1922

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jarvi

Member
Jul 19, 2011
22
93
43
Just finished listening to 1922 from the audiobook. Good GRIEF! That is a pitch black story. I suppose that's why this collection is named what it is, but I haven't heard the other stories yet. I liked it, but it would have been nice to have at least one character to root for. I thought our narrator was going to be a somewhat sympathetic character caught in a tough position forced into making a horrible decision, but then he started rocking the casual racism. He just gets worse after that. Despite all of this, seeing everything unravel was fascinating and the last scene is wonderful, of course. It felt very classically horror to me. I loved that.

It speaks to SK's skill that he can take a character like Wilfred and use his every aspect of his humanity to keep us from fully turning on him. The man doesn't have a lot of decency to speak of, but his love for his son, his love of the land, and the fact that those set against him seem somehow more malicious keep us in his corner. Oh, and his affection for a couple of his cows. OH! And I've rarely had a more cringe-worthy experience during an audiobook than when

the leader of the rats was hanging off that poor cow's teat. And then ****ing ripping it off! Oh, God!
The people in the cars around me must have thought I was dancing to rock music I was squirming around so much. A really nice murder tale. Almost an extended campfire tale.
 

fljoe0

Cantre Member
Apr 5, 2008
15,859
71,642
62
120 miles S of the Pancake/Waffle line
Just finished listening to 1922 from the audiobook. Good GRIEF! That is a pitch black story. I suppose that's why this collection is named what it is, but I haven't heard the other stories yet. I liked it, but it would have been nice to have at least one character to root for. I thought our narrator was going to be a somewhat sympathetic character caught in a tough position forced into making a horrible decision, but then he started rocking the casual racism. He just gets worse after that. Despite all of this, seeing everything unravel was fascinating and the last scene is wonderful, of course. It felt very classically horror to me. I loved that.

It speaks to SK's skill that he can take a character like Wilfred and use his every aspect of his humanity to keep us from fully turning on him. The man doesn't have a lot of decency to speak of, but his love for his son, his love of the land, and the fact that those set against him seem somehow more malicious keep us in his corner. Oh, and his affection for a couple of his cows. OH! And I've rarely had a more cringe-worthy experience during an audiobook than when

the leader of the rats was hanging off that poor cow's teat. And then ****ing ripping it off! Oh, God!
The people in the cars around me must have thought I was dancing to rock music I was squirming around so much. A really nice murder tale. Almost an extended campfire tale.

What a coincidence, I just finished listening to the audio of 1922 myself. I read the story when it was released so the audiobook was my second time. SK has written a lot of great novellas and this one is in my top 3. The other 3 stories in FDNS aren't much cheerier so be ready. :)
 

jarvi

Member
Jul 19, 2011
22
93
43
I noticed something odd about the audiobook of 1922 (at least my copy). The book ends with the headline of the newspaper article and the article. The audio narrator reads the headline but not the article. The article contains some important information about the final event.
AHHHH! Very good. I need to read the end of this story then. I thought that was a really weird way to end it.
 

OKKingFan

Well-Known Member
Jun 15, 2013
138
371
Oklahoma
Only read this story so far in the book, but I liked it. Good old fashioned creepy tale from King. I'm wondering why he set it in 1922, other than to avoid the mass communication that would make a lot of this story impossible or improbable if it was set in the present time. Good stuff. Can't wait to read the rest.
 

Christine62

Well-Known Member
Nov 7, 2013
493
3,127
62
Oklahoma City
Just finished listening to 1922 from the audiobook. Good GRIEF! That is a pitch black story. I suppose that's why this collection is named what it is, but I haven't heard the other stories yet. I liked it, but it would have been nice to have at least one character to root for. I thought our narrator was going to be a somewhat sympathetic character caught in a tough position forced into making a horrible decision, but then he started rocking the casual racism. He just gets worse after that. Despite all of this, seeing everything unravel was fascinating and the last scene is wonderful, of course. It felt very classically horror to me. I loved that.

It speaks to SK's skill that he can take a character like Wilfred and use his every aspect of his humanity to keep us from fully turning on him. The man doesn't have a lot of decency to speak of, but his love for his son, his love of the land, and the fact that those set against him seem somehow more malicious keep us in his corner. Oh, and his affection for a couple of his cows. OH! And I've rarely had a more cringe-worthy experience during an audiobook than when

the leader of the rats was hanging off that poor cow's teat. And then ****ing ripping it off! Oh, God!
The people in the cars around me must have thought I was dancing to rock music I was squirming around so much. A really nice murder tale. Almost an extended campfire tale.

Yeah, everything Jarvi said.
I tried to read this story when I first got the book but it was too dark. But I love love love Craig Wasson--and maybe it was his reading that turned the tide and I loved the story. And I know from something I heard that Mr. King hates HATES rats. His metaphor of each man having another one inside him like a Russian Nesting Doll was brilliant. ---Wherever you go, Mr. King, I will follow.
 

Sunlight Gardener

Well-Known Member
Jul 22, 2013
375
1,273
I liked this tale, however (and I appreciate I'm in the minority here) it was my least favourite in the book.

Agreed, it was good but I liked the others better. A Good Marriage knocked me flat on my butt when i read it, I couldn't believe it. Maybe more than anything since I read The Long Walk. I do love a good punch to the face in the form of a short story!
 

muskrat

Dis-Member
Nov 8, 2010
4,518
19,564
Under your bed
1922 is the best in the book, oh yeah. I remember digging the hell out of it; it had that vintage, early, gritty King vibe, like if Bachman and Lovecraft had a baby. I think this one is an underrated gem, tailor made for the big screen--an ideal vehicle for Frank Darabont.

I need to take this one down from the shelf for a re-read, methinks.
 

blunthead

Well-Known Member
Aug 2, 2006
80,755
195,461
Atlanta GA
1922 is the best in the book, oh yeah. I remember digging the hell out of it; it had that vintage, early, gritty King vibe, like if Bachman and Lovecraft had a baby. I think this one is an underrated gem, tailor made for the big screen--an ideal vehicle for Frank Darabont.

I need to take this one down from the shelf for a re-read, methinks.
It's awesome, scary, so well-written classic sK.
 

rudiroo

Well-Known Member
May 20, 2008
474
1,898
London, England
Um. I've never listened to an SK audiobook:a11:
I can't - I'd probably blow a circuit, or need a reboot or something.

I'm so locked into how each and every character looks and sounds( in my head) that it's just me and the story.
Old school? Ayuh.

Great story though - one that stays with you. . til it outstays its welcome.

It's confirmation - if we needed it - that a convergence of bad circumstances, an existing predisposition for being a serious badass and that all-time favourite, opportunity. . and shazam, enter Wilfred.:barf: