Horror Book Review 5: Skeleton Crew by Stephen King (1985)
Stephen King is often hailed as the “King of Horror,” and for good reason. His ability to craft stories that explore the darkest corners of the human psyche has captivated readers for decades.
While King is widely known for his full-length novels like ‘The Shining’ and ‘It’, his prowess as a short story writer is equally impressive. Skeleton Crew, a collection of 22 short stories and two poems, stands as a testament to this.
Originally published in 1985, this anthology showcases King’s versatility in horror, science fiction, and suspense, offering readers a buffet of fear that lingers long after the last page is turned.
In this blog post, we’ll explore the highlights of Skeleton Crew, breaking down each story, its themes, and its impact. Whether you’re a long-time King fan or a newcomer, this review will guide you through the collection’s twisted corridors.
The Stories: A Brief Overview
1. The Mist
Arguably the most famous story in the collection, The Mist opens the anthology with a chilling tale of survival. After a violent storm, a mysterious mist engulfs a small town, trapping a group of people in a supermarket.
The mist hides terrifying creatures, and as the story progresses, the real horror emerges—not just from the monsters outside, but from the desperation and fear that turn the survivors against each other. This novella is a perfect blend of psychological horror and creature feature, and it was later adapted into a film and a TV series.
2. Here There Be Tygers
A brief yet impactful story, Here There Be Tygers dives into the irrational fears of childhood. A young boy’s need to use the bathroom at school turns into a terrifying ordeal when he becomes convinced that a tiger is lurking within the bathroom stalls. King’s exploration of childhood anxiety and the way it can distort reality is both humorous and unsettling.
3. The Monkey
In The Monkey, King taps into the classic horror trope of a cursed object. Hal Shelburne, the protagonist, discovers an old toy monkey among his childhood possessions. This particular toy has a sinister history—every time it claps its cymbals together, someone close to Hal dies. The story is a slow burn, building tension as Hal tries to destroy the monkey and escape its curse, only to realise that some evils cannot be outrun.
4. Cain Rose Up
Cain Rose Up is a disturbing tale that reflects on the capacity for violence within seemingly ordinary people. The story centres on a college student who, after receiving a poor grade, climbs to the roof of his dormitory with a rifle and begins shooting. The story’s brevity does nothing to lessen its impact, as King delves into the dark and unpredictable nature of the human mind.
5. Mrs. Todd’s Shortcut
This story blends the mundane with the supernatural. Mrs. Todd, a woman obsessed with finding the shortest routes between destinations, discovers a shortcut that seems to bend space and time. As she takes more and more of these shortcuts, she begins to change in strange and unsettling ways. Mrs. Todd’s Shortcut is a fascinating exploration of obsession, with a uniquely eerie twist.
6. The Jaunt
The Jaunt is a science fiction horror story that explores the dangers of teleportation. Set in a future where teleportation, or “jaunting”, is commonplace, the story follows a family about to embark on a journey to Mars. However, a terrifying revelation about the effects of conscious thought during the jaunt leads to a horrifying conclusion. This story is a prime example of King’s ability to mix speculative science with bone-chilling horror.
7. The Wedding Gig
Set during Prohibition, The Wedding Gig is a tale of revenge and humiliation.
The story follows a jazz band hired to play at the wedding of a mobster’s sister, a woman who is ridiculed for her appearance. The story explores themes of pride, revenge, and the lengths to which people will go to protect their dignity.
8. Paranoid: A Chant
A poem that captures the essence of paranoia, Paranoid: A Chant takes readers inside the mind of someone who believes the entire world is out to get them. The rapid, frantic pace of the poem mirrors the character’s descent into madness, making it a powerful, if unsettling, read.
9. The Raft
In The Raft, four college students find themselves trapped on a small raft in the middle of a lake, stalked by a mysterious and deadly creature lurking beneath the water’s surface. This story is a classic example of King’s ability to turn a simple, everyday scenario into a nightmarish fight for survival.
