Full Dark, No Stars

Published: 2010

Full Dark, No Stars (2010) collects four novellas exploring the darkest aspects of human nature when ordinary people face extraordinary moral crises. '1922' follows a Nebraska farmer's descent into madness after manipulating his son into helping murder his wife over a land dispute. 'Big Driver' chronicles a cozy mystery writer's transformation into an avenging vigilante after surviving a brutal sexual assault. 'Fair Extension' examines a dying man who makes a Faustian bargain transferring his misfortune to his successful friend. 'A Good Marriage' explores a woman who discovers her husband of decades is a serial killer, forcing her to decide whether to expose him or protect her family. In his afterword, King explicitly states his interest in examining ordinary people pushed to extremes, where the barriers between civilized behavior and savagery collapse. Unlike collections featuring supernatural elements, these stories focus on human monstrosity and moral compromise. Critics praised the collection's unflinching psychological realism and thematic cohesion, with many considering it among King's strongest novella collections since Different Seasons. The book became a commercial success, debuting at #1 on the New York Times bestseller list. Two stories received film adaptations—'A Good Marriage' in 2014 (with a screenplay by King himself) and '1922' as a Netflix film in 2017. King has described the collection as his exploration of the darkness within ordinary people, expressing particular satisfaction with the psychological realism achieved. For readers, Full Dark, No Stars represents King at his most morally complex and psychologically acute, examining themes of vengeance, complicity, and the compromises people make when facing impossible situations. The novellas share thematic connections regarding secrets within marriages and families, exploring how well we truly know those closest to us.

Themes

• Moral compromise
• Vengeance
• Marriage
• Violence
• Justice

Adaptations

• A Good Marriage (2014 film)
• 1922 (2017 Netflix film)

Collector Notes

One of King's darkest collections, focusing on human evil with minimal supernatural elements. The novella '1922' is written as a confession document, showcasing King's versatility with narrative forms.