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I Know What You Need
Published in 'Night Shift'
Unknown Binding
First published September 1, 1976
About the author
Stephen King
2,285 books893k followersStephen Edwin King was born the second son of Donald and Nellie Ruth Pillsbury King. After his father left them when Stephen was two, he and his older brother, David, were raised by his mother. Parts of his childhood were spent in Fort Wayne, Indiana, where his father's family was at the time, and in Stratford, Connecticut. When Stephen was eleven, his mother brought her children back to Durham, Maine, for good. Her parents, Guy and Nellie Pillsbury, had become incapacitated with old age, and Ruth King was persuaded by her sisters to take over the physical care of them. Other family members provided a small house in Durham and financial support. After Stephen's grandparents passed away, Mrs. King found work in the kitchens of Pineland, a nearby residential facility for the mentally challenged.
Stephen attended the grammar school in Durham and Lisbon Falls High School, graduating in 1966. From his sophomore year at the University of Maine at Orono, he wrote a weekly column for the school newspaper, THE MAINE CAMPUS. He was also active in student politics, serving as a member of the Student Senate. He came to support the anti-war movement on the Orono campus, arriving at his stance from a conservative view that the war in Vietnam was unconstitutional. He graduated in 1970, with a B.A. in English and qualified to teach on the high school level. A draft board examination immediately post-graduation found him 4-F on grounds of high blood pressure, limited vision, flat feet, and punctured eardrums.
He met Tabitha Spruce in the stacks of the Fogler Library at the University, where they both worked as students; they married in January of 1971. As Stephen was unable to find placement as a teacher immediately, the Kings lived on his earnings as a laborer at an industrial laundry, and her student loan and savings, with an occasional boost from a short story sale to men's magazines.
Stephen made his first professional short story sale ("The Glass Floor") to Startling Mystery Stories in 1967. Throughout the early years of his marriage, he continued to sell stories to men's magazines. Many were gathered into the Night Shift collection or appeared in other anthologies.
In the fall of 1971, Stephen began teaching English at Hampden Academy, the public high school in Hampden, Maine. Writing in the evenings and on the weekends, he continued to produce short stories and to work on novels.
Stephen attended the grammar school in Durham and Lisbon Falls High School, graduating in 1966. From his sophomore year at the University of Maine at Orono, he wrote a weekly column for the school newspaper, THE MAINE CAMPUS. He was also active in student politics, serving as a member of the Student Senate. He came to support the anti-war movement on the Orono campus, arriving at his stance from a conservative view that the war in Vietnam was unconstitutional. He graduated in 1970, with a B.A. in English and qualified to teach on the high school level. A draft board examination immediately post-graduation found him 4-F on grounds of high blood pressure, limited vision, flat feet, and punctured eardrums.
He met Tabitha Spruce in the stacks of the Fogler Library at the University, where they both worked as students; they married in January of 1971. As Stephen was unable to find placement as a teacher immediately, the Kings lived on his earnings as a laborer at an industrial laundry, and her student loan and savings, with an occasional boost from a short story sale to men's magazines.
Stephen made his first professional short story sale ("The Glass Floor") to Startling Mystery Stories in 1967. Throughout the early years of his marriage, he continued to sell stories to men's magazines. Many were gathered into the Night Shift collection or appeared in other anthologies.
In the fall of 1971, Stephen began teaching English at Hampden Academy, the public high school in Hampden, Maine. Writing in the evenings and on the weekends, he continued to produce short stories and to work on novels.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 66 reviews
June 13, 2024
Story 3.5 stars**
Audio 4 stars**
Narrator John Glover
Audio 4 stars**
Narrator John Glover
September 12, 2014
This was a really good story, I actually feel bad for the creepy character Ed. If I had the abilities that he had who is to say I wouldn't use them to try and get what I wanted. Don't we all use our unique abilities in a similar fashion? Looks, wit, humor, intellect or psychic abilities all stack up the same when we want something.
November 26, 2023
Elizabeth is a popular college student fretting about getting good grades for her upcoming exams. A nerdy but charming young man named Ed soothes her nerves by helping her prepare. He seems to always know exactly what she needs every time they run into each other. Almost as if they once knew each other or as if he can read her mind.
I liked this story but I felt the ending dropped the ball after an otherwise cool little twist. I had a theory that Ed may have been a time traveler going back to visit the past version of his wife but it ended up going down a much darker and weirder path than that. I just wish the concept was pushed a little further to its full potential by having a more confrontational ending.
