Another review. Mine.

  • This message board permanently closed on June 30th, 2020 at 4PM EDT and is no longer accepting new members.

Checkman

Getting older and balder
May 9, 2007
902
1,989
Idaho
So after years (decades) of procrastination I read "IT". It was the summer of 2013 and I had just undergone a partial nephrectomy on my left Kidney. The doctor had cut me open like a fish and I was looking at several weeks of convalescence. This was a perfect time to dive into one of Mr. King's largest novels. I knocked it out in about six or seven days. Here is my review.

"IT is a controversial novel, but also considered to be one of King's classics. Definitely one of King's biggest novels and this can cause aggravation for many as well.

I won't go into great details about the plot. Almost everyone here is familiar with it I'm sure. The bulk of the story takes place in 1958 and 1985. In 1958 seven children (11 years of age) come together to battle an ancient evil that returns to terrorize Derry, Main every twenty-seven years. They win the battle, but not the war. They return to Derry in 1985 to finish it - one way or another.

Underneath the horror tale "IT" is a coming of age story (1958), a tale of nostalgia (1985), and a story of how one can't go home again and sometimes one shouldn't. Mixed in with those themes are various sub-topics such as the discovery of sex, the strengths and limitations of friendship, secrets & lies, regrets, the realization that adults (parents) aren't perfect and the fact that we all will know failure, success, life and death..........they're unavoidable.

I was surprised to discover that the horror aspects of the tale weren't all that disturbing or creepy. I don't know why. Perhaps I'm just too jaded now (I was a creaky 45 at the time of reading. Now I'm a decrepit 47) or I'm too familiar with the story thanks to the 1990 mini-series and years of participating in discussions about this and other of King's novels over the years. However the chapters involving the horror were well done. King excels at descriptions and a sense of place. He's one of the best writers around at conveying that illogical fear of the dark closet and the anxiety that the bump in the night can cause.

The parts of the novels I liked the best are when King brings the world of Derry (past and present) and the lives of the primary characters to the fore. This is one reason why "IT" is so long. The novel is about these seven characters. Pennywise is the terror that they have to battle, but the novel is more about them and their lives - not the struggle that they engage in. We all have some type of demon to deal with in this world. Pennywise is their demon, but what's truly important is how they live while fighting their battle.

"IT" is not a happy story, but it isn't a depressing story either. There are moments of levity, satisfaction, excitement and joy. There is also melancholy, anger and fear - just like life. For me the point of "IT" is the journey that you ,the reader, takes with the characters. The destination is interesting, but it isn't the end all and be all of the novel.

In conclusion "IT" is a satisfying read. There are some weak spots and a couple things that I also think could have been left out (the infamous sex scene during the Ritual of CHUD), but all in all "IT" is a well written novel and a satisfying read.
 

Walter Oobleck

keeps coming back...or going, and going, and going
Mar 6, 2013
11,749
34,805
And it reads like a much shorter story and why'd the story have to end? Check out The Greatest Thing Since Sliced Bread, Checkman. I read it last week and I was reminded of King's It. It was my first, maybe 20 years ago...and I've read it a number of times since then. Nice overview. I liked the past the best.
 

Checkman

Getting older and balder
May 9, 2007
902
1,989
Idaho
And it reads like a much shorter story and why'd the story have to end? Check out The Greatest Thing Since Sliced Bread, Checkman. I read it last week and I was reminded of King's It. It was my first, maybe 20 years ago...and I've read it a number of times since then. Nice overview. I liked the past the best.

Thanks. Appreciate it.
 

Karloff

Well-Known Member
Jun 14, 2015
152
649
37
Kutno, Poland
nice review :)

If you haven't, read The Dreamcatcher. There are some awosome links to "IT" :)

Like I mentioned earlier- a very, VERY underrated novel, imo.
 
  • Like
Reactions: AchtungBaby

Karloff

Well-Known Member
Jun 14, 2015
152
649
37
Kutno, Poland
Well, it's summer time ! The best time for another re-read ! :) - 5th, I believe.

Just to make things more interesting than reading random chapters throughout the entire year :D :D

Never gets old, never "wears out", just can't handle the epicness everytime I read..IT ;)
 
Last edited:

Checkman

Getting older and balder
May 9, 2007
902
1,989
Idaho
Well, it's summer time ! The best time for another re-read ! :) - 5th, I believe.

Just to make things more interesting than reading random chapters throughout the entire year :D :D

Never gets old, never "wears out", just can't handle the epicness everytime I read..IT ;)

Yeah it's funny how some books are just summer reads. I am currently spot reading "The Stand". The last hour of the day as I lay in bed and my wife is doing her sudoku I am working my way (again) through the book. It sits on the shelf in the winter and spring but gets pulled off about every third summer for a little bedtime reading. There are other books for different seasons.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Karloff

Karloff

Well-Known Member
Jun 14, 2015
152
649
37
Kutno, Poland
11698511_945591608794464_1140541582465721097_n.jpg

More of some epic arts in the link below:

Stephen King's It Remake - Timeline | Facebook