So, this is my first trip into Stephen King’s short stories on this website. As you all know, I love Stephen King, and I usually love his short stories. let’s see if The Bazaar of Bad Dreams carries on the King torch. Let’s dive in!
First, I want to say that some of these stories are published elsewhere. But this little collection brings together an overarching theme and makes some of the stories that much sweeter. The collection deals with life, death, and what happens after we die. In true King fashion, the book ends with the death of world as we know it and ventures into the nuclear fallout. But along the way it deals with morality, ethics, and what it means to be human. I actually really like the theme of this collection. Some of the stories are a little dull, but boy oh boy does The Bazaar deliver as a whole.
I’m going to basically go through each story and quickly discuss the highs and lows of the collection. Interestingly, one of the most interesting things about this collection takes place outside of the stories, however. Before each story, King describes how he came up with the idea, when he wrote it, and what he was thinking at the time. These little insights are fascinating and are honestly are enough reason to read this collection on their own.
But, let’s talk about the actual meat of the collection:
Mile 81. 2.5 out of 4.
An abandoned gas station on the side of the road gets an unexpected visitor. A station wagon ignores the road closed signs and fences and pulls up to the gas station. When the door opens, however, nobody gets out. Multiple drivers see this abandoned vehicle and decide to pull over and stop. But what happens when the station wagon turns out to be a murderous vehicle?
In the same vein as Christine or From a Buick 8, this story delivers some interesting ideas and some brutal murders. It’s an interesting way to start the collection that’s for sure. The original version only has one murder, but The Bazaar version has numerous. I think that might be the only reason I don’t like this version as much. It just keeps adding on to the carnage without really adding much else.
Premium Harmony. 1.5 out of 4.
A man takes his wife to buy a purple kickball for her niece’s birthday. While in the story, she suffers from a heart attack and dies. Her husband reflects on her life with the medical first responders.
Honestly might be the lowest point in this collection. I honestly don’t know why it’s given the second spot in the collection? I might have tried to sneak this one in halfway. But, it’s short and fits the theme wonderfully. Also not for those that like to read about the deaths of their beloved animals.
Batman and Robin Have an Altercation. 3 out of 4.
A man visits his father at a restaurant they have eaten at, every week, for years. His father is suffering Alzheimer’s and does not even know which of his sons he is talking to. On the way home, however, the father has a breakthrough and recognizes his son for the first time in years. Only to be interrupted by a car crash.
This story takes the theme in a lot darker direction than most of the other stories. It’s tough to see something so real play out in the Stephen King universe. This one hits close to home for anyone with a parent or grandparent suffering from Alzheimer’s. Plus it does not end the way one would expect. I purposely left the ending out of my synopsis because it’s definitely worth a read.
The Dune. 4 out of 4.
A man has a lifelong obsession with a sand dune on an island directly across the lake from his house. This dune occasionally will have names of people written in the sand. Then, hours, days, or even weeks later, those people wind up dead.
This story has stuck with me a lot since finishing reading this collection. I think it is honestly my favorite of the whole collection. It’s an interesting idea and plays out beautifully. It also has a strong twist at the end and totally sticks the landing. I loved this one and is an obvious front runner for me.
Bad Little Kid. 3.5 out of 4.
A man on death row finally opens up about his murder of a small child. He tells his lawyer all about this “bad little kid” that deserves to be murdered.
Another awesome one! Yet again, this one has a major twist and totally nails it. I loved the reveal at the end. This one is also really worth the read. Much like the kid in the story, this one keeps creeping into my mind.
A Death. 3 out of 4.
A western thrown in the middle of the collection? A man is sentenced to death for raping a little girl. The proof is a missing hat and a missing silver dollar. The judge doesn’t think he’s guilty, but he is hung from the gallows regardless. What the judge finds in the man’s toilet in his cell might unravel the whole thing.
A really interesting story. But it feels a little out of place in the middle of this collection if I’m being honest. But, it does really play with morality and other heavy tones from this collection. So it feels right at home in that regard. It does have a strong ending and, yet again, comes with a strong twist.
The Bone Church. 2 out of 4.
A piece of poetry from Stephen. Not much to really talk about here. King isn’t the strongest poet, but it’s short and tells a little story about wildlife. That’s honestly about it.
Morality. 2.5 out of 4.
When a down-on-their-luck couple is offered $200,000 to punch a random child in the face, can they do it? And what comes of the video that is shot as proof of their actions?
This one is a little weird. It sets up something interesting, but does not really go any further than that. The obvious theme of morality is shoved down the throat of the reader by this point. It fits in with the collection, but sort of feels like another slow part.
Afterlife. 3 out of 4.
If given the chance to relive your life, would you? This story shows a man dying and ascending to… an office. He is presented the option to relive his life (even the awful things he did) or end the cycle altogether.
I really enjoyed this one. It really makes you think about how you would replay your life if given the chance. Or even if you would want to. It’s a great touchstone to see a little bit of what comes after in Stephen King’s mind.
Ur. 3 out of 4.
When a teacher is given a special Kindle that lets him see into different universes, he struggles with knowing what might have been.
Yet another wonderful story from this collection. King says that it might be a little outdated since he wrote it when Kindles were brand new technology, but it is great nonetheless. Really interesting to think about what you would do if given the keys to endless possibilities.
Herman Wouk is Still Alive. 3.5 out of 4.
