Book excerpt: “The Stephen King companion to end all Stephen King companions . . . An indispensable insider’s guide” to his influences, stories, adaptations, and more (Publishers Weekly). The Stephen King Universe is a vast expanse of grotesque horror, dark magic, and fearsome wonder. Conjured from on man’s imagination, it is an ever-expanding kingdom of twisting, dark pathways—a place where one might easily get lost without guidance. The Complete Stephen King Universe is the only definitive reference work that examines all of Stephen King’s novels, short stories, motion pictures, miniseries, and teleplays, and deciphers the threads that connect all of his work. This ultimate resource includes in-depth story analyses, character breakdowns, little-known facts, and startling revelations on how the plots, themes, characters, and conflicts intertwine.