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IT: Finished Reading IT - SPOILERS ALLOWED
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Dani
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rated it 4 stars
Aug 18, 2011 06:53PM
Guess it all goes back to crazy Derry. Bob Gray and his influence ran so deep in that town it didn't matter one way or another. Gray made his dad nuts, Gray made Henry nuts (he did murder his dad and he did torture the Losers relentlessly), Gray made the town indifferent.
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Dani wrote: "-The part I didn't like was Bev having sex with all the boys. I just didn't get that part? I know to her it was a defiance against her father, but still... ;) i>
I didn't get the impression that ..."
Dani wrote: "-The part I didn't like was Bev having sex with all the boys. I just didn't get that part? I know to her it was a defiance against her father, but still... ;)
i>
I didn't get the impression that ..."
I understand what your saying. But not long before that her father/IT was chasing her about the house to check to see if she was still intact because she was hanging around all those boys. Throughout the book Bev is figuring out more and more about sex, and eventually it is her contribution to the whole group. They're all about 11 years old? I understand what your sayin', but I just couldn't quiet go for that part.
Ow! This is the book that made me into a fan of Stephen King. The best book for me!Scary and very enticing. LOL! I love them as children and I love them more as adults.
Finished. Sad that its over, I wanna hang out with the Losers some more... This book made me wish that I was a kid in the 50's, everything seemed so much, idk, simpler or something. Not to mention way cheaper! $2 buys you and 2 friends movie tickets, plus snacks, with some change left over? Sign me up! Yea, definitely made me wish for a time machine... and some good friends :)
Kit* - I grew up in the same world as did Stephen King. If I remember correctly, we're roughly a year, maybe two, apart in age. He's not so much talking about the 50's as he is the late 50's and early 60's. It makes a difference - all those references to "American Bandstand" -for instance. It WAS a quieter time, but for all that, the problems we're facing today were also in their early years. Remember, when Steve and I grew up, we had Vietnam to face -and the Draft.
Yea, that's true. But even that he writes well about, like in Hearts in Atlantis. I would like to be back in the 60's too. Not in the Army or nothing, but I think it'd be an experience. SK is good at giving me a great feel for time and place in his stories, just another reason why he's my fave :)
Darlin' - If you weren't in the Army, your two choices were to 1. run to Canada. 2. Go to Jail
Eh, but I'm a girl, I wouldn't have been drafted anyway. I would like to see all the civil rights movement stuff, and the protests in DC, and I definitely would've been checking out the Haight-Ashbury scene, not to mention all the more-than-excellent music that was happening in that time period. It would be awesome to see some of my fave bands playing, alive and not old. Like the Beatles, the Doors, Bob Dylan, Hendrix, Jefferson Airplane, oh, so many more I can't even think of right now...
I have to admit, Kit* the late 60's, very early 70's were an AWESOME time to be 18 - 21 or so -- it was unbelievable - I lived on a commune in Taos, New Mexico for a while -- it's still there, I believe...
Really? That's cool! My mom always said she wanted to go live on a commune. The idea does sound interesting, though. :)
Not, unfortunately, all that practical, unless you have a common religion or belief (like Oneida or any of the religious communes in the early 19th century)
Quick question here -- somehow I missed the resolution of the Tom thread of the storyline. The last time I remember seeing him, he ran into Audra outside the hotel. Do you any of you recall where in the book his death took place?
@Esse-Tom dies in It's lair, the reader is only told about it. He dies from shock upon seeing It's true form.
Just finished. I feel sad and am already missing the losers. I love how King blends the chapters in the last section, going seamlessly from 58 to 85. Just another example of his creative genius.I had completely forgotten how quickly they all start to forget again. That really makes me sad, because you see how strong a friendship they had and I personally wish that could have continued.
I also understood a little more about the Turtle and the macroverse from reading The Dark Tower series. That turtle didn't make sense to me before, seemed kind of random. This reading of IT was the most satisfying experience. Will always be my favorite.
