The Mist

Written by Stephen King

Narrated by Will Patton

Fear changes everything


After a mysterious mist envelops a small New England town, a group of locals trapped in a supermarket must battle a siege of otherworldly creatures . . . and the fears that threaten to tear them apart.

Stephen King's sinister imagination and the astonishing 3-D sound surrounds you with horror so real that you'll be grabbing your own arm for reassurance. In the impenetrable mist, hearing is seeing - and believing. And what you're about to hear, you'll never forget.


(P)2009 Hodder & Stoughton

• Language: English
• Publisher: Hachette UK Audio
• Release date: Aug 6, 2009
• ISBN: 9781848942370

Stephen King

Stephen King was born in Portland, Maine in 1947. In the spring of 1973, Doubleday & Co., accepted the novel Carrie for publication, providing him the means to leave teaching and write full-time. He has since published over 40 books and has become one of the world's most successful writers. Stephen lives in Maine and Florida with his wife, novelist Tabitha King. They are regular contributors to a number of charities including many libraries and have been honored locally for their philanthropic activities.

Reviews for The Mist

[jbreedlove_6 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

This is a short story from the Skeleton Crew. This is OK but certainly not one of his best. Soft and predictable. Its probably why I don't remember it from the Skeleton Crew.

[tonifgmamtc · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

3.75 stars

He does such a good job of making the characters seem real. Like you know people who would behave this way. This book held my attention. I couldn't read it at night lol.

[pamkaye · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Nobody does horror and suspense like the master. Stephen King brings you monsters, gore, and human horrors.A simple storm and trip to the supermarket turn into a nightmare for David Drayton and his son Billy. A strange mist with horrific creatures comes from God knows where. And the people trapped inside the market are so frightened and confused, human nature takes over and create another kind of monster.

[david_masumba · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

The scariest thing about the end of the world is having no where to run. STEPHEN KING, created the worst nightmare dreamable in this story "TIME IS UP AND YOU'RE NOT DONE YET!"

[eyelit-1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

one of the rare cases in which I prefer the movie to the book.

[empressreece · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I actually started listening to the enhanced "3-D audio" version first and I hated it. The actors sounded so fake to me so I switched to just reading it and I liked it much better that way.

[maydacat_1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

There is no doubt that the star of this version is the sound track. The sound effects and the acting of the narrators is amazing. But the story itself gets shoved to the backseat and almost lost in all the noise and shouting. And perhaps because it is abridged, it seems like parts of the story are missing, especially the ending. But it is Steven King, and sometimes it’s about the journey, not the end. Still, it’s scary, and if things aren’t explained well, maybe it’s enough just to have your socks scared off.

[adonisguilfoyle · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Ooh, boy. I think I must have read Skeleton Crew during my teenage King phase, but this story obviously failed to make an impact. Only after talking about King's novels with a colleague, who loaned me his copy, did I get the chance to refresh my memory. Big mistake. The film sounds like a vast improvement, revising (and improving) the weak ending.David, another author insert, is a dick. I'll just start with that. He patronises his wife, who is the usual pathetic female creature that Stephen King loves ('You always make it seem better', she coos at one point), then shags a complete stranger about an hour later ('I thought fleetingly that if I were her husband and proprietor [PROPRIETOR?!] of those green eyes and full figure, I might not travel so much. Giving your wife a gun could be seen as a ludicrously symbolic act'). I spent most of the thankfully short amount of time taken in reading this bollocks hoping that David would die, even though he's the narrator.Anyway. David and his son Billy (called 'Big Bill' and 'champ' by his dad *gag*) take a trip to the local shop after a big storm. An Evil Fogbank (TM) rolls in soon after and traps them inside, with a host of King-esque fruitcakes (and the resident gay man, whom the author can't help but take potshots at: 'I always had the idea that Ollie was a little afraid of girls'). When they try to leave, to fix the generator at first, they discover that monsters are lurking in the fog, eating people. Like a giant squid. And mutant spiders. And overgrown flies. Which King describes in great detail, completely ruining the tension for me. Tentacles? What even?The film seems to focus more on the human element, and tones down David's douchery, so I would probably go for that, given the choice. This is just a mess.

[mhanover10 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This was one of the scariest books I read in high school. I would sit and read on the couch next to a big picture window on the farm and would not realize that the curtains were open and it had gone dark outside. I would look over, realize the curtains were open and it would freak me out so bad I would run up the stairs so fast to my room and hide. Still creeps me out! If you want to be scared, read this book.