10. Word Processor of the Gods
This story follows Richard Hagstrom, a man who inherits a strange word processor from his deceased brother-in-law. As Richard begins to use the machine, he discovers it has the power to alter reality—anything he types becomes true. The story explores the temptations and dangers of absolute power, and the consequences of meddling with fate.
Such a great premise for a story, One of my all-time favourite Stephen King short stories!
11. The Man Who Would Not Shake Hands
A chilling tale of a cursed man, The Man Who Would Not Shake Hands is about a man who refuses to shake hands with anyone. As the story unfolds, it is revealed that anyone who shakes hands with him dies shortly afterward. The story is a blend of suspense and supernatural horror, with a twist ending that leaves a lasting impression.
12. Beachworld
Beachworld is a science fiction tale set on a desolate, sandy planet. After a crash landing, two astronauts discover that the planet’s sand has a mind of its own, luring one of them into a trance-like state. The story is a haunting exploration of isolation and the unknown, with an atmosphere of slow-building dread.
13. The Reaper’s Image
This story centres around a mysterious mirror rumoured to show the image of the Grim Reaper to those who look into it. When a museum curator and a sceptical visitor inspect the mirror, they uncover its terrifying truth. The Reaper’s Image is a short, but effective, ghost story that plays on the fear of what lies beyond our understanding.
14. Nona
In Nona, a young man recounts his life of crime, spurred on by his love for a mysterious woman named Nona.
As his tale unfolds, it becomes clear that Nona may not be what she seems. This story delves into themes of guilt, manipulation, and the destructive power of love.
15. For Owen
A sweet departure from the darker themes of the collection, For Owen is a poem written by King for his son. It’s a brief, heartfelt piece that offers a glimpse into King’s softer, more personal side.
16. Survivor Type
One of the most disturbing stories in Skeleton Crew, Survivor Type follows a disgraced surgeon stranded on a deserted island. As starvation sets in, he resorts to increasingly desperate measures to survive. The story is a brutal examination of human willpower and the lengths one might go to cling to life.
Again, much like Word Processor of the Gods, this is a stand-out story in the collection for me. The idea is simply amazing and you feel you have to read to see how far the surgeon can actually go.
17. Uncle Otto’s Truck
A story of guilt and vengeance from beyond the grave, Uncle Otto’s Truck tells the tale of a man haunted by a truck that he believes has come to life. The truck is tied to a murder, and as the story progresses, it becomes clear that it is more than just a vehicle—it’s a vessel for retribution.
18. Morning Deliveries (Milkman #1)
This short piece follows a milkman with a sinister secret. As he makes his morning deliveries, it’s revealed that the milkman enjoys adding deadly surprises to his customers’ milk bottles. The story is a chilling portrayal of how evil can hide behind the most mundane of facades.
19. Big Wheels: A Tale of the Laundry Game (Milkman #2)
A companion piece to Morning Deliveries, this story follows two men, one of whom is the milkman from the previous story, as they embark on a drunken adventure. The story blends dark humour with an underlying sense of dread, making for a strange but memorable read.
20. Gramma
Gramma tells the story of a young boy left alone to care for his bedridden grandmother, who has ties to the occult. The boy’s fear of his grandmother grows as supernatural events begin to unfold. This story is a masterful exploration of childhood fear and the terror of the unknown.
21. The Ballad of the Flexible Bullet
In this story, King explores the theme of madness. A writer becomes convinced that his typewriter is inhabited by tiny, sentient beings called “Fornits” who help him write.
As his obsession with these creatures grows, so does his descent into insanity. The story is both darkly humorous and deeply unsettling.
22. The Reach
The Reach is the final story in Skeleton Crew and offers a more introspective take on the horror genre. It follows an elderly woman, Stella Flanders, who has never left the island she lives on. As she nears the end of her life, she begins to see the spirits of her deceased friends and family, urging her to cross the frozen stretch of water known as “The Reach” to join them. The story is a poignant meditation on life, death, and the unknown, ending the collection on a hauntingly beautiful note.
