“He felt as he always did when he finished a book — queerly empty, let down, aware that for each little success he had paid a toll of absurdity.”

American novelist and short story writer of the late 20th and early 21st centuries, Stephen King is best known for his horror fiction, which often explores psychological depth and darkly human themes. His prolific output includes iconic works like *Carrie*, *The Shining*, and *It*, blending supernatural terror with vivid character studies.