So...why did it kill Belch and Victor? Like, I know it is full of itself and thinks it's invincible or whatever, but why not wait until the Losers were dead before it turned on its dogsbodys?
For that matter, why kill Tom?
For that matter, why kill Tom?
Jaime wrote: "I had completely forgotten how quickly they all start to forget again. That really makes me sad, because you see how strong a friendship they had and I personally wish that could have continued."Me, too. I think after all they went through together, lasting friendships would've been the least they deserved. And the idea of Bev and Ben getting together while the others forgot didn't feel balanced.
Ed209 wrote: "So...why did it kill Belch and Victor? For that matter, why kill Tom?"
I'd assumed that killing people was a way for It to feed. It preferred children, but It would take what It could get. So when someone made It angry or outlived their usefulness, it seemed like a two birds/one stone situation with killing them.
Just finished IT!I have a couple of questions!
How come Audra came "back to life" during the ride on Silver?
Why was Pennywise also called 'Bob Gray'? What was the meaning/importance of that fact?
If all the ink and memories were slightly disappearing afterwards, how come the notes of Mike Hanlon made it into an unofficial 'book on the history of Derry'?
When did the romance from Beverly towards Ben started to bloom...I mean one moment she is romantically involved with (adult) Bill the next moment she takes of with (adult) Ben... When did that happen, did I miss something? I know Ben always fancied Bev...but the other way around?
Thanks!
ONe question I might be able to offer my opionion on is in reference to the Audra thing . . .Putting her on that bike took her back to a time when riding a bike meant being free and letting go of all of your cares and being fearless - childhood. It snapped her out of that trance.
Excellent, that makes a lot of sense, thank you!
Angie wrote: "Funny little picture! http://geektyrant.com/news/2011/9/22/..."I love IT(pun intended)! :)
This was the first Stephen king book I ever read, might as well have been a hook with a big juicy worm on the end of it. I read one after the other after this. Devoured 50 of his novels in 4 years before reading anything from another author,,, and I always come back to "IT". I used to tell people that the this was my favorite movie, before I read the book. The book and the movie are worlds apart. I cant even believe he wrote some of the thing that are in this book. Some of it doesn't even seem possible to put into movie form.
This is my favorite book too. I have the book that I've read three times I think and the audio book that I listen to at night I don't know how many times, but for more than a year and a half. Two years I think. I have Stand on audio that I listened too before IT and I like it a close second. I find if I listen to an audio book (something I've read or know well, horror) I don't have nightmares. So it's almost always King. And IT is my favorite.IT was the book that made me a fan. And also the one that made me know I could read and epic book of more than 250-300 pages. I was so proud I even got through it. Now my copy is dogeared and torn up. I need a new one. I wish I could afford one of those special editions.
I'm excited for the new movie, though I wonder if the new pennywise will do it the justice Tim Curry did. I was sorry to learn to he had a stroke. He definitely deserved his lifetime achievement award. I've loved him in everything he's been in. He was such a good Pennywise!
I hope the new movie does the book justice. I know they are doing two movies. I can't wait to see what they do with it. I will go in with an open mind. As for the mini series. I thought the kid actors did a pretty job, but the adults, well, I thought the casting could have been better.
I finished the book late last night. I loved it! I love the whole thing about memory and how they all forgot about It after they defeat it as kids and the whole book is about them all slowly remembering what happened and then that bitter sweet ending where they all forget each other again! I thought it was really sad how these people that were brought together and grew so close all ended up forgetting each other and I felt like I the reader was going along for the ride. I've put the book on the book shelf and will now probably forget so much of the story as time goes by. So it feels almost like the reader is going through the same thing as them.Also I did find that sex scene at the end to be a bit weird but easily forgettable.
Loved this book! It took me almost two months to read. Now onto The Dark Tower series!
Also who is Bob Gray?! They mention him in Dreamcatcher but who was he in It?!
Bob Gray is explained earlier in this discussion.
I am really worried about the film.Hollywood scriptwriters always try to make it more sensationalised. In reality it is a simple coming of age, good v evil book.