An awkward romance tale gone wrong.
I liked this story but I felt the ending dropped the ball after an otherwise cool little twist. I had a theory that Ed may have been a time traveler going back to visit the past version of his wife but it ended up going down a much darker and weirder path than that. I just wish the concept was pushed a little further to its full potential by having a more confrontational ending.
An awkward romance tale gone wrong.
September 15, 2017
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Neil Diamond
Neil Diamond
October 3, 2020
Another underrated King story, in my opinion. However, the ending, while it does not derail the story, did kind of disappoint me. I was actually enjoying it as a love story.
October 10, 2021
This one felt pretty clearly telegraphed from the beginning, leaving the reveal somewhat wanting. But there was at least a cathartic close.
September 1, 2025
Creepy and unsettling. The premise hooked me right away, and the eerie build up was strong, though the ending felt a bit predictable. Still, it was an interesting and memorable short story.
December 13, 2021
Interesting story.
Popular girl meets nerd and is too good to give him the time of day until he offers her exactly what she needs.
Over the years, she is always thrilled that this man appears exactly when she needs him and vanishes when she doesn’t. His ability to tend solely to her needs creates the illusion in her mind that she loves him.
Until. Her best friend steps in and points out that she shouldn’t like this nerd with mismatched socks. In fact, it is so unnatural that she hired a private detective to find out how this is happening and discovers that he has other worldly powers. She believes he is reading her mind in order to know what she needs and give it to her, making her think she is in love, when she is not.
She naturally does what any sane woman would do… breaks into his house and goes through his things. She finds a copy of the Necronomicon and some voodoo dolls including one of her from when she was a child. He comes in and confronts her, calls her an u grateful bitch, and she crushes the doll and leaves. He tells her no one else will ever be good enough for her after this.
This story asks a couple of questions. The first is what is love, exactly. The second makes note of people’s tendency to be whoever they think their love interest wants or needs them to be instead of themselves, which is a form of trickery (intended or not). King equates it to rape. This is a bit far for my liking.
Without the voodoo doll and possible murder of Tony and his parents, the guy is just someone using the abilities he was given to get a girl. The girl is also using the abilities she was given to attract a partner. Is that monstrous? You decide.
Popular girl meets nerd and is too good to give him the time of day until he offers her exactly what she needs.
Over the years, she is always thrilled that this man appears exactly when she needs him and vanishes when she doesn’t. His ability to tend solely to her needs creates the illusion in her mind that she loves him.
Until. Her best friend steps in and points out that she shouldn’t like this nerd with mismatched socks. In fact, it is so unnatural that she hired a private detective to find out how this is happening and discovers that he has other worldly powers. She believes he is reading her mind in order to know what she needs and give it to her, making her think she is in love, when she is not.
She naturally does what any sane woman would do… breaks into his house and goes through his things. She finds a copy of the Necronomicon and some voodoo dolls including one of her from when she was a child. He comes in and confronts her, calls her an u grateful bitch, and she crushes the doll and leaves. He tells her no one else will ever be good enough for her after this.
This story asks a couple of questions. The first is what is love, exactly. The second makes note of people’s tendency to be whoever they think their love interest wants or needs them to be instead of themselves, which is a form of trickery (intended or not). King equates it to rape. This is a bit far for my liking.
Without the voodoo doll and possible murder of Tony and his parents, the guy is just someone using the abilities he was given to get a girl. The girl is also using the abilities she was given to attract a partner. Is that monstrous? You decide.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 22, 2016
This one didn't do a whole lot for me, but I'm so caught up in Night Shift that I gave it three stars instead of two, which I probably wouldn't have done had I just stumbled upon this at random, or had it not been Stephen King. Still, it did keep me reading, and not just because I knew the anticipated "Children of the Corn" was next. The guy. Is he good, or is he foul? . This inquiring mind wanted to know, and was pleased to find out.
May 15, 2024
I was really struggling with what to rate this one. But I'll go with 5 just because it was the perfect short story format for me. Beginning, middle, and end kept me hooked and wanting to read. Basically, it's a dark love story I guess you could say. No feel-good sweep you off your feet feelings here. Just dark, hurt, and obsessing love that makes you do bad things if one is so inclined. Ed was a grade A stalker/clinger if there ever was one. One of my favorites from Night Shift.
