The Man In The Black Suit

The Man In The Black Suit By Stephen King Smoothie Review

Surprisingly enough I have actually kind of enjoyed Stephen King’s shorts more than the novels he written in the past. Maybe it’s because they are shorter, therefore giving him less of a opportunity to over use suspense, get off topic or escape to some kind of dreamscape before returning to the actual story. Or maybe it’s because his shorts share a trait with the only Stephen King books, I actually like. They were his first works before what ever spark he had, faded away over time. Anyways I could write my Stephen King conspiracy theories all day, but you don’t care. You’re reading this for the book review. This time around, the review is on the Stephen King short story, “The Man In The Black Suit” that can be found in a collection called Everything’s Eventual

As far as explanation goes, there isn’t much. It’s about a boy named Gary who lives with his family in 1914. One day he decides to go fishing to help his family. He goes down to the river out a little ways with his fishing pole. He takes a seat to fish. As he sits there fishing, the devil walks up and sits beside him. He then holds a conversation with the boy.

So the good? Well it’s different. It doesn’t really seem copied from anything else. And even though it doesn’t have much detail, there is some imagery that puts a picture that is memorable.

The bad? Well I wouldn’t call it a bad thing, but I guess to some people it would be. This short story really plays out much more like a experiment with some new ideas than a actual short. It doesn’t have a climax. I can’t even say it has a beginning middle and end. But while some of his works, the imagination didn’t seem forced. Like he sat down one day and gone “Gee I wonder” and just explored the possibilities with pen and paper as the ideas flowed through his mind. Which (as a writer myself) I feel is where some of the best writing come from. But enough about my opinion. You got my point. If it’s not for you then you know already.

Overall, it’s interesting. Not spectacular. But as kind of intriguing. If you just like to always try new things, this is for you. If you’re looking for some dark, horrifying, twisted horror, just look somewhere else because it may have a hint of creepiness, but does not go anywhere beyond.

3 smoothies out of four.

Overall Rating: King’s Experiment Involving A Fisher boy And A Devil

P.S. Check out my book and ebook website. Lelue’s Realm. Google it or go directly to http://www.freewebs.com/lelue/