If it is to be two films follow the book to the letter. Not one from the kids perspective and then the other from the adults. It has to follow the book including flashbacks or it will just be a pile of doggie doo.
I loved Tim Curry as pennywise but equally the new one looks more menacing.
Even now I still glance at drains and imagine a red balloon floating out and Ben's little brother getting dragged in!
It took me most of my life to read this book. My parents never filtered my reading material so I was probably all of eight when I picked IT up the first time (having already seen the film). It was too much - both by content and weight - for me at the time. No matter how many times I started it, I could never get into a groove with it.I finally read it over a long weekend at uni. My roommate had gone home but I'd stayed behind. I remember needing to use the bathroom and our dorm, being girls only, had open showers not unlike the gym shower scene in the IT film. I went to the bathroom as quickly as possible, ran from the bathroom as fast as I could, and vaulted into my lofted bed. As an young adult of 18.
It doesn't scare me much anymore, but Pennywise terrified me through too many of my years on Earth. I'm hopeful but wary about the reboot, though...
Just finished my second reading of IT this morning. I really like it but not as much as The Shining or The Stand. As a long book it doesn't really have any parts that just seem to drag forever. Lots of big books have this problem in my opinion.
I still don't understand the sex scene when they were kids.
Steve wrote: "Even now I still glance at drains and imagine a red balloon floating out and Ben's little brother getting dragged in!"
There's another IT thread I just went through and one of the posts quotes SK's response from his site's official website message forums to the sex scene. Ok so it's to connect them (the 7 members of The Losers' Club) from childhood to adulthood? I just don't get it and probably never will; and, yes I know SK did a lot of drugs in the 80s and was an alcoholic. I know people on here have posted they found it weird. For 11 year olds to do that seems a couple of years too young. If they'd been a little older, say 13, I'd understand it more because by then the majority of the 7 should be experiencing puberty. I guess I want to know if there's anyone here who feels they totally get the scene and I'd like to hear their thoughts on it. I apologize if this seems like a redundant question but I had lunch with a friend the other day and he'd listened to the audiobook version and brought it up and well it reminded me to ask it on here. I'm trying to be more active on here. It's all in fun, intelligent and respectful discussion.
Brenda wrote: "There's another IT thread I just went through and one of the posts quotes SK's response from his site's official website message forums to the sex scene. Ok so it's to connect them (the 7 members o..."I feel that the scene belongs and understand it's purpose. But I also get why people don't like it and it is a very, very weird scene. I think he could have done something different at this point to further the story without the thought of 11 year olds having sex. Something that would allow them to get back enough of the magic to get them out of the sewer.
I understand his reasoning behind the scene, but like EllEm, feel as a good writer he could have come up with something else. It feels almost lazy. Not to mention, like you said, they wouldn't have even begun puberty. Liking a girl is not the same until you hit puberty. I've also never really understood the mechanics. There is no way to put this without being crude, but can 11 year old boys actually begin, perform and finish the act of sex? A girl, I understand. It's gross, but there are deviants who want them as young as possible and it has nothing to do with them being physically ready. I really don't know if a boy that young can do it.
It's always bothered me. It is one of the few books by King I have not re-read over and over and this scene is why. I hate thinking about it coming up, I skip it, but then can't forget that it happened.
Kandice wrote: "I understand his reasoning behind the scene, but like EllEm, feel as a good writer he could have come up with something else. It feels almost lazy. Not to mention, like you said, they wouldn't have..."without going into too much detail the answer is yes. I asked my wife, the junior high teacher, and she immediately went into the story of a boy becoming a father at the age of 11.
Hmmm...I didn't want to know that! But you did answer my question Nick. >_<
My favourite part of this book? The crossover to The Shining when Dick Hallorann makes an appearance in Mike's father's stories about Black Spot.
Vikki wrote: "My favourite part of this book? The crossover to The Shining when Dick Hallorann makes an appearance in Mike's father's stories about Black Spot."I love finding those connections! That is one of the reasons why I love Stephen King.
