Short Stories (Ballad Of The Flexible Bullet / Man Who Would Not Shake Hands)
"Short Stories (Ballad Of The Flexible Bullet / Man Who Would Not Shake Hands)" is an optional companion work. It can be read at any time, though it is usually best enjoyed after reading the first few core novels of the Collections.
🟡 Optional side story — not required for main plot
There are multiple ways to approach this series. Our recommended order is optimized for first-time readers.
This is a side story that can be safely bypassed without losing any context for the main series.
Verdict Insight: This is a comprehensive collection and bundle of the Stephen King's works. It typically offers significantly better value than buying the titles individually.
The Stephen King Collection. Stories From Night Shift
Book # of 241 in Series
Complete Series Reading Order
Publication Order
Preserves character reveals and plot twists exactly as the author intended.
Chronological Order
May spoil surprises but improves timeline clarity for deep lore fans.
Order Confidence
Why this order?
Our team of curators analyzes publication history, author interviews, and internal narrative continuity to establish the definitive reading sequence. This ensures zero spoilers and maximum narrative impact.
Why This Order Is Confusing
Many reading lists for Collections conflict because early publishers often labeled short story collections as standalone novels, or rearranged internal chronologies for marketing. This guide follows original author intent and narrative continuity to settle the debate for good.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I skip reading Short Stories (Ballad Of The Flexible Bullet / Man Who Would Not Shake Hands)?
This is a side story that can be safely bypassed without losing any context for the main series.
Can I read Short Stories (Ballad Of The Flexible Bullet / Man Who Would Not Shake Hands) before other books in the series?
Yes. Short Stories (Ballad Of The Flexible Bullet / Man Who Would Not Shake Hands) is an optional side story and can be read at any time without spoiling the main series plot.
Is Short Stories (Ballad Of The Flexible Bullet / Man Who Would Not Shake Hands) required reading for the Collections?
No, it is a companion work that enriches the lore but is not essential to the central storyline.
What comes after Short Stories (Ballad Of The Flexible Bullet / Man Who Would Not Shake Hands) in the reading order?
The next recommended book after Short Stories (Ballad Of The Flexible Bullet / Man Who Would Not Shake Hands) is The Stephen King Collection. Stories From Night Shift (Book #null).
![The Stand [1/2]](https://covers.openlibrary.org/b/id/977658-L.jpg)
