A junior member of a law firm is invited to a slightly odd club, that initially appears to be just a group of members that like to tell stories of different sorts, but just before xmas, the story must be 'uncanny'.

He begins to suspect something strange when some of the furnishings and books in the club seem very unique.

Only Stephen King can write a novel that is so completely lucid and insane at the same time and get away with it. Having a particular affection for audio books, I recently listened to his novella, THE BREATHING METHOD.
While nowhere near as frightening or gory as some of his other works, the story does what it is meant to do, and that is wonder which turn KING will take this time.

How many times have many of us NON FAMOUS writer's of suspense and horror thought about this type of story, only to shove it in a drawer or leave it on our word processors because we thought the subject matter just too darn bizarre?
This is one such tale and told by one of the great masters of the telling.
Not having children myself, but having been an offside observer to the births and stories thereof, of many nieces, nephews, and friend's kids, I fully understand THE BREATHING METHOD and what it is supposed to do. Without spoiling it for those who have not read the novella, let's just say when a woman wants to give birth to her baby-illegitimate or not, she will, NO MATTER WHAT! Interest peaked? Well you should read this Novella and be prepared to smile with realization that King does it again.

What I particularly liked at the end of this story, Mr. King offers insight on his writing method and the deep black hole the NOVELLA GENRE falls into. He amusingly gives reminisces about writing stories that are rather too long or too short. When they are short they fall into the Novella category, and into the abyss of probably-never-to-published. He admits he was lucky at times, and also gives valuable publishing information for both horror and sci-fi authors. Most writers of his magnitude wouldn't reduce themselves to offer such help.

Now for you audiophiles. Anytime you can listen to anything read by Frank Muller, (who I believe reads a lot of King's work), by all means do it. He has that unique voice that is quick, precise and puts you right in the middle of the piece he is reading. As an audio book lover, the narrator is important to me as the story. If I don't like a narrator I make note of it, even if I loved the book.

I finished the audio book earlier this week. In typical Stephen King fashion, he draws you along the story, twisting several plots into it. Surprisingly, it was not the main focus of the story that gave me chills, but the last 5 minutes when certain revelations are made, or at least hinted at.

I especially loved the iconography of the statue in front of the hospital, and the often repeated quote which basically said that there was no comfort without pain. Which I guess can be considered a message of hope, or at least a message that suffering is not done in vain. But again, it's one of those details that makes this whole story just a bit askew.

Overall, it was a great read. I really enjoyed the story, it was a bit predictable, but the pace of the words draws the listener along nicely. I would recomend this book to a friend, but not to my mother.

Reader Frank Muller delivers this tale with aplomb. Taken from King's superb story collection, "Different Seasons," the action takes place in a tony Big Apple men's club where there are no membership dues. Membership rises and falls with the telling of tales.

Who can tell them better than King. This time out his subject is a woman who is bound and determined to give birth no matter what.

Scary? Of course. It's King, isn't it?

I enjoyed this book. It is well written with good character development.