For those who have been constant readers from the beginning,

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Wayoftheredpanda

Flaming Wonder Telepath
May 15, 2018
4,907
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Flashback 44 years to April 5th 1974, the day mister King's debut novel hit the shelves for the first time ever. To those of you who had the privilege to experience Carrie when it was brand new and at the time his only published novel; how did you hear about it? What were your first reactions? How old were you? How did it affect you?
 

kingricefan

All-being, keeper of Space, Time & Dimension.
Jul 11, 2006
30,011
127,446
Spokane, WA
I was in high school when a friend walked up to me and very excitedly said 'You have to read this!!' and handed me a paperback copy of Carrie. I looked at the cover (all black with the picture of the girl, no author's name whatsoever on it) turned it over and read the back, opened it up and read what was on the first page. I handed it back to her and said 'No thanks.' :eek: The first King book I read was 'Salem's Lot (in paperback) and that scared the crap out of me! It was the same scenario- a friend handed it to me and said that it scared her so much she couldn't sleep for days. I looked at it (all black cover again with no mention of King) turned it over to the back and read 'The town knew darkness...but no one dared talk about the high, sweet, evil laughter from a child...and the sucking sounds...' That did it for me! I was ready for this one! I think I read it in two or three days. Lost some sleep, too. Haven't looked back since....
 

Dana Jean

Dirty Pirate Hooker, The Return
Moderator
Apr 11, 2006
53,634
236,697
The High Seas
I was in high school when a friend walked up to me and very excitedly said 'You have to read this!!' and handed me a paperback copy of Carrie. I looked at the cover (all black with the picture of the girl, no author's name whatsoever on it) turned it over and read the back, opened it up and read what was on the first page. I handed it back to her and said 'No thanks.' :eek: The first King book I read was 'Salem's Lot (in paperback) and that scared the crap out of me! It was the same scenario- a friend handed it to me and said that it scared her so much she couldn't sleep for days. I looked at it (all black cover again with no mention of King) turned it over to the back and read 'The town knew darkness...but no one dared talk about the high, sweet, evil laughter from a child...and the sucking sounds...' That did it for me! I was ready for this one! I think I read it in two or three days. Lost some sleep, too. Haven't looked back since....
and that one little red drop of blood off the face's lip.
 

Spideyman

Uber Member
Jul 10, 2006
46,336
195,472
79
Just north of Duma Key
Flashback 44 years to April 5th 1974, the day mister King's debut novel hit the shelves for the first time ever. To those of you who had the privilege to experience Carrie when it was brand new and at the time his only published novel; how did you hear about it? What were your first reactions? How old were you? How did it affect you?


A friend had just read Carrie and suggest I might enjoy it. That was an understatement. Reaction-- what an author, what a style, wow. Was 30. Couldn't wait to read more from this author.
 

not_nadine

Comfortably Roont
Nov 19, 2011
29,655
139,785
Behind you
My sister tossed me this. I was about 12. I believe it was also an embossed cover.
salems-lot-paperback-cover-review.jpg
over
 
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Sundrop

Sunny the Great & Wonderful
Jun 12, 2008
28,520
156,619
I was seven years old in 1974, so it took me a few more years before I read anything by Stephen King. My first was the short story collection, Skeleton Crew. My first SK novel was Pet Sematary. Loved them both. I didn't read Carrie until I was in my 30's. I remember thinking that I'm glad it wasn't my first SK novel, because I may not have picked up another. Don't get me wrong, it was good but it didn't leave me wanting more like the other stories did. I'm really glad that Tabitha saved it from the trash, because without it, we might not have had the others.
 

Doc Creed

Well-Known Member
Nov 18, 2015
17,221
82,822
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United States
I was seven years old in 1974, so it took me a few more years before I read anything by Stephen King. My first was the short story collection, Skeleton Crew. My first SK novel was Pet Sematary. Loved them both. I didn't read Carrie until I was in my 30's. I remember thinking that I'm glad it wasn't my first SK novel, because I may not have picked up another. Don't get me wrong, it was good but it didn't leave me wanting more like the other stories did. I'm really glad that Tabitha saved it from the trash, because without it, we might not have had the others.
Did you buy the hardcover of Pet Sematary in 1983 or did you borrow a paperback from the library...how'd you happen across it? What's the story? K-mart used to have the best selection of King paperbacks when I started reading his work (early '90s). I can almost pinpoint when and where I acquired each book for my collection.
 

Sundrop

Sunny the Great & Wonderful
Jun 12, 2008
28,520
156,619
Did you buy the hardcover of Pet Sematary in 1983 or did you borrow a paperback from the library...how'd you happen across it? What's the story? K-mart used to have the best selection of King paperbacks when I started reading his work (early '90s). I can almost pinpoint when and where I acquired each book for my collection.
I bought the paperback at Kmart. I had just moved to Winston Salem, and wanted something to read in the evenings when I was alone. That might not have been the best idea I'd ever had, because the book scared the bejeezus out of me......and there was a stray cat that showed up and sat on the steps leading into my apartment every night after Church came back in the story. I later found the first edition hardcover to add to my collection, and that is the book I asked Mr. King to sign when I met him at the George Mason event a few years ago.
 

Doc Creed

Well-Known Member
Nov 18, 2015
17,221
82,822
47
United States
I bought the paperback at Kmart. I had just moved to Winston Salem, and wanted something to read in the evenings when I was alone. That might not have been the best idea I'd ever had, because the book scared the bejeezus out of me......and there was a stray cat that showed up and sat on the steps leading into my apartment every night after Church came back in the story. I later found the first edition hardcover to add to my collection, and that is the book I asked Mr. King to sign when I met him at the George Mason event a few years ago.
I can't believe you got it at K-mart, what a coincidence. Did you take any pics at the signing? Take care of that signed first edition! o_O