Different Seasons (1982)

by Stephen King

This is a fine collection of four novellas from Stephen King. 

Stephen King

The best, "Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption" and "The Body," have both been adapted as films that can justifiably be regarded as modern classics ("The Shawshank Redemption" and "Stand by Me," respectively). 

These two stories are also early examples of King stepping outside the genre boundaries within which he had become such a literary megastar. 

Stephen King promoting Creepshow on The David Letterman Show

Of the remaining stories, "Apt Pupil" is also a good tale and much more in line with King's usual frightening fare. 

"The Breathing Method" is an odd duck, an interesting misfire. 

The meat of the story makes for a suitably creepy episode, and the framing story, which features a group of old men who tell each other scary stories in an otherworldly mansion, whetted my appetite for more information about this setting. 

However, the two parts of the story bear little relation to each other and make for an unsatisfying experience.