December 1, 2019
*3.25 stars
Really interesting story. Steadily creepy with the lingering sense that something is wrong. Where "I Know What You Need" falls short is in the ending: anticlimactic and rushed. I enjoyed reading from a female protagonist, but Beth wasn't very fleshed out or realistic in my opinion.
Really interesting story. Steadily creepy with the lingering sense that something is wrong. Where "I Know What You Need" falls short is in the ending: anticlimactic and rushed. I enjoyed reading from a female protagonist, but Beth wasn't very fleshed out or realistic in my opinion.
February 6, 2017
Not my favorite of all his short stories, but as part of the Night Shift collection, it seems to fit in.
February 18, 2024
Review coming soon
February 19, 2024
'I Know What You Need' by Stephen King.
Rating: 3.0/5.
Review:
I enjoyed a great part of this short story for what it was – a tale of romance between two misfits. Romance is a genre I don't usually dabble in, but this short story made me want to check out some little pieces of romantic fiction. For the most of it, it is an adorable little tale of budding romance between Elizabeth and Edward Hammer Jr., a clumsy yet charming, nerdy college kid who, through strange happenstance, succeeds in winning her affection. I was glad that Ed was there for her whenever she needed some kind of support. I knew this being a Stephen King short story, there was going to be a creepy twist coming, but for the most of it, I loved it for what it was - a cute little tale of romance.
But, oh boy, when Stephen King introduces his classical flair at the climax of the story, the cute romantic tale is thrown out of the window. Instead, what we got is a creepy tale of stalking that dabbles in the occult with some Lovecraftian themes thrown around.
It was only towards the end that Stephen King hit me with his twists full of occult elements. At first, I felt bad for Ed. He was a lanky kid trying to fit in best with what he had. His extraordinary powers of precognition were beyond his control, but I think had he used it in a gentlemen-like manner, he would have finally met someone who liked him for what he was. Instead, he resorted to evil means to achieve his goals. He went full psycho and stalked Beth. He tried to control her life and inadvertently caused her ex's accident. And in the end, he was a sore loser - calling her an 'ungrateful bitch' and all. So much for being a good guy. It was difficult sympathizing with him by then, and his actions were totally irredeemable.
Overall, the first three-quarters of the short story presents us with a cozy little tale of romance, but Stephen King ups the game towards the end by introducing occult elements. I greatly enjoyed reading the former part, but once the creepy elements were introduced, the story fizzled out a little for me. I found the ending to be particularly weak and lacking. I was glad that Beth had the strength to walk out of the relationship and destroy Ed's voodoo toys. I was happy with the way things played out towards the end, but I think the story failed to pack a punch with its ending.
He looked just the same; he hadn't changed at all. He was wearing his green fatigue jacket, and it still looked at least two sizes too big. One of the bows of his horn-rimmed glasses had been mended with an electrician's tape. His jeans looked new and stiff, miles from the soft and faded 'in' look that Tony had achieved effortlessly. He was wearing one green sock, one brown sock.
And she knew she loved him.
Rating: 3.0/5.
Review:
I enjoyed a great part of this short story for what it was – a tale of romance between two misfits. Romance is a genre I don't usually dabble in, but this short story made me want to check out some little pieces of romantic fiction. For the most of it, it is an adorable little tale of budding romance between Elizabeth and Edward Hammer Jr., a clumsy yet charming, nerdy college kid who, through strange happenstance, succeeds in winning her affection. I was glad that Ed was there for her whenever she needed some kind of support. I knew this being a Stephen King short story, there was going to be a creepy twist coming, but for the most of it, I loved it for what it was - a cute little tale of romance.
But, oh boy, when Stephen King introduces his classical flair at the climax of the story, the cute romantic tale is thrown out of the window. Instead, what we got is a creepy tale of stalking that dabbles in the occult with some Lovecraftian themes thrown around.
It was only towards the end that Stephen King hit me with his twists full of occult elements. At first, I felt bad for Ed. He was a lanky kid trying to fit in best with what he had. His extraordinary powers of precognition were beyond his control, but I think had he used it in a gentlemen-like manner, he would have finally met someone who liked him for what he was. Instead, he resorted to evil means to achieve his goals. He went full psycho and stalked Beth. He tried to control her life and inadvertently caused her ex's accident. And in the end, he was a sore loser - calling her an 'ungrateful bitch' and all. So much for being a good guy. It was difficult sympathizing with him by then, and his actions were totally irredeemable.
