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End of the Whole Mess - Rip Off or Ripped Off? (SPOILERS)

posted 18 years ago by cat_hat_man
6 replies | jump to latest

Okay, so I'm currently working my way through the DVD boxset of Nightmares and Dreamscapes, and enjoying it immensely. However, something struck me as very familiar about "The End of the Whole Mess". I remembered reading a short story back in the late 90s about two guys who develop a serum that'll change the world (I couldn't remember what it did) but which brought about the end of the world instead. Digging through an old bookcase, I found the story - "Hell Hath Enlarged Herself", in a collection titled "What You Make It" by Michael Marshall Smith.

After re-reading the story the similarities are very clear. Here's a quick comparison:

End of the Whole Mess - two brothers produce a serum to eradicate agression, distribute it worldwide, but fail to foresee the serious negative consequences that bring about the end of the world. (Thalidomide is referenced as a cautionary tale before they go through with their plan.) The story is narrated by the less culpable brother as he contemplates his death.

Hell Hath Enlarged Herself - two friends (who "grew up as close as brothers") produce a serum containing nanabots that can heal any ailment in the body, and even alter the brain to develop a "sixth sense". It accidentally gets distributed worldwide, and causes serious negative consequences that bring about the end of the world. (Thalmidomide is referenced as a cautionary tale after the two realise what they have done.) The story is narrated by the less culpable friend as he contemplates his death.

So, pretty similar I reckon!

My question is, has anyone else noticed this, and does anyone have any idea who wrote their story first? If so, could there be elements of heavy influence, or is it all merely a coincidence!?

(btw, I'm not trying to knock either King or Smith - I'm a huge fan of both.)

[–] Bexin 18 years ago

From authors website: Hell Hath Enlarged Herself (1996)

From Wiki:The End of the Whole Mess is a short science fiction story by Stephen King which was first published in Omni Magazine in 1986, and later published in the Nightmares and Dreamscapes collection.

My DVD collection http://www.dvdaficionado.com/dvds.html?cat=1&id=bexin

[–] cat_hat_man 18 years ago

Ah, so Mr King published a good ten years previously! Thanks for the info.

I'll have to go back and read the original King story again, to see how closely HHEH reflects it in terms of style and so on. I wonder whether the TV adaptation of TEOTWM drew some influences from Smith's story? (I'm just surprised at Smith seemingly being so heavily influenced, as his stuff is usually staggeringly original.)

Cheers,

cat_hat_man

[–] 18 years ago

[deleted]

[–] serpentiger666 18 years ago

No kidding. King is the master, he's read it all and knows not to copy stuff.

[–] grindbastard 18 years ago

I thought he brought up an excellent comparison without "ragging on" either author. And the point of his post was to gather more facts, hence the inquiry.

[–] Tanithpanic 18 years ago

After seeing the segment tonight, I'd have preferred the Michael Marshall Smith version! Now a series of his stories would be really good. Especially "More Tomorrow" - what a punchline that had.