Carrie, where do I begin..

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carrie's younger brother

Well-Known Member
Mar 8, 2012
5,428
25,651
NJ
The story has depth.
It sure does. Having read it when first published in paperback as a bullied high school student, Carrie meant and still means a lot to me. Maybe because it was my "first" but I compare every other SK book to it in one way or another. Whether it's the writing, storytelling, subject matter or whatever, Carrie is always there when I start a new SK book. It sounds odd now that I am writing this, but it is what it is.
 

Lee9900

Deleted User
Jun 29, 2016
267
786
56
Yes. I was the most hated kid in my school, and they all pretty much hated me, even the adults. was always called retard, ****** and mongoloid. much of it stemmed from racism because I was the only Cherokee in that school, but a lot of it also stemmed from personality conflict as i was very hyperactive and very intelligent.So i experienced a lot of the same type of bullying and mal treatment that Carrie did. And because of that i will always have emotional problems and can not function well in American society. I eventually ended up dropping out of high school and getting my GED because of that.

If I had the powers that Carrie did, i would have destroyed many people who treated me like that. And i would have used them to make a much better life for me than the one I have now.
 

GNTLGNT

The idiot is IN
Jun 15, 2007
87,651
358,754
62
Cambridge, Ohio
Yes. I was the most hated kid in my school, and they all pretty much hated me, even the adults. was always called retard, ****** and mongoloid. much of it stemmed from racism because I was the only Cherokee in that school, but a lot of it also stemmed from personality conflict as i was very hyperactive and very intelligent.So i experienced a lot of the same type of bullying and mal treatment that Carrie did. And because of that i will always have emotional problems and can not function well in American society. I eventually ended up dropping out of high school and getting my GED because of that.

If I had the powers that Carrie did, i would have destroyed many people who treated me like that. And i would have used them to make a much better life for me than the one I have now.
...mass murder would certainly lead to anything but a better life...
 

kingricefan

All-being, keeper of Space, Time & Dimension.
Jul 11, 2006
30,011
127,446
Spokane, WA
Yes. I was the most hated kid in my school, and they all pretty much hated me, even the adults. was always called retard, ****** and mongoloid. much of it stemmed from racism because I was the only Cherokee in that school, but a lot of it also stemmed from personality conflict as i was very hyperactive and very intelligent.So i experienced a lot of the same type of bullying and mal treatment that Carrie did. And because of that i will always have emotional problems and can not function well in American society. I eventually ended up dropping out of high school and getting my GED because of that.

If I had the powers that Carrie did, i would have destroyed many people who treated me like that. And i would have used them to make a much better life for me than the one I have now.
I am sorry to hear that you were treated this way. I was also bullied my entire school life from 7-12th grade. You have to look at the bright side, you survived all that befell you and it will make you a stronger person. It's hard, I have my days when I let things 'get' to me, but I try to stay somewhat positive and look for the good things in my life.
 

Sigmund

Waiting in Uber.
Jan 3, 2010
13,979
44,046
In your mirror.
Yes. I was the most hated kid in my school, and they all pretty much hated me, even the adults. was always called retard, ****** and mongoloid. much of it stemmed from racism because I was the only Cherokee in that school, but a lot of it also stemmed from personality conflict as i was very hyperactive and very intelligent.So i experienced a lot of the same type of bullying and mal treatment that Carrie did. And because of that i will always have emotional problems and can not function well in American society. I eventually ended up dropping out of high school and getting my GED because of that.

If I had the powers that Carrie did, i would have destroyed many people who treated me like that. And i would have used them to make a much better life for me than the one I have now.

Sorry about your experiences. You don't have to "always have emotional problems". Find a good therapist to help you work through issues/experiences and get past it. You would probably do well with a cognitive therapist.
 

skimom2

Just moseyin' through...
Oct 9, 2013
15,683
92,168
USA
One of the first SK books I ever read and it definitely left a huge impact on me. I love the raw intensity of this one. It's definitely the work of a younger writer, but it shows just how gifted he's always been. It really hits you hard.
I agree. What strikes me is the staying power of this book. I mean, many of Mr. King's books are beloved, but this one still rings true to modern teens (at least according to my girls). The scapegoating, the Class Queen and her court, the clueless teachers...nothing has changed. That's not a good thing, but Mr. King's raw writing style for this book is part of what keeps it feeling urgent and current.
 