In The Stand he also mentioned the Old Woman "had the shine" I was so excited!
Hi all, I finished reading IT a little while ago but only just recently jumped into the community on the site.
Everyone talks about "the scene" with Beverly at the end of the book, and with good reason because it is disturbing and an intriguing conversation for discussion.
I want everyone's opinions on a different part though that I feel is never discussed. As adults, Bill has an affair with Beverly with very little reluctance. He basically says, "Hmm I feel kinda bad cuz I'm married... oh well let's do it, Bev!" I was disappointed by Bill's decision here. He was supposed to be the mature, stalwart leader of the group, both as a child and as an adult. To give in like that felt incredibly out of character. Then, at the very end of the book, low and behold, Bill is back to caring so much about Audrey and Bev runs off with Ben. Do you think after the harrowing bike ride, Bill turned to Audrey and said, "Oh by the way, we have to talk about a little something..."?
It is just another clear example that Bev's only purpose in the story was to be a sexual object for the men. She can't have Bill so she settles for Ben instead. At least the scene as a child in the sewers restored some mystical power by transitioning the boys into adulthood... or something The affair with Bill felt more like simple lust.
Overall, I did like the book, but a lot of the concepts came off as trying too hard. In particular, the random condoned adultery and "the scene" were very off-putting.
Everyone talks about "the scene" with Beverly at the end of the book, and with good reason because it is disturbing and an intriguing conversation for discussion.
I want everyone's opinions on a different part though that I feel is never discussed. As adults, Bill has an affair with Beverly with very little reluctance. He basically says, "Hmm I feel kinda bad cuz I'm married... oh well let's do it, Bev!" I was disappointed by Bill's decision here. He was supposed to be the mature, stalwart leader of the group, both as a child and as an adult. To give in like that felt incredibly out of character. Then, at the very end of the book, low and behold, Bill is back to caring so much about Audrey and Bev runs off with Ben. Do you think after the harrowing bike ride, Bill turned to Audrey and said, "Oh by the way, we have to talk about a little something..."?
It is just another clear example that Bev's only purpose in the story was to be a sexual object for the men. She can't have Bill so she settles for Ben instead. At least the scene as a child in the sewers restored some mystical power by transitioning the boys into adulthood... or something The affair with Bill felt more like simple lust.
Overall, I did like the book, but a lot of the concepts came off as trying too hard. In particular, the random condoned adultery and "the scene" were very off-putting.
Carlo wrote: "Hi all, I finished reading IT a little while ago but only just recently jumped into the community on the site.Everyone talks about "the scene" with Beverly at the end of the book, and with good r..."
I don't see Bev as a simple sex object either. I don't think Bill would have had an affair with anyone other than Bev, and while I am a wife and would have a hard time if Bill were my husband, I understood it in the story and didn't feel it was out of character at all. He had her and then was able to let her go.
I didn't see Bev as settling for Ben either. I really felt that Bev and Bill needed to get each other out of their system so they were able to move on.
I don't think a feature film is the correct forum for an epic story like IT. The story requires time to develop the concepts and show the character growth. I would have loved to see it as a Hulu or Netflix miniseries so it could be 6-10 hours and do the story justice.
That being said, I'm going to go see the movie and give it a fair chance to entertain me. Hopefully it is well made and enough people go to see it to have the second film made. If I can wait for the next A Song of Ice and Fire book after 5-6 years, I can wait for the conclusion to IT to hit the theaters.
That being said, I'm going to go see the movie and give it a fair chance to entertain me. Hopefully it is well made and enough people go to see it to have the second film made. If I can wait for the next A Song of Ice and Fire book after 5-6 years, I can wait for the conclusion to IT to hit the theaters.
I think they just finished with the kid's part and will be starting in a few weeks on the adults so surely part 2 will be released. I am excited about the remake, I don't think the TV mini-series came close to doing the book justice. With the exception of Tim Curry it was crap, so cheesy. I think if the first and second movie approaches 3 hours each then they can develop the story properly. The TV series was only 180 or so minutes.
