The Man in the Black Suit is a short story written by Stephen King, which was first published in The New Yorker in 1994. It is a part of his collection of short stories titled “Everything’s Eventual: 14 Dark Tales.” The story revolves around a haunting recollection of a mysterious boyhood event that has left a lasting impact on the protagonist’s life.

The narrative is set in the rural town of Castle Rock, Maine, during the summer of 1914. The main character, Gary, recalls an encounter he had with a sinister figure known as the Man in the Black Suit when he was just nine years old. Gary describes himself as a timid and imaginative child who loved spending time in nature, particularly near the woods and streams.

One day, while fishing alone at a remote spot by the East Branch of the Narraguagus River, Gary sees a man approaching him from across the field. The man is dressed entirely in black and appears to be otherworldly. He has pale skin, red eyes, and emits an aura of malevolence. The Man in the Black Suit introduces himself as the Devil and engages Gary in conversation.

During their conversation, the Devil tells Gary about various dark and horrifying events happening around the world. He describes gruesome deaths and terrifying creatures that haunt people’s nightmares. The Devil tries to instill fear and despair in Gary’s young mind, emphasizing that life is full of suffering and death.

As their conversation progresses, Gary becomes increasingly frightened and realizes that he is in grave danger. He manages to escape from the Devil’s clutches by using his quick thinking and knowledge of local folklore. Gary remembers a story his mother once told him about how wearing a cross made from goldenrod flowers can protect against evil spirits. He quickly fashions a makeshift cross from goldenrod flowers growing nearby and holds it up to ward off the Devil.

The Man in the Black Suit is momentarily repelled by the cross, giving Gary the opportunity to flee. He runs back home, terrified and traumatized by the encounter. When he reaches his house, he finds his mother waiting for him, unaware of the supernatural events that just occurred. Gary keeps the incident a secret, fearing that no one would believe him.

Years later, as an old man reflecting on his life, Gary still carries the weight of that encounter with the Man in the Black Suit. He wonders if it was a figment of his imagination or a real encounter with evil. The story explores themes of fear, innocence, and the power of storytelling.

The Man in the Black Suit is a chilling tale that showcases Stephen King’s ability to create suspense and evoke a sense of dread. It delves into the psychological impact of traumatic experiences and the lingering effects they can have on an individual’s life.

In conclusion, The Man in the Black Suit is a haunting recollection of a mysterious boyhood event that has haunted the protagonist throughout his life. Stephen King masterfully weaves a tale of fear and suspense, leaving readers questioning the boundaries between reality and imagination.

• The Man in the Black Suit

• 4 Dark Tales
• By: Stephen King
• Narrated by: John Cullum, Becky Ann Baker

“The face of the man in black grew clearer, closer, and I remembered every word he said. I didn’t want to think about him, but I couldn’t help it, and sometimes at night, the old heart My navel was beating so hard and so fast that I thought it was going to rip through my own chest.”

A haunting recollection of a mysterious teenage event, The Man in the Black Suit, read by John Cullum, headlines this superb anthology by Stephen King.

Other dark stories include: All That You Love Will Be Carried Away, read by Peter Gerety, in which a man rents a Lincoln, Nebraska Motel 6 to find meaning in his life; That feeling, you can only tell what it is in French, read by Becky Ann Baker, presenting the last case of deja vu; and The Death of Jack Hamilton, read by Arliss Howard, a suspenseful tale of outlaws during the Depression on the run.

Whether writing about encounters with the dead or near-death, or about life’s mundane fears, Stephen King’s The Man in the Black Suit is a compelling and intense read.

I bought this book while listening to books on cd kick but now I like music more and books on cd take up too much space on my mp3 player. So, as a result, I donated it to the local public library so the less fortunate could enjoy.

Love the stories! Big fan of Stephen King!!! Slightly disappointed in the delivery time but well worth the wait!

Very good story… typical of Stephen King….. I love it! Good price and fast shipping too!

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