Becky and Cal are inseparable siblings. When Becky finds out she's pregnant, Cal is the most supportive member of their family. The two end up on a road trip that takes them by a field of tall grass out in the middle of nowhere. They happen to hear a lost young boy calling for help somewhere in the field, so they pull over. It's weird, though, because there's also a woman in the field, the boy's mother, and for some reason she keeps telling him to be quiet. By the time Cal and Becky realize there's something off about this situation, it's too late, they're already in the grass.

I saw the trailer for the movie adaptation of this on Netflix and was intrigued. However, I also realize that I'm a huge wimp when it comes to horror movies and TV, so I decided to listen to the audiobook first (instead?).

I loved the overall atmosphere. The setting was perfect - isolated, with iffy cellphone reception, and yet not obvious about its dangerous aspects. Incidentally, I hate driving through "middle of nowhere" places because I can easily imagine ending up stranded by a place like this field of grass. Although hopefully not exactly like this.

In terms of horror main character intelligence, Becky was the smarter one of the two. If Cal hadn't been so impulsive, and if the two of them hadn't practically been joined at the hip, Becky might have managed to call 911 before they both got lost in the grass. Considering how things turned out, it's actually kind of painful to recall that, for a few seconds, her call did manage to go through.

Anyway, my wimpy self enjoyed the first part of the story the most, the period of time when Cal and Becky first realized that they were lost and that finding their bearings might be impossible. The second half of the story was harder for me to get through, especially the last 30 or so minutes. Bad, gross things happened, and I particularly wanted to cry for Becky. I listened to most of this audiobook while I was at work, but I listened to the last bit at home, and that was probably for the best.

My curiosity is now satisfied, but I think I'll pass on the movie adaptation. Although it sounds quite a bit different from the novella (yes, I read the detailed and spoiler-filled description on Wikipedia), it still has two of the moments from the original story that I think would be most difficult for me to watch.

(Original review posted on A Library Girl's Familiar Diversions.)

I paused to check how much more there was to go and was not expecting it to be more than, say 15 minutes. Yeesh. Things already suck for the characters.

I did a quick check of the reviews, and thanks to OB for the heads up on the lack of a happy ending for anyone. I am bracing myself. And ugh, already shaking my head at the characters not making sure to call 911 before heading into the grass. Heck, I'd call before getting out the car.

This is my first Stephen King anything since Cujo broke me, and my first Joe Hill anything. I was intrigued by the trailer for the adaptation on Netflix, but I'm a bigger wimp with horror TV/movies than I am with written horror, so I'm giving this a shot first.

Not too much to say about this short story besides there is no happy ending. I am warning you there is no happy ending. Also don't read and eat at the same time. I repeat, don't read and eat at the same time.

King and Hill do a very good job with developing Cal and Becky (Irish twins) and my heart and body hurt for both of them. Becky's story and realization of things that come broke me. Sometimes I need a happy ending King, just saying.

Also I am a terrible person, because if I heard a person calling for help, the first thing I would go, that's a trap and call 911. I have seen and read too many horror books/movies.