Hearts and Hearts in Atlantis *SPOILERS*

[Harrald]

I’m just about done with “Hearts in Atlantis”. Without spoiling to much, I was wondering if the second story could be appreciated if you didn’t ever play hearts for money? I played for about 2 years at one of the places I worked. We played about 2 hours a night.

I loved the game so much I started honing my skills on Yahoo and at one point was in the top 5 players. It paid off too. I went back to the place I used to work and played 2 hands. On the second hand I shot the moon.

I haven’t played in years. Maybe I’ll teach the guys that work with me how to play. Not for money though. :pirate:

[Ruki]

i've never played hearts at all but i psychotically love that story. it sort of reminds me of my obsession with skipping school to get high and play mortal kombat.

[Jean]

I'd been playing Hearts long before I read the story (am, in fact, playing it right now with three computer opponents), and it still bored me to death.

[tamez]

i do not like card games... or any games really...
and i liked the story.
for me in college, hanging out with my friends
getting drunk and shit was why i didn't do my work
so there were familiar things about that part of the book
although, the first story is my fave.

[sarah]

I loved hearts in Atlantis. I was so swept up in the story that I could barely put the book down when I had to attend to the real world. I played hearts before but appreciated the game much more after reading the story.

[Wuducynn]

I loved hearts in Atlantis. I was so swept up in the story that I could barely put the book down when I had to attend to the real world. I played hearts before but appreciated the game much more after reading the story.

Same here, not including the part about playing Hearts, which I would never do because I hate card games.

[Jorge]

I read the book a few years ago and just recently decided to read it again. I had played hearts before, although never for money.

You know, come to think of it... the first time I read this book was my first year in college. And I'd skip a lot of classes to stay in my room and sleep/read. And because of that, my grades sucked ass. So I guess I really CAN relate to that story. Except I guess mine would be titled "Hearts in Atlantis in Atlantis." *rimshot*

[Harrald]

I can understand why a DT fan would like the first story. It's like a fix for a DT junkie. (The main reason I read it)

I've only got a few pages left and must say I enjoyed this book more than I would have thought. The rest of the stories are not what I had expected. Just goes to show how King can turn his stories into an web that connects at odd angles.


<<SNIP>>the first story is my fave.

[MonteGss]

I don't really like playing cards either....except Poker. :)
Loved Hearts in Atlantis though!

[Wuducynn]

I can understand why a DT fan would like the first story. It's like a fix for a DT junkie. (The main reason I read it)


Its one of my favorite Dark Tower related short stories, it and Everything's Eventual. :cool:

[Patrick]

I've played Hearts off and on over the years, but never for money.

I loved the whole HIA book.

[Darkthoughts]

I read it years ago, and only read the first story and the last bit of the last story to find out what happened...I couldn't get into the other two stories at the time - but I'll give it a reread soon.

How do you play hearts?

[Jean]

1. I read it years ago, and only read the first story and the last bit of the last story to find out what happened...I couldn't get into the other two stories at the time - but I'll give it a reread soon.

2. How do you play hearts?

1. I only liked the first story, and some bits of the last. I strongly suspect the Men in the Yellow Coats are the only part I'll ever re-read.

2. Here (http://www.gamecolony.com/hearts_game_rules.html).

[Darkthoughts]

Thanks Jean :rose:

[Storyslinger]

I've never played it for money, just on my computer

I really liked the story even though the game isn't that great, at least to me

[Ruthful]

I loved about three-quarters of the collection.

Aside from Blind Willie-which was utterly absurd-and the last story I really enjoyed reading it. I loved the title story. I think it's interesting that he chose a more obscure card game, rather than something like poker, to build the story around.

[Storyslinger]

Well said

[blackrose22]

I loved all the stories in Hearts in Atlantis and think it's one of SK best efforts. Only play Hearts on the computer and prefer Poker anyway.

[Darkthoughts]

I just reread this book and still couldn't really get into any of the stories apart from Low Men In Yellow Coats.

