Bracket #4: Pet Sematary (1983)

[mae]

Pet Sematary, 1983

Please vote for Pet Sematary using the following scale:

• 5
• 4.5
• 4
• 3.5
• 3
• 2.5
• 2
• 1
• 0
• Never read

If you haven't read this book yet, please vote Never Read. Feel free to discuss your votes in this thread.

[Girlystevedave]

Never read.

[mae]

Never read.

Are you kidding me?

I don't care what anyone says, this is King's best novel.

[Girlystevedave]

I don't doubt it!
But, I'm noticing that most of the King books I haven't read have movies based off of them that I grew up watching.
This prevents me from being able to read the book until I forget most of the story first.

[Jean]

5

an absolute masterpiece

in terms of perfection, the only novel that is more perfect (yes, I know it's not correct usage, but you see what I mean) is The Long Walk: it has no flaws at all. Pet Sematary has one weak part

Spoiler:

when the horror reveals its shape, as Louis walks home from the cemetery that last time; I wish it had been left undescribed, because any description is always weaker than what we can feel inside ourselves; the monstrous ram's head or whatever it was is just plain ridiculous comparing with the rest, for example, with "it's only loons" phrase which chills my blood every fucking time I remember it - which I try not to

, but it's a masterpiece anyway.

[divemaster]

Terribly effective book. As great as King is with characterization, perhaps the greatest example of him "getting inside the head" of a character is when Louis Creed is working his way toward doing the unthinkable.

Spoiler:

His beloved son has just been buried. Louis is distraught beyond comprehension. He has knowledge that no man should have. "It would be good if my wife were out of town for a while. Oh, and by the way, I'll just stop by the hardware store and buy a shovel. No reason, just...it would be good to have a shovel. And maybe a few other items as well." Etc.

The reader knows the direction Louis is heading--the horror is inevitable. But Louis himself can't even admit to himself what he's about to do--although of course he knows deep down.

The way it is presented is masterful.

4.5

[mae]

4.5

Was hoping for a 5.

[divemaster]

Well, the ending got a little out of control. Not the very ending (that was classic). But 4.5 is a very good score.

[webstar1000]

Well, the ending got a little out of control. Not the very ending (that was classic). But 4.5 is a very good score.

Shocked you like this more over Talisman... amazing how diff tastes are here with King's books. I mean we ALL love SK but I find it fascinating.

[divemaster]

Ha. I like every King novel (with the exception of perhaps 4), over the Talisman.

[webstar1000]

Ha. I like every King novel (with the exception of perhaps 4), over the Talisman.

Yeah me too now that you mention it... But the Talisman was my fav book for many many years.... still kinda is BUT I have not read it since I was very young too...

[frik]

Overrated - still a 4 though...

sk

[Heather19]

5, This one has alot of sentimental value to me as well, since it's the story that started me on my Stephen King journey.

[WeDealInLead]

5 for me. Such a mean book.

[BROWNINGS CHILDE]

I think this book has the potential to scare the crap out of you when you are young for obvious reasons. However, this book became more horrific with rereads as I grew up, became a father and began to empathize with Louis. This is King at his finest.

[Tito_Villa]

5, brilliant book, the scariest of King's books

[Jean]

one of the scariest books ever, probably. I can now think only of one that is scarier.

[Tito_Villa]

one of the scariest books ever, probably. I can now think only of one that is scarier.

What is that?

[Jean]

A Terrible Revenge (Страшная месть) by Nikolay Gogol

[Girlystevedave]

I think this book has the potential to scare the crap out of you when you are young for obvious reasons. However, this book became more horrific with rereads as I grew up, became a father and began to empathize with Louis. This is King at his finest.

I think that this is the biggest reason I am reluctant to read it. As I said before, I never read it when I was younger because I was too familiar with the movie. But, as I've gotten older, and the movie is faint to me, I've thought about reading it. I'm sure I'm missing out on some great King work.
But, I don't think I can handle the parent losing a child aspect of the story. I remember King saying in an interview once that touching on that (losing a child) is the most horrific thing imaginable.
So, as a mom, I really don't think I could read it.

[Jean]

no, I don't think you can, either. As a reader with almost 50-year-long experience, I believe I know how to abstract personal feelings from fiction-inspired personal feelings, but even given that, I don't know whether I could read PS if I had children.

[Iwritecode]

I think this book has the potential to scare the crap out of you when you are young for obvious reasons. However, this book became more horrific with rereads as I grew up, became a father and began to empathize with Louis. This is King at his finest.

I think that this is the biggest reason I am reluctant to read it. As I said before, I never read it when I was younger because I was too familiar with the movie. But, as I've gotten older, and the movie is faint to me, I've thought about reading it. I'm sure I'm missing out on some great King work.
But, I don't think I can handle the parent losing a child aspect of the story. I remember King saying in an interview once that touching on that (losing a child) is the most horrific thing imaginable.
So, as a mom, I really don't think I could read it.

Yea, being a dad, the movie and the book both hit me kinda hard. I’ve always though of it being much more sad than scary.

[stroppygoblin]

I gave this book repeated readings - right up until I had my first born son. After that I couldn't read it. Horror is truly horrific when the subject matter is something close to you.

Spoiler

It's not the coming back from the dead, but the description of the sneaker full of blood that got to me.

He's now nearly 20, at University, costing me a fortune and a typical selfish teenager. Maybe it's time to read it again?

[Girlystevedave]

I think this book has the potential to scare the crap out of you when you are young for obvious reasons. However, this book became more horrific with rereads as I grew up, became a father and began to empathize with Louis. This is King at his finest.

I think that this is the biggest reason I am reluctant to read it. As I said before, I never read it when I was younger because I was too familiar with the movie. But, as I've gotten older, and the movie is faint to me, I've thought about reading it. I'm sure I'm missing out on some great King work.
But, I don't think I can handle the parent losing a child aspect of the story. I remember King saying in an interview once that touching on that (losing a child) is the most horrific thing imaginable.
So, as a mom, I really don't think I could read it.

Yea, being a dad, the movie and the book both hit me kinda hard. I’ve always though of it being much more sad than scary.

I gave this book repeated readings - right up until I had my first born son. After that I couldn't read it. Horror is truly horrific when the subject matter is something close to you.

Spoiler

It's not the coming back from the dead, but the description of the sneaker full of blood that got to me.

He's now nearly 20, at University, costing me a fortune and a typical selfish teenager. Maybe it's time to read it again?

Yeah, there are certain things too horrific to even visit in a fictional world. It hits my gut to just think about it.

[mae]

Need one more 5!