One of King's best that I put off reading for years. I think I did this for two reasons: (1) the length of the book was rather daunting (1090 pages of rather small print); and (2) I had seen the TV miniseries back when it came out and therefore thought I knew the story pretty well. Well the book was long...it took me almost 3 weeks to read, but it was well worth the effort with all the details and nuances that couldn't come through in a movie or TV version. I am, however, looking forward to the new movie version that comes out later this year.
Anyway, the book was appropriately creepy in King's usual style. If you don't know, the book is about an evil being (IT) that comes around about every 27 years in the city of Derry, Maine wreaking havoc. The being focuses on killing children and can take many different forms...the most prevalent being Pennywise, the clown. A group of children set out to rid Derry of the monster in 1958. They almost succeed but then vow to each other to return to Derry if IT returns which it does in 1985, bringing the group back together as adults. The children in 1958 must not only deal with IT, but also with a group of sadistic bullies and some adults who are blind to what is happening in the town.
I think the main theme of the book is basically how children can bond together and are open to most anything that comes their way...unlike adults. I actually grew up in the 50s and 60s and can relate to the adventures of the kids in this book although I never encountered the extreme bad people as described in the book. Very nostalgic! Overall, I would rate this as one of King's best...up there with Salem's Lot, The Shining, and 11/22/63.
Anyway, the book was appropriately creepy in King's usual style. If you don't know, the book is about an evil being (IT) that comes around about every 27 years in the city of Derry, Maine wreaking havoc. The being focuses on killing children and can take many different forms...the most prevalent being Pennywise, the clown. A group of children set out to rid Derry of the monster in 1958. They almost succeed but then vow to each other to return to Derry if IT returns which it does in 1985, bringing the group back together as adults. The children in 1958 must not only deal with IT, but also with a group of sadistic bullies and some adults who are blind to what is happening in the town.
I think the main theme of the book is basically how children can bond together and are open to most anything that comes their way...unlike adults. I actually grew up in the 50s and 60s and can relate to the adventures of the kids in this book although I never encountered the extreme bad people as described in the book. Very nostalgic! Overall, I would rate this as one of King's best...up there with Salem's Lot, The Shining, and 11/22/63.
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