The Library Poleethman

[Andy4]

What a great subject for a story.

To my knowledge, I’ve never read ANY kind of book on libraries or librarians before. Strange, considering that’s where the majority of our books are stored.

The last time I visited a library (outside of school/college) was when I was 16, and revising for my ‘O’ Levels. I used to go there with a friend who didn’t like studying on his own. Incidentally, he ended up playing professional football for Manchester United, and I ended up... well doing what I’m doing.

It’s no wonder SK pounced on this idea when one of his sons happened to mention; he didn’t like ‘the library police’ one day whilst they were having breakfast together.

I believe that one of the traits of successful people, is that they first recognise and then take their opportunities when they come along. A bit like a quality striker, such as Ex-England footballer Gary Lineker. You just knew if he got a sniff of a chance anywhere near goal the ball was going to end up in the back of the net. It’s a pity we’ve not had anyone like him since - we can only hope (and pray).

I think, as kids, we all feared the library to some degree. Predominantly, for the reasons SK points out in his prologue. However, he takes the library fines to a whole new level. The child rape scene, he describes, is nothing less than shocking.

This is another SK story where the tension just builds and builds climaxing with a final-double-twitht.

When I put the book down, at the end of the story, I was actually sweating!

Regards,
Andy.

 

[GNTLGNT]

 

[Doc Creed]

When I put the book down, at the end of the story, I was actually sweating!

I had similar reactions to The Dark Half and Gerald's Game. Reading The Dark Half, I kept thinking

Spoiler

Stephen King wouldn't let one of these babies die, would he? Surely not. Then I remembered the ending of Cujo, LOL. It was one of his best nail biters.

I still don't know how he made this story work; it was scary despite being outlandish and humorous. I want to reread this one and the other three in that collection. I enjoyed your commentary.

 

[Tery]

This story is so disturbing, even casual SK fans have read it and it freaked them out.

 

[staropeace]

Loved it!

 

[doowopgirl]

What a great subject for a story.

To my knowledge, I’ve never read ANY kind of book on libraries or librarians before. Strange, considering that’s where the majority of our books are stored.

The last time I visited a library (outside of school/college) was when I was 16, and revising for my ‘O’ Levels. I used to go there with a friend who didn’t like studying on his own. Incidentally, he ended up playing professional football for Manchester United, and I ended up... well doing what I’m doing.

It’s no wonder SK pounced on this idea when one of his sons happened to mention; he didn’t like ‘the library police’ one day whilst they were having breakfast together.

I believe that one of the traits of successful people, is that they first recognise and then take their opportunities when they come along. A bit like a quality striker, such as Ex-England footballer Gary Lineker. You just knew if he got a sniff of a chance anywhere near goal the ball was going to end up in the back of the net. It’s a pity we’ve not had anyone like him since - we can only hope (and pray).

I think, as kids, we all feared the library to some degree. Predominantly, for the reasons SK points out in his prologue. However, he takes the library fines to a whole new level. The child rape scene, he describes, is nothing less than shocking.

This is another SK story where the tension just builds and builds climaxing with a final-double-twitht.

When I put the book down, at the end of the story, I was actually sweating!

Regards,
Andy.

I was never afraid of the library or the library police. For me it was sanctuary. I loved the way the story got so much more involved and that twitht! Brilliant!

 

[doowopgirl]

I had similar reactions to The Dark Half and Gerald's Game. Reading The Dark Half, I kept thinking

Spoiler

Stephen King wouldn't let one of these babies die, would he? Surely not. Then I remembered the ending of Cujo, LOL. It was one of his best nail biters.

I still don't know how he made this story work; it was scary despite being outlandish and humorous. I want to reread this one and the other three in that collection. I enjoyed your commentary.

Stories that shouldn't work, but do oh so well are what keeps me coming back to SK for all these years

 

[Neesy]

What a great subject for a story.

To my knowledge, I’ve never read ANY kind of book on libraries or librarians before. Strange, considering that’s where the majority of our books are stored.

The last time I visited a library (outside of school/college) was when I was 16, and revising for my ‘O’ Levels. I used to go there with a friend who didn’t like studying on his own. Incidentally, he ended up playing professional football for Manchester United, and I ended up... well doing what I’m doing.

It’s no wonder SK pounced on this idea when one of his sons happened to mention; he didn’t like ‘the library police’ one day whilst they were having breakfast together.

I believe that one of the traits of successful people, is that they first recognise and then take their opportunities when they come along. A bit like a quality striker, such as Ex-England footballer Gary Lineker. You just knew if he got a sniff of a chance anywhere near goal the ball was going to end up in the back of the net. It’s a pity we’ve not had anyone like him since - we can only hope (and pray).

I think, as kids, we all feared the library to some degree. Predominantly, for the reasons SK points out in his prologue. However, he takes the library fines to a whole new level. The child rape scene, he describes, is nothing less than shocking.

This is another SK story where the tension just builds and builds climaxing with a final-double-twitht.

When I put the book down, at the end of the story, I was actually sweating!

Regards,
Andy.

I was never afraid of the library or the library police. For me it was sanctuary. I loved the way the story got so much more involved and that twitht! Brilliant!

I had to smile when I saw the title of this thread - that lisp of his did add something to the story - made it even creepier.

 

[doowopgirl]

I had to smile when I saw the title of this thread - that lisp of his did add something to the story - made it even creepier.

I agree

 

[Wayoftheredpanda]

What a great subject for a story.

To my knowledge, I’ve never read ANY kind of book on libraries or librarians before. Strange, considering that’s where the majority of our books are stored.

