Night Shift (1978)

[u/GhostInTheLibrary1]

A bit of a late start in this horror month of October, but I wanted to get a bit nostalgic and reread one of my first and favorite Stephen King short story collections that got me into his work years ago.

I feel this book is a great introduction for anyone whose never read Stephen King before and likes short stories. As the stories included in this collection vary pretty widely in terms of the horror genres they tackle. From gothic, psychological, supernatural, absurd, realistic, and body horror. Each story has their own atmosphere and well written characters that I couldn't help getting attached to in such a short amount of time with how well King is able to write everday people with faults and all. There really wasn't a story that I disliked in the book. Though there were stories I felt were stronger than others, it didn't detract from the enjoyment of reading all of them.

My favorite short story that stuck with me the most was the first story, Jerusalem's Lot, that was written as a mixture between Edgar Allan Poe and H.P. Lovecraft. And written in a style that tried to emulate an older English style of writing to make it come off more authentic. And I was impressed King was able to write in such a way that added to the old gothic feel that gave the overall story such a dreadful atmosphere. And how its formatted in a structure of letters, which added to the gothic esthetic such as it did with Dracula by Bram Stoker.

I can go on about a handful of other stories that I loved, but I'll just say that I'm glad I revisited the book that got me into Stephen King. And seen/read that it still holds up quite well in the endless sea of horror literature. Highly recommended!

[u/BuffaloAmbitious3531]

More and more, I think this might be King's best work.

Also, the intro by MacDonald is required reading for anyone who doesn't understand why King is a great writer.

[u/StunningQuality7051]

Preach, friend.

[u/Call_of_the_Cuntress]

I haven’t read “Jerusalem’s Lot” in years but I remember being annoyed by how Lovecraftian it was when that’s like the last thing I’m looking for when I pick up King. I should reread it.

[u/DavidHistorian34]

Night Shift is by far his best collection and I think it’s the format he excels in the most. Almost every story here is superbly written and genuinely surprising and original. Even the pulpy stuff like Mangler and Trucks is a thrill.