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jaedia's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Only lost points because the random mid-sentence thought brackets were very off-putting, occasionally would switch scenes with absolutely no indication towards doing so, and the numerous references to racist caricatures (while yes, a result of the time period) were unnecessary and gross. I'm aware these kinds of things come up in King's early books but they very much do affect my ratings.
Otherwise, enjoyed the reading experience immensely.
Graphic: Animal death, Bullying, Child abuse, Confinement, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Blood, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Ableism, Body shaming, Antisemitism, Abandonment, and Alcohol
zakcebulski's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Well, I finally got there! I finally read the King book that started it all, and while I thought the book was very well done, I don't know that I enjoyed it- let me explain.
I think that King's first outing novel was very well done. The story follows 16 year old Carietta "Carrie" White- a girl who cannot catch a fucking break.
Carrie is a girl who deals with so much bullshit day in and out. This is not limited to bullying at the hands of her high school peers, but, with religious mania stemming from her mother's pathological following of her Christian faith.
Carrie also holds a secret- telekinesis (TK in the book)- which she will later use to full effect to get revenge on all of those who have wronged her (and even those who didn't).
Now, I would be utterly shocked if anyone did not know about the ending of Carrie specifically the Prom Night sequence. I knew about the prom sequence, but, I did not know that Carrie ends up destroying damn near the entire town of Chamberline, Maine. This is like the ending of another one of King's books.
Prior to this, however, the narrative follows Carrie through the struggles of life as she is constantly put down upon by people for no fucking reason. I found it interesting that by in large the story is pretty simple. It is a narrative following the life of a bullied girl. Gradually, there are interspersed vignettes from lab reports, police interviews and books discussing the events of "The Black Prom" and Carrie White. I thought that this was a very smart addition by King as he was able to pepper in foreshadowing while still building a sense of elation. Very well done.
Eventually one of her classmates- Sue Snell, who, feeling guilty for some particularly horrific bullying- the shower scene- convinces her boyfriend to take Carrie to prom. It is at this point where the reader falls into a sense of near glee for Carrie when it seems that things are finally starting to turn around for her.
But, a vindictive bully- Chris Hargensen and others decide to play a prank on Carrie where when she is crowned prom queen with her date- Tommy- pig's blood will be dropped on them. This act of bullying, this "prank" is one step too far for Carrie who unleashes her full TK powers and ends up not only decimating the school, but, levelling much of the town and killing in excess of 440 people.
This is obviously horrific, and I think that it is an interesting play by King where he writes Carrie to be so sympathetic and nearing pathetic, and switches her on a dime to be abhorrent, and deserving of zero sympathy.
I will say that people like Billy and Chris- I didn't have a great deal of sadness for them.
One of the most interesting points of the book to me is the relationship with Carrie's mom- Margaret and her relationship with Carrie due to her religious beliefs. Margaret is pathologically devout, considering most things to be sinful. It is later revealed that Carrie was a result of a marital rape from her drunken father, which Margaret enjoyed. I think that though this is sickening to read about, it is a very interesting character defining moment, as it illustrates why Margaret harbors such a vicious scorn toward her daughter.
After reading many of King's later works it is interesting to read his first book and to see all of the tropes and see the progression of his writing style.
I think that I would have liked this book more should more of the characters been more fleshed out. At the end of the day it was Carrie, Margaret and Sue that were the most in depth characters. I found people like Billy and Chris to be very one-dimensional, and ultimately not very believable as evil characters.
I thought that this book was truly heartbreaking as someone who was truly innocent is pushed and razed to the point where they become something truly profane and evil. I thought that the emotions which King was able to conjure up when Carrie gets asked to prom and when she is voted as Queen were some of the higher highs I have experienced reading one of his books. His ability to take that positive momentum and turn it on a dime to be truly hellacious is astounding.
I am truly glad that King continued writing. This book is a clear illustration, to me, of the potential which King had even in his first book.
Long live the King.
Graphic: Bullying, Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Rape, Violence, Blood, Car accident, Death of parent, Murder, and Gaslighting
heyfernance's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Graphic: Bullying, Child abuse, Confinement, Fatphobia, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Self harm, Religious bigotry, Pregnancy, and Fire/Fire injury
selimhannah's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Body horror, Body shaming, Bullying, Child abuse, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Violence, Blood, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Rape, Sexual assault, and Sexual violence
fourslicesoftoast's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
Graphic: Bullying, Child abuse, Confinement, Death, and Blood
Moderate: Cursing, Abortion, and Death of parent
Minor: Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, Racial slurs, and Sexual content
planetshelf's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I’m always upset when I think about Carrie. Her experience on this planet was so fucked.
Graphic: Bullying, Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Death, Emotional abuse, Genocide, Gore, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Toxic relationship, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Religious bigotry, Murder, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Fire/Fire injury, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Cursing, Domestic abuse, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Car accident, Death of parent, Pregnancy, and Gaslighting
Minor: Body shaming, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Racial slurs, Rape, Suicidal thoughts, and Alcohol
kitk0405's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Graphic: Body shaming, Bullying, Child abuse, Confinement, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Blood, Religious bigotry, and Death of parent
madsw14's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Bullying, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Misogyny, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexual violence, Violence, Blood, and Fire/Fire injury
Moderate: Sexism, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, and Car accident
Minor: Confinement and Suicide attempt
jenna_justi2004's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Graphic: Body horror, Body shaming, Bullying, Child abuse, Child death, Chronic illness, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, Genocide, Gore, Mental illness, Miscarriage, Racial slurs, Rape, Sexism, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Grief, Religious bigotry, Car accident, Death of parent, Murder, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Pregnancy, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, Abandonment, and War
lydiavsbooks's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.0
Really enjoyed it, very tragic following the extreme abuse Carrie experiences. Great look at abuse, bullying, shame, religion etc. Also just really love the like extended King universe and seeing characters that shine pop up in a bunch of his books.
As much as I enjoyed it, I understand the issue some people have with it. Reading a middle aged man writing a girls first period is kinda weird theres no denying it. Also not sure describing the tits of every female character mentioned was necessary. And definitely didn't love the use of slurs.
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Body shaming, Bullying, Child abuse, Confinement, Racial slurs, Sexual assault, and Blood