The last time I visited a library (outside of school/college) was when I was 16, and revising for my ‘O’ Levels. I used to go there with a friend who didn’t like studying on his own. Incidentally, he ended up playing professional football for Manchester United, and I ended up... well doing what I’m doing.

It’s no wonder SK pounced on this idea when one of his sons happened to mention; he didn’t like ‘the library police’ one day whilst they were having breakfast together.

I believe that one of the traits of successful people, is that they first recognise and then take their opportunities when they come along. A bit like a quality striker, such as Ex-England footballer Gary Lineker. You just knew if he got a sniff of a chance anywhere near goal the ball was going to end up in the back of the net. It’s a pity we’ve not had anyone like him since - we can only hope (and pray).

I think, as kids, we all feared the library to some degree. Predominantly, for the reasons SK points out in his prologue. However, he takes the library fines to a whole new level. The child rape scene, he describes, is nothing less than shocking.

This is another SK story where the tension just builds and builds climaxing with a final-double-twitht.

When I put the book down, at the end of the story, I was actually sweating!

Regards,
Andy.

Pardon me asking, but why would kids be afraid of a library?

 

[GNTLGNT]

Pardon me asking, but why would kids be afraid of a library?

...these days I’m not sure kids even know what a library is...

 

[Neesy]

Pardon me asking, but why would kids be afraid of a library?

...these days I’m not sure kids even know what a library is...

Oh - you mean the lie-berry?

Urban Dictionary: Lie-berry

Spoiler: crime noir detective book (a la Joyland)

When I was in grade five to grade eight we went to a rural school - we always looked forward to the lady in the bookmobile visiting once a week - she would let us take out any books at all and never cared if they were age appropriate.

I remember reading some Victorian era romance/thrillers as well as some other more adult themed books. When I brought them home my Mom didn't mind either - she was just happy to see that I love reading (she loved reading as well).

 

[Wayoftheredpanda]

...these days I’m not sure kids even know what a library is...

That's a trifle mean, plenty of kids still enjoy books.

 

[GNTLGNT]

That's a trifle mean, plenty of kids still enjoy books.

....no offense intended.....it's an opinion based on the amount of young faces I see stuck up against a smartphone or tablet screen...it's not like the long ago days of my youth when a Bookmobile or trip to the library meant discovering worlds of wonder or completing a school project.....and to comment further, King-as was mentioned above-summed it up pretty good when he described some of the off-putting aspects of libraries for the young-especially back when he and I were similar callow youths....it also depended a great deal on the personality of the librarians, since some of them were pretty ferocious.....

 

[Keion215]

Scholars help me out on something. I have come to believe that Ardelia Lortz...

Spoiler: Major theme of character

is a Todash/Prim monster, of a similar ilk to that of the "Dead Lights" (IT), and of Dandelo. Due to the fact, all of these creatures feed off of emotion, and all of these creatures are bug-like. IT is like a spider, Dandelo is like a beetle, and Ardelia is like a Mosquito...

 

[Neesy]

Scholars help me out on something. I have come to believe that Ardelia Lortz...

Spoiler: Major theme of character

is a Todash/Prim monster, of a similar ilk to that of the "Dead Lights" (IT), and of Dandelo. Due to the fact, all of these creatures feed off of emotion, and all of these creatures are bug-like. IT is like a spider, Dandelo is like a beetle, and Ardelia is like a Mosquito...

Welcome to SKMB - your theory is as good as any!

Spoiler

 

[GNTLGNT]

Scholars help me out on something. I have come to believe that Ardelia Lortz...

Spoiler: Major theme of character

is a Todash/Prim monster, of a similar ilk to that of the "Dead Lights" (IT), and of Dandelo. Due to the fact, all of these creatures feed off of emotion, and all of these creatures are bug-like. IT is like a spider, Dandelo is like a beetle, and Ardelia is like a Mosquito...

....welcome!....and I agree that they are all from the same primordial soup......

 

[Marty Coslaw]

Stories that shouldn't work, but do oh so well are what keeps me coming back to SK for all these years

Well said! I think I'm remembering correctly that this is the one with the seduction scene in the cornfield, right? That scene, as well as many others from this great story, has really stuck with me. I think, like you said, it really shouldn't work, but it's so exciting and spooky and fantastic. Transcendent. Great confrontation at the end too, such a satisfying story--it's really underrated, I think.

 

[Marty Coslaw]

Pardon me asking, but why would kids be afraid of a library?

As a librarian, I find this whole topic pretty amusing. I was never "afraid" of a librarian, but I do remember being intimidated about asking questions the right way, getting in trouble for talking too loud, etc. Since I was usually being a nuisance as a child, and since I don't remember any serious reprimands, I'm guessing the staff was, if anything, too permissive. Whatever they did, it was enough to convince me to make it a career (I get to see people growing into Constant Readers, just like I did!).

 

[Rrty]

Haven't looked at this story in a while, but I liked it, and the one thing I remember is I wish there wasn't just one library policeman but a whole precinct/army of them (with silver eyes, if I recall?).

I love going to the library, especially ones of older architecture. There was a thread on here that had some great photos of libraries. To me, it is surprising kids don't go to libraries because the library itself is simply fun...I always pretend I am in one of those scenes in a movie, a montage perhaps, where I am feverishly researching a topic because time is of the essence. That would seem an appealing idea to the streaming generation who have been brought up on stuff like Potter and Da Vinci Code. I also sometimes play The Paper Chase at the library...I need to find the books and study lest Kingsfield hit me with his club made out of Socratic irony on Monday morning! Mostly, I enjoy pulling out books at random and reading a few pages here and there, especially in the classics department. Who doesn't like reading a book detailing Plato's dialogues, knowing it probably hasn't been accessed in years? There's a neat aspect to that...