NHFarmer

New Member
Aug 24, 2016
1
6
New Hampshire
Oh man where do I began with Carrie. I guess ill start by saying that every now and then a book comes along and violently blind sides you, its words triggering a monumental shift in your thinking like a magical incantation. You never see it coming, but when it does it ruthlessly plows through your mind smashing concepts into dust and turning on lights. In the end It leaves you reeling, confused and suddenly questioning everything. Such a book changes you, and in a way becomes a part of who you are.

-Erik

Erik, I am sorry that you were abused, and I am glad to hear that you came through... I had a similar experience. Stephen King literally saved my life by writing "Carrie." I was bullied mercilessly in elementary and high school until the 11th grade... my home life was pretty rough, too. I became depressed and suicidal - though of course, this wasn't anything we discussed with anyone in the 70's... I just became more and more withdrawn, which seemed to fire up the school bullies even more.

Finally, I don't know why, I just snapped one day. There were about 8 or 10 kids surrounding me, picking on me, teasing me, just plain being mean... and I suddenly began screaming and yelling and freaking out. I was normally a shy, quiet kid (a nerdy bookworm wearing thick glasses!!), so it was kind of unexpected, even by me. The other kids didn't seem to know how to handle it - one of the girls suddenly commented, "Oh my god, she's just like Carrie!" They all backed off at that point, and the bullying pretty much stopped from that point on. Very few kids in the school would talk to me after that, but they didn't bother me, either, so I was just fine with it. I had a few very good friends, so life was actually relatively happy from that point on.

I had no idea what the girl had been talking about or why the bullies had been so frightened. I had never heard of Stephen King at that point, but I proceeded to investigate why the mention of "Carrie" had shut the bullies down. The movie had just come out - I discovered that this is where these kids had learned about her, but my family couldn't afford movies, so I found the book in the library and read it... several times! It had an illuminating and somehow liberating effect on me. My life situation was very similar to Carrie's and I must admit that I found a perhaps evil amusement in the fact that my tirade had so frightened my tormentors. I wasn't exactly pleased that they were afraid of me, but I was ecstatic to be left alone! Plus I'd found a whole new (constantly growing) stash of books to read! :)

I've long wanted to thank Mr. King for his assistance, but I've found that there is no way to personally contact him, so I haven't. If you ever see this message, Mr. King, please accept my gratitude. I am alive today because of you - thank you...

NHFarmer
 

GNTLGNT

The idiot is IN
Jun 15, 2007
87,651
358,754
62
Cambridge, Ohio
Erik, I am sorry that you were abused, and I am glad to hear that you came through... I had a similar experience. Stephen King literally saved my life by writing "Carrie." I was bullied mercilessly in elementary and high school until the 11th grade... my home life was pretty rough, too. I became depressed and suicidal - though of course, this wasn't anything we discussed with anyone in the 70's... I just became more and more withdrawn, which seemed to fire up the school bullies even more.

Finally, I don't know why, I just snapped one day. There were about 8 or 10 kids surrounding me, picking on me, teasing me, just plain being mean... and I suddenly began screaming and yelling and freaking out. I was normally a shy, quiet kid (a nerdy bookworm wearing thick glasses!!), so it was kind of unexpected, even by me. The other kids didn't seem to know how to handle it - one of the girls suddenly commented, "Oh my god, she's just like Carrie!" They all backed off at that point, and the bullying pretty much stopped from that point on. Very few kids in the school would talk to me after that, but they didn't bother me, either, so I was just fine with it. I had a few very good friends, so life was actually relatively happy from that point on.

I had no idea what the girl had been talking about or why the bullies had been so frightened. I had never heard of Stephen King at that point, but I proceeded to investigate why the mention of "Carrie" had shut the bullies down. The movie had just come out - I discovered that this is where these kids had learned about her, but my family couldn't afford movies, so I found the book in the library and read it... several times! It had an illuminating and somehow liberating effect on me. My life situation was very similar to Carrie's and I must admit that I found a perhaps evil amusement in the fact that my tirade had so frightened my tormentors. I wasn't exactly pleased that they were afraid of me, but I was ecstatic to be left alone! Plus I'd found a whole new (constantly growing) stash of books to read! :)

I've long wanted to thank Mr. King for his assistance, but I've found that there is no way to personally contact him, so I haven't. If you ever see this message, Mr. King, please accept my gratitude. I am alive today because of you - thank you...

