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Buddy-read with Brad.
My very first book by Stephen King and I'm still in awe. This was some experience! Bwahahahahaha!
First, in my edition, we are treated to an introduction by Stephen King from September 20th, 2000:
[His young daughter's cat was killed by a car or truck, died and was buried. Then, some time later ...]
"All seemed to be well until that night, when I heard a thumping from the garage, accompanied by weeping and popping sounds like small firecrackers. I went out to investigate and fo ...more
My very first book by Stephen King and I'm still in awe. This was some experience! Bwahahahahaha!
First, in my edition, we are treated to an introduction by Stephen King from September 20th, 2000:
[His young daughter's cat was killed by a car or truck, died and was buried. Then, some time later ...]
"All seemed to be well until that night, when I heard a thumping from the garage, accompanied by weeping and popping sounds like small firecrackers. I went out to investigate and fo ...more
This is the book that ruined me for lesser horrors.
Sure, there are a ton of really great horror tales out there, some with bigger themes, some with more blood and guts, and some with tighter pacing, but none of them can quite layer and layer a single theme so deftly, craftily, or inexorably.
If you buy a sale of goods, it'll always come home to you.
This is a book of good intentions and a ton of character agency, of gambler's mentality throwing good money after bad, of the investment of life, love ...more
Sure, there are a ton of really great horror tales out there, some with bigger themes, some with more blood and guts, and some with tighter pacing, but none of them can quite layer and layer a single theme so deftly, craftily, or inexorably.
If you buy a sale of goods, it'll always come home to you.
This is a book of good intentions and a ton of character agency, of gambler's mentality throwing good money after bad, of the investment of life, love ...more
„Sometimes dead is better.“
This, for me, was a struggle of epic proportions. At some point I thought I would never finish the damned book. And it took me quite some time to figure out why.
See, I really like Stephen King. I think he is a great writer and I always had a hard time figuring out why some people think he’s writing crap. Okay, that’s actually not quite true. I didn’t really spend much time thinking about it, because I just filed it as different people different taste and moved on. Stil ...more
This, for me, was a struggle of epic proportions. At some point I thought I would never finish the damned book. And it took me quite some time to figure out why.
See, I really like Stephen King. I think he is a great writer and I always had a hard time figuring out why some people think he’s writing crap. Okay, that’s actually not quite true. I didn’t really spend much time thinking about it, because I just filed it as different people different taste and moved on. Stil ...more
This was a re-read for me in preparation for the new movie adaptation (my original review can be found here). Moreover, it was a buddy-read with Dennis, who hadn't read it before and read it all wrong.
The first time, I read the paperback version; this time I couldn't resist "Dexter" (yes, Michael C. Hall) reading the book to me. And as I had hoped, he was brilliant in sending shivers up and down my spine.
For clarification: this is still my favourite King book.
No, I don't like any of the characte ...more
The first time, I read the paperback version; this time I couldn't resist "Dexter" (yes, Michael C. Hall) reading the book to me. And as I had hoped, he was brilliant in sending shivers up and down my spine.
For clarification: this is still my favourite King book.
No, I don't like any of the characte ...more
This was a re read that I didn’t read all the way through and yet I upgraded stars from 3 to 5. So what went down? I can only assume that I wasn’t paying attention or cared less when I read this as a teenager. Several decades on, and several pets on, I was absolutely creeped out and horrified by the story and actually having an elderly, much loved cat at home, felt unable to carry on after the descriptions of Church. When asked, Stephen King will tell you that he believes this to be the scariest
...more
Very good book about loss and acceptance.
I would only call the last 25% horror. The rest of the book concentrates more on the psychology of grief and family relationships.
This book is a great example of good storytelling
I would only call the last 25% horror. The rest of the book concentrates more on the psychology of grief and family relationships.
This book is a great example of good storytelling
Chilling, masterful tale that continues to be as good today as it was when it was first published. I highly recommend the audiobook. Michael C. Hall hits it out of the park with his narration.
“Women are supposed to be the ones good at keeping secrets, and I guess they do keep a few, but any woman who knows anything at all would tell you she’s never really seen into any man’s heart. The soil of a man’s heart is stonier, Louis—like the soil up there in the old Micmac burying ground. Bedrock’s clos ...more
“Women are supposed to be the ones good at keeping secrets, and I guess they do keep a few, but any woman who knows anything at all would tell you she’s never really seen into any man’s heart. The soil of a man’s heart is stonier, Louis—like the soil up there in the old Micmac burying ground. Bedrock’s clos ...more
When you pick up a Stephen King book described as the one where King himself wondered if he had gone too far, expectations are obviously pretty high.
They're warranted.
But maybe not in the way you think. This isn't a bone-chilling monster story (although there are some creepy monster-in-the-woods themes). It isn't a bunch of jump scares. It's not even psychological horror, although King brings his usual talent for suspense.
This is what I might call "horror of the human condition." This isn't just ...more
They're warranted.
But maybe not in the way you think. This isn't a bone-chilling monster story (although there are some creepy monster-in-the-woods themes). It isn't a bunch of jump scares. It's not even psychological horror, although King brings his usual talent for suspense.
This is what I might call "horror of the human condition." This isn't just ...more
Dec 30, 2019
Christina Pilkington
rated it
it was amazing
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
favorites-of-all-time
What an emotional rollercoaster!
I've read dozens of King books before but I never got around to reading Pet Sematary. The premise never seemed to interest me that much before, but with the new movie coming out this year, I wanted to read the book before watching it.
And I was blown away at how much I loved this story! I think, being a parent now, I read this at just the right time for it to make such an impact on me. This is SO much more than I horror story. It approaches the theme of grief and ...more
I've read dozens of King books before but I never got around to reading Pet Sematary. The premise never seemed to interest me that much before, but with the new movie coming out this year, I wanted to read the book before watching it.
And I was blown away at how much I loved this story! I think, being a parent now, I read this at just the right time for it to make such an impact on me. This is SO much more than I horror story. It approaches the theme of grief and ...more
Jan 28, 2009
Chris Haught
rated it
really liked it
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
read-owned-hardcover
May 02, 2010
Nataliya
rated it
liked it
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
i-also-saw-the-film,
stephen-king
Mar 14, 2014
Nathan
rated it
liked it
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
x2018-11-november,
a-sk-fitzhugh-challenge
May 27, 2020
Andy
marked it as to-read
