Hearts in Atlantis Book Review (A Collection of Stephen King Short Stories)

Welcome to my book review of "Hearts in Atlantis" by Stephen King! Today, I'm diving into this unique and captivating book, which takes us on a journey through the tumultuous 1960s in America. "Hearts in Atlantis" is not your typical Stephen King novel. Instead of focusing solely on horror, King intertwines elements of mystery, nostalgia, and a deep examination of the human condition.
The book is a collection of two novellas and three short stories, each interconnected by recurring characters and themes. Interestingly, the title "Hearts in Atlantis" is derived from a card game called 'Hearts', which plays a significant role in the first story. This collection beautifully captures the essence of the 60s, reflecting on the impact of the Vietnam War and the counterculture movement on the lives of everyday people.
One of the fascinating aspects of this book is how King uses his characters to explore the loss of innocence and the harsh realities of adulthood. The stories seamlessly transition from childhood to adolescence, then to the complexities of adult life, revealing how the past continuously echoes into the present.
Come say “Hi” online:
📷 Instagram: / paperbackjourneys
📱 TikTok: / paperbackjourneys
👨 Facebook: / paperbackjourneys
#HeartsInAtlantis #StephenKing #BookReview

[@musicroom7185]

It has been many years since I read this, but I think you are "spot on" in your assertion that the period in time depicted had a large role in the story. Stephen King can write in a way that I am nostalgic for times and places I didn't know I was nostalgic for! In this, and several other of his works, I would occasionally be confused as he referred to characters new to me as if I should already know them. I later came to understand it was part of the Dark Tower universe at play..and I have yet to read the DT series. Thanks for the review!

[@PaperbackJourneys]

It's fascinating how Stephen King's writing can evoke such strong nostalgia, even for times and places we've never experienced. Great comment. Thank you.

[@rubiademoraes]

It’s been ages since I read this, I was really young… but I remember absolutely loving it. I don’t really remember why. I guess it’s worth a reread. Especially since I read it before reading TDT, I didn’t really realize it was part of the multiverse

[@jcdenton616]

Finished it today. Low Men & Hearts In Atlantis were my favorites with an honorable mention to Why We're In Vietnam. But my God... Low Men In Yellow Coats was absolutely sublime in my opinion.

[@PeculiarNotions]

You're 100% right about the power of a library card.

[@PaperbackJourneys]

It's like having a key to a treasure chest full of endless stories, knowledge, and adventures. Libraries are such valuable resources. Thanks for commenting.

[@RemingtonHinshaw-zi1jx]

Love the videos man! Hearts in Atlantis was one of my favorite books so far on the TDT journey. Thanks for doing this - your videos inspired me to begin my journey.

[@steviek730]

Back to the Dark Tower!!!!

[@francissookraj3202]

I read Hearts in Atlantis long time now 25 years. I agree with you Low men in Yellow coats were the best story, the others were rather forgettable.

[@dannyletcher5873]

Love your videos mate

[@francissookraj3202]

I like your enthusiasm and passion about Stephen King' s books. I'm been a fan of his books since I was 13 and I'm not 57. And he's an amazing and unique writer. Are you looking forward to his new book out in two weeks?

[@PaperbackJourneys]

Hey Francis! Yes I'm really looking forward to it. It is actually released in my birthday and so I've preordered it on Audible as a gift to myself. I might just listen to it all day and take a day off of work. Haha! Thanks for the kind words mate.

[@wesleydraves1281]

Honestly this was the first Stephen King book I read that I didn’t need to give time to delve into I was almost immediately hooked with the amazing writing where rather than just throwing you straight in, it’s like the beginning of The Shining or that opening paragraph about Bag-end in The Hobbit

[@PaperbackJourneys]

You're so right. It was nice to ease into this one. I found the characters really likeable.

[@MrJaycrow30]

Excellent review buds!!! Can't wait for your comparisons on the Stand and Swan Song, if you do. Black House was a fun read and part 2 to the Talisman! cheers

[@PaperbackJourneys]

That comparison is coming very soon i hope. I had to build this whole thing on my video editing software to try and make it as epic as I can. I also plan to use the template to compare all of the Classic horror I read in October. Now that I've built it I can use this template over and over again. It'll make more sense when you see the video when it comes out lol.

