Just After Sunset
Just After Sunset is a collection of 13 short stories by American author Stephen King, published in November 2008 by Scribner.[1][2] It marks King's fifth anthology of short fiction and features tales that delve into supernatural horror, psychological suspense, and the uncanny occurrences that unfold in the liminal hours of dusk.[1] The volume includes 12 short stories and one novella, with many of the pieces originally appearing in prestigious publications such as The New Yorker and Playboy.[1] Notable entries encompass "Willa," a ghostly encounter on a train; "The Gingerbread Girl," involving a woman's desperate flight from a killer; "Stationary Bike," where an exercise machine reveals terrifying visions; and the novella "N.," centered on an obsessive compulsion tied to ancient cosmic horrors.[2] Other stories like "Rest Stop" and "A Very Tight Place" transform mundane settings—such as highway rest areas and portable toilets—into nightmarish traps, highlighting King's signature blend of everyday realism with extraordinary threats.[2] Thematically, Just After Sunset explores the fragile boundaries between the living and the dead, the seepage of imagination into reality, and human resilience amid vulnerability, often set against the metaphorical twilight that lends the collection its evocative title.[1] Upon release, it debuted at number one on The New York Times Hardcover Fiction Best Seller list and received mixed critical reception for its uneven tone while praising King's return to short-form storytelling.[3][4] The novella "N." later inspired a graphic digital adaptation, underscoring the enduring adaptability of King's work.[1]Publication and Background
Development and Inspiration
Stephen King's experience as guest editor for The Best American Short Stories 2007 played a pivotal role in the development of Just After Sunset, reigniting his interest in the short story form after a period focused on novels.[4] In the anthology's introduction, King noted that immersing himself in contemporary short fiction provided both inspiration and an opportunity to return to his own shorter works, leading him to curate a collection of previously published tales alongside new material.[4] He dedicated Just After Sunset to his co-editor on the project, Heidi Pitlor, acknowledging how the editorial process "re-opened the short story floodgates" for him.[5] The collection features twelve reprinted stories spanning King's career, with one original novella, "N.", marking his first new short fiction in several years.[1] Among the reprints was "The Cat from Hell," an early tale originally published in Cavalier magazine in 1977 that had remained uncollected in King's prior anthologies; its inclusion allowed King to revisit and consolidate overlooked works from his formative period as a genre writer.[6] The selection process emphasized stories evoking liminal moments, aligning with the collection's thematic focus on transitions and the uncanny. The working title evolved from Pocket Rockets—a playful nod to concise, potent narratives—to Just After Sunset, chosen to capture the twilight imagery of day turning to night that permeates many of the tales.[6] In his author's notes, King detailed specific inspirations, including the lingering impact of the September 11, 2001, attacks for "The Things They Left Behind," a story born from his profound emotional response to the event's devastation and the objects it left in its wake.[7] Similarly, "Stationary Bike" drew from King's personal aversion to exercise equipment and broader concerns about health, stemming from his own encounters with weight management and medical advice on cholesterol.[8]Editions and Release Details
Just After Sunset was first published in hardcover by Scribner on November 11, 2008, comprising 367 pages with the ISBN 978-1-4165-8408-7.[9] The edition featured a distinctive holographic dust jacket with orange titles on a black background.[10] An initial print run of 900,000 copies was produced for this release.[11] A limited collector's edition was issued simultaneously by Scribner under ISBN 978-1-4391-1530-5, including a DVD containing the 25-episode animated adaptation of the story "N.".[12] This version shared the holographic dust jacket design and was priced at $37.50.[13] Subsequent editions included a paperback release by Scribner on September 29, 2009.[14] An unabridged audiobook, featuring narration by Stephen King (for "Harvey's Dream") along with actors such as Jill Eikenberry, Holter Graham, and Ron McLarty, was published by Simon & Schuster Audio on November 11, 2008, running approximately 14 hours and 49 minutes.[15] An e-book edition became available through Simon & Schuster in November 2008.[16] A 15th anniversary paperback edition was published by Pocket Books on November 28, 2023, comprising 560 pages with ISBN 978-1-6680-1810-1.[17] Internationally, the book was released in the United Kingdom by Hodder & Stoughton in hardcover on November 10, 2008, with 368 pages and ISBN 978-0-340-97716-3; a limited edition of 500 numbered copies in a slipcase, also including the "N." DVD, was produced alongside the standard version.[18]Contents
List of Stories
The collection Just After Sunset comprises 12 short stories and one novella ("N."), most of which were originally published in magazines and anthologies between 2003 and 2008, with two exceptions: "N.," which is original to the book, and "The Cat from Hell," a reprint from 1977.[19][1]| # | Title | Original Publication | Brief Descriptor |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Willa | Playboy, December 2006) | A ghostly roadside encounter during a tense wait. |
| 2 | The Gingerbread Girl | Esquire, July 2007[20] | A woman's harrowing flight from a home invader. |
| 3 | Harvey's Dream | The New Yorker, June 30, 2003[21] | A suburban morning upended by a vivid, ominous dream. |
| 4 | Rest Stop | Esquire, December 2003[22] | A traveler's bathroom break witnesses an escalating confrontation. |
| 5 | Stationary Bike | Borderlands 5 (anthology), 2003[23] | An indoor cycling regimen reveals eerie personal revelations. |
| 6 | The Things They Left Behind | Transgressions (anthology), May 2005[24] | Post-9/11 artifacts appear to torment a survivor. |
| 7 | Graduation Afternoon | Postscripts #10 (magazine), March 2007[25] | A high school milestone interrupted by a distant disaster. |
| 8 | N. | Previously unpublished (2008)) | A therapist grapples with a patient's compulsion toward a rural site. |
| 9 | The Cat from Hell | Cavalier (magazine), June 1977[26] | A hired killer confronts a seemingly indestructible animal. |
| 10 | The New York Times at Special Bargain Rates | The Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction, October/November 2008[27] | Cryptic calls from the afterlife unsettle a recent widower. |
| 11 | Mute | Playboy, December 2007[28] | A salesman's road trip stirs memories of a quiet tragedy. |
| 12 | Ayana | The Paris Review, Fall 2007[29] | A dying man's hope hinges on encounters with a mysterious child. |
| 13 | A Very Tight Place | McSweeney's #27 (magazine), May 2008 | A property dispute escalates into personal confinement. |