King, Stephen - Carrie ("Informal Buddy Read") - Start Date October 2, 2013

[Moderators of NBRC, Challenger-in-Chief]

This thread is to discuss Carrie by Stephen King.

Be prepared for Spoilers!


What is a buddy read?

About this buddy read
A “Informal Buddy Read” doesn’t have a discussion leader and participants are asked to consider some generic questions when making comments about the book

Synopsis:
The story of misfit high-school girl, Carrie White, who gradually discovers that she has telekinetic powers. Repressed by a domineering, ultra-religious mother and tormented by her peers at school, her efforts to fit in lead to a dramatic confrontation during the senior prom

[Moderators of NBRC, Challenger-in-Chief]

Questions to consider as you read the book. You can use these as a basis for your discussion

1) How do you like the author's writing style?

2) Who was your favorite character and why?

3) Did you have any favorite quotes?

4) What struck you the most about the book?

5) Was there anything that surprised you, that you hadn't expected?

6) What did you think of the ending? Was there anything that you wish had been wrapped up better?

7) What will you rate the book?

8) Have you read anything else by the author? If not will you do so in the future? In you have, which books and would you recommend them?


*Be prepared for spoilers*

[Logan]

My copy's on its way to my local library. Who else is in for this one?

[Steven]

I'll jump in on this during October. Maybe not on the 2nd, but will definitely read it... can't wait to see the movie remake!

[Lisarenee]

Do we have a schedule for all the Stephen King books? Is this part of an author buddy read? You do know there is a Doctor Sleep Buddy Read scheduled for the 15th of October too?

[Steven]

Yeah, I don't have a copy yet, and there are WAY too many buddy reads/BOMs during the readathon already haha. X)

[ilovebakedgoods (Teresa)]

Lisarenee -- there is no Stephen King buddy read author thing. It's a coincidence that Doctor Sleep has been picked to be a BR after this one was already chosen to be one. A few months ago, I mentioned somewhere in this group that I was planning to read Carrie in October, asked if anyone wanted to BR with me, some people said yes, this thread was made. I'm not sure when Doctor Sleep was discussed.

And now, I'm not even going to be reading the very book I chose, because my library doesn't have a copy, like I thought they did...grr. Thought I double checked before deciding to read this but I guess not.

[Steven]

Started the book earlier this morning. 10% in. Interesting so far! :D

[Sue-mick]

have it ready on kindle will read in october as have couple of books to finish first

[Logan]

SPOILER FREE

I started it this morning and am about 50 pages in. At first I found the interjections from the research papers and news articles annoying, but it's growing on me. I think I would prefer them as full interludes rather than just shoved into the text, but it's an interesting choice and I'll see how it plays out.

I'm anxious to meet Carrie's mom - it feels like we're building up to her first appearance, through Carrie's thoughts and the stories we're hearing about the family from other characters and the clippings. Very interesting.

King has me intrigued, that's for sure. I'm trying to remember the last book of his that I read. I was big into him when I was a kid, oddly enough, and read IT, Needful Things, and Four Past Midnight; I failed to finish The Stand or The Tommyknockers. I should really go back and try to read more of his stuff. I like this a lot so far.

[Steven]

I love your thoughts and your big "spoiler free" tag, Logan... I was actually digging the random newspaper articles, etc... with the way the book is told after the fact, it made it almost seem more real accounts of the events. But I'm only 20% in and it could get more annoying! haha

From what I know of the book (this is my first time) and from the original movie, she's a scary, scary woman, the mother.

I've only read The Shining and Under the Dome so far and two short stories (Mile 81 and Into the Tall Grass)... but I'm really enjoying King's work. Next up after this: Salem's Lot. :)

[ilovebakedgoods (Teresa)]

Oh, I loved Salem's Lot, Steven! I read it a long time ago so I've forgotten most of it but I remember loving it, heh. I should re-read that one.

[Steven]

Yeah I've heard it's one of his bests!!! :)

[Steven]

Wow, I just feel so bad for Carrie. These people are awful to her, and her only family is a pyscho religious whackjob who abuses her... Maybe a killing spree isn't RIGHT, but it sure feels justified LOL.