Review: Why Skeleton Crew Stands Out
Stephen King’s Skeleton Crew is an essential read for anyone who appreciates the art of short storytelling, especially in the realm of horror.
This collection is a masterclass in how to craft tales that are as varied as they are terrifying, with each story offering something unique to the reader.
Diversity of Themes and Styles
One of the most striking aspects of Skeleton Crew is its diversity. King doesn’t confine himself to a single genre or style. While the stories are predominantly horror, they span a wide range of subgenres, including psychological horror (The Mist), science fiction (The Jaunt), and supernatural suspense (The Reaper’s Image). This variety keeps the reader engaged, never quite knowing what to expect from the next story.
Character Depth and Psychological Insight
King’s ability to create deeply flawed, relatable characters is on full display in Skeleton Crew. King dives deep into the psychology of his characters, often placing them in extraordinary circumstances that reveal their true nature. For example, in Survivor Type, King explores the extreme lengths a person will go to in order to survive, pushing the boundaries of both physical and mental endurance. Similarly, Gramma captures the essence of childhood fears and the complexities of familial relationships, making the horror that unfolds all the more personal and relatable.
Masterful Pacing and Tension
The pacing of the stories in Skeleton Crew is another testament to King’s mastery of the short story format. He knows exactly how much to reveal and when to keep the reader in suspense, building tension layer by layer.
The Raft is a perfect example of this, with its relentless, claustrophobic atmosphere that keeps the reader on edge from start to finish. On the other hand, stories like *Mrs. Todd’s Shortcut* take a more leisurely approach, slowly unveiling the supernatural elements in a way that feels both natural and unsettling.
Memorable Imagery and Atmosphere
King’s gift for creating vivid, often nightmarish imagery is a key component of Skeleton Crew’s lasting impact. Whether it’s the otherworldly mist filled with unseen horrors, the sinister toy monkey in *The Monkey*, or the eerie mirror in *The Reaper’s Image*, King’s descriptions linger in the mind long after the story ends. The settings in these stories often play a crucial role in the horror, with King using the environment to amplify the sense of dread and unease.
Emotional Resonance
While Skeleton Crew is filled with terrifying tales, many of the stories also carry a surprising emotional weight. The Reach, for instance, is as much a meditation on death and the afterlife as it is a ghost story. The story’s exploration of an elderly woman’s final journey is both haunting and profoundly moving, offering a more introspective and melancholic conclusion to the collection.
Flaws and Criticisms
Though Skeleton Crew is a remarkable collection, it’s not without its flaws. Some readers might find that the sheer variety in the collection leads to a somewhat uneven experience. Not every story will resonate with every reader, and there are a few tales that might feel less impactful compared to the more iconic ones like The Mist or The Jaunt. Additionally, the occasional story, such as The Wedding Gig or Big Wheels: A Tale of the Laundry Game, may come across as more of a curiosity than a fully developed narrative.
Conclusion
Skeleton Crew is a must-read for Stephen King fans and anyone who appreciates well-crafted horror and suspense. The collection highlights King’s ability to create immersive worlds, compelling characters, and unforgettable scares, all within the constraints of short fiction. While the anthology’s diversity may lead to a few hits and misses, the overall experience is one of unsettling, thought-provoking entertainment.
King’s Skeleton Crew isn’t just a collection of horror stories; it’s a journey through the many facets of fear and the human condition. Each story leaves a lasting impression, whether it’s through its terrifying plot, its emotional depth, or its darkly imaginative premise. For those looking to explore the darker side of literature, Skeleton Crew is a treasure trove of nightmares waiting to be uncovered.
Image Copyright: All Images on this page remain the property of their respective owners. Credit is given wherever possible. If you are the owner of an image featured and have not been credited, please let us know, we are happy to remove or credit any offending image.
© Colin Lawson Books