Stephen King, The Secretary of Dreams: Volume One (Cemetery Dance, 2006)
Containing six previously released short stories of King's, this Advanced Readers Copy is a sneak peek into what will truly be something when it's released in hardback later this year, with colour "elements" (as they're described in the book notes). As it is, this over-sized paperback version is pretty damn cool, 281 pages of King's prose and Glenn Chadbourne's amazingly detailed black and white illustrations, each created exclusively for this release.
The front cover also features Chadbourne's work, this time in colour, most notably a rather eclectic secretary desk filled with tiny references to these and other King works – a wind up monkey toy, a skull, a disembodied hand, a lighthouse snow globe, a miniature woman, a fanged frog, a dollhouse…. In lieu of panes of glass, wooden cobwebs frame the secretary doors, and wee skulls serve as hardware for the drawers. To the right of the desk is an odd sundial Chadbourne uses for "Jerusalem's Lot" and behind both is what seems to be Juniper Hill asylum, from It.
Inside, the stories range from the aforementioned "Jerusalem's Lot," originally published in 1978 to 2002's "The Road Virus Heads North," testament to King's long and wildly varied career. All six stories are set in Maine, King's favourite locale. The opening story, "Home Delivery," is a fairly straightforward zombie story, wherein the heroine, Jenny, who had once been incapable of making any decision, learns steely resolve in the face of necessity.
"The Road Virus Heads North," previously published by Cemetery Dance, is a creepy warning against going shopping at yard sales if ever there were one (not to mention a nice snark at writer workshops). The protagonist Rich Kinnell seems to be one of King's many fictional alter egos, a popular horror writer, reviled by his peers. And as often seems the case . . . it doesn't pay to be a writer in one of King's works!
"Jerusalem's Lot" is an early visit to a town of significance to multiple titles in King's later work. Although it is the oldest story in the collection, it is the strongest, its subtle aura of fear building with each of Boone's diary entries.
Following is "The Rainy Season," where a young couple vacationing in a small Maine town learn too late that perhaps they should listen to the locals . . . no matter how loony they may sound.
"The Reach" is not so much a horror story as it is a ghost story. When Stella begins seeing her late husband, and the Reach freezes solid, maybe it is finally time for her to consider crossing to the mainland for the first time in her long life. It's a sweet, touching tale of remembrances, of lost loves, and what might await when someone takes the leap of faith to cross over to the other side.
Closing the collection is "Uncle Otto's Truck," one of a number of stories King has written that suggests he has a mistrust of vehicles. Narrated by one of Otto's nephews, we learn the truck used to belong to Otto's partner, but became his when said partner was crushed by the truck. And from there -- well, let's just say that Uncle Otto and the truck have what can best be called a dysfunctional relationship.
For each story, Chadbourne has created amazingly detailed images in pencils or inks. The back cover says he worked for two years on these illustrations, and it was well worth the effort. The overall effect is supremely atmospheric, and readers will either find themselves drawn in, squinting for details, or flipping by quickly, not wanting to know what's hiding in the shadows. In most cases, the images are quarter, half page or full-page pictures – occasionally even spanning two full pages. "Road Virus," "Rainy Season" and "Uncle Otto's Truck" go one step further and read much like comic strips, with the text worked into the illustrations, including the occasional speech bubble with non-standard typefaces.
Secretary of Dreams is an excellent refresher for long-time King fans, or a good introduction for new ones. The book's subtitle, Volume One implies further stories of King's will receive this treatment from Cemetery Dance. I, for one, eagerly anticipate each and every one!
