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Average Customer Rating: 
Different Seasons (Signet) >
Customer Review #1:
 Four terrific tales from a master storyteller.
If youve never read Stephen King before, this book is an excellent place to start, as it will show you that King is much more than just a "horror" writer. In this book, King has crafted four novellas which provide countless insights into various aspects of life and the human condition. Three of the four stories have been made into movies--you may have seen them and never known they were based on King.The first novella in the book, "Rita Hayworth and the Shawshank Redemption," is clearly the best (it also produced the best movie, The Shawshank Redemption). The premise is simple--a wrongly accused man is sentenced to life imprisonment--but the story itself is rich and enveloping. To say that this engaging, intricately woven tale is heartwarming is somewhat trite, yet the theme of the story, "hope springs eternal," shines through like a beacon. Also compelling are "The Body" (made into the movie Stand by Me) and "Apt Pupil." Both are coming of age stories which center around young teenage characters, yet the first focuses on triumph, the second on tragedy. The final story, "The Breathing Method," was my least favorite, but it fits with the redemption theme that is interlaced throughout the book; plus, fans of Kings forays into horror will get a taste of the macabre here. Whatever your specific preference, you are sure to find a favorite tale in this book.
Different Seasons (Signet) >
Customer Review #2:
 A rare treasure; stories and movies equally good
King has outdone himself this time; instead of opting for the easy plots (mad dogs, killer cars, etc.), he comes up with stories that are truly horrifying because they are psychological thrillers. The majority of the characters play mind games with each other, and the general theme running through each "novelette" seems to be an endurance test. "Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption", in spite of its unwieldy title, is a compelling tale of convicts and prison life. The narrator is Red, the "lifer" who has earned his keep and provides his fellow prisoners with the "extras" such as booze, cigarettes, and the poster of Rita Hayworth referred to in the title. He is the Greek chorus for the folk hero, a methodical, cool, impersonal accountant by the name of Andy DuFresne. Andy has been unjustly convicted of a crime he did not commit, and his scheming to improve his situation makes for riveting reading. "Apt Pupil" is by far the most fascinating--and profoundly disturbing--of the stories. A bright, seemingly innocent boy has managed to shadow an escaped Nazi while playing amateur detective. Todd doesnt want to turn in the Nazi, however; he wants to learn every detail of the torture endured by the captured Jews. Todd, of course, appears to be the All-American Kid; handsome, blond, athletic, and wholesome in appearance. As Dussander the Nazi relates his war horror stories, both he and Todd become obsessed with an intense, warped desire to inflict similar pain on others. "The Body" is more of a coming-of-age story than a true thriller. Gordy LaChance relates his adventures as he and his friends prepare to see a dead body that they happened to hear about from an older brother. The dead body represents a backdrop to the real tale, which involves card games, camping out, ghost stories and a series of conversations about social issues. This is not as dry as it sounds; each boy, in turn, worries about such things as leaving friends behind, going along with the crowd, being branded for life, and their feelings about their siblings and parents. Its easy to see how movies like "The Breakfast Club" were inspired by this story. "Breathing Lessons" involved the impending birth of an illegitimate child. I felt that this was the weakest of the stories, since it seemed rather flat and emotionless. It didnt seem to belong in this book. The one consistency throughout the book is the dialogue. All of Kings characters have a "voice" that is uniquely their own, and the talk rarely, if ever, gets boring. In spite of the "Breathing Lessons" story, I still believe that this is one of Kings best books, if not THE BEST. Definitely a choice pick for people who are "deserted on an island"
Different Seasons (Signet) >
Customer Review #3:
The proof that Stephen King is a great writer...
Different Seasons is perhaps the best Stephen King book with which to initiate the neophyte who says, "He cant be a good writer - he writes HORROR." This is Kings first, greatest take on the mainstream. Each of the four offerings could be textbook examples of the perfectly written novella. Not coincidentally, this book has inspired three of his best movie-adaptations.Rita Hayworth and the Shawshank Redemption: Yes, even if you have seen the movie, you should read this. It tells the story of how an innocent man is able to keep hope alive in prison. Apt Pupil: This, it can be argued, is really a monster story; the monsters however are all too real. A teen-aged boy obsessed with the holocaust discovers his own pet Nazi in the neighborhood. The Body: The inspiration for the wonderful film Stand by Me, it is a heartbreaking coming-of-age tale and the power of friendship. The Breathing Method: The books one true horror story. I wont try to attempt to explain what it is about. In the Afterward, King commits his worst sin by famously referring to his own work as "the literary equivalent of a Big Mac and a large fries from MacDonalds." Not only does that cut himself short, it is an insult to us, his readers, who think his stuff is pretty darn good. Want proof? Read these stories.
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