[jayson]

i've never played hearts and yet I love the title story in "Hearts in Atlantis." It's prob my fav story in the book [yes, even more than Ted's Connecticutt adventure].

[obscurejude]

I read Low Men in Yellow Coats right before Wolves of the Calla came out. Needless to say, I didn't make it through the rest of Hearts until much later. When I went back and re read Low Men and the rest of the stories, I'd say I agree with Jayson.

[Darkthoughts]

Yes, HiA was good, I liked Pete and Stoke was intriguing - it was good to see Carol too. But I trudged through it at times.

[jayson]

it could be that it is, in part, an anti-war story that attracts me to it. part of it is also that i see a lot of one of my own years of college in the story, just substitute video golf for hearts and you have a similar situation of students forsaking their studies to bond playing games. of course we were not facing a draft should we fail [a very compelling element of that story] but we were still facing failure. it may not be everybody's fav story, but the titular story from Hearts in Atlantis is def up there on my list.

the thing is, i'm not sure how much i'd have liked Low Men were it not for the connections. it's a good story for sure, but without the greater context, i'm not sure i'd like it as much as i do.

[obscurejude]

I really liked Ted's character. To be honest, I didn't know it was Dark Tower related until the very end. I had no idea- it was amazing for that reason. I read it in one sitting and missed class the next day. I found it a compelling story, and felt a lot personal similarities with Bobby and his mom. I also had a Ted figure in my life, but he wasn't a breaker- to my knowledge.

I liked the anti war element too Jayson. King is amazing at providing pointed arguments for or against something without ever having to explicitly say anything. The human spirit speaks volumes in his works. I read Hearts in one sitting too. It was so damn good.

[jayson]

...King is amazing at providing pointed arguments for or against something without ever having to explicitly say anything. The human spirit speaks volumes in his works. I read Hearts in one sitting too. It was so damn good.

agreed, he addresses issues like that in a way that reads as realistic rather than an argument for one "side" or another. i also read it all at once. i was unable to put it down. different strokes for different folken.

as for ted, i also didn't know until the end the first time through, but that's my point really, were it not for that, i don't know how many re-reads i'd have given it. i liked the story, though not bc of any personal identification with anyone in this one.

[Darkthoughts]

I love Ted, theres a guy in my local who I picture as Ted anytime I read the book...strangely enough, I was reading HiA in the pub garden last week and he walks past and says "No better company than a good book!", which made me think he's Ted even more :lol:
I'd have enjoyed Low Men even without the DT connections, I just really enjoyed the relationship between Ted and Bobby, even the conflict with Bobby's Mum :)

[jhanic]

As a Vietnam veteran, I've always felt a special bond with this book. It's among my favorites. I have to say, though, that I still don't agree with the pacifist perspectives, but I DO respect those who felt (and still feel) that way. That's why I went over there.

John

[Darkthoughts]

As a Vietnam veteran, I've always felt a special bond with this book.
That occured to me whilst I was reading it - there were alot of levels on which I thought "if I played hearts/was American/was a Vietnam vet/lived in the 60's, I could appreciate this story more", I didn't dislike any of it, but I felt that it was a "you had to be there" book in many ways.

[Jean]

I just reread this book and still couldn't really get into any of the stories apart from Low Men In Yellow Coats.
the same. I don't even know when I can summon the willpower to reread any other than that one.

[hoin1585]

I finished DT5 and "Low Men In Yellow Coats" last week.

Now I have a question.

Is Ted in DT6 or DT7 ?

[MonteGss]

Keep reading to find out. :)

[jhanic]

DT 7.

John

[John_and_Yoko]

Just finished the whole book, so....

"Low Men in Yellow Coats": had a strange, love-hate relationship with it. No indifference, let me tell you, and while there was a lot about it I hated, I can't say with conviction that I hated this story as a whole. Kind of hard to describe, I know--both loving and hating it at the same time, but at least I won't forget it....