Overall, the first three-quarters of the short story presents us with a cozy little tale of romance, but Stephen King ups the game towards the end by introducing occult elements. I greatly enjoyed reading the former part, but once the creepy elements were introduced, the story fizzled out a little for me. I found the ending to be particularly weak and lacking. I was glad that Beth had the strength to walk out of the relationship and destroy Ed's voodoo toys. I was happy with the way things played out towards the end, but I think the story failed to pack a punch with its ending.
February 2, 2021
This one got a 3.5 from me. It was good, and fairly creepy. I think Ed was just a very deranged young man with an obsession that had taken over his life. Beth's dream about Tony was probably just a forewarning because I genuinely think he might have been a bad apple anyway.
I think the feelings Beth felt were real at the time, but once the blinkers were off, she realised how things felt wrong and that she just hadn't noticed. And when Ed caught her looking through his things, saying "you ungrateful bitch" is hardly a term of endearment. If he'd have had a conversation (and not killed her ex of course) things may have gone a different way perhaps? But he just became a monster to her, and that was his fault in how he reacted, which shows that he really wanted her just for the sake of his obsession and not for any real sense of love.
Which is a shame. But obsession is dangerous. I just thought he was a bit odd. I liked Beth. And her roommate Alice was an interesting character.
I think the feelings Beth felt were real at the time, but once the blinkers were off, she realised how things felt wrong and that she just hadn't noticed. And when Ed caught her looking through his things, saying "you ungrateful bitch" is hardly a term of endearment. If he'd have had a conversation (and not killed her ex of course) things may have gone a different way perhaps? But he just became a monster to her, and that was his fault in how he reacted, which shows that he really wanted her just for the sake of his obsession and not for any real sense of love.
Which is a shame. But obsession is dangerous. I just thought he was a bit odd. I liked Beth. And her roommate Alice was an interesting character.
August 14, 2020
Such a unique story. Sometimes I found myself rooting for Ed and sometimes I found myself rooting for Elizabeth. I kind of felt sorry for Ed as I know some people have to work really hard for the things they cherish in life while others have it handed to them. I also felt bad for Elizabeth because she felt so cheated and played. I’m sure I would feel the same way! All around good story that was suspenseful. My only complaint is that I wished things had picked up earlier in the story.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 20, 2015
Excellent for a short horror-ish suspenseful story... All of the characters had depth. Plus, I really liked the way things ended (or not ended)...It does feel good to finally read a good horror after so long.
July 29, 2022
From Cosmopolitan, September 1976
Collected in Night Shift
then later in
The Stephen King Value Collection
Collected in Night Shift
then later in
The Stephen King Value Collection
August 11, 2017
A mild and not really scary horror story. This one resonates a little more than usual: the characters have a little more depth than your average King short.
July 16, 2018
Yeah so this was super creepy, huge fan.
December 29, 2018
This was very close to being a 5 star, but the ending, although empowering left me wanting more.
November 25, 2021
This one was such a good way of looking at how some people in relationships will manipulate to get there way, it was creepy and well done.
December 15, 2021
It was good. But not Stephan king level
March 28, 2023
What a lil freak
July 29, 2023
This was another excellent short story. I didn't get the chills so much as I actually just enjoyed the writing and the concept.
September 18, 2023
Mediocre and ham-fisted. 2.5.
May 23, 2024
This was really interesting actually, quite different to the other stories in Night Shift, Beth’s voice was different and unique, the romance aspect was new, but of course that ending is very King. The endings to most of these stories are disappointing me, they just end abruptly.
Also Alice is definitely a lesbian and Beth should totally get with her instead.
Also Alice is definitely a lesbian and Beth should totally get with her instead.
June 14, 2020
Cuando un chico con poderes, se obsesiona contigo
July 28, 2020
Elizabeth es una chica como otra cualquiera. Va a la universidad, vive con una compañera y tiene un novio. Pero el encuentro con Ed Hamner en la universidad, mientras estudiaba, lo cambiará todo. "Sé lo que necesitas", así se le presentó Ed a Elizabeth. Según se va desarrollando la historia, van sucediendo acontecimientos inesperados en torno a Elizabeth que, por muy loca que parezca la idea, pueden estar relacionados con Ed Hamner y una supuesta habilidad para hacer sentirse bien. Porque, según el propio Ed, él sabía lo que Elizabeth necesita.