I can't wait to finish this... and see the remake movie coming out soon. :)

I've heard King doesn't like Carrie all that much, but I am really enjoying it. It feels more, I dunno, realistic than many of his others.

[Logan]

I agree Steven. I like the realistic feel to this one. The research snippets really sell the story and her ability as matter of fact, which helps me buy into it. Suspension of disbelief is easy with this one.

The slow build up to prom night, and the peeks into all of the different characters' motivations, makes it really hard to put this down. I saved a good chunk to finish in one session tonight!

[Steven]

Logan wrote: "I agree Steven. I like the realistic feel to this one. The research snippets really sell the story and her ability as matter of fact, which helps me buy into it. Suspension of disbelief is easy wit..."

Me too... but it was so hard to save it so it would count for the Read-a-thon Treasure Hunt. I wanted to finish it so badly!!!

I feel like even though the telepathic abilities are the key driver for the massacre/story... I feel like he makes it seem realistic enough... and definitely more so than his other "normal world with extra-normal event" books (like Under the Dome).

[Logan]

SPOILERS FOR PART TWO - PROM NIGHT

One of the things so fascinating to me is how careful King was to show the events from all angles. Like at the prom, (view spoiler)[when we hear Norma explain that the laughter from the crowd wasn't really malicious, or even knowing that Tommy legitimately enjoyed having Carrie as his date. It almost broke my heart when her classmates were actually being nice and accepting of her during the dance, and knowing that it would all be undone and misinterpreted when that blood came pouring down (hide spoiler)].

[Andrea]

Can I still join?

[Lisa Kay]

Sure, Hope.

[Moderators of NBRC, Challenger-in-Chief]

BUDDY READ REVISIT! BUDDY READ REVISIT! BUDDY READ REVISIT!

This thread is to discuss Carrie by Stephen King.

Be prepared for Spoilers!


Synopsis:
The story of misfit high-school girl, Carrie White, who gradually discovers that she has telekinetic powers. Repressed by a domineering, ultra-religious mother and tormented by her peers at school, her efforts to fit in lead to a dramatic confrontation during the senior prom

[Madge]

Is anyone else still interested in starting the new buddy read for this on February 15th?

[Lia]

Yes, I am just waiting for my copy from the library.

[Justin]

I'm halfway through the book now. Didn't see this or I would have waited, but I'd love to pop back in for the discussion.

[Lia]

I got my copy today, I will start soon.

[Tonya]

Me - I'm planning on starting in the next couple of days. :)

[Marla]

75%: I enjoyed the explanation at the beginning of the book about how Stephen King conceived of the story for this book. (view spoiler)[I really don't like it when religious zeal is way past devout and well into craziness. It feels like they are making fun of all believers. But there is no doubt that Carrie's mother is certifiable. You have to feel sorry for the children of emotionally impaired parents.

Children can be very cruel and I felt really sorry for Carrie. I know of several people who went to different high schools to get away from the stigma of grade school bullying.

The shower scene was horrible. I was always afraid that some girl wouldn't know what was happening to her and would fear she was bleeding to death.
(hide spoiler)]

[Lia]

Started last night. 25% (view spoiler)[Interesting but the constant brackets is a little annoying. Not scary yet, but that mother is a pretty scary woman! (hide spoiler)]

[Marla]

Finished: (view spoiler)[Wow, I had forgotten how Carrie died in the end. WAIT! Her mother wasn't raped?! So she has no real excuse why she's so nutso. And the town legend wasn't true at all.

I was bothered by how many times her mother wanted to kill Carrie.

Doubtful that even a nice girl suffering from guilt would give up her Senior Prom and her handsome boyfriend to help an awkward girl. Poor, Sue, must suffer from tremendous survivor's guilt.

I will give Christine Hargensen 5 stars for creativity, but 2 stars for being a b----. I was glad that she got banned from the prom, but I don't know why she didn't just do her detention and go to the prom.

Billy was manipulative boy toy, so I was happy to see Christine get what she deserves.
(hide spoiler)]

[Marla]

Lia wrote: "Started last night. 25% [spoilers removed]"

I listened to it, so I was spared the brackets.

[Tonya]

I just finished - still found it to be delightfully creepy (I just watched the movie not too long ago). When I get home I'll figure out the spoilers and how to post my comments that way. :)