"Hearts in Atlantis": I enjoyed that, found it potent. No love-hate relationship here.

"Blind Willie": I liked this, and it was informative, if not exactly emotional to me.

"Why We're In Vietnam": Confusing, very confusing with the jumps in time I wasn't prepared for. But it became heartbreaking later on.

"Heavenly Shades of Night Are Falling": A tearjerker, but in a happy sense rather than a sad sense. A fitting end to a great book.



All in all, an enjoyable and informative roller coaster ride of a book, and perhaps enough to make my Top Ten Non-Dark Tower Stephen King books (I say "perhaps" in case I like anything I've got left to read better later on).

[jhanic]

If you can, try to get a copy of The New Lieutenant's Rap, a rare chapbook issued back in 1999. It's an expansion of part of "Why We're in Vietnam" that is also very good.

John

[glm]

That was just an awesome book all around.

[Disturbed Angel]

I loved this book and have reread it many times.

I have never played Hearts for money, only on the computer, the first time being a few weeks ago.

I named my opponents Roland, Eddie and Susannah - for some reason Roland seems to win the most!

[Truth]

HIA was an amazing story all around and the only reason i read it was because a friend told me about Ted but wen i got to the cover story it quickly became my favorite non-DT related Stephen King Story.

[theyspunaweb]

I'm reading HIA right now, and I've read a few books in between that and then recently finished the DT series.

I recall a lot of Father Callahan and the Men in Yellow Coats from the DT series, but I don't remember where Ted comes into play. Could someone refresh my memory? Could he be Father Callahan? I feel like I am missing a huge piece here, and may not get to re-reading the DT for a little while (I plan on reading Insomnia next). But I can continue anyways...

I am almost done with Low men in Yellow Coats. Anyways, has anyone seen the movie Hearts in Atlantis? Isn't it bizarre that they call it that but it is based off of the first story from the book, Low men in Yellow Coats? Why wouldn't they call it that? I guess because, the title isn't as inticing...but I don't really get it... my friend rented it the other day and when I told her what I was reading she got all excited cause it was her most recent netflix rental, but she said she hadn't read that SK yet, and hadn't heard of the other stories to follow, and didn't think they were in the book. Or why wouldn't he just have made the movie about the actual story Hearts in Atlantis from the book? I guess it's just bizarre to have mulitple story movies and the whole book was titled HIA so...what the heck.

rambling...

[jayson]

I'm reading HIA right now, and I've read a few books in between that and then recently finished the DT series.

I recall a lot of Father Callahan and the Men in Yellow Coats from the DT series, but I don't remember where Ted comes into play. Could someone refresh my memory?

Ted is...

... one of the breakers. He's a facilitator. He, along with Dinky Earnshaw and Sheemie Ruiz help the ka-tet in the seige on Algul Siento. He's the one that made the audio tapes detailing the goings on at Blue Heaven so the tet could make their plans.

[theyspunaweb]

Thank you R_of_G. I must have read that in another spoiler here on the forum because I knew he was, but I thought that it would be known later on in HIA, since I am almost finished with it but not quite.

[Brainslinger]

I loved Hearts in Atlantis. The book as a whole I mean, this story included. I loved the interconnected nature of the stories too, i.e. is the book a novel? A book of short stories? Or Both? I'd like to write a book like that. (A book of interconnected short stories I mean, not the subject matter of this book.)

As for Hearts, I hadn't heard of the game until I read the story. The brief description of the rules in the book sounded rather boring though. I do like card games, though, although I don't play that often. I used to play knock out poker and Black Jack* in the sixth form.

*We called it 'Black Jack', but according to the rules I've read on the internet it's a completely different game. Ours seems like more fun though. I don't want to do maths whilst I'm playing cards thank you very much. I've heard our version called 'Twizzle' elsewhere, although the rules were slightly different. A great game though.

EDIT- one Jean hearts link later....

That looks really involved! I think I'll stick with Black Jack.