[carol420 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

The story begins with a sudden and dangerous storm that causes a lot of damage to the small town of Bridgton, Maine. David Drayton takes his son to town for some groceries the next morning only to get socked in by an extremely thick fog. Unfortunately, there are creatures out there in the mist that are like nothing on Earth. Drayton and the others who are trapped in the story must try to come to terms with what it happening while struggling for survival.

Initially published nearly 30 years, the novella is an outstanding example of classic Stephen King; weaving the themes of terror of the unknown, social prejudices and the true quest for life within a very tight framework.

[stahl2ricco · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

A really good novella! Something is in the mist, and the folks inside the Federal Foods Supermarket don't know what to do! Stay inside, make a break for it, or give "them" a sacrifice! (that last one the idea of hateful Mrs. Carmody) I liked the ambiguous ending, but I will say, I LOVED the ending of the movie version even more! Damn Arrowhead Project...

[serenity_tigerlily · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I've been meaning to read The Mist for such a long time and I finally got around to it today. I liked the story, but I didn't like the characters so much.

[stevealtier · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I enjoyed the story, like many of his. The writing and his choice of words are brilliant. He left you hanging at the end. It felt like to me he didn't finish the story. I considered giving it 3 stars because of that. But 4 stars won it in the end.

[jaos14 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

The Mist Book ReviewJack OstroskyThe Mist by Stephen King was a great book. I really liked the book and enjoyed reading it. I thought the whole entire premise of the book was cool and exciting. My favorite part of the book was when all the mysterious creatures come out of the mist and start attacking people. Overall, it was a very good story that kept me on the edge of my seat the whole time while reading this. The Mist is about a man named David Drayton and his son Billy who are caught in the middle of a huge storm. When David and Billy go to the local grocery store to get food and supplies they get caught in a very dense mist that takes over the town. David and Billy are now trapped in the grocery store along with other people. During the nights there are creatures who come out of the mist and start creating mayhem in the store. The creatures are not peaceful either. Many people died trying to find a way out of this mist and home. Sadly, none succeeded. At the end of the book David, his son Billy, and a lady from the store venture out into the mist looking for anything to keep going and surviving.Stephen King is an amazing author who did a great job setting the mood and the tone in the story. I could tell when people were getting tense and when others were angered. I liked the setting of the book he put this story in. He also described the creatures very well in the most horrifying manner. This story had a very creepy edge. To sum up, The Mist by Stephen King was a great, exciting book.

[doncranford · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This novel scared the hell out of me

[diovival · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This leaves a lot of unanswered questions hanging in the air but that doesn't bother me. After finishing, my insides feel knotted.

[princess0starr · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

First of all, part of the reason that I started my library reread is because of this book, as it had been sitting on my shelves for about three years (now five) unread, because I saved it from work, and just never got around to reading it. And I didn’t want to get rid of it without reading it. And thus began the long haul that’s been going on for the past two years. (A fun long haul, but a long haul nonetheless.)

That aside. The Mist was a book I had wanted to read for some time—I actually haven’t read the entirety of Skeleton Crew—and I had heard various things about the movie. (Yes, I know how the movie ends.) And aside from the main character, I actually really liked it. There’s an incredibly slow build-up to the arrival of the mist and the creatures, and once the characters get inside of the grocery store, everything implodes. I also really liked that there’s no definite explanation for the creatures; while there’s speculation around the army base and Project Arrowhead, there’s never a real confirmation on what actually happened to cause the mist and the creatures. And both scenes inside and out of the grocery store are just horrifying. I loved that we never get to see the larger, tentacled creatures and the ones that do openly attack the grocery store are still extremely messed-up and they’re just the little ones. And oh god the scene in the drugstore…*shudders*.

The characters were okay. This is one of those books were the antagonistic forces—not only the monsters, but Ms. Carmody and her ever-growing cult—are the driving force of the book. I really didn’t like any of the main characters. I don’t mind flawed characters, but I don’t feel as invested with them unless I can sympathize with them. And this is my problem with David Drayton; I did sympathize with him and his need to get back home and make sure that his wife was okay and just to get his son out of that grocery store. And then he goes and has sex with Amanda Dumfries. I know it sounds like I’m nitpicking, but my problem is that I never get the idea that David has a moral problem with cheating on his wife—I get the need for letting off steam, and I get the psychological reasons for why they did it, I just don’t get the feeling that David feels remorse for cheating on Steff. (Oh, and he uses the “Oh, she’s probably dead by now” excuse to boot. I’m sorry, but I hate when characters do this in horror novels. No. Screw you.)

