Discussion Group for February 27th -- Premium Harmony by Stephen King

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GNTLGNT

The idiot is IN
Jun 15, 2007
87,651
358,754
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Cambridge, Ohio
“You can get the cheap ones,” he says. “That off-brand. Premium Harmony, they’re called.” They taste like homemade ****, but all right. If she’ll only shut up about it.

....this whole story defines "dark comedy"......Steve really puts the screws to everybody in this short macabrepiece.....
 

cat in a bag

Well-Known Member
Aug 28, 2010
12,038
67,827
wyoming
Just another example of how people go along in their day to day lives, and then boom, everything changes in the blink of an eye.

What an intimate thing, one's death, happening while surrounded by complete strangers. I suppose that happens all the time, but that is sad and very scary to me. No one to murmur anything comforting to you or hold your hand. Maybe the strangers would do that but not the same as a loved one.
 

Dana Jean

Dirty Pirate Hooker, The Return
Moderator
Apr 11, 2006
53,634
236,697
The High Seas
This is a character study. A view into a dead marriage before anyone dies.

It made me sad. Obviously two people who didn't like each other much less love each other.

Not a scary story by any means, just a snapshot of a moment in time in these average lives. A series of events that could happen to anyone. Losing their home, have no money, trying to be frugal, each believing they are sacrificing while the other isn't. Stop at a store. Waiting in a car. Heart attack. Irritation, aggravation, fear, shock, forgetfulness. Oops, dead dog.

The fact that he is looking at these women as pity f**ks -- wow. His wife not even cold, and he's checking out future action. That made me unbelievably sad. To mean nothing to anyone. It feels icky.

I think his crying was pure relief. I don't think that there was one minute of sorrow for who was lost -- what was lost -- but weeping for what he gained.

Freedom to do what he damn well pleased.
 

mjs9153

Peripherally known member..
Nov 21, 2014
3,494
22,165
I agree with those that feel it is not comic in any way, I found it depressing..because I know that it can be too real. While usually people are scared,or upset, or very sad and grieving at the sudden death of a loved one, I have seen those that don't seem to care that much..but it is real, because some people just don't show those emotions, or let them out later, but there are also those that feel okay about it, and are more concerned with the details of how things will be cleaned up..one of SK's vignettes that I don't like very much, but find true to real life..
 

Dana Jean

Dirty Pirate Hooker, The Return
Moderator
Apr 11, 2006
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The High Seas
Agree about how fragile life can be. Have seen peoples lives change on one heartbeat--

The only time he showed emotion was when he found the dog dead----
And he wanted to laugh. But, then, he cried and commented on the moment -- "It's a relief to sound just right for the situation." He finds the dead pup funny but sad. He thinks it's sweet that he's with her now. But, very quickly, that moment turns into what this means for him.

He was crying for joy for himself.
 

Spideyman

Uber Member
Jul 10, 2006
46,336
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Just north of Duma Key
Spideyman
I'm so sorry! Wednesday got by me. I'll weigh in on this story over at the weekend board this weekend! I started going to the gym again and there went my free time. I just wanted to stop in and say "hey there, Friends! Miss you much!" Everyone OK?
:biglove:
Always good to see you HollyGolightly . Life does have a way of getting in the way of plans. Good for you and the gym. Just remember to take some me time too.
 

Dana Jean

Dirty Pirate Hooker, The Return
Moderator
Apr 11, 2006
53,634
236,697
The High Seas
That's us. That's what a great majority of people do. I find that ineffably sad. It's not our purpose to just chase the rabbit. That's what I think anyway.
Exactly. We're all so busy chasing that rabbit, we miss out on so much along the way. So much creativity and growth and learning, new experiences and challenging ideas slip by. Interesting people that pass in and out of our daily lives.

There used to be a time when I had this overwhelming feeling that I should be doing something more. It was weird because I felt like I was meant to be doing something. It was an intense and gnawing feeling -- and whatever that something was, I think it slipped right by me while I myopically chased the rabbit.

I don't feel that I was meant to do anything special now. That feeling is gone and I'm just another slob in this world.

I don't say all that fishing for compliments. It's just a straight-up fact.

I am another cog in the human wheel.
 
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Neesy

#1 fan (Annie Wilkes cousin) 1st cousin Mom's side
May 24, 2012
61,289
239,271
Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
Spideyman
I'm so sorry! Wednesday got by me. I'll weigh in on this story over at the weekend board this weekend! I started going to the gym again and there went my free time. I just wanted to stop in and say "hey there, Friends! Miss you much!" Everyone OK?
:biglove:
Congrats for going back to the gym! You must feel pretty tired right now

I read it and found it to be 'black humour' but perhaps true in the way some older couples might view each other (which is quite sad, actually).