[theyspunaweb]

I'm still reading this book (almost finished with the story about the Hearts game) and it is interesting enough...but only because I have had a lot of men in my involved with war. The boyfriend I have right now, decided not to go into the army to be with me basically, and the one right before him I broke up with because after 2 years he randomly decided to join the army. So I guess that is how I relate with this story a bit. However the vietnam war is far different than the one(s) going on now. A lot of what is going on is being hidden from us now and reading this book that's pretty in your face. America isn't as involved in the war going on like it was in the book as King describes.

Anyways... the cards, I think the game sounds more interesting with all that King puts into this story, I never used to play before or understand hearts, but I can't imagine why people could waste so much money playing 5cent points. I get that money was worth more then and some people are more into cardles or become addicts but it just isn't me. I however am a fan of texas hold'em and have played in high school tournaments as the only girl in my group of friends a bunch of times. It was a lot of fun, and the entertainment was worth the 10 or 20 bucks you put in for the whole night. But even then I didn't always play, and more than 4 people got to play in a game, and...I guess I just can't see how a card game could ruin your whole college career. But that's just a personality thing.

[Whitey Appleseed]

I loved this story, stories. Grew up thinking the next logical step after high school would be war, sorta like Gene and Finny, in A Separate Peace, and like the two boys in that story, we also Prepared Ourselves for Manhood by playing rough. Area had a bunch of train trestles, soon-to-be idle mills, and those were our battlegrounds. If our mothers knew we were climbing the steel of the trestles they probably would have demanded a big playpen in the middle of town, complete with guards, escorts home, the works.

But we also watched The Big Kids protesting on the TV, getting their heads bashed in by the Chicago cops, hanging out in San Francisco, and for some reason, my group of friends began Preparing for that, as well, corny stuff like marching around the four-gable schoolhouse and chanting 'down with Nixon!' Hearts had a sense about it that that part of the 60s was for naught. So much for being awake, like Johnnie, in the Zone. But, I dunno, maybe not. Or maybe that sense of guilt, the one shared by the Hearts players, is kinda redeemed at the end. Penance. Pennants. It's all only Information and what we do it with it is the key...shrug.

[Beamer]

I was a Spades man, never got into hearts....but yeah...you can appreciate the story without the game of hearts....

[Redsoxtony13]

I have read Low Men Several times and it is one of my Favorite King Short Stories. I must say the rest of the stories just did not do it for me. I never went to college and I was in the Marine Corps and we played lots of cards, Mostly Spades. Maybe I will give it a second go around.... I have been trying to figure out what to read next. If I can't make it through I will just pick up my copy of The Talisman which seems to be calling my name lately :orely:

[Iwritecode]

I guess I just can't see how a card game could ruin your whole college career. But that's just a personality thing.

I can totally see it. I've done it myself, to a much lesser degree, with video games rather than card games though.

Usually it's the Grand Theft Auto series of games for the Playstation. I've completed the games many times but every once in a while I'll get an itch to start over and play them through again.

I usually only play for a couple of hours every night but I can certainly see how addicting it could get. I sometimes will say I'm only going to play for 30 minutes or so and I'll look at the clock and realize that 2 hours have gone by.

That's pretty much what happened in the story. Then when money is involved and nearly everyone else is doing it too, it makes it that much more tempting.

[jayson]

I guess I just can't see how a card game could ruin your whole college career. But that's just a personality thing.

I can totally see it. I've done it myself, to a much lesser degree, with video games rather than card games though.

Exactly. Substitute Tetris for Hearts and you have the story of much of my freshmen year (minus the impending draft).

[theyspunaweb]

I guess I just can't see how a card game could ruin your whole college career. But that's just a personality thing.

I can totally see it. I've done it myself, to a much lesser degree, with video games rather than card games though.

Exactly. Substitute Tetris for Hearts and you have the story of much of my freshmen year (minus the impending draft).

Tetris! I've gotten into things before...everyone does for me it's more like I'm really into my favorite band. Or when I was younger I really, was into Lord of the Rings. I hope I'm never into anything that isn't more than a phase though.