Two women take their cumulative seven children on a road trip. When they decide that their lives aren’t worth living and decide to take their kids down with them, they drive into a tree. A couple eating lunch witnesses the wreck and goes over to investigate.
Another high point for the collection. Plays a lot with the idea of if this life is worth living. Wonderfully told and beautifully executed (forgive the pun).
Under the Weather. 3 out of 4.
A man takes his dog for a walk, leaving his sick wife at home. He finds out that exterminators are coming to rid to apartment of a rat infestation.
Honestly that is about all I can say without spoiling this one. I will say that it is a really strong story. Especially when coupled with Herman Wouk is Still Alive. Whereas Herman deals with the value of life, Under the Weather deals with when it’s time to finally realize there is no value left.
Blockade Billy. 4 out of 4.
Stephen King’s love of baseball is on full display here. But in true King fashion, not everything is as it seems. How is “Blockade Billy” the immovable man on home base? Well there might be something hidden up his sleeve (or his glove).
This is right up there with The Dune for me. It is twisted, surprising, and brilliant. All while showing Stephen King’s knowledge for baseball. What’s there not to love? I don’t even like baseball and I love this story. As you can see, I just had to have the standalone print of this story. It’s that good.
Mister Yummy. 2 out of 4.
A man describes his white whale. In the form of the most handsome man he had ever seen at a club back in the seventies. Back when being gay was something you had to hide.
This one deals with something wonderful: Being able to accept that you are attracted to the same gender as yourself. I love that! But unfortunately, it just sort of falls flat. Especially after coming from Blockade Billy it just doesn’t have much to it. Easily forgettable. which is a shame because it deals with some really powerful themes.
Tommy. 2 out of 4.
Another poem, this time discussing someone that died in the 1960’s. It is steeped in slang and other imagery from that time (which coincides with King’s teenage years). It’s interesting to see someone’s life ending and the lives of his friends afterwards. But that’s honestly it.
The Little Green God of Agony. 3 out of 4.
An extremely wealthy man finds himself injured to the point that he cannot get out of bed. Even though he can afford the greatest rehabilitation team, he struggles to make any progress. His team insists that he is just not trying hard enough. He is just being a baby. But what if he isn’t? What if something outside of his control is bringing this unbearable pain?
This one is another good one. It does not go how you think it’s going at all. It has a really strong twist and takes you off guard. Once again, it questions if life is really worth living and what that life looks like. Wonderful.
Cookie Jar. 2.5 out of 4.
A son is given his mother’s cookie jar after her suicide. Only this cookie jar does something magical when he peers through the top.
Interestingly, this story is NOT in the original printing of Bazaar. It is, however, in the digital version. I bought the digital version just to read this story, even though it is free elsewhere. And… It’s fun, but that’s about it. It doesn’t even feel like it really belongs in this collection to be honest. I’m glad it’s not in the original printing, but it is worth a read and it’s free! So why not?
That Bus is Another World. 2 out of 4.
A man is late for his meeting and catches a taxi. On the way to his meeting, he sees a man kill a woman on a bus. The murderer locks eyes with the man almost like they both share this secret together.
Another story that felt forgettable to me. Nothing really happens and it’s almost not setup for anything to happen. It does play with the idea of morality though, so at least it fits with the collection.
Obits. 4 out of 4.
A man writes funny and crass obituaries for living celebrities. Only to have those celebrities turn up dead. People assume that he is writing the obituaries after they die, but he has writing them before they die.
Here is another amazing story. I only give three of the stories in this collection perfect marks and this stands out as a front runner. This might be my favorite in the whole collection. But it really is hard to choose my favorite out of this, Blockade Billy, and The Dune. Each story has stuck with me and were wonderful in their own right. This one nails the themes of death and morality. I loved this one. Read the collection just for this one if you must.
Drunken Fireworks. 3.5 out of 4.
Each year a family squares up with their neighbor on who can have the biggest firework display. Over the years, the little firework battle grows out of control.
Riding of the of momentum of Obits, King takes us to a really humorous story. This one is rather funny and is a great break from some of the heavier themes of this collection. Also wonderfully sets up the final story of the collection. *ahem* the explosive ending.
Summer Thunder. 3 out of 4.
In a post-apocalyptic world after a nuclear fallout, a man finds himself with severe radiation poisoning. He takes his only companion, his dog, to his neighbor in order to go out on his own terms. His neighbor honors these terms and helps him kill himself and his dog. Then, the very next day, the neighbor realizes that he too has severe radiation poisoning. He goes on one more ride on his favorite motorcycle.
This is a strong ending to the collection for sure. Especially when coupled with the two stories before it. This one questions, once again, when it’s time to realize that their isn’t any more life to live. A wonderful ending.
In summary:
The Bazaar of Bad Dreams gets a 3 out of 4. I really love the themes of this collection and it has some seriously amazing stories. But it also has some forgettable stories. It isn’t solid the whole way through, which is its only downfall. But that would be near impossible with the amount of stories this thing is pushing. It’s a great collection and really carries with it a melancholy feel of living and what’s the purpose in life and death. I really enjoyed my time with this collection. Especially The Dune, Blockade Billy, and Obits. Read those stories if you only want to read a couple. They are simply wonderful.
As for the grand goal of ranking every Stephen King novel, here is where The Bazaar of Bad Dreams ranks so far:
- The Institute
- The Outsider
- The Bazaar of Bad Dreams
- Sleeping Beauties
- Elevation