Stephen King’s short story “The Breathing Method”—from the collection Different Seasons—is now an Encore stand-alone CD.
“The Breathing Method” takes place in an exclusive gentlemen’s club in New York, where no one pays any dues. Membership is based upon a telling of tales, and one nightmarish tale about a disgraced woman determined to give birth—no matter the consequences.
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"Nice short novel that showcase's Stephen King's range. This one begins in a mysterious gentlemen's club that meets every Thursday with the sole purpose of telling odd stories, with the oddest of stories being reserved for the Thursday before Christmas every year. The beginning is doubtlessly an homage to Turn of the Screw and is the kind of setting that is perfect reading for a dark and stormy night. The story told on this particular pre-Christmas Thursday concerns a doctor and a brave single mother very very intent on having her child."
— Jake (4 out of 5 stars)
" This is another crazy King novella about a strange Gentlemen's club (not a stripper joint) where they like to share crazy stories with each other. The Breathing Method being one of those stories. I very much enjoyed this one. "
— Sabrina, 2/19/2014" This was also in the book of novellas "
— Michele, 2/14/2014" I wasn't expecting the ending. It really changes your entire opinion of Stephen King and what kind of person he might be. I think I may have a new favorite author. "
— Alina, 2/6/2014" Love Stephen King but he should stick to novels and avoid short stories. They just aren't his thing.... "
— Leah, 1/21/2014" One of the most haunting stories I've read in all my life. The book came to me several years ago and it was only The Breathing Method in the book (somewhat adapted version). I loved it - the story, the mustery, the haunting image of the ending scenes, the mysteriousness of the gentlemen club - it was surely a story to remember. "
— Tanya, 1/3/2014" The subject matter was monstrously sick, but it was a well written work and was not at all like most writing by King. It was more mature (odd since this was written several decades ago before he was super popular). It was thoughtful, restrained (the writing style! Not the subject matter) and interesting. "
— L, 1/2/2014" Audio. Read by the incomparable Frank Muller. It was good- I think I listened to it somewhat out of context, not realizing it was part of a bigger picture. I almost think that the horror element of this was overstated- like he had to make it a horror story instead of just a hauntingly sad story of a woman trying her best to see her pregnancy through. I liked it, though. "
— Molly, 10/19/2013" One of the creepiest stories I've ever read in my life. "
— Helena, 10/15/2013" An intelligent, explicitly descriptive and disturbing horror story. "
— Carole, 10/4/2013" Very creepy and atmospheric short story. "
— Elizabeth, 9/12/2013" Not my bag man. I listened to the audio version read by Frank Mueller (sp?). If it was any longer I would not have finished it probably. I did not enjoy it because to me, there was no point. "
— Anthony, 8/26/2013Stephen King has written more than sixty books, many hitting the #1 spot on the New York Times bestsellers list. He has won the World Fantasy Award, several Bram Stoker Awards, and the O. Henry Award for his story “The Man in the Black Suit.” He is the 2003 recipient of the National Book Foundation Medal for Distinguished Contribution to American Letters, and in 2007 he received the Grand Master Award from the Mystery Writers of America. His epic works The Dark Tower and It are the basis for major motion pictures.
Frank Muller (1951–2008) was an Audie Award–winning narrator. A classically trained actor, Frank appeared on both television and the stage. His credits include Hamlet, The Crucible, The Taming of the Shrew, The Importance of Being Earnest, Law & Order, All My Children, and many, many more. In 1999 Frank was awarded the AudioFile Lifetime Achievement Award, the top honor in the audiobook community. He has also won twenty-three Earphones Awards.