[ICry4Oy]

I loved this story, stories. Grew up thinking the next logical step after high school would be war,.....


You sound like you're around my age - 52yo but closer to 53 than I want to be:blush:

All through junior high and high school I knew if I didn't study and study hard my next step after school would be the jungles of Nam. It was a given. My brother went and both my brothers-in-law went. I did study and did make good grades but we were also dirt poor and college was just a dream. Luckily for me, Nixon ended the war and the draft the year I graduated high school. What did I do after high school you may ask? Joined the Air Force!

Anywho, I just (like 20 minutes ago) finished reading Hearts In Atlantis. I loved every story in it and felt like I was a part of it in many places. I try to explain to younger people now what it was like growing up with the draft in place, growing up during that time when it seemed like the entire country had gone mad. Growing up watching the war, the protests, the war, the assassinations, the war, beatlemania!, the war, Hubert Humphrey, the war, J. Edgar Hoover, the war, etc. It really is a "you had to be there" thing that SK does come very close to verbalizing......at least for those of us who were there. I guess I should be glad I was too young to have been a soldier or a hippie because if things had pulled me either way I'm pretty sure I wouldn't be here now. I don't think I could have resisted the charms of ole Flagg.

[pathoftheturtle]

As a Vietnam veteran, I've always felt a special bond with this book.
That occured to me whilst I was reading it - there were alot of levels on which I thought "if I played hearts/was American/was a Vietnam vet/lived in the 60's, I could appreciate this story more", I didn't dislike any of it, but I felt that it was a "you had to be there" book in many ways.

May be.

I definitely loved it, and the reasons why are so much the same reasons that I so love Stephen King.

It is Americana. Sure.

A really great book. :wub:

[lowdown]

since my dad missed the draft by luck ....he told me all that hippy knowledge at a young age....it's one lottery you wouldn't wanna win ....http://www.sss.gov/lotter1.htm

[rico567]

I've got a question about the segment in this book entitled "Low Men in Yellow Coats." I'm sure I could find out the answer in some reference, but given the level of knowledge in this forum, this might be quicker. Does anyone know the chronological sequence in King's work where "Low Men in Yellow Coats" was written, specifically in relation to the rest of the DT series?

I realize that this question may be in the wrong forum, since it is (in one sense) a DT question, but Hearts in Atlantis is not usually regarded as part of that oeuvre.....but on the other hand, I couldn't find any better place to list it.

[John Blaze]

I'm gonna try to answer this off the top of my head.

Time is a weird concept in this series, as we all know, basing myself off the difference of the eras from which each of the Ka-Tet was drawn. However, Ted does at first think that Jake bears a strong resemblance to Bobby, but later dismisses it by thinking that Bobby is a man grown by then. So I'd say it was anywhere from 10-30 years before our Ka-Tet came barreling through that door into Thunderclap. In Ted's timeline, anyway.

[Bloodsoup]

Hearts in Atlantis is my favourite King book and I've read it to bits, I can remember there are a few clues as to when it takes place in relation to DT. As John Blaze said, time is a weird thing in this series, and there are many ways to look at chronological order. You might ask when it is taking place according to Roland's timeline or Ted's timeline or even Bobby or Carol's timeline. My guess is you're interested in Roland's timeline, and for that there's a good link, when Ted says to the Can-Toi after mentioning a Gunslinger (Roland) that "he and his friends have reached the borderland of End-World", which puts Low Men in Yellow Coats around the start of Wolves of the Calla or thereabouts.


John Blaze: I'd say it was anywhere from 10-30 years before our Ka-Tet came barreling through that door into Thunderclap. In Ted's timeline, anyway.

That's about right, for Ted it was many years, this is possible because it is stated in DT VII: part 2, chapter 7, section 5 that Ted is not from Keystone Earth, which means travel between the the HiA version of Earth and All-World can go backwards and forwards in terms of when.

