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The Road Virus Heads North
One of the dark, eerie tales that can only come from Stephen King, orginally a part of the #1 New York Times bestseller Everything's Eventual, "The Road Virus Heads North" tracks an author who buys a creepy paiting at a yard sale which was painted by a metal-head neighbor just before he committed suicide.
Audiobook
First published May 1, 2006
About the author
Stephen King
2,541 books856k followersStephen Edwin King was born the second son of Donald and Nellie Ruth Pillsbury King. After his father left them when Stephen was two, he and his older brother, David, were raised by his mother. Parts of his childhood were spent in Fort Wayne, Indiana, where his father's family was at the time, and in Stratford, Connecticut. When Stephen was eleven, his mother brought her children back to Durham, Maine, for good. Her parents, Guy and Nellie Pillsbury, had become incapacitated with old age, and Ruth King was persuaded by her sisters to take over the physical care of them. Other family members provided a small house in Durham and financial support. After Stephen's grandparents passed away, Mrs. King found work in the kitchens of Pineland, a nearby residential facility for the mentally challenged.
Stephen attended the grammar school in Durham and Lisbon Falls High School, graduating in 1966. From his sophomore year at the University of Maine at Orono, he wrote a weekly column for the school newspaper, THE MAINE CAMPUS. He was also active in student politics, serving as a member of the Student Senate. He came to support the anti-war movement on the Orono campus, arriving at his stance from a conservative view that the war in Vietnam was unconstitutional. He graduated in 1970, with a B.A. in English and qualified to teach on the high school level. A draft board examination immediately post-graduation found him 4-F on grounds of high blood pressure, limited vision, flat feet, and punctured eardrums.
He met Tabitha Spruce in the stacks of the Fogler Library at the University, where they both worked as students; they married in January of 1971. As Stephen was unable to find placement as a teacher immediately, the Kings lived on his earnings as a laborer at an industrial laundry, and her student loan and savings, with an occasional boost from a short story sale to men's magazines.
Stephen made his first professional short story sale ("The Glass Floor") to Startling Mystery Stories in 1967. Throughout the early years of his marriage, he continued to sell stories to men's magazines. Many were gathered into the Night Shift collection or appeared in other anthologies.
In the fall of 1971, Stephen began teaching English at Hampden Academy, the public high school in Hampden, Maine. Writing in the evenings and on the weekends, he continued to produce short stories and to work on novels.
Stephen attended the grammar school in Durham and Lisbon Falls High School, graduating in 1966. From his sophomore year at the University of Maine at Orono, he wrote a weekly column for the school newspaper, THE MAINE CAMPUS. He was also active in student politics, serving as a member of the Student Senate. He came to support the anti-war movement on the Orono campus, arriving at his stance from a conservative view that the war in Vietnam was unconstitutional. He graduated in 1970, with a B.A. in English and qualified to teach on the high school level. A draft board examination immediately post-graduation found him 4-F on grounds of high blood pressure, limited vision, flat feet, and punctured eardrums.
He met Tabitha Spruce in the stacks of the Fogler Library at the University, where they both worked as students; they married in January of 1971. As Stephen was unable to find placement as a teacher immediately, the Kings lived on his earnings as a laborer at an industrial laundry, and her student loan and savings, with an occasional boost from a short story sale to men's magazines.
Stephen made his first professional short story sale ("The Glass Floor") to Startling Mystery Stories in 1967. Throughout the early years of his marriage, he continued to sell stories to men's magazines. Many were gathered into the Night Shift collection or appeared in other anthologies.
In the fall of 1971, Stephen began teaching English at Hampden Academy, the public high school in Hampden, Maine. Writing in the evenings and on the weekends, he continued to produce short stories and to work on novels.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 140 reviews
January 6, 2015
It's classic Stephen King.
July 21, 2018
The story follows Richard Kinnell, a successful horror writer, as he drives back from Boston to his home in Maine. Along the way, he comes across a yard sale where he notices a bizarre, disturbing painting of a sinister-looking man with sharply filed teeth driving his car across Boston's Tobin Bridge. Entitled "The Road Virus Heads North", the painting was created by a tortured genius who burned his other pieces of artwork & committed suicide; the artist left a cryptic note explaining that he couldn't stand what was happening to him any longer, thus justifying his suicide. Kinnell, an avid collector of such oddities, purchases the painting without hesitation from the woman holding the sale.
"The Road Virus Heads North” answers the question “How do you escape the inescapable?” The answer? Well...Read the story to find out :). King wove the story around a painting he has at his home, which is disliked by his family. King himself is a fan of "moving picture" stories, which inspired him to write this tale.
