BookPath
Sleeping Beauties
Stephen King

Sleeping Beauties

Quick Answer

Read "Sleeping Beauties" as the nullth book in the Collections sequence. This follows the recommended publication order to preserve character development.

Quick Verdict

✅ Safe to read now (Series Entry Point)

There are multiple ways to approach this series. Our recommended order is optimized for first-time readers.

❓ Can I skip this book?
❌ No — Required

This book is essential to the core narrative and character development.

Verdict Insight: A compelling work from the Stephen King's bibliography. Whether as a standalone or part of a loosely connected universe, it's a staple for fans.

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2020944 ppWikidataSource
In this spectacular father/son collaboration, Stephen King and Owen King tell the highest of high-stakes stories: what might happen if women disappeared from the world of men? All around the world, something is happening to women when they fall asleep; they become shrouded in a cocoon-like gauze. If awakened, if the gauze wrapping their bodies is disturbed, the women become feral and spectacularly violent… In the small town of Dooling, West Virginia, the virus is spreading through a women's prison, affecting all the inmates except one. Soon, word spreads about the mysterious Evie, who seems able to sleep – and wake. Is she a medical anomaly or a demon to be slain? The abandoned men, left to their increasingly primal devices, are fighting each other, while Dooling's Sheriff, Lila Norcross, is just fighting to stay awake. And the sleeping women are about to open their eyes to a new world altogether… --front flap
Next Recommended Book

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

medium 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 Sleeping Beauties?

This book is essential to the core narrative and character development.

Can I read Sleeping Beauties before other books in the series?

No. We recommend reading the previous book first. Sleeping Beauties is the nullth book in the series and follows the core narrative established in earlier volumes.

Is Sleeping Beauties required reading for the Collections?

Yes, it is a core installment in the series reading order and contains critical character development and plot progression.

What comes after Sleeping Beauties in the reading order?

The next recommended book after Sleeping Beauties is The Stephen King Collection. Stories From Night Shift (Book #null).