Stephen King - If It Bleeds Review: 5 Ups & 1 Down

King kicks off this collection with a solid first entry.

Craig is hired by his elderly neighbor, Mr. Harrigan, to read to him as a young boy. Over time their friendship grows and one year Craig gives his technophobic friend an iPhone. The old man embraces joining the twenty-first centuray becoming attached to his new gizmo as if it were a literal part of him. On the day of his funeral, Craig sneaks the phone into his casket as a final parting gift. Little does he know, this one action would change his life forever.

'Mr. Harrigan's Phone' manages to work as both a touching story about friendship and as an introduction to the major themes found in the two stories following it. Not only does it establish theme, but tone as well. King makes it clear from the start that 'If It Bleeds' main goal is in trying to move the reader rather than scare them.

Considering the dumpster fire 2020 has been, more heart than horror feels like a refreshing breath of air.