Customer Reviews

Quitters, Inc.

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This story has stayed with me ever since I first was exposed to it at the movies in 1985. It is one of three short stories within 'Stephen King's Cat's Eye', with James Woods playing 'Dick' in the Quitters, Inc segment. As this particular story had such an effect on me, it was a challenge to not imagine James Woods while listening to Eric Roberts. Fortunately, Eric Roberts did a great job, and allowed me to be absorbed by this wonderfully twisted story again!

Ever tried to quit smoking? Did you fall off the wagon or gain weight when you did? Well Stephen King has found an almost sure fired way to quit. All you have to do is go to Quitters, Inc. In this story, Dick is a heavy smoker. He comes across an old friend who was a smoker as well. As they are chatting, Dick finds out that his friend has quit smoking, lost weight and feels better than ever by going to this place called Quitters, Inc. After much contiplating, Dick finally decides to go. To his surprise though, he is in for more than he bargained for. He finds out that he has to quit smoking cold turkey and if he doesn't the consequences could be horrific. It's not like they are going to hurt him but they will torture his wife and then his son instead. Not only does he have to quit smoking but he has to keep his weight down and keep in good shape. Are they just bluffing? Can he make it or will his family endure the pain for his habit?

A GREAT LITTLE STORY. I SAT IN THE CAR IN THE DRIVEWAY FOR 20 MINS TO HEAR THE ENDING, I DIDN'T WANT TO WAIT.

Read by Eric Roberts
Duration: 45 minutes.

It is true that with all of Stephen King's lengthy tales, my favorites are usually the shorter ones and Quitters, Inc. is probably Stephen King's shortest story. It was originally part of his book of short stories Night Shift and was one of three stories in the 1985 movie Cat's Eye.

The premise of the story is really cleverly simple. What if you went to a non-smoking clinic that was run by the mafia? Dick Morrison meets an old friend who has kicked the smoking habit who tells him that if he visits Quitters, Inc. they will get him off cigarettes and change his life for the better. Morrison laughs off the suggestion but eventually does go for an initial consultation out of curiosity about their methods.

I cannot divulge any more about this very short story without introducing spoilers except to say that their methods are anything but AMA approved, but they do work.

The story is read by Academy award nominated actor Eric Roberts. Roberts gives an understated performance, like a man telling a story at the end of a bar after a long night. But, it works perfectly with the characterization of the mobster counselor at Quitters, Inc.

Quitters, Inc. was the first audio book I'd listened to by Stephen King. Eric Roberts does an execellent job of narrating the story. I liked the flow of the story and the ambiguity at the first of the novel...it reminded me of the movie, "The Game" with Michael Douglas. The plot however, I found predictable. From the moment the main character sat down to talk to Mr.Donatti,and asked if he loved his wife, I knew the rest of the story. I wish there had been more character development but I suppose that isn't possible in such a short story. Nicely written but I would have enjoyed more suspence. I did expect Mr. Morrison to slip up a bit more. The short story that stuck with me for over 20 years was "Survivor Type" by Stephen King. It had gore and a comedic darkness.

Stephen King is a master story teller and this story, taken from a collection of his best, is proof that he knows what scares us most! The audio book has excellent sound quality... makes it even more scary than ever.

Stephen King just may be America's greatest writer of the later half of the 20th century. I loved Quitter's Inc. It was funny, but I'm not completely sure King had wanted that. It was more satire of how obssesed people have come on trying to overcome their addiction and parts of themselves they hate. It was wonderful.

It looks like I'm the lone commentator. NEway, this book is about a guy who really, really wants to quit smoking...but. He's addicted and he just can't get off. He goes to this place, Quitters, Inc (hence the title) and they make him quit, literally, make him! All +s up to a thrilling ride. Nice nice nice. -=Dazz=-

I'm not a smoker, but this story helped me understand what smokers really go through when they try to quit. Even with his wife and his son on the line, the main character still reaches for his cigarettes. A great story.

the tape was very good , recd fast, good cond. anyone liking stephen king should listen to this tape