dark Tower, #7) (2004), The Colorado Kid (2005), Cell (2006), Lisey's Story (2006), Duma Key (2008), Just After Sunset (2008), Under the Dome (2009), 11/22/63 (2011), Full Dark, No Stars (2011), The Wind Through the Keyhole (The Dark Tower, #4.5) (2012), Dr. Sleep (The Shining, #2) (2013), Joyland (2013), Mr. Mercedes (Bill Hodges Trilogy, #1) (2014), Revival (2014), The Bazaar of Bad Dreams (2015), Finders Keepers (Bill Hodges Trilogy, #2) (2015), End of Watch (Bill Hodges Trilogy, #3) (2016), Elevation (2018), The Outsider (2018), The Institute (2019), If It Bleeds (2020), Billy Summers (2021), Later (2021), Fairy Tale (2022), Holly (2023), You Like It Darker (2024)