The Road Virus Heads North is a short story written by Stephen King, which was first published in the collection “Everything’s Eventual” in 2002. The story follows the protagonist, Richard Kinnell, a successful horror writer who purchases a mysterious painting at a yard sale.

The story begins with Richard attending an art show where he feels uninspired and disconnected from his own work. On his way home, he stops at a yard sale and comes across a painting titled “The Road Virus Heads North.” The painting depicts a sinister-looking man driving a car, and Richard is immediately drawn to it.

As Richard examines the painting more closely, he notices that the man in the car seems to be changing positions. This discovery unsettles him, but he decides to buy the painting anyway. On his drive home, Richard becomes increasingly paranoid and starts to believe that the man in the painting is following him.

Throughout the story, Richard’s mental state deteriorates as he becomes obsessed with the painting and its eerie implications. He begins to see signs of the road virus everywhere, including on billboards and in other paintings. He also starts experiencing hallucinations and nightmares related to the painting.

As Richard’s paranoia intensifies, he becomes convinced that the man in the painting is not only following him but also leaving a trail of death and destruction in his wake. He starts to fear for his life and those around him.

In a desperate attempt to rid himself of the painting’s influence, Richard decides to burn it. However, even after destroying the artwork, he continues to see signs of the road virus. The story ends with Richard realizing that he can never truly escape from the horrors depicted in “The Road Virus Heads North.”

“The Road Virus Heads North” explores themes of obsession, paranoia, and the blurring line between reality and imagination. It delves into the psychological effects of art and how it can consume an individual’s mind. Stephen King masterfully creates a sense of unease and dread throughout the story, keeping readers on edge as they witness Richard’s descent into madness.

• The Road Virus Heads North

• By: Stephen King
• Narrated by: Jay O. Sanders

The Road Virus Heads North follows an author who purchases a macabre painting at a yard sale painted by a metal-headed neighbor just before he commits suicide.

This is not only a book to read but also a workbook for those who want to grow up. Each chapter, he explains the human condition and the human being that allows you to find your inner self. The final chapter will allow you to plant flowers to help save this earth.

The Road Virus Heads North is one of Stephen King’s best short stories. This is the story of an author who buys a painting (made by a kid who later committed suicide) and tells what happens next in the way the painting changes. The changes are initially subtle then become more pronounced as time goes on. An engaging short story, well read and with a great ending…. Excellent

Perhaps the story was a new concept when it was written, but, in 2015, the “haunted picture” metaphor was so well known that this audiobook would be completely boring for most readers. The story is simple: The man buys the disturbing painting, the painting changes whenever he is not looking, the painting does bad things, the painting seems to be getting closer to him.

This is not bad, it is also very good. Not compared to his other books that I have read. It certainly makes you think twice about picking things up from the garage sale. I found the ending a bit meh IMO. Overall not bad, a good short story to leave you in awe.

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