Matthewcross87 wrote: "i dont see bev as a sex object . she was another of what those kids needed another great friend . and nothing about them sex was wrong they all loved each other and thats what they all needed at th..."How idealistic do you want to be here? In war (and this is like the ultimate war of good vs evil) shit happens, and in this case, it's adulterous... a terrible failing, but that's life... people are human and if they can move on as Bev and Bill do, it's part of the difficult but real parts of life. As Kandice says they had to get each other out of their systems. Bev and Ben have a good history too. As for the sex object idea, at least in a story, a sex object is someone who is only there to provide an attractive, even distracting sexy element to the story, nothing else. Bev is so much more than that. She, even more than Bill, is the critical person who holds this group together. I'd have to read it a fourth time to come up with a list of examples of when and how she does it, but THAT SCENE, is the least of it.
I'm looking forward to the movie because it's another opportunity for the story to be told. I don't mean the details, but the over arcing plot. Evil on a 27 year cycle. The evil taking the form of what you fear most. A group of kids defeating it as kids and then being forced to do so again.I don't think the series was great, but it was exciting to watch simply because it was a King adaptation. If you go into an adaptation expecting what you got from the book, you are looking for disappointment.
The Shining always comes up in these conversations. Kubrick's movie is magnificent, but it is not King's book. Like King says, his book will always be there. No adaptation, good, bad or completely different, will ever change that. Look at a movie as something new.
The acting was pretty bad in the first movie plus they couldn't be nearly as graphic because it was television. The movie just didn't capture the feeling of fear or the "magic" of childhood that really came through in the book. I'm okay with the new movie changing things so that it translates better to the big screen or just for artistic freedom. I really am excited to see if they can scare me, not cheap scares but a real deal growing sense of danger and fear that the book accomplished. And I also want to see the deep friendship and love that the loser's had for each other.
I'm glad you enjoyed the mini series. I love reading what others think of different books and movies. I'm sure we would each have different favorites and it's great that Stephen King has so much material to choose from and much more on the way.
Matthewcross87 wrote: "yet again im at a loss as to what to say to that , i hope the new it it movie ... comes to your vision of stephen kings it"I'm really looking forward to watching and seeing what the screenwriter's and director's vision of King's It is.
So you leave, and there is an urge to look back, to look back just once as the sunset fades, to see that severe New England skyline one final time...Best not to look back. Best to believe that there will be happily ever afters all the way around - and so there may be; who is to say there will not be such endings? Not all boats which sail away into darkness never find the sun again, or the hand of another child; if life teaches anything at all, it teaches that there are so many happy endings that the man who believes there is no God needs his rationality called into serious question...So drive away quick, drive away while the last of the light slips away...drive away from Derry, from memory...but not from desire. That stays, the bright cameo of all we were and all we believed as children, all that shone in our eyes even when we were lost and the wind blew in the night. Drive away and try to keep smiling. Get a little rock and roll on the radio and go toward all the life there is with all the courage you can find and all the belief you can muster. Be true, be brave, stand. All the rest is darkness.
This book changed everything for me. I think I never looked at stories the same ever again. It is definitely a masterpiece. It has it all. Only King can write such a dark book and still be able to tell you things like this. For me, it is a book that I remember very well; I remember what I was doing while I was reading it, I remember the anxiety that caused me (in a good way, of course). It was just a great ride, one of the best ones I had with a book ever.
Of course, there's other kind of literature that I really enjoy, but there's something about this book, about Derry, about the characters, about the way that the story is told, that makes you feel part of it.
And don't get me started about the Turtle.
I just needed to say this. :)
Thank you, Flor! You said very eloquently what I feel about this book. I really can't think of a book that is so near perfect as this one.
Stephen King Fans
Books mentioned in this topic
Mile 81 (other topics)The Bazaar of Bad Dreams (other topics)
It (other topics)
The Shining (other topics)
Hearts in Atlantis (other topics)
