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If It Bleeds: Mr. Harrigan's Phone, The Life of Chuck, If It Bleeds, Rat

Author:
Stephen King
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Unabridged Audiobook

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Ratings
Book
739
Narrator
103
Release Date
April 21, 2020
Duration
15 hours 12 minutes
Summary
*#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER*

Featuring the novella “The Life of Chuck,” now a feature film adapted for the screen and directed by Mike Flanagan (The Fall of the House of Usher, Doctor Sleep) and starring Tom Hiddleston, Mark Hamill, Chiwetel Ejiofor, and Karen Gillan—a Toronto International Film Festival People’s Choice Award winner!

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).

The four brilliant tales in If It Bleeds prove as iconic as their predecessors. In the title story, reader 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.

“An adroit vehicle to showcase the…nature of evil” (The Boston Globe), If It Bleeds is “exactly what I wanted to read right now,” says Ruth Franklin in The New York Times Book Review.
Reviews
Profile Avatar Sherri F. Jun 2020

I never tire of Mr King’s books. Will Patton brings Holly Gibney, my favorite King character, to life! Another wonderful read.

Profile Avatar Michael F. May 2020

This book of four novellas is extremely entertaining and beautifully written. Mr. King has wonderful grasp of the English language and he uses the thoughts and feelings of his characters to create fascinating stories which, in Kingsian fashion, deal with the supernatural. He uses some characters and a village from his previous works, but it all moves creatively as the main characters deal with strange events, people and, in one novella, a rat. There are few books where one does not want the story to end, and the novella If It Bleeds is certainly one. Highly recommended.

Profile Avatar craig specht Apr 2020

this was a good book, the narrators did a great job.

Profile Avatar Desmond Aug 2022

What I think, hmmmm.....well you knew I was a rat when you saw me lol. superb story telling!

Profile Avatar Teresa D. Jun 2020

love King's short stories! Messed up!

Profile Avatar Richard M. May 2023

Definitely not one of his best. The story with Holly is barely worth listening to.

Profile Avatar Tammy E. Feb 2021

Loved it and for sure the return oh Holly berry..

Profile Avatar MTCowGirl Jan 2021

I think this is probably one of Mr.Kings worst books. If he would have left politics out of it, but most of his characters say what they think of political people. Don’t forget how much he hates the people. I don’t care to hear about who’s side he’s on. I read books to escape from the news and political anything. I don’t recommend this book! Shame on you Stephen King

Profile Avatar Christine P. Sep 2020

LOVE LOVE LOVE this book! I enjoyed each story but especially If It Bleeds! I have a special place in my heart for Holly Gibney!!

Profile Avatar Jennifer C. Jul 2020

I would have enjoyed this book a lot more if I had understood that it was 3 separate short stories in one. In the author's notes at the end he states that the stories are told in reverse order. I don't know if that makes a difference or not. It was highly enjoyable and I would recommend it.

Profile Avatar Debra R. Apr 2025

I really disliked the story If It Bleeds..... I hate Holly stories and the narration was so annoying. I have the kindle book so I just read that instead of listening. Rat was a great story. Looking forward to the next from Sai King.

Profile Avatar Anonymous Sep 2024

Great!

Profile Avatar Jaime B. Aug 2024

Loved all of the stories!

Profile Avatar JoAnn M. Oct 2023

Absolutely loved all 3 stories. The narrator, Steven Weber did not due Holly Gibney justice in If it Bleeds. His voice was too old and his representation of Holly was weak.

Profile Avatar Roxann W. Oct 2022

All 4 books kept my attention. Wasn’t so sure about the rat, but that even turned out good!

Profile Avatar Allison M. Jul 2022

Great book and stories. Nice to see little tie ins here and there. Also the narrator that did the chainsaw noise was ON POINT lol

Profile Avatar Nmc5359! Feb 2021

Awesome, a very good read.

Profile Avatar Jenn Jan 2021

I think the stories were good, could have been better but overall good. The first two were the most interesting to me, I would have liked if they were longer. Narrator was great for both the first and second, the 3rd and 4th it was a meh for me. Enjoyed the audio.

Profile Avatar Christopher K. Dec 2020

Great series of stories. Kept me entertained.

Profile Avatar Carol Kariainen Sep 2020

The King of short stories. Loved them!

Profile Avatar Susan N. Aug 2020

Glad to see Holly back. All the stories were interesting. Will Patton is a great narrator.

Profile Avatar Suev3 Aug 2020

As with all the King books I have read or listened to this one was exceptional. I loved the idea of four novellas. It was hard to pick a favorite. The narrators did a great job. I was happy to see my favorite narrators, Stephen Weber and Will Patton do the narrating. I was also glad that he brought Holly Gibney back. She is one of my favorite characters.

Profile Avatar Dorte E. Aug 2020

I Think the first novel was really good. The rest of the novels did not catch my interest and I felt a big bored and disappointed.

Profile Avatar Bernal79 Jul 2020

I will read (listen) to any thing written by him. I like the short story books for my long drives.

Profile Avatar Rebecca H. Jul 2020

I enjoyed 3 of the 4 stories very much... the other was alright. I really didn't like the narrator... his inflection and cadence were very distracting to me

Profile Avatar Anonymous Jul 2020

I loved this book! all four stories were great ,if it bleeds was my favorite , I love holly gibney.

Profile Avatar John R. Jul 2020

Will Patton reading Stephen King continues to be a joy!

Profile Avatar Susan Wagner Jun 2020

Loved these stories.

Profile Avatar Stacy S. Jun 2020

Lots of bad press surrounding this title but I enjoyed each story.

Profile Avatar Anonymous May 2020

loved it! he is such an amazing storyteller!

If It Bleeds: Mr. Harrigan's Phone, The Life of Chuck, If It Bleeds, Rat

If It Bleeds: Mr. Harrigan's Phone, The Life of Chuck, If It Bleeds, Rat

Author: Stephen King
Read by: Danny Burstein
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