[pathoftheturtle]

These guys are right, and your question isn't very clear. If you mean, by asking for "the chronological sequence in King's work where 'Low Men in Yellow Coats' was written" that you'd like to know when the RL author wrote it, actually, that is much easier to answer. Is that it, at all?

[augella13]

I do not remember the name of the character, but I still think about this character every couple times a month.

It is they guy that was playing "chase the bitch" in college and then in Vietnam.

He is always there.

[John Blaze]

Ronnie Malenfant? what about him?

[Jack Lee]

Didn't Ted say that when he returned from his "Conn. Adventure" there was a change in the leadership, that a new boss (Pimli) was in charge? Then in Pimli's mind he was going over his stay in Pleasantville; that he arrived there when he was around fifty, some "twenty five years" ago. Doesn't that mean that Ted's summer in 1960 lasted 25 years in End-World?

[Lowmen45]

One of Kings best by far.

One of the only King books that could make my eyes swell.

One of the best written novels by King, showing the talent for emotional wretching dialog he is capable of writting.

Hitting the nail on the head , concerning typical greedy, superficial women, in the worst way. Almost yelled at Bobbies mom in the page as I was reading. What a cunt. Belongs in California, along with all the other greedy, superficial cunts Ive dated in my 29 years. Outstanding writting, with obvious homework done concernig a boy in that situation. Believe me when i tell you, Its pretty damm realistic.

I must say this, I cant fucking believe this was placed on some of your "Worst King Books" list. Im not one to rag on others opinion, lord knows I give mine, and dont give a fuck if you dont like it. But for christ sake, this book is beautiful, and to put it up there with Tommyknockers is beyond my comprehension.

And yes, Ive read every one of Kings Novels, multiple times for alot of them. And I owne them all. So yes, Ive done my homework. This was the one book I never had until recently, and never read or knew anything about it. I regret that, and at the same time Im pleased. Its like finding a diamond in your draw after years, just sitting there unfound. I prefer his horror books, mixed with emotional gripping situations, and Low Men delevers, not only with its connection to the TOWER series, but with its uncanny ability to rip your heart out of your chest, and hold in in front of your face.

HEARTs Has a MASSIVE HEART.

up there with "THE BODY" "GREEN MILE" "RITA AND SHAWSHANK" a true classic.

:rose::cool::rose:

[John_and_Yoko]

One of Kings best by far.

One of the only King books that could make my eyes swell.

One of the best written novels by King, showing the talent for emotional wretching dialog he is capable of writting.

Hitting the nail on the head , concerning typical greedy, superficial women, in the worst way. Almost yelled at Bobbies mom in the page as I was reading. What a cunt. Belongs in California, along with all the other greedy, superficial cunts Ive dated in my 29 years. Outstanding writting, with obvious homework done concernig a boy in that situation. Believe me when i tell you, Its pretty damm realistic.

I must say this, I cant fucking believe this was placed on some of your "Worst King Books" list. Im not one to rag on others opinion, lord knows I give mine, and dont a fuck if you dont like it. But for christ sake, this book is beautiful, and to put it up there with Tommyknockers is beyond my comprehension.

And yes, Ive read every one of Kings Novels, multiple times for alot of them. And I owne them all. So yes, Ive done my homework. This was the one book I never had until recently, and never read or knew anything about it. I regret that, and at the same time Im pleased. Its like finding a diamond in your draw after years, just sitting there unfound. I prefer his horror books, mixed with emotional gripping situations, and Low Men delevers, not only with its connection to the TOWER series, but with its uncanny ability to rip your heart out of your chest, and hold in in front of your face.

HEARTs Has a MASSIVE HEART.

up there with "THE BODY" "GREEN MILE" "RITA AND SHAWSHANK" a true classic.

:rose::cool::rose:

Do I assume you haven't read the entirety of Hearts in Atlantis yet? If not, you really should. Especially if you loved "Low Men In Yellow Coats" that much.

