Stephen King Fans discussion
It was pretty great. It's a pretty big book, but I read it so fast that I kinda started to expect something to happen whenever I saw clowns and turtles hehe SK at his best for sure.
Catherine wrote: "Sammantha wrote: "Has anyone listened to the audio book of IT? I recently downloaded it. I was just wondering about your thoughts on the audio book version. Thank you!"I am listening to the one n..."
Thank you so much for your reply! I'm sure I'll really like it too! :-)
Karel wrote: "I have a question and BEWARE if you havent finished the book,cause it contains a huge spoiler:Someone please explain to me what was the necessity of [spoilers removed]
Dont get me wrong, I love ..."
Karl:
I have to admit that the scene stopped me cold too. All I can think is that someone had to do something enormous to get everyone working together, and that's pretty damn enormous. Pretty appropriate... but still.... Actually I feel a certain admiration for King for daring to do it.
I watched the movie of IT after I finished the book. I have to say, I made more comments about how funny I thought it was than scary. The graphics were not bad for 1990, and for a TV movie, but I still found it cheesy. I think if they do a reboot, like they have mentioned, I think it could be very scary, and probably pretty gruesome. All in all, I thought it was a pretty good book, and an okay movie. Not my favorite, but not my least favorite either.
At long last, at the age of 44, I've finally read this book. Really enjoyed it, though I thought it might have been unnecessarily long. In the end everything clicked into place though, and I really cared about the characters. Was going to mention the bizarre scene in the tunnels ( you know the one ), but it's no doubt been done to death. All in all, thoroughly enjoyed it.
Teekay, I agree about caring about the characters. I felt really sad at the end about everyone forgetting again, especially after everything that they experienced together.
I love this book, the characters of the childhood friends remind me of my own school friendship group. This book has been a favourite of mine since before I can remember.I've read this book four times, it has a really great plotline.
I don't think there's another writer out there that's able to depict in such amazing way, friendships and first love between kids....and IT it's the best example of such skill
Andrea wrote: "I don't think there's another writer out there that's able to depict in such amazing way, friendships and first love between kids....and IT it's the best example of such skill"
I definitely agree. It amazes me how well King identifies with his childhood. A lot of the time, as we get older, we forget truly how it was when we were kids. It seems as though he is very attached to even the way it felt to be a kid or even the way we thought as children. This book definitely reminded me how to feel like a kid again, and how 'real' fear could actually be.
I definitely agree. It amazes me how well King identifies with his childhood. A lot of the time, as we get older, we forget truly how it was when we were kids. It seems as though he is very attached to even the way it felt to be a kid or even the way we thought as children. This book definitely reminded me how to feel like a kid again, and how 'real' fear could actually be.
Lianne wrote: "Andrea wrote: "I don't think there's another writer out there that's able to depict in such amazing way, friendships and first love between kids....and IT it's the best example of such skill"I de..."
I feel the same way about It and often wondered if that same magic would still be there for future generations. It was written in 1986. How well would it age? Would readers whose childhood was 20-25 years later still connect? Or would the story seem too dated? The language and characters too far removed from their newer generation? From what I gather from what you're saying Lianne, you don't think so?
Ken wrote: "Lianne wrote: "Andrea wrote: "I don't think there's another writer out there that's able to depict in such amazing way, friendships and first love between kids....and IT it's the best example of su..."
I myself was born in the 90s, with no way of truly relating to some of the references pertaining to both 1957-58 (childhood), and 1984-85 (adulthood). What I found I did relate to was the archetypal idols, such as (view spoiler). I believe these idols of fear will continue to be apart of children's lives for generations to come.
I might agree that future generations may have a hard time getting through the novel due to the fact that the context will be historical to them, but the creatures that create fear in the novel will still be evident to them. I can only see the novel not working as well if the future generations will evolutionarily develop less irrational fears of fictional creatures during childhood than even my generation :p. Time can only tell.
I myself was born in the 90s, with no way of truly relating to some of the references pertaining to both 1957-58 (childhood), and 1984-85 (adulthood). What I found I did relate to was the archetypal idols, such as (view spoiler). I believe these idols of fear will continue to be apart of children's lives for generations to come.
I might agree that future generations may have a hard time getting through the novel due to the fact that the context will be historical to them, but the creatures that create fear in the novel will still be evident to them. I can only see the novel not working as well if the future generations will evolutionarily develop less irrational fears of fictional creatures during childhood than even my generation :p. Time can only tell.
The parts of the novel 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 the 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.
Jackie wrote: "Lianne wrote: "Ken wrote: "Lianne wrote: "Andrea wrote: "I don't think there's another writer out there that's able to depict in such amazing way, friendships and first love between kids....and IT ..."
Character development is very important to me. The plot can be amazing, the fictional world can be fantastic, but if the characters suck the whole book sucks in my opinion. That's why I love King's novels and especially 'It' :p.
Character development is very important to me. The plot can be amazing, the fictional world can be fantastic, but if the characters suck the whole book sucks in my opinion. That's why I love King's novels and especially 'It' :p.
I feel the same way about IT. I related to those characters amazingly well and, because of that connection, I cared what happened to them. To me, that's true horror - when people you care about are put in a dangerous situation. King is indeed a master at this. Another author that I feel has incredible character development is Robert R. McCammon. Have you read any of his novels?
Ken wrote: "I feel the same way about IT. I related to those characters amazingly well and, because of that connection, I cared what happened to them. To me, that's true horror - when people you care about are..."
Sadly I haven't. I have heard of 'Swan Song' though. Maybe I'll give him a try sometime. Which of his novels would you recommend?
Sadly I haven't. I have heard of 'Swan Song' though. Maybe I'll give him a try sometime. Which of his novels would you recommend?
