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theobscureboleyngirl's review against another edition
5.0
āAt three in the morning the blood runs slow and thick, and slumber is heavy. The soul either sleeps in blessed ignorance of such an hour or gazes about itself in utter despair. There is no middle ground.ā
Just past the road sign that marks the entrance to my community is a farm house. Itās white with red trim and is set back from the road. The trees and alders that line the drive are overgrown and the narrow path dips down before steadily rising to an incline that places the house slightly above the main road. From this vantage point, the house itself is at least partially visible to anyone passing by. Most do so without so much as a glance in its direction, but Iām not most people. It is my own Marsten House and has been my entire life.
Iām not sure exactly when or why I marked this particular house as sinister but I cannot recall a time when it didnāt make my skin crawl. When I look at it, I canāt help but feel like itās staring right back. That feeling, whatever you might like to call it, is the same one I had while rereading Salemās Lot.
This book has a lot of classic horror themes and plays on some of the most common childhood fears: the dark, the woods, a haunted house and things that go bump in the night. Combined these with Kingās disturbing writing style and it makes for a terrifying read, and what better month to pick it up than this one?
Also, it wouldnāt be a King book with trigger warnings. Please take a moment to review them before you proceed with this story.
*TW: Child Abuse/Loss & Sexual Assault/Rape*
Update: After I wrote this review, I decided to make a trip to the house that has always, for some reason or another, sent a chill down my spine. I went in broad daylight and stayed just long enough to snap a few photos {one of which is featured above} Iād like to say that I conquered my fear and felt nothing when I was there but that would be a lie. I felt like I was intruding, I felt invasive, and when I turned to leave, I had the overwhelming sense that the house itself was willing me to go.
Just past the road sign that marks the entrance to my community is a farm house. Itās white with red trim and is set back from the road. The trees and alders that line the drive are overgrown and the narrow path dips down before steadily rising to an incline that places the house slightly above the main road. From this vantage point, the house itself is at least partially visible to anyone passing by. Most do so without so much as a glance in its direction, but Iām not most people. It is my own Marsten House and has been my entire life.
Iām not sure exactly when or why I marked this particular house as sinister but I cannot recall a time when it didnāt make my skin crawl. When I look at it, I canāt help but feel like itās staring right back. That feeling, whatever you might like to call it, is the same one I had while rereading Salemās Lot.
This book has a lot of classic horror themes and plays on some of the most common childhood fears: the dark, the woods, a haunted house and things that go bump in the night. Combined these with Kingās disturbing writing style and it makes for a terrifying read, and what better month to pick it up than this one?
Also, it wouldnāt be a King book with trigger warnings. Please take a moment to review them before you proceed with this story.
*TW: Child Abuse/Loss & Sexual Assault/Rape*
Update: After I wrote this review, I decided to make a trip to the house that has always, for some reason or another, sent a chill down my spine. I went in broad daylight and stayed just long enough to snap a few photos {one of which is featured above} Iād like to say that I conquered my fear and felt nothing when I was there but that would be a lie. I felt like I was intruding, I felt invasive, and when I turned to leave, I had the overwhelming sense that the house itself was willing me to go.
oshephard's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.75
satyajitc's review against another edition
5.0
Previously: https://www.beatzo.net/blog/2019/04/on-stephen-king-rarities-2/
Rereading this after 25 years, and a few things stand out:
- King apparently never suffered from sophomore syndrome.
- The descriptions are crisp and vivid. You can feel the shadows grow and the seasons change in the town, and if you're of a musical bent, you can probably hear the dread orchestra in the background, slowly building to a crescendo as the story progresses
- Each chapter is a masterclass in building tension
- The themes of a dying rural America, and a generation lacerated by the Vietnam war and rising distrust in government were not apparent to me as a teenager, but they resonate even more in today's times.
Rereading this after 25 years, and a few things stand out:
- King apparently never suffered from sophomore syndrome.
- The descriptions are crisp and vivid. You can feel the shadows grow and the seasons change in the town, and if you're of a musical bent, you can probably hear the dread orchestra in the background, slowly building to a crescendo as the story progresses
- Each chapter is a masterclass in building tension
- The themes of a dying rural America, and a generation lacerated by the Vietnam war and rising distrust in government were not apparent to me as a teenager, but they resonate even more in today's times.
regularbeans's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
maggiemk's review against another edition
4.0
I had a good time reading this one, but itās definitely the least scary of Kingās books that Iāve read. I was spooked at the beginning, but after it was clear that the undead were really vampires that were burned by holy water and crucifixes, my brain was like āvampires are clearly fake, no reason to be scared.ā 3.5
And yes, that means that a haunted hotel with shrubbery that comes alive is very plausible and terrifying to me.
And yes, that means that a haunted hotel with shrubbery that comes alive is very plausible and terrifying to me.
gothgenes's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
julipetric's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
miratrix's review against another edition
4.0
4.5 āØ
I enjoyed reading this book, even though it took me a while to finish
I enjoyed reading this book, even though it took me a while to finish