‘Haunted paintings’ is a fairly repetitive theme used in many horror stories before and I was curious to read King’s version of this story. King uses his skillful writing to create tension and fear of the upcoming danger among the readers. The relatable setting King traps readers in serves to only heighten their fear. The story though is neither an out & out horror story nor does it have any major twists. It follows the same repetitive path followed by most stories of this sub genre. In the end, “The Road Virus Heads North” reads like just another episode of The American Horror Story. It does give you a few scares but overall it’s predictable. Having read many unique horror stories by King before, this felt like a wasted opportunity. Overall 3/5.
June 16, 2020
Story 3 stars**
Audio 3.75 stars**
Narrator Jay O. Sanders
Pretty short but it did give me the creeps which is all I need from SK! ❤️
Audio 3.75 stars**
Narrator Jay O. Sanders
Pretty short but it did give me the creeps which is all I need from SK! ❤️
May 28, 2020
Always a fan of the odd short story, I have been filling some time with a few by Stephen King, who always seems to have something to say that holds my attention. In this short piece, an inanimate object seems to have a mind of its own, wreaking havoc in a small New England community. Richard Kinnell had a feeling he should not have stopped at the yard sale on his way back from a book forum, but he did. The regional author allowed a painting to catch his eye before he decided to buy it, thinking of the perfect spot it could hang. Not deterred when he learned that the artist committed suicide soon after painting it, Kinnell loads up his new artwork and heads home. However, he stops in to see his aunt on the trip back. When he pulls it out, the painting, titled ‘The Road Virus Heads North’, appears to have changed slightly, but Kinnell wonders if it might be that he is so tired. After his short visit, Kinnell finish’s the drive to Derry, where he plans to relax. However, the painting again seems to have shifted, leaving Kinnell with a very off-putting feeling. Soon, thoughts of the author’s suicide enter Kinnell’s mind, leaving him sure that the ‘road virus’ must surely be heading north and he wants nothing to do with it! An eerie story that only King could pull off, this short piece is a perfect filler for those who need to bridge between fun-length reading commitments.
I have long been a fan of Stephen King and his work, both the longer pieces and short ones like this. King is able to turn almost anything into something gripping, if not spine-tingling, using his vast array of ideas. The reader can never quite tell what awaits them as they read, but can be guaranteed that it will leave an impact, at least for a while. These short pieces are wonderful teasers for the reader who awaits a major novel by the author, though I miss the tangential writing that King has made his own over the years. Still, I won’t be buying any yard sale art anytime soon, that’s for sure!
Kudos, Mr. King, for a great piece to fill the time while I had a refreshment. Always keeping me on my toes as I wait for a book I want to arrive on my iPod.
Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
A Book for All Seasons, a different sort of Book Challenge: https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/...
I have long been a fan of Stephen King and his work, both the longer pieces and short ones like this. King is able to turn almost anything into something gripping, if not spine-tingling, using his vast array of ideas. The reader can never quite tell what awaits them as they read, but can be guaranteed that it will leave an impact, at least for a while. These short pieces are wonderful teasers for the reader who awaits a major novel by the author, though I miss the tangential writing that King has made his own over the years. Still, I won’t be buying any yard sale art anytime soon, that’s for sure!
Kudos, Mr. King, for a great piece to fill the time while I had a refreshment. Always keeping me on my toes as I wait for a book I want to arrive on my iPod.
Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
A Book for All Seasons, a different sort of Book Challenge: https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/...
May 14, 2016
I'm getting lucky with King's short stories.
Even though the whole idea of possessed things, especially paintings, is somehow old now but I can't express how much I enjoyed this. It's creepy and the way king wrote his character as a horror writer made me believe that he based a lot of things on himself.
Creepy and very good!
Even though the whole idea of possessed things, especially paintings, is somehow old now but I can't express how much I enjoyed this. It's creepy and the way king wrote his character as a horror writer made me believe that he based a lot of things on himself.
Creepy and very good!
June 1, 2014
This is a great, creepy story that's good for giving you a few chills up the back of your neck. I got the audio book read by Jay O. Sanders, who does a really fantastic job. It’s a quick listen, just over an hour long, and packs a great punch in that short time. The suspense builds throughout the story and has a wonderful pulpy-noir feel to it. I’m glad I have it… and even gladder I didn't listen to it just before bed! Recommend!
July 13, 2018
good story...
August 8, 2016
I really enjoyed this short story. This is the type of story I love to read from Stephen King, and after reading most of his other short stories leading up to this one in his collection, "Everything's Eventual" - many of which weren't really my cup of tea - this was definitely a welcome edition. The concept, and the way the story was executed, was brilliant, and I loved the creepy atmosphere that pervaded the entire story.
