Stephen King’s New Book Calls Back To 1 Of His Short Stories From 40 Years Ago

Warning: This article contains SPOILERS for “Willie the Weirdo” and “Gramma” by Stephen King.

You Like It Darker contains a combination of recently released and brand-new stories by Stephen King, and the collection even calls back to one of the author’s tales from 40 years ago. King’s short story collections always feature impressive new additions to his lineup, so it’s no wonder that You Like It Darker is one of the biggest horror books of 2024. It marks a return to the author’s roots, featuring the dark types of horror narratives that launched his prolific writing career.

Some of the best stories from You Like It Darker are wholly original, but the collection does contain a few nods to King’s previous works. Rattlesnakes, the scariest story in You Like It Darker, is a loose sequel to 1981’s Cujo. It offers some closure for Cujo‘s Trenton family and the readers invested in their plight. King’s new book also calls back to one of the author’s well-known stories from 40 years ago, featuring an eerily similar narrative and twist.

Related

10 Great Horror & Thriller Books Recommended By Stephen King

While Stephen King was responsible for some of the best horror and thrillers ever, he also has many recommendations for other authors’ books.

You Like It Darker Features A Surprising Connection To Stephen King’s Story “Gramma”

This Horror Tale First Debuted In 1984

“Willie the Weirdo” is one of the most distinctly disturbing additions to You Like It Darker, and its ending will remind longtime King fans of a former short story: “Gramma.” This horror story initially made its debut in Weirdbook in 1984, and it later appeared in King’s 1985 collection, Skeleton Crew. “Gramma” follows a young boy named George, who’s forced to watch his sickly grandmother while his mother and brother go to the hospital. As George awaits their return, he recalls unsettling things he’s witnessed and heard about Gramma. After these memories surface, he realizes she isn’t moving.

Determining that his grandmother is dead, George tries to contact his family — but he’s taken by surprise when he hears Gramma Bruckner summoning him. She manages to embrace him, and the story’s ending implies that she possesses George or even fully takes over his body. It’s an eerie turn of events, and it’s one that’s repeated in You Like It Darker‘s “Willie the Weirdo.”

How “Willie the Weirdo” Calls Back To Stephen King’s 40-Year-Old Short Story

Its Setup & Twist Are Eerily Similar To “Gramma”

You Like It Darker calls back to “Gramma” 40 years later, as “Willie the Weirdo” features the same setup and twist as King’s previous horror tale. Like “Gramma,” the newer story starts with a young boy spending time with a grandparent — this time, a grandfather who enjoys telling violent war stories. Willie thinks his grandfather is making it all up, as he wasn’t around for the conflicts in question. However, the story’s ending implies that Willie’s grandpa has actually lived for a long time. Just like the grandmother in “Gramma,” he seems to accomplish this by jumping into other people’s bodies.

King’s narrative in “Willie the Weirdo” is incredibly similar to that of “Gramma,” right down to the unsettling descriptions of the grandparents in question. Like George, Willie believes his grandfather is dead — though he’s more fascinated by the body than King’s previous protagonist. Willie’s fascination allows his grandfather to grab his wrist, and the story’s ending suggests he’s now living in Willie’s body. It’s obvious that this tale from You Like It Darker draws inspiration from Stephen King‘s earlier narrative. It may even feature the same type of monster.