Skip to content

Full Dark, No Stars

Full Dark, No Stars

CrimeDark Fantasy
Pages
504
Published
2010
Language
English

Synopsis

Stephen King returns with four chilling novellas, each exploring the dark side of retribution. From a man burying his secrets to a couple facing a deadly pact, these stories show how far ordinary people will go when pushed too far. Prepare for tales of desperation, consequence, and the terrifying paths taken in the name of justice.

Prose complexity
4/10

Vibe

DarkTenseGrittyThought-Provoking
RevengeMorally GreyAnti-HeroSurvivalSacrifice

Genres

Crime Dark Fantasy Horror Thriller Psychological Horror Suspense Cozy Mystery Short Stories

About the author

S
Stephen King

Stephen King (born September 21, 1947) is an American author whose work has defined popular horror fiction for more than half a century. Born in Portland, Maine, he grew up in poverty after his father abandoned the family, and credits his mother's resilience and a voracious reading habit as the foundations of his imagination. He began selling short stories to men's magazines while working as a high school English teacher, and published his first novel, Carrie, in 1974—his wife Tabitha retrieved...

Characters

All characters in Full Dark, No Stars

Frequently asked questions

  • What is Full Dark, No Stars?

    Published in 2010, it contains four novellas: '1922' (a Nebraska farmer kills his wife for land, and the moral consequences follow), 'Big Driver' (a woman author is assaulted and plans revenge), 'Fair Extension' (a man with terminal cancer makes a deal with a demon to extend his life at the expense of his best friend), and 'A Good Marriage' (a woman discovers her husband of 27 years is a serial killer).

  • What theme connects the four stories?

    All four novellas are about people who make or discover a dark bargain—a moral compromise that reveals something disturbing about themselves or their closest relationships. King has said he was interested in writing about the compromises people make to survive, and what those compromises cost. The collection is more morally grim than most of his fiction.

  • Was '1922' adapted?

    Yes. A Netflix film adaptation of '1922' was released in 2017, directed by Zak Hilditch and starring Thomas Jane. It received strong reviews and is considered one of the better King short-work adaptations of the streaming era.

  • Is 'Big Driver' connected to Tess of the d'Urbervilles?

    Not directly, but King has acknowledged the influence of Hardy and other writers who dealt with the aftermath of sexual violence on women. 'Big Driver' is unusual in King's work for following a female protagonist through the aftermath of assault and her decision to handle the matter herself rather than through institutions that failed her. A Lifetime film adaptation was released in 2014.

Read all 3 reviews