Stephen King - If It Bleeds Review: 5 Ups & 1 Down
2. The Life Of Chuck
'The Life Of Chuck' is the surprising highlight of this collection.
The narrative is divided into three acts that tell, well, the life of a man named Chuck. They go in reverse order starting at the end of his life and ending at the start.
Plot wise it's like a blend of The Twilight Zone and a coming of age drama. Even then, that description doesn't do it justice. It's hard to nail down the right way to talk about it, as it's less like a story and more like an experience to be felt.
There are no huge, dramatic moments and it isn't particularly scary or intense. That may make it sound mundane, but it's far from it. While there is a supernatural element, it isn't the focus.
What King has done is create a story that feels like it could be anybody's. 'The Life Of Chuck' could easily be 'The Life Of Dave' or 'The Life Of Shelly'. At its heart, it's about living life to its fullest despite knowing your days are numbered. To read this is to be reminded of the healing power of storytelling.
King truly outdid himself on this one.