I've read two of McCammon's books, Mystery Walk and Swan Song, and didn't really love either of them.
I might read Boy's Life when I have free time. I've also heard bad reviews about Swan Song too. Some reviewers have said it's similar to The Stand?
Oh right, I've heard so many great reviews of Swan Song.
IT is a treasure to be preserved over time
Rumor has it King is working on a sequel!! After that 'spider thing' crawled away, what became of evil Pennywise?
What would the book be called? IT II: The Homecoming?
What would the book be called? IT II: The Homecoming?
Aaron wrote: "Rumor has it King is working on a sequel!! After that 'spider thing' crawled away, what became of evil Pennywise?
What would the book be called? IT II: The Homecoming?"
I heard rumours about a second attempt at creating another mini-series on It but nothing about a sequel. If this is true I think I will squeal :p.
What would the book be called? IT II: The Homecoming?"
I heard rumours about a second attempt at creating another mini-series on It but nothing about a sequel. If this is true I think I will squeal :p.
Finally decided to jump into this one. Let's see if it's worth the 1000+ pages. I will add, King rarely disappoints.
Daniel wrote: "Finally decided to jump into this one. Let's see if it's worth the 1000+ pages. I will add, King rarely disappoints."
Enjoy, Daniel. I think you won't mind the length once you get started. It was very good.
Enjoy, Daniel. I think you won't mind the length once you get started. It was very good.
I am about to start reading IT for the first time.
Why do they all float down there?
I wish I was reading It for the first time. Read it on holiday in two days when I had a spot of the Montezumas Revenge. Did not feel any pain after that. Truly awesome book and only surpassed by The Stand
11811 (Eleven) wrote: "Why do they all float down there?"Because they are dead and it's a sewer.
Maria wrote: "11811 (Eleven) wrote: "Why do they all float down there?"Because they are dead and it's a sewer."
That makes sense.
Starting this on audio this afternoon! SO excited -- my second SK book!
Ashley *Hufflepuff Kitten* wrote: "Starting this on audio this afternoon! SO excited -- my second SK book!"Very cool Ashley! I've always said that IT was my favorite book. Someday I'll have to re-read or listen again.
As I recall it's a pretty great reading.
LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the audiobook. Unfortunately it's been my first and only "read" of the book so far but I'm pretty sure if I read it again it will still be up there with The Shining as my top two favorite SK books.
Brenda wrote: "LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the audiobook. Unfortunately it's been my first and only "read" of the book so far but I'm pretty sure if I read it again it will still be up there with The Shining as my top two f..."Here's my top 5... guess we're close to agreement:
1 Wizard and Glass
2 It
3 The Shining
4 ’Salem’s Lot
5 On Writing
Nick,Sometime soon (I hope) I'll start the DT series. Slowly catching up on SK's work. I read Salem's Lot 7-8 years ago and remember liking it. The kid floating outside the window freaked me out the same way The Shining freaked me out with bathtubs D:
Brenda wrote: "Nick,Sometime soon (I hope) I'll start the DT series. Slowly catching up on SK's work. I read Salem's Lot 7-8 years ago and remember liking it. The kid floating outside the window freaked me out ..."
YES!
I love LONG books. I read The Stand-Uncut, then read IT. I read some shorter ones after that, like 'Salem's Lot, The Shining, Dr. Sleep, On Writing (which I LOVED!). I am now tackling the DT Series. I've read 2 so far and love them. I like to read a "quickie" book in between series books - so I decided to read "Heart Shaped Box" by SK's son Joe Hill before DT 3.
WOW - I am so glad I did! I'm only about 1/4 of the way through and I am totally freaked out. This is a great book!
Maria wrote: "I love LONG books. I read The Stand-Uncut, then read IT. I read some shorter ones after that, like 'Salem's Lot, The Shining, Dr. Sleep, On Writing (which I LOVED!). I am now tackling the DT Se..."
Great choice, Maria! and I loved On Writing too.
Ohhhhh "Heart Shaped Box" is a GREAT one Maria. Totally my favorite Joe Hill. Can I ask who does the reading on the "IT" audio? It would be absolutely marvelous if it was Tim Curry...
Charles wrote: "I believe Stephen Weber reads IT."He does. And does an amazing job of it/IT. :D
Aw good old Stephen Weber. He's becoming quite the "go to" King actor/narrator isn't he.
Okay so my listening to this got put off by about two weeks because someone downloaded it before I could get there last time. Just started a few minutes ago and Stephen Weber's reading is great so far.And regarding Joe, Heart-Shaped Box is the only one of his books I haven't read yet -- Horns and NOS4A2 were both awesome though.
So I finally got back to finish this, and holy crow what a fantastic book. Sure, maybe it could've been trimmed down a bit but I loved it. The world-building he puts into Derry, the character development from childhood to adulthood and the relationships each of them has, everything is so well done.
Just joined this group so I am most likely way behind. But IT , in my opinion, is one of the best Stephen King books I've read.
It has the right amount of scare to it, without being to cliche
Such a long book... but i am enjoying the background he puts into each character. Definitely a must-read for King fans. I don't necessarily get "scared" when reading, but this one is the creepiest I have read in a long time.
I still can't read "It". And I really can't read "It" before bed. It ain't happening!
Brilliant book. Typical fantastic characterisation by SK
The guy definitely has character and his descriptions down. He makes all of this look very easy.
Stephen King Fans
Books mentioned in this topic
It (other topics)It (other topics)
It (other topics)
Mile 81 (other topics)
The Bazaar of Bad Dreams (other topics)
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Authors mentioned in this topic
Stephen King (other topics)Robert McCammon (other topics)
Seth Grahame-Smith (other topics)
I am listening to the one narrated by Steven Weber right now and really like it.