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If It Bleeds cover art

If It Bleeds

Written by: Stephen King
Narrated by: Will Patton,Danny Burstein,Steven Weber
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Publisher's Summary

Number one New York Times best seller

From the legendary storyteller and master of short fiction Stephen King comes an extraordinary collection of four new “exceptionally compelling novellas that reaffirm [King’s] mastery of the form” (The Washington Post).

Readers adore Stephen King’s novels, and his novellas are their own dark treat, briefer but just as impactful and enduring as his longer fiction. Many of his novellas have been made into iconic films, including The Body (Stand by Me) and Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption (Shawshank Redemption).

Four brilliant new tales in If It Bleeds are sure to prove as iconic as their predecessors. Once again, King’s remarkable range is on full display. In the title story, fan-favorite Holly Gibney (from the Mr. Mercedes trilogy and The Outsider) must face her fears and possibly another outsider - this time on her own. In Mr. Harrigan’s Phone an intergenerational friendship has a disturbing afterlife. The Life of Chuck explores, beautifully, how each of us contains multitudes. And in Rat, a struggling writer must contend with the darker side of ambition.

If these novellas show King’s range, they also prove that certain themes endure. One of King’s great concerns is evil, and in If It Bleeds, there’s plenty of it. There is also evil’s opposite, which in King’s fiction often manifests as friendship. Holly is reminded that friendship is not only life-affirming but can be life-saving. Young Craig befriends Mr. Harrigan, and the sweetness of this late-in-life connection is its own reward.

“Exactly what I wanted to read right now,” said Ruth Franklin in a rave on the cover of The New York Times Book Review. “Phenomenal," said Brian Truitt in USA Today. “King still owns the fright business like none other.” 

©2020 Stephen King (P)2020 Simon & Schuster Audio

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What listeners say about If It Bleeds

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Narration is captivating!

I love listening to Will Patton. He is the best narrator I've listened to. The stories are great of course, love the "Mr. Harrigan's Phone" story and Will's voice as the young boy Craig is compelling, it was hard to stop listening.

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9 people found this helpful

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    4 out of 5 stars
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Love the novella format

Over 40+ years I've read/listened to nearly everything King has written. I have not loved them all. These are good, solid stories and worth a listen. Holly is narrated perfectly. I can't imagine her character coming to life as well if it were up to me to create her voice in my own head!

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3 people found this helpful

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    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Not Kings usual work

With the exception of Holly Gibbny returning, this felt like hype over very little.
King has been my author of choice for 4 decades, this was less wordy, less descriptive, less absorbing. The stories were ok but seemed incomplete.

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3 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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  • K
  • 2020-05-13

Couldn’t stop listening....

Best audio yet of King’s work. Gripping stories—I couldn’t stop listening. Worth the time!

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2 people found this helpful

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    4 out of 5 stars
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  • A
  • 2020-10-09

a mixed bag

Mr. Harrigan's Phone - okay, but nothing special

The Life of Chuck - great story. one of the best short stories I have heard from King. some very cool ideas beautifully described.

if it Bleeds- a continuation of the storyline from Mr Mercedes. I did not like that book, and was not a huge fan of this story.

Rat- really great storytelling. classic King here!

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
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Lackluster

They really will publish anything King writes, this is a jumbled mess I couldn't get into. Also the voice of Holly is unintentionally hilarious.

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    3 out of 5 stars
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Lazy

As a constant reader of novels Stephen King, I am becoming increasingly disappointed with his output. It’s a given, and I suspect Stephen King is not ignorant of the fact, that any new releases bearing his name will be snapped up by his fans. The fervor in which I now click on the buy button is waning on each release.

The plot, characters and intricacy of these stories, are frankly - in my honest opinion - increasingly lazy writing.

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  • Overall
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    5 out of 5 stars

More Holly! I love this character, I never wanted it to end.

I loved if it bleeds. Holly is an amazing character full of depth and intelligence. Can’t wait to read more about her.
I must admit I prefer a larger novel than these shorts but it was still a good read.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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He is the King

Now I know why my brother loved his books. Great stories. Can’t wait to start The Institute.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars
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Great Bedtime Listening

Oh I know, many people wouldn’t fall asleep listening to Mr. Kings work, but I find his stories so relaxing. I love how he peppers his stories with thought and feelings about how storied are born. Reading the other listeners comments is interesting because perhaps he’s using all of us as a basis of new stories. Perhaps the title will be “If it Reads”.

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