I love King's short stories, and, as he does in many of his works, he does a great job of setting up his characters in such a short amount of space. I got a sense of the main character's personality, emotions, and building horror as as the story progressed; King does an absolutely brilliant job at capturing the character's emotions, and makes it easier for us to place ourselves in the main character's shoes. The only reason I gave this four stars instead of five is because, in 2016, this is quite an overused trope - obviously King wrote this quite sometime ago, so I'm not criticising the author; it's just that I, as a reader, have encountered this a number of times in the past, which meant that the concept didn't seem as fresh to me. However, that doesn't mean I found the story entirely predictable.
(Below section contains some spoilers)
There was a number of moments where I had no idea what was going to happen; for instance, I was so sure that the Auntie would be killed off, and I was sitting on the edge of my seat, waiting for it to happen. I also didn't know the exact direction King would be taking this story when I first started reading, so while the gruesome murder of Judy Diment wasn't a huge shock, it wasn't something I expected would happen. I also really like that King didn't reveal the killer at the end - he described the footsteps, what the protagonist imagined was happening, but left the rest to the imagination, which I think added to the suspense and sense of unease.
This was definitely a great short story, and the kind of writing I love to see from Stephen King.
I love King's short stories, and, as he does in many of his works, he does a great job of setting up his characters in such a short amount of space. I got a sense of the main character's personality, emotions, and building horror as as the story progressed; King does an absolutely brilliant job at capturing the character's emotions, and makes it easier for us to place ourselves in the main character's shoes. The only reason I gave this four stars instead of five is because, in 2016, this is quite an overused trope - obviously King wrote this quite sometime ago, so I'm not criticising the author; it's just that I, as a reader, have encountered this a number of times in the past, which meant that the concept didn't seem as fresh to me. However, that doesn't mean I found the story entirely predictable.
(Below section contains some spoilers)
There was a number of moments where I had no idea what was going to happen; for instance, I was so sure that the Auntie would be killed off, and I was sitting on the edge of my seat, waiting for it to happen. I also didn't know the exact direction King would be taking this story when I first started reading, so while the gruesome murder of Judy Diment wasn't a huge shock, it wasn't something I expected would happen. I also really like that King didn't reveal the killer at the end - he described the footsteps, what the protagonist imagined was happening, but left the rest to the imagination, which I think added to the suspense and sense of unease.
This was definitely a great short story, and the kind of writing I love to see from Stephen King.
October 15, 2017
I have a firmly-held belief about yard sales and second-hand stores: if someone else thought it was crap, it probably is and I don't need it. SK has written enough about demon-possessed art that I feel anxious when they go through the basement and storerooms in my building at work and leave out stacks of dusty masterpieces for us to take and use to decorate our workspaces.
The Road Virus Heads North is such a great title. It's a compact little story that plays on a number of the usual human fears. And it's SK, so you know it's good.
The Road Virus Heads North is such a great title. It's a compact little story that plays on a number of the usual human fears. And it's SK, so you know it's good.
November 23, 2017
This short story was dumb. I don’t even know what else to say
November 1, 2021
If you are looking for a synopsis of this story, please read Sumit's review (posted 21 Jul 2018) which does an excellent job of it.
This is short story (no more than a 45-minute read) by Stephen King. It is a supernatural/ghost story that had the short hairs in my neck just tingle a bit. Why did I have to read it at 11 pm at night? King vividly portrays a scary situation and while I knew it is only a story, I found myself in the protagonist's shoes with soap in my eyes in a shower with a killer entering my house. Thankfully, this scene isn't dragged out too long, but it definitely left me a touch uneasy for a while. But that is the wonder of Stephen King.
As a book, I probably would give it three stars, but since it is a short story and it did scare me, I happily gave it a four star rating. However, his short story, Riding the Bullet, is still his best short story.
This is short story (no more than a 45-minute read) by Stephen King. It is a supernatural/ghost story that had the short hairs in my neck just tingle a bit. Why did I have to read it at 11 pm at night? King vividly portrays a scary situation and while I knew it is only a story, I found myself in the protagonist's shoes with soap in my eyes in a shower with a killer entering my house. Thankfully, this scene isn't dragged out too long, but it definitely left me a touch uneasy for a while. But that is the wonder of Stephen King.
As a book, I probably would give it three stars, but since it is a short story and it did scare me, I happily gave it a four star rating. However, his short story, Riding the Bullet, is still his best short story.
January 1, 2020
I started reading a book where a magic monk is attacked in her santuary and flees while all she's ever loved is being murdered behind her, and I just couldn't get into it.
Then I got this tiny story from Stephen King, where a normal guy goes to a garage sale and I was like,
"AND THEN WHAT HAPPENS?!"
Stephen King is just the best.
Then I got this tiny story from Stephen King, where a normal guy goes to a garage sale and I was like,
"AND THEN WHAT HAPPENS?!"
Stephen King is just the best.
