IT: New to IT? First thoughts - NO SPOILERS

[Brandon]

I am a huge S. King fan and have been saving my self for this book. I'm half done, its a great read

[Rhian]

I got about 400 pages to go and I absolutely love this book so far, it could become a fav

[Brandon]

Just finished IT, a true classic! I loved the book

[Brandon]

Just finished IT, a true classic! I loved the book

[E.]

When I first read It, a million years ago, I was young and I remembered the kids POV. Now that I'm...well..not young, and recently revisited via audiobook, it was almost a whole different story. Like, wait, there were grownups in this book?
I don't think much is scary. I've pretty much jaded that feeling with all the thrill/horror/suspense I've fed myself forever, but I gotta say, listening to It driving home half an hour from work, 2 in the morning, turning into my driveway I expected my headlights to fall on that damn clown standing off under the trees... and then hear "we all float down here..." as I'm crossing the yard.

[Kirstie]

Only just started. It's the second King book I'm reading the first was The Stand, which I loved. However so far I think I'm going to like this even more. I was a big fan of the film adaptation but I'm only a few chapters in and can already see the film is shit compared to the book.

[Danielle]

The books are always better. Though this is possibly the most disturbing thing I've ever read.

[Nick]

Kirstie wrote: "Only just started. It's the second King book I'm reading the first was The Stand, which I loved. However so far I think I'm going to like this even more. I was a big fan of the film adaptation but ..."

You're starting with two of King's best. I liked IT a little more, but both are classics.

[Julie]

About to start reading. Have a long road trip and looking forward to keeping busy! Saw the movie and loved it.

[Nick]

Julie wrote: "About to start reading. Have a long road trip and looking forward to keeping busy! Saw the movie and loved it."

I was there was a way to whispersync the audiobook with the e-book. That way you can listen to the book and read too. Maybe there is. With a book as long as IT it takes all the time you have. But then I suppose it depends on who is riding with you. Nt a book for kids.

[Julie]

I'm about 100 pages in. Absolutely love the character introductions. Especially Beverly Rogan! So realistically descriptive!!

[Julie]

I'm about 100 pages in. Absolutely love the character introductions. Especially Beverly Rogan! So realistically descriptive!!

[Nick]

Julie wrote: "I'm about 100 pages in. Absolutely love the character introductions. Especially Beverly Rogan! So realistically descriptive!!"
Bev was my favorite character too.

[Messier110]

I started reading IT about a week ago and am a little over a third of the way through. It is long, comparable to The Stand, but I find it a little easier to read. I love the character development and the way Pennywise is slowly being introduced. So far, Its a great read, one day of those, I cant wait to get home and see what happens next.

[Sara the Librarian]

Absolutely classic King. A perfect blend of supernatural, fantasy and coming of age saga. You're in for such a treat! I totally agree about the character development. He always has
such distinct voices for all his characters and I think (someone correct me if I'm wrong) this is really the only book he's written where he covers basically his entire casts childhood AND adulthood. Pretty crazy really.

[Ron]

Many people say that IT is their favorite King book (myself included). It is a long one. Thinking back, I can't fathom, or remember, how he filled all those pages and yet kept me wanting more. I read that he took four years to write IT. Amazing.

[Terri]

E. wrote: "When I first read It, a million years ago, I was young and I remembered the kids POV. Now that I'm...well..not young, and recently revisited via audiobook, it was almost a whole different story. Li..."

I recently saw a clip of Pennywise moments from the miniseries, which I hadn't seen in a long time. Oh my goodness, I had forgotten how terrifying Pennywise is!

[Ashley Marie]

I started listening to the audiobook last month and got about 60% through before I had to return it, so I'm back on the waiting list to finish it. The amount of details SK pours into his work is incredible. I love how he devotes time to each of the Losers' backstories, and how their childhoods have shaped their adult lives. Fascinating stuff.

I have also declared Pennywise to be a boggart, in order for me to not be overly terrified by him.

[Sara the Librarian]

Teresa wrote: "E. wrote: "When I first read It, a million years ago, I was young and I remembered the kids POV. Now that I'm...well..not young, and recently revisited via audiobook, it was almost a whole differen..."

Tim Curry at his absolute finest...love that guy.

[Messier110]

Passing page 900 tonight, just started "The smokehole". All I can say is wow, what a fun read. Yes its long, and I may have another week still, but its been worth the journey so far. I mean, what a genius King is to be able to write something like this. Yes, I really liked the Stand, but I feel like I can relate to these characters more, and personally I think the idea of Pennywise is more interesting.

Anyways, back to it. I cant wait to see how it ends, though I know I'll be sad when it does.

[Danny]

Nearly finished with IT. I don't know if any other writers can submerge you in a terrifying world yet you find yourself not wanting to leave. Even though there is this dark presence on Bob Grey and Derry being Derry, I dont want to leave; I want to stay here. I had the same feeling with 11.22.63, I didnt want to leave!

[Brandon]

Finally picked IT back up to finish it. Glad I did. It definitely gets better and better. I'm not afraid of its length anymore.......or Pennywise! ;)

[Nick]

Brandon wrote: "Finally picked IT back up to finish it. Glad I did. It definitely gets better and better. I'm not afraid of its length anymore.......or Pennywise! ;)"

But how do you feel about spiders?

[Sara the Librarian]

or refrigerators?

[Corky]

Or sewers??

[Messier110]

Or people named Henry. No offense to the Henrys in GR land.

[Sara the Librarian]

Or Maine. Seriously you couldn't pay me to live in Maine at this point.

[Kandice]

Sara wrote: "Or Maine. Seriously you couldn't pay me to live in Maine at this point."

