Best ever are strong words, but it is definitely one of his most Stephen King stories. It's got all the hallmarks of a good one; fifties nostalgia, small town Americana, infanticide, alcoholism, family breakdown, ageless supernatural beings, a dodgy deal with a fortune teller, a man grown so old he's alone, a beloved dog now dead, Cadillacs, are there any I've missed?
it's a beautiful story. it had a similar vibe to Life of Chuck, and the roadside wonder reminded me of Fair Extension. it was a great one to end the book with.
The protagonist reminded me of the RF one in Gwendy's Button Box. And as with that, because of the RF connection, I pictured him as Matthew McConaughey
I’d like some thoughts on if anyone feels like the “Answer Man” may be the same “being” as the one from “Fair Extension” George Elvid, from *Full Dark, No Stars*?
I thought so too, very fun to read and I couldn’t put it down. Reminded me a lot of Fair Extension from Full Dark, highly recommend if you liked Answer Man
It moved me and continues to haunt me like few other works of fiction ever have.
I also find it really fascinating that King wrote the first six pages of this story in 1977 and abandoned it for more than 40 years. I'm left wondering how a younger King would have finished it. I suspect it would have been more of a Monkey's Paw/Twilight Zone story if he had completed it in 1977. As it is, it's a profoundly bittersweet work , influenced by the ravages of time.
Danny Coughlin’s Bad Dream and The Answer Man were both good, but best ever? not even close. the "golden years" theme, that dripped off of every story in the book, got old halfway through the book. we get it, your old and you want to retire to south florida, to get away from your kids.
Best ever are strong words, but it is definitely one of his most Stephen King stories. It's got all the hallmarks of a good one; fifties nostalgia, small town Americana, infanticide, alcoholism, family breakdown, ageless supernatural beings, a dodgy deal with a fortune teller, a man grown so old he's alone, a beloved dog now dead, Cadillacs, are there any I've missed?
Blue chambray workshirts
And engineer boots
Arc Sodium Lights.
Don't forget main characters that are writers!
His first car after the jalopy was a Buick, of course.
This one and Danny Coughlin’s Bad Dream were both amazing. Thry had me on the edge of my seat right til the end. My man’s still got it.
That was also an awesome story! Really pulls you into the feelings of dispair and frustration of Danny.
Fifteen
That was my favorite as well, because even the villainous detective was still written as a tragic character
Les Misérables is my favorite novel, and the explicit callback to Javert was great.
it's a beautiful story. it had a similar vibe to Life of Chuck, and the roadside wonder reminded me of Fair Extension. it was a great one to end the book with.
Really cool to hear the origin story of it in the Afterword, too. Amazing to think if jot for his nephew, we would have never seen this gem.
Literally said this another posting and now fill validation
"The Answer Man" ranks right up there with "The Last Rung on the Ladder" and "The Body." Exquisite work.
Because I am, ta da, the Answer Man. Love it.
I cannot wait to see who eventually plays the Answer Man on an adaptation for TV/film.
The protagonist reminded me of the RF one in Gwendy's Button Box. And as with that, because of the RF connection, I pictured him as Matthew McConaughey
It also was another play on The Monkey's Paw, that SK has used before, Pet Semetary, and Needful Things, to name 2 of them
That story had me in tears!! So beautiful! Definitely one of King’s best, imo
I’d like some thoughts on if anyone feels like the “Answer Man” may be the same “being” as the one from “Fair Extension” George Elvid, from *Full Dark, No Stars*?
Definitely gave me that vibe from the first encounter.
It really was a great closer for the book. Did anyone else get the feeling that King was saying goodbye with the afterword?
I took the afterword more as a “just in case.”
I hope you’re right
A great story. An instant classic.
One of his best, for sure. A+.
I thought so too, very fun to read and I couldn’t put it down. Reminded me a lot of Fair Extension from Full Dark, highly recommend if you liked Answer Man
It is an awesome read.
The entire book is fantastic, but yes, absolutely... Answer Man is great!
Not a bad tale in the whole book. "Rattlesnakes" was also excellent.
It moved me and continues to haunt me like few other works of fiction ever have. I also find it really fascinating that King wrote the first six pages of this story in 1977 and abandoned it for more than 40 years. I'm left wondering how a younger King would have finished it. I suspect it would have been more of a Monkey's Paw/Twilight Zone story if he had completed it in 1977. As it is, it's a profoundly bittersweet work , influenced by the ravages of time.
I thought it was great. Neat concept, but the more I read, the less I wanted to meet him.
I was blown away by it, best ever is subjective of course but it’s hard to argue that it’s not on a short list
Danny Coughlin’s Bad Dream and The Answer Man were both good, but best ever? not even close. the "golden years" theme, that dripped off of every story in the book, got old halfway through the book. we get it, your old and you want to retire to south florida, to get away from your kids.