March 12, 2021
4 stars
Ninth story in SK’s Everything's Eventual
Eery! Definitely your worst nightmare,
Ninth story in SK’s Everything's Eventual
Eery! Definitely your worst nightmare,
February 26, 2018
Nice, quick, creepy short story to make my work day go faster. I really enjoyed it
May 22, 2015
A classic-King pulp noir horror short story with a creepy -- will hang with you for a while -- ending.
June 14, 2022
2.5⭐️
Creepy but not really exciting in my opinion. I was a little bored.
Creepy but not really exciting in my opinion. I was a little bored.
April 19, 2019
Classic Stephen King. Horrifying.
You can read it for free here
You can read it for free here
December 8, 2021
This was cool! It’s similar to a movie I watched in hs where this girls heavy metal dad is possessed by the devil and paints satanic art LMAO. I think if King came back to this and made a spin-off novel it would be so good.
June 15, 2022
La historia gira en torno a, grande sorpresa, un escritor que en su camino topa una venta de garaje donde un cuadro con un origen algo tétrico llama fuertemente su atención. Con el pasar de las páginas el escritor empezará a sentirse intranquilo con respecto a la compra de dicho cuadro que en un inicio le generó tanto interés.
Me pareció muy entretenido.
Me pareció muy entretenido.
July 22, 2022
A classic Stephen King horror story. Written in 2006, this great thriller was only one hour on audible, what a great way to spend an hour!
February 18, 2023
Short and succinct.
Read
July 31, 2023I think I much prefer King's ramblings. His novellas are rarely a hit for me. 🤧
June 29, 2023
Creepy. Good listen.
April 8, 2024
Creo que me habría gustado algo más largo, este tema me gustó. La pintura asesina me dio ansiedad jajaja
June 16, 2024
I haven’t really read many Stephen King’s books but this one was really good. This guy stops at a garage sale and buys a creepy painting. Little does he know what’s about to happen with this painting. This book was creepy and some parts were funny. I really enjoyed this short story.
October 3, 2018
One for KING.
October is here :D what better way to start Halloween month than with king.
Creepy good, I like haunted painting. Didn't like the ending. I wanted more of this story. But I guess what makes it so eerie is the lack of explanation.
October is here :D what better way to start Halloween month than with king.
Creepy good, I like haunted painting. Didn't like the ending. I wanted more of this story. But I guess what makes it so eerie is the lack of explanation.
September 23, 2015
My rating: 5 stars
Audiobook narrator Jay O. Sanders rating: 4 stars
This was a short and great Stephen King book. I feel like he created a great plot with such a small amount of ‘room’ and made me really intrigued on what was going to happen next. I since learned that there is a TV show from the Nightmares & Dreamscapes series which has one episode dedicated to this book (starring Tom Berenger, too!).
I thought the narrator did a good job of utilizing the Maine accent and this book somewhat took place in the fictional town of Derry (like 11/22/63 did). I also learned that Stephen King has a similar painting in his own house like the one in the story… Creepy…
Audiobook narrator Jay O. Sanders rating: 4 stars
This was a short and great Stephen King book. I feel like he created a great plot with such a small amount of ‘room’ and made me really intrigued on what was going to happen next. I since learned that there is a TV show from the Nightmares & Dreamscapes series which has one episode dedicated to this book (starring Tom Berenger, too!).
I thought the narrator did a good job of utilizing the Maine accent and this book somewhat took place in the fictional town of Derry (like 11/22/63 did). I also learned that Stephen King has a similar painting in his own house like the one in the story… Creepy…
February 1, 2012
Just read this book the other day, mainly because with its use of a painting and the murderous entity connected to it, it bears some similarities to my novel The Glimpsing. I really enjoyed it; King is so good a making things creepy. I would love to see him turn it into a full length novel. Here's to hoping he does so in the future.
February 8, 2015
I am tracking down the top 13 short stories by Stephen King acccording to this article; 13-best-stephen-king-short-stories-of-all-time
The Road Virus Heads North is interesting, but ends abruptly where it could have gone along menacingly for a few more chapters. My favorite part is the descriptions of the painting every time he looks at it. And Aunt Trudy. Folks, always listen to your Aunt Trudy.
The Road Virus Heads North is interesting, but ends abruptly where it could have gone along menacingly for a few more chapters. My favorite part is the descriptions of the painting every time he looks at it. And Aunt Trudy. Folks, always listen to your Aunt Trudy.
November 24, 2015
I enjoyed the characters, and their world and hope I get the chance to read the story again and/or to read more within the series.
My Rating System:
* couldn't finish, ** wouldn't recommend, *** would recommend, **** would read again, ***** have read again.
My Rating System:
* couldn't finish, ** wouldn't recommend, *** would recommend, **** would read again, ***** have read again.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 140 reviews