NHFarmer
..many welcomes and congrats on surviving the crucible that is teendom....
 

MarkS73

Well-Known Member
Nov 24, 2014
350
1,679
50
Netherlands
Wow, some pretty depressing posts in this thread. it all sounds familiar though. I too was bullied in school and later in highschool.
When i was 16 i took karatelessons, that built up my self esteam profoundly. The bullying stopped when i beat up the biggest bully in
school during recess with the whole school watching, thanks to my karatelessons. It was a genuine ''Karatekid moment'' :)
I actually became somewhat of a hero during my last year there since he was picking on almost everyone, he was held back twice so he was older and much bigger then everyone else. He had even hit a teacher once.

After that my whole life in school changed. Unfortanatly 18 years too late but still, that was a defining moment in my life, since then i became a whole different person who was a lot more confident of himself.

Funny thing, that biggest bully became one of my best friends for the next few years. Turned out he was bullied on his previous school and when he came to my school he decided he would become the bad guy at his new school.

It's weird that during the course of my adult life i find that my time in school works it's way through my whole life. It shows in the choices i've made, the girlfriends i had, the type of friends i've chosen, and the fact that i'm still, at 43, really bad at maintaining friendships or let people get to close to me. Karatekidmoment aside, at 18 the damage was already done.

I fear for my kids when they start highschool. I do try to raise them to be confident people and not to take s'*&^t from anyone.

I guess that's why Carrie always struck a cord with me. I could identify with her.

When it comes to collecting Stephen King books, Carrie is the only book i'm not only collecting in hardcover. I'm collecting all the different paperbacks with different covers, all the different hardcovers, dvd's, and i want all the different limited editions. For all the rest of the King books i'm satisfied with just the hardcover editions.
 

Pep's person

Well-Known Member
Aug 8, 2016
57
324
Mts o' Santa Cruz
Wow, some pretty depressing posts in this thread. it all sounds familiar though. I too was bullied in school and later in highschool.
When i was 16 i took karatelessons, that built up my self esteam profoundly. The bullying stopped when i beat up the biggest bully in
school during recess with the whole school watching, thanks to my karatelessons. It was a genuine ''Karatekid moment'' :)
I actually became somewhat of a hero during my last year there since he was picking on almost everyone, he was held back twice so he was older and much bigger then everyone else. He had even hit a teacher once.

After that my whole life in school changed. Unfortanatly 18 years too late but still, that was a defining moment in my life, since then i became a whole different person who was a lot more confident of himself.

Funny thing, that biggest bully became one of my best friends for the next few years. Turned out he was bullied on his previous school and when he came to my school he decided he would become the bad guy at his new school.

It's weird that during the course of my adult life i find that my time in school works it's way through my whole life. It shows in the choices i've made, the girlfriends i had, the type of friends i've chosen, and the fact that i'm still, at 43, really bad at maintaining friendships or let people get to close to me. Karatekidmoment aside, at 18 the damage was already done.

I fear for my kids when they start highschool. I do try to raise them to be confident people and not to take s'*&^t from anyone.

I guess that's why Carrie always struck a cord with me. I could identify with her.

When it comes to collecting Stephen King books, Carrie is the only book i'm not only collecting in hardcover. I'm collecting all the different paperbacks with different covers, all the different hardcovers, dvd's, and i want all the different limited editions. For all the rest of the King books i'm satisfied with just the hardcover editions.
Hi Mark,
I find most of the posts to be uplifting. Everyone has adversity, even the bullies. You, Erik and NHFarmer all overcame the bullying you were experiencing in a positive way and you are likely better people for it.

While I was not regularly bullied myself (was a target on an occasion or two) my own boy started getting bullied in the 1st grade. Like you, he got involved in martial arts, Tai Kwan Do was his gig. Not sure he will ever get a black belt but it gave him the confidence to stand up for himself and that seemed to end the problem for the most part.