I'd love to! But I think I would be disappointed when interesting things didn't happen every single day! ;)

[Sara the Librarian]

I knoooowwww. Part of me's like "vampire towns? Aliens? Maniac killers? Ghosts! HELL no!" But secretly I would be disappointed that it was just a pretty woodsy state filled with salty New Englanders who say "ayuh" and hate on the Yankees.

[Aditya]

Joeey wrote: "Currently reading it, started it a while ago but I'm reading slowly (too many other books I'm currently reading, it's a huge mess) and I absolutely love it, but then again I love anything Stephen K..."

Both are very good but Salem's Lot trumps It for me too.

[Keyser Soze]

It has been many years since I read It or Salems Lot. Reckon my 11 yo son could read them?

[Keyser Soze]

Andrew wrote: "It has been many years since I read It or Salems Lot. Reckon my 11 yo son could read them?"

Just read a comment above, OK, so not a book for kids.

[Kandice]

Andrew wrote: "Andrew wrote: "It has been many years since I read It or Salems Lot. Reckon my 11 yo son could read them?"

Just read a comment above, OK, so not a book for kids."

Depends on the kid. Mine read King when they were fairly young (11 or 12) but when they showed interest we read them together so we could discuss anything "new" to them, or though provoking, or just plain weird/scary.

[Suni]

Andrew wrote: "It has been many years since I read It or Salems Lot. Reckon my 11 yo son could read them?"

Depends on how mature and/or easily scared your son is. I watched IT on TV when I was a child and I'm still terrified of clowns.

That being said, I read IT in university when my roommate had gone home and spent the whole weekend hiding in my lofted bed >.>

[Nick]

Andrew wrote: "It has been many years since I read It or Salems Lot. Reckon my 11 yo son could read them?"

Well, there is that extended pre-teen sex scene in IT.

[Keyser Soze]

Ok, that's guys, I won't suggest it (ie, It) to my son.

[Keyser Soze]

*thanks, I meant to say

[Messier110]

Well, Im not sure if I am desensitized to violence/horror, but I thought Salems Lot wasn't scary in the slightest. There were a couple parts in IT that got me thinking, but for me, Salems Lot was just a good old fashioned vampire story.

[Brandon]

Salem's Lot was my 2nd King read shortly after the Shining. I loved SL but IT and The Shining are more enjoyable spooky reads in my opinion. Like others have said SL is a good vampire tale but I found most of the characters forgettable and the story predictable. IT has a wonderful cast of characters you'd have to get amnesia to forget, mixed with a great scary story and villain.

[Reanna]

I am 1/4 of the way into the book. Honestly, I'm reading this book because I lost a bet. When I was a kid, I saw the movie and it scared me so bad and I have had a clown phobia ever since. So, since I lost a bet, my sadistic friend told me I had to read It from cover to cover.

So far I've been surprised. I've heard that this book is actually pretty scary, but so far I haven't found it so. I think that thus far the scariest thing that has happened was when Stan's wife found him.

I'm actually finding myself enjoying the book and intrigued by the story of the kids in Derry. I keep waiting for when it will really creep me out or scare me, but so far, I'm just really enjoying the story. We'll see where it goes and what happens.

[Kandice]

Reanna wrote: "I am 1/4 of the way into the book. Honestly, I'm reading this book because I lost a bet. When I was a kid, I saw the movie and it scared me so bad and I have had a clown phobia ever since. So, sinc..."

I have to say that the older I get, the less scary I find most of his books. Now I am pretty much only "scared" by the things that could really, really happen, like Cujo, minus the prescience. It simply couldn't happen, so while entertaining, isn't scary to me anymore.

[Michael]

I'm almost half way through it and it's pretty good so far. I just made it to Part 3: Grownups! I'm sure it will only get better from here. I love the gruesome dreams and visions!

[Matt]

I just started reading Part 5 the ritual of chud. This book is so great so far! I've only read a few Stephen King books and this one is by far the scariest! You could cut the fear with a knife in this book! The characters are so great and they all feel like real people! I love it! Kinda surprised I haven't had any nightmares with Pennywise in it!

[Santiago]

i'm about to finish it... I am truly enjoying the book. . it's scaring and very wellwritten. I have had also nightmares about IT

[Katie]

Just started reading IT...about to start part II. Loved the character development. It's refreshing to dive back into old school King writing. So far, it's not really scary, just kind of weird. No book has yet to scare me like The Shining. Can't wait to go home & read! 45 more minutes!

[Jeanne]

I finished IT yesterday, the audio version narrated by Steven Weber. His narration was superb! There was only one part (sex scene near the end) that I didn't like or feel was needed for the story. But overall, a great listen!

[Nick]

Jeanne wrote: "I finished IT yesterday, the audio version narrated by Steven Weber. His narration was superb! There was only one part (sex scene near the end) that I didn't like or feel was needed for the story. ..."

That sex scene has confounded a lot of us. I wonder what King was thinking... or Mrs. King who reviews all his work, for that matter.

[Katie]

I just hit the halfway point this weekend. I am really taking my time with this book. I am LOVING it...the writing, the characters, everything! I haven't really found it to be that scary, but it can give me chills at times...if that makes any sense (like the Hansel & Gretel part).

I'm still not afraid of clowns, but I do admit that the iphone commercials with all of the balloons gives me a bit of a shiver lol. I will be disappointed when I finally finish this book.

[Nick]

Katie wrote: "I just hit the halfway point this weekend. I am really taking my time with this book. I am LOVING it...the writing, the characters, everything! I haven't really found it to be that scary, but it ca..."

Disappointed if for not other reason that it's over... but what a ride.

[Rodrigo]

I just started reading IT a few days ago and it's also my very first Stephen King book. So far the story has so much more depth unlike the mini series and there's so much character development. I'm loving the book and I can't wait to read through to the ending :)