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Title Cycle of the Werewolf

Author	Stephen King
Illustrator	Bernie Wrightson
Country	USA
Language	English
Genre(s)	Horror
Publisher	The Land of Enchantment
Released	1983
Media type	Print
Pages	127 p
ISBN	ISBN 978-0960382811

Cycle of the Werewolf is a horror novel released in 1983 by Stephen King, featuring illustrations by renowned comic book artist Bernie Wrightson. Each chapter is a short story unto itself. This book is geared for short story classic horror enthusiasts.^{[citation needed]}

The novel came about when King was asked to write 12 "chapters" of a short story to go along with a werewolf-themed illustrated calendar. King being King, however, the story became much longer than could fit in the calendar format. The project was eventually abandoned and the story was published in novel form instead. ^[1]

The story was adapted for the screen as Silver Bullet. The film was released in 1985 starring Corey Haim and Gary Busey, directed by Dan Attias, from a screenplay by King.

Contents 1 Synopsis 2 Notes 3 References 4 External Links

The story is set in the fictional small town of Tarker's Mills, Maine. A werewolf is viciously killing people and animals and a strange incident takes place at each full moon. The otherwise normal town is living in fear. The protagonist of the story is Marty Coslaw, an eleven-year-old boy in a wheelchair. The story goes back and forth from the terrifying incidents to Marty's youthful day-to-day life and how the horror affects him.
In July, the town's Independence Day fireworks have been cancelled. This is very upsetting to Marty, who has been looking forward to them all year. Because he feels bad for him, Marty's uncle Red brings him fireworks, warning Marty to set them off really late so that his mother won't find out. While outside enjoying his own private Independence Day celebration, the werewolf attacks Marty who manages to put out the monster's left eye with a package of black cat firecrackers. The werewolf escapes and the police ignore the report because they are looking for a human murderer, not a werewolf. As the summer continues, the bloodshed occurs again every full moon.
Fall comes and so does Halloween. To celebrate, Marty goes trick-or-treating. While out, he sees the Reverend Lowe wearing an eyepatch (Lowe does not recognize Marty, whose face is covered by a Yoda mask).
Over the next few months, Marty sends the pastor anonymous letters asking why he doesn't kill himself and end the terror. In December, he sends the last letter - signed with his name. Unbeknownst to Reverend Lowe. Marty has convinced his somewhat reluctant uncle to have two silver bullets made and to come spend New Year's Eve (which falls on the full moon) with him. Right before midnight, the werewolf breaks into the house to kill Marty, who shoots him twice with the silver bullets, managing to completely blind and finally kill him.

• Stephen King admits to having taken severe liberties with the lunar cycle for reasons of creative style.^{[citation needed]}

1. ^ HorrorKing.com

• King's official site
• Cycle of the Werewolf at HorrorKing.com
• Cycle of the Werewolf at King's official site