Peaceable Kingdom

If there's a better collection of short stories written by a single author, I've certainly not read it. From story one, Ketchum writes on parts of human nature that few authors dare to. Only those who write with such skill and style can pull it off, but when they do, we're left with stories that are deep, complex, and compelling. Where, if you think more is below the surface, there certainly is (a reread will prove it so... read Megan's Law more than once if you are not picking up what is really happening). Ketchum plays upon our assumptions, opens up our minds, and tells some dark truths. He speaks to things we already knew or suspected but haven't admitted. 'You think the world is a sane, just place? well, look over here, let me shine the light in this dark spot, and if you still feel the same, fine, but at least now you have all the information.' This is all done without preachy, moralistic brow-beating, but rather a detached but observant point of view that makes these stories even more powerful.

Started out great, the first story was very dark, and the twist was wicked. I kept reading more stories, but none of them were memorable or had a wow factor, by the time I had read over 1/3 of the book none of the stories had grabbed my attention like the first one so I stopped.The stories are well written, but for the most part they are not scary, and maybe in the remaining 66% there are some more great stories, but if there are, I won't be reading them, there are too many more interesting stories and books to read.

Peaceable Kingdom by Jack Ketchum is not only the best collection I've read this year, but one of the best I've ever read. Like his best novels, Ketchum's short fiction tends to be unflinching, brutal, and grounded in reality. This is a large collection of 32 stories, and while not every story is great, I found every story to be at least interesting. Some of my favorites include 'The Rifle', 'When the Penny Drops', 'The Work', 'The Best', 'The Exit at Toledo Blade Boulevard', 'Forever', 'Gone', 'The Great San Diego Sleazy Bimbo Massacre' (which shows even Ketchum has a humorous side), and the excellent novella 'Closing Time'. 4.5 / 5

I think that Jack Ketchum is probably the best writer of short brutal horror fiction without a supernatural element that America has ever produced. Not to say that it isn't fine when it's supernatural, but it's his depictions of psychopaths that I always find very chilling

I've never read a bleaker and more paranoid writer than Jack Ketchum. Very rarely do you see a Jack Ketchum story with a happy ending, and even if there's such a thing, the story in question must've contained a few twisted elements that made you wish you didn't read it in the first place.A story depicting a mother killing her own son after seeing the horror that he keeps in his personal hideout is just the first of this wonderfully written short story collection; most of the rest are just as thought-provoking and bleak. And to mix it up, he's even added some stories outside of his normal writing range. There are comedies and there is even a sci-fi story in "Amid the walking wounded" in there. But make no mistake, this is Ketchum you're reading and like Stephen King said, he doesn't play nice. Not at all.Don't let your fear of Ketchum prevent you from reading this wonderful collection though. You'll be drawn in by some of the best suspense writing this industry has to offer.

This might very well be the best collection of short stories I have ever read. There really isn't a bad one in the bunch. Some are truly heartbreaking, others extremely suspenseful, a few even light in tone. Very varied collection, but I wouldn't recommend it for anyone who is does not like dark fiction.I've always been a fan of Ketchum's work and this is my favorite publication of his (and this is coming from a person who isn't the biggest short story fan).

While this collection of short stories varies in quality I didn't really see anything outstanding here. Many of the stories have attempts at "gotcha" style endings, like an old episode of Twilight Zone, and for me they didn't seem to succeed.Having said that, there are still some selections here to interest Ketchum fans. Closing Time generates a great deal of tension, Gone is heartbreaking, and The Rose is one of the most disgusting and disturbing things I've ever read. There are also 2 stories that take place after a zombie plague has struck. Ketchums' other books like the Offspring and Hide & Seek are excellent.

First I need to say Ketchum is great at his craft. While this collection of shorts is filled with his usual depiction of man's depravity, it also includes a slightly hopeful light. Perhaps I found Ketchum too late in my life, for I found that after I read these tales, I was sorry to have this stuff in my head. As I age, I choose to fill my mind with the more positive things of life. With that said, I can recommend this book easily and simply add this is no longer my cup of tea.

I must confess I am not a great lover of short stories, I prefer a good book with a story that unfolds that you can really get into. BUT this collection of short stories was a breath of fresh air - I couldn't put it down - I would finish one short story, and just had to read the next and the next! Some of the stories, I didn't want to end, they could quite easily have been made into a novel! Ketchum's characters are so interesting and twisted in ways which are so refreshing with each story getting better than the last. Although some of the subject matter is the same throughout, the stories were still original. Jack Ketchum is relatively new to me, I have only recently read 'The Lost', which I also enjoyed, but 'Peaceable Kingdom' is brilliant. This has something for everyone, horror, thrills, intrige, sex and a twist in the tale. All in all a thoroughly good read. Puts my faith back into short story collections!

I have never been a fan of short stories, I prefer novels, so to read this was very refreshing! Jack Ketchum has created a collection stories with dark, unsavoury, perverse, strong and credible characters - some you will like, some you won't, some you'll sympathise with, some you won't. There's something for everyone in this book, horror, fantasy, sex, violence, thriller, suspense and all so beautifully written. I couldn't put this book down, I wanted to read it from start to finish, but I also wanted to savour it as well, which is what makes this compendium so much more enjoyable. There were some stories I didn't want to end, I was left wanting more - a whole novel! This book delivers, if you haven't read Jack Ketchum before, this would be a great initiation ceremony. Pure brilliance, by far the best thing I have read in a long time. Bring it on!!

Ketchum is a voice. A storyteller. And he tells them well... He opens his worlds quietly and brings you into the maelstrom..

also, diese sammlung von kurzgeschichten, geschrieben von jack ketchum, musste ich haben. hat sich auch gelohnt. die meisten der kurzgeschichten sind echt gut, leider würde die rezension viel zu lang werden, wenn ich auf jede einzelne eingehen würde, da es sich hier um mehr 30 kurzgeschichten handelt. die meisten beschäftigen sich nicht mit übernatürlichem horror, sondern mehr mit menschen, die extreme dinge tun oder in extremen situationen sind. sehr gut fand ich z.B. die geschichten the box: in der ein mann einem kind eine leere schachtel zeigt und das kind daraufhin seinen appetit verliert und am verhungern ist, mail order: in der eine kranke fantasie eines mannes wahr wird,nur nicht so ganz wie er es gern hätte. megan's law: ein verurteilter sexualstraftäter wird aus dem knast entlassen und seine neuen nachbarn sind gar nicht erfreut über seine anwesenheit, also nimmt ein normaler familienvater die sache in die hand, if memory serves: eine frau mit mehreren persönlichkeiten druchlebt beim psychiater nochmals die hölle ihrer kindheit - genialer schluss hier. the holding cell: ein mann wird betrunken am steuer erwischt und muss für acht stunden in eine zelle, nur dass diese zelle keine gewöhnliche ist. the best: kurz und brutal, saugut. closing time: viel länger als die anderen. ein paar, welches sich getrennt hat, gerät in das kranke spiel eines räubers. snakes: wer ne schlangenphobie hat, sollte das vielleicht nicht lesen, auf dne ersten blick clichéhaft, aber genial geschrieben.doch leider gibt es auch ein paar schwache stories dazwischen, z.B. rabid squirrels in love. da hab ich mich echt gefragt, was das mit horror zu tun haben soll, wenn zum schluss ein eichhörnchen erschossen wird. mother and daughter: die hab ich nicht verstanden, da ist nix passiert. forever: eher ein drama als eine horrorgeschichte.aber insgesamt eine gute zusammenstellung von mr.ketchum.

I like all things Jack Ketchum.........