Bazaar of Bad Dreams is a collection of 20 short stories and an introduction; King tells us, “You’d be surprised- at least, I think you would be at how many people ask me why I still write short stories. The reason is simple: writing them makes me happy because I was built to entertain.”
He explains, “Short stories require a kind of acrobatic skill that takes a lot of tiresome practice.”
When King tells you that a novel is more forgiving because your mistakes don’t stick out quite as much, it resonates with you if you have tried to write short stories.
The story themes cover a broad range, and King introduces some of the ideas by talking directly to his “constant reader,” and you are left anxious to explore what he offers.
He summarizes his introduction by saying: “I made them, especially for you………… Feel free to examine them, but please be careful. The best of them have teeth.”
“Faith is, by its very definition, belief without proof.”
“Such grave matters as sin and forgiveness should remain between man and God”
“When a long book succeeds, the writer and reader are not just having an affair; they are married.”
“And do come a little closer. I don’t bite. Except . . . we’ve known each other for a very long time, and I suspect you know that’s not entirely true. Is it?”
“Winnie, but I don’t believe in sin.” He smiled. It was a benevolent smile. Also unpleasant: sheep lips, wolf teeth. “That’s fine. But sin believes in you.”