[@MrJaycrow30]

Sweet, be waiting with bells on lol! We love your content! Really cool to see your channel thrive! Hope you guys had a great Thanksgiving! cheers@@PaperbackJourneys

[@Chucko72]

Just finished this one today and was looking for some other opinions. I'm with you on everything. Low men is easily the best, and the others come across as filler. I was really confused by 2 scenes that occurred. The laughing scene in Hearts of Atlantis and the scene where things are falling from the sky in the John sully story. Honestly, I really feel as though the other stories weren't necessary. At a point I found I was just reading them so that I could get through the entire book, but I wasn't really enjoying myself. The last short story about Carol and Bobby wasn't bad, but I'm not sure it was necessary either. Good review though homie.

[@skunke2290]

I really enjoyed Low Men in Yellow Coats as well. Ted was a lovely character and I hope he’ll reappear soon in The Dark Tower series. Another good book that kinda has to do with the low men is From A Buick 8. Really underrated in my opinion. I thought it was a fun read. Anyway, I have to agree with you on Hearts in Atlantis and the last story. Can’t say too much else, looking forward to see what you’ll think about Black House, since I am so far not really enjoying it, it’s the first King book I really have a hard time with.

[@PaperbackJourneys]

I'm glad you also enjoyed 'Low Men in Yellow Coats'! Ted is indeed a memorable character, and it's exciting to anticipate his potential reappearance in the Dark Tower series. Thanks for recommending 'From A Buick 8'. We might be in the same boat when it comes to Black House. The first 100 pages or so are a little bit of a struggle due to some strange choices with the writing style, but we'll see.

[@mmmoynihan]

Great review. Totally agree that the other stories were a lot weaker. I probably enjoyed the story Hearts in Atlantis, as a bit of a procrastinator, I really identified with getting caught up in something you shouldn’t be doing at the expense of something you should. Personally I thought the final two stories were the weakest. “Why We’re in Vietnam” is a story I completely forgot about until I went to look up the name of the final story “Heavenly Shades of Night Are Falling” so that’s not a good sign. And the final story felt like it could have been a short epilogue to “Low Men in Yellow Coats” rather than a full story. Looking forward to hearing your thoughts on Black House. It tends to get very mixed reviews but I quite enjoyed it.

[@Theggman83]

A lot of this will make more sense as you read on in the dark tower series specifically. Some of it anyways. But I wont spoil anything. 🤐

[@PaperbackJourneys]

Thanks for sharing that! It's always intriguing to hear how a book ties into a larger series, especially one as vast as Stephen King's Dark Tower universe. I appreciate you avoiding spoilers - it keeps the mystery alive for new readers like me.

[@kevincreedon]

That’s weird. I loved the second story (HIA). Was gutted when it wasn’t in the film, although I get why. Totally agree about Blind Whilly.

[@sidnew2739]

Blaine the mono WAS a machine, completely.

[@mr.alaska2232]

We're always the good guys even when we're the bad guys we're the good guys

[@Mike-n6u9t]

50s60swas the best time in America

[@dustywaynemusic6297]

Unless you were a minority or drafted...

[@BruceThePugDog]

Heavenly shades of night are falling It's twilight time Out of the mist your voice is calling 'Tis twilight time When purple coloured curtains Mark the end of day I'll hear you, my dear, at twilight time Deepening shadows gather splendour As day is done Fingers of night will soon surrender The setting sun I count the moments, darling 'Til you're here with me Together at last at twilight time Here in the afterglow of day We keep our rendezvous Beneath the blue Here in the same and sweet old way I fall in love again As I did then Deep in the dark your kiss will thrill me Like days of old Lighting the spark of love that fills me With dreams untold Each day I pray for evening Just to be with you Together at last at twilight time Here in the afterglow of day We keep our rendezvous Beneath the blue Here in the same and sweet old way I fall in love again As I did then Deep in the dark your kiss will thrill me Like days of old Lighting the spark of love that fills me With dreams untold Each day I pray for evening Just to be with you Together at last at twilight time Together at last at twilight time ❤❤❤

[@Chucko72]

Just finished this one today and was looking for some other opinions. I'm with you on everything. Low men is easily the best, and the others come across as filler. I was really confused by 2 scenes that occurred. The laughing scene in Hearts of Atlantis and the scene where things are falling from the sky in the John sully story. Honestly, I really feel as though the other stories weren't necessary. At a point I found I was just reading them so that I could get through the entire book, but I wasn't really enjoying myself. The last short story about Carol and Bobby wasn't bad, but I'm not sure it was necessary either. Good review though homie.