But aside from that one character issue, I did really enjoy the rest of the book for being a fun little horror read. (Although reading it on my lunch break, yeah that was a really bad idea. Ergh. There were a couple times that I had put it down just to eat.) It’s creepy and atmospheric, and even while I don’t like the lead characters, I still enjoyed their story and fight to get out of the Supermarket from Hell.

[willymammoth · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

In Stephen King's "The Mist," a strange mist encroaches upon a small lake town in Maine. The mist knocks out all radio signals and telecommunication, but even more disturbing, monstrous beings emerge from the mist as well and begin feasting upon the locals. David Drayton and his son Billy find themselves trapped in a local grocery store with a large group of townsfolk. The bulk of the story focuses on this band of survivors trying to... well, survive, really. King's story telling is impeccable, and his characters are amazingly realistic. The story concept is rich and entertaining and full of possibilities. But after about 150 pages of riveting reading, the story just stops. There's an attempt at an ending, of course, but it amounts to an author hand-wave--you don't need a real ending, you weren't looking for one anyway, move along now. It was as if King wrote himself into a corner and didn't want to put the time into fixing it. He seems to have a habit of doing that, as "The Colorado Kid" has a similar problem. But I ranted about that enough in my Colorado Kid review, so I'll refrain from rehashing old gripes.I gave the book 3 out of 5 stars because, for the most part, it really is a good story. But the lack of a real conclusion prevented it from receiving a better rating.

[moonight_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This is really a page turner! The story is about a father and son trapped in a supermarket and fighting together with other residents in town to find a way out of the mist and the monsters around them. I couldn't put in down after a few pages in the book. The story doesn't start slow and picks up the pace really quickly. It is suitable for all ages. the mystery and horror create great suspense that kept me awake at night to finish the book.

[mausergem_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

The Mist is a story of a father and a son who are trapped in a departmental store with other people trying to fight against strange creatures hidden in a mist. The mist is a product of an government project called the Arrowhead Project.Stephen King is a master at playing with peoples deepest darkest fears. The tension is maintained throughout the book and is thoroughly enjoyable.

[francomega_1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I really liked the movie--one of those great sleepers--and thought it was time to read the original. I usually don't do this way, but let's see how it holds up. As with all King, fast, fun read (it's a novella). Ending is different from the movie, but both work (I liked the movie's better).

[anterastilis · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Idyllic town. Quirky and lovable characters. A calm day after a storm, a casual trip to the store. Cute child accompanies adoring father.in the store oh my god WHATTHEHELLISGOINGON - readfast - readfast - readfast - panic terror AGGHHHH!!!!! - what's worse? The thing out there, or what we IMAGINE is out there? - Crazy people - losing minds - cute child is still cute - people become desperate - AGGGHHHHH!!!! What the HELL IS GOING ON!!!!!*pages turn fast, anterastilis skims scary parts, book finished and returned.*End of story. Will probably not try again anytime soon. Too nervewracking for this wimp.

[ruthiesbookreviews · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Wonderful book by a fabulous author. But we all know that. Stephen King has been writing for years and years. He's got lots of books and a lot of his books have been made into moves.Because this has been out for so long now. I'm pretty sure most of us, know what it's about. Now basically if you have seen the movie. The movie goes right along with the book, well.....right up until the end!!!!!! But this mist comes across the water after a nasty storm and it brings with it these strange creatures who attack people and stuff. I have always been a huge fan of Stephen King, so when I read this I didn't expect anything less than his usual. I give this book (and movie) two thumbs up!!!

[evelynapeters · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

One of his best!

[dawsong_2 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Leave it to Stephen King to make a grocery store a place of horror. Unbelievably cinematic and experiential. You can see every shade of grey hinted at and feel the moisture cloying the air. People become as squashable as ants in the face of mounting and monumental ominousness. A trip to the grocery store will never be boring again after you add The Mist to your memory bank.

[pghdragonman · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Another great story of why man should not try and interfere with nature and man's willingness to turn on their fellow man from the master story teller of the Twentieth Century. A lot of credit to the effectiveness of the story must go to Frank Mueller's superlative narration in this version. King is at the top of his form, supplying rich images that help bring this story to life in your mind.An absolute Must Have for your audio bookshelf and a Should Have for your collection of Stephen King.Today we are spoiled with video games and movies supplying not only action but sound effects as well. Often, the stories presented rely on these special effects to succeed. Take away the effects and the story, the acting, or both, fall flat. Frank Mueller's voice, and his voice alone, without any special effects, elevates the tension of this story to a point where it is almost unbearable.While "The Mist" follows one of King's favorite themes, man made things having unintended consequences, the real story, and the real horror, is how quickly people will turn on each other, rather than help one another in time of crisis.