"1922" is a horror novella by American author Stephen King, first published in 2010 as part of his collection Full Dark, No Stars. The story is a first-person confession written by Wilfred Leland James, a farmer in Hemingford Home, Nebraska, who conspires with his teenage son to murder his wife, Arlette, in order to prevent her from selling their land and moving to the city.
The narrative explores themes of guilt, paranoia, and the psychological decay that follows an act of violence. After the murder, Wilf and his son are haunted not only by their consciences but also by a growing infestation of rats that seem to carry a supernatural significance, embodying the inescapable consequences of their crime.
Full Dark, No Stars was well-received by critics, who praised its unflinching examination of ordinary people driven to horrific acts. "1922" stands out within the collection for its period setting and its slow-burn descent into madness, showcasing King's ability to blend psychological realism with supernatural dread.