[Lowmen45]

almost finished the book, on heavenly shades right now, love it. Again, some of his best work, in the drama books catagorey.

Horror favorites go to

To many to name

Sci FI / Fantasy

Dark Tower & Eyes of Dragon of cource.

[Jean]

almost finished the book <...>
good; this thread will be merged, then

http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k291/mishemplushem/Facilitation/0134-bear.gifhttp://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k291/mishemplushem/Facilitation/0134-bear.gifhttp://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k291/mishemplushem/Facilitation/0134-bear.gif

[pathoftheturtle]

Cool. So, now that it's merged, how do you feel about Hearts, Lowmen?

[rico567]

These guys are right, and your question isn't very clear. If you mean, by asking for "the chronological sequence in King's work where 'Low Men in Yellow Coats' was written" that you'd like to know when the RL author wrote it, actually, that is much easier to answer. Is that it, at all?

I'm prepared to learn anything i can on this subject but, yes, I would like to know when SK wrote HinA (specifically Low Men, of course) in relation to the sequence of the DT series, and not just where indicators in the text place it (this has already been answered to my satisfaction).

[DoctorDodge]

Funny that I found this topic, regarding my favourite section of Hearts in Atlantis, namely the title story: even though I've never played Hearts, I loved this story, and funnily enough, very strongly could relate to it. Not that I have any clue how to play Hearts at all, but I know what it's like to go to college, feeling cocky about it because you got through high school easily, and then fucking it up by getting distracted, getting obsessed and being lazy. These days, I think the equivalent of something like Hearts for a lot of students would be spending way too much time on a computer getting distracted on facebook or computer games or whatever, but really distraction can apply to anything (trust me, as someone who prefers to write on paper rather than computers, I speak from experience). It's not the card game that was important to the story - not to me, anyway - but it just shows how easy it is for anyone to not only get addicted to anything, but how quickly that addiction can spread. Hearts in Atlantis was probably my favourite section - even moreso than Low Men in Yellow Coats.

[Odetta]

Story List

•Blind Willie
•Hearts in Atlantis
•Heavenly Shades of Night are Falling
•Low Men in Yellow Coats
•Why We're In Vietnam

[beam*seeker]

Ronnie Malenfant? what about him?

WOnder where he is these days?

[BigSchu22]

This is kind of random, but does anyone know of a recipe for the spicy beans and ranks casserole thing that Ted makes for Bobby in Low Men? Google didn't come up with much. Thanks!

[Iwritecode]

I just finished reading this book again and it has reaffirmed my opinion that it's the best SK book ever. I love the characters and I love the ending.

It's one generation off for me but I really connect with it for some reason.

Two things I noticed this time around. First off, Bobby, Carol and SJ are just about the same age as the kids in IT. Another one of my favorite books.

Second is the appearance of Randall Flagg under a different name. He goes by Raymond Fiegler and teaches Carol how to be "dim". He's the leader of the group she joins that planted the bomb that went off at the wrong time.

[mtdman]

I'm re-listening to this book right now. I have mixed feelings about this book, and as soon as I finish tomorrow I have some thoughts. I will say, the actual HIA short story is well done, and King really puts you into the time, and makes you nostalgic for something you never experienced. I think that's my favorite of the stories in the book. I am not so enamored by the first story, Low Men. But HIA is very good. So is the story about Sully John, which is what I'm listening to now. Blind Willie has left me with a pile of questions, and I find that story the most intriguing of them all.

[Joka42]

I quite liked the book, although I can not know if an anthology or novel. Any help?

[divemaster]

I would say it is an anthology consisting of interrelated novellas / short stories.

[jhanic]

It's listed on the official Stephen King site as a collection.

John

[mae]

The Losers Club podcast on the book:


https://www.stitcher.com/show/the-losers-club-a-stephen-king-podcast/episode/hearts-in-atlantis-pt-1-88913076
https://www.stitcher.com/show/the-losers-club-a-stephen-king-podcast/episode/hearts-in-atlantis-pt-2-89084785