Ella se sentía muy bien con él sin embargo ella estaba comprometida y se iba a casar. Un día su prometido sufre un accidente y fallece. A los días aparece Ed. Esto la hace muy feliz. Ella se siente verdaderamente enamorada de Ed. Ese amor va creciendo más y más.
Alice quien era su amiga se tomó la molestia de contratar a una empresa de detectives y descubre que Ed ha estudiado con Elizabeth cuando eran niños y que toda su vida se ha rodeado de sucesos increíbles y muertes inesperadas. Ella le cuenta la historia a su amiga y esta obviamente no le cree, pero decide visitar a Ed.
Al llegar Ed no se encuentra y decide revisar su casa. Encuentra un armario en donde descubre que Ed practicaba artes oscuras y con ello lograba complacerla con todo lo que ella quería. Por fin lo descubre y afronta. Ella encuentra un muñeco con su pelo y un carro atropellando a un persona. Entiende esa persona es su prometido y la muñeca es ella.
Discuten y ella se va y lleva todos los artículos de magia oscura que luego de meditarlo los tira por el rio.
Ella se sentía muy bien con él sin embargo ella estaba comprometida y se iba a casar. Un día su prometido sufre un accidente y fallece. A los días aparece Ed. Esto la hace muy feliz. Ella se siente verdaderamente enamorada de Ed. Ese amor va creciendo más y más.
Alice quien era su amiga se tomó la molestia de contratar a una empresa de detectives y descubre que Ed ha estudiado con Elizabeth cuando eran niños y que toda su vida se ha rodeado de sucesos increíbles y muertes inesperadas. Ella le cuenta la historia a su amiga y esta obviamente no le cree, pero decide visitar a Ed.
Al llegar Ed no se encuentra y decide revisar su casa. Encuentra un armario en donde descubre que Ed practicaba artes oscuras y con ello lograba complacerla con todo lo que ella quería. Por fin lo descubre y afronta. Ella encuentra un muñeco con su pelo y un carro atropellando a un persona. Entiende esa persona es su prometido y la muñeca es ella.
Discuten y ella se va y lleva todos los artículos de magia oscura que luego de meditarlo los tira por el rio.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 31, 2023
This has always been one of my favorite short stories. Not just of King's, but of anyone's. It's only about 20 pages, but those pages are used perfectly. King gives us just enough detail and backstory to suck us in.
Elizabeth is a Junior in college cramming for a final when Ed Hamner shows up knowing just what she needs. A break from the cramming for one. A double dip strawberry ice cream cone second. And thirdly, probably most important of all, a copy (from memory) of the final for which she is cramming. This small beginning leads to an eventual romance. A romance paved by Ed ALWAYS knowing what Elizabeth, or Beth as only he calls her and she prefers, wants, needs, desires. How does he always know? Why question it? Isn't that what finding your soul mate should be? Knowing what pleases each other. Never wanting what the other doesn't. Always knowing what they need and being willing to do literally anything to get it for them? Um, no, not really.
I first read this when I was about nine years old. Yes, I was definitely too young, but I loved it. The idea of someone being willing to give me what I want at all costs seemed like heaven. I've reread it many, many more times over the years, and my feelings have changed, thank goodness, but there is still that little niggle of doubt. If someone really could read my desires and give them to me, wouldn't I be happier? I don't know what my doubt says about me, but I own that doubt. It's a moot point because no one ever seems to know what I really want anyway! C'est la vie!
Elizabeth is a Junior in college cramming for a final when Ed Hamner shows up knowing just what she needs. A break from the cramming for one. A double dip strawberry ice cream cone second. And thirdly, probably most important of all, a copy (from memory) of the final for which she is cramming. This small beginning leads to an eventual romance. A romance paved by Ed ALWAYS knowing what Elizabeth, or Beth as only he calls her and she prefers, wants, needs, desires. How does he always know? Why question it? Isn't that what finding your soul mate should be? Knowing what pleases each other. Never wanting what the other doesn't. Always knowing what they need and being willing to do literally anything to get it for them? Um, no, not really.
I first read this when I was about nine years old. Yes, I was definitely too young, but I loved it. The idea of someone being willing to give me what I want at all costs seemed like heaven. I've reread it many, many more times over the years, and my feelings have changed, thank goodness, but there is still that little niggle of doubt. If someone really could read my desires and give them to me, wouldn't I be happier? I don't know what my doubt says about me, but I own that doubt. It's a moot point because no one ever seems to know what I really want anyway! C'est la vie!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 66 reviews