Pet Sematary
M**E
King's Darkest Tale
I just finished reading this book and I am lost for words. I feel sad. This is not just a horror novel, it's a tragedy.This to me was not only the scariest, but also the most sickeningly disturbing story I have ever read.I'm a huge fan of King. I didn't know what to expect from this one. I am familiar with a variety of his work from Christine to IT. Weather it be a possessed car or a scary clown, I knew one thing... Stephen King can make an interesting story out of anything and pull you in with his unique storytelling style that makes you want to come back for more. Despite the disturbing content in this book, man I loved it. I enjoyed reading this book.So what's this book about? In short, without spoiling it, here it is:A family move in to their new home where they find a path leading to a "Pet Sematary" in the woods where children from the past buried their pets. And then the haunting begins...Sounds simple, doesn't it? Harmless. Innocent. No, it isn't. What happens in this story is dark, terrifying, chilling and mad. It also made me sad. Some forces of nature are not be messed with.What made this book even more interesting is that the book takes its time to build the world around the family as we get to know them. We see how they interact with each other and watch how their relationships grow. It feels slow at first, but you will see why later on. The story really kicks off at Part 2 and that's where the emotional rollercoaster begins. You will feel tense in several places in this book as you progress. It's an addicitive read. Reading at night, not only did I feel a chill down my spine, it kept me up all night. Stephen King hypnotises you with his story telling to the point where you want more. I couldn't put it down.This story is not for the fainthearted. This may indeed be the best story Stephen King has ever told.It's haunting. It's disturbing. This is King's darkest tale.
J**.
An oldie but goody!
I read this some time back and forgot how good it was. Thoroughly enjoyed reading it, I had forgotten how chilling it was in parts, and yes, I read it with the lights on!
C**A
Not as scary as expected BUT.....
You might either think this has one or two spoilers in it, or like me when reading reviews, think "he does What?! Does that really happen in it? Goodie Goodie" and be even more tempted to buy the book. Anyway, whatever, read on if you enjoy nice ramblings and a couple of spoilers.....I finished Pet Sematary tonight, and as I neared the end of the book I was reading it brushing my teeth, reading it in the car in the works carpark if I was 5 mins early, reading it while also trying to watch Masterchef Australia...wow, I guess it must have been Good. I thought Id have a look at some peoples reviews who scored it low to see what they might have thought the less successful parts were, seen as summararily I enjoyed it so much. The main train of thought seems to be with the last couple of chapters that deal with the grand finale. And I partly agree...I thought the end seemed rushed too...when you see you havent many pages left to go you expect it all to finish with a grande finale to top all other episodes of fear and tenseness youve already experienced in the book, but the gage-zombie killing spree was a bit hurried, in a way that didnt shock so much as just leave you with a half formed image of whats just happened and with a feeling of "huh...what? Eh?". Its great when an author successfully builds up your relationship and empathy for a character, to then all of a sudden surprisingly kill them off (or have them suffer when you really dont want them to ala the character Del's execution gone horribly wrong in the Green Mile - ugh) as it doesnt half take you on an emotional rollercoaster with the book, but it felt like there just wasnt enough meat on the bones. For me the best part of the book was the event of Louis sneaking into the cemetary and exhuming his son - this, if i remember rightly now, seemed to last ages. There were loads of tense situations (the police patrolling in the car and he had to hide behind the tree, him nearly skewering himself on the railings and busting his knee, when he gets the grave open thinking for a second his sons head was missing, losing his car keys, the dog barking and nearly blowing his cover....) it was deliciously grisley and so tense and cumbersome you just kept thinking "doh ... doh...DOH!" Brilliant! And then to blow it all with a fizzle-pop of an ending compared to brilliance of the exhumation chapter was a bit of a let down. I thought the story jud told of that other dude that exhumed his son way back when was freakier, when they all went to his house and the zombie son was staring up at the red sky and then tells them in his gritty-demonic voice their dirty secrets really made me shiver. Much more scary than the scalpel wielding gage. I wish he'd strung it out more. Even the bit at the end were Rachel comes back from the grave...would have been freakier if she'd have gently put her cold dead hand on his throat from behind rather than his shoulder to really insinuate that the horror continues past the end of the book with the assumption she will in the end kill Louis would have been spookier!! I do think that anyone that has children, especially young ones at the time of reading, would find the book particularly chilling and hard to forget after switching off the bedside light. It raises good issues of how events of the past can leave an indellible mark psychologically for later in life. Also the love for your family that questions where would you draw the line to try and protect your family or when faced with grief and an opportunity to bring a loved one back against all sensibilities, if you could, would you not also take your chance. Chilling certainly, and some parts very delicate and tough to read and face up to, but as far as down right scary, perhaps not quite so much as I had thought it would be but still a good old yarn. Should have been creepier earlier on I think.^ Some of this might not make much sense as I started writing it as a comment for another persons review, generally agreeing and adding a bit, but a bit turned into a lot so I copied it into my own review.For the sake of a couple of quid just buy it and make yer own mind upx
J**K
One of King's finest books
Re-reading "Pet Sematary", it still packs considerable punch even though I knew much of what was coming. But, for a book to grip and shock a second time round takes some doing, and you have to applaud Stephen King for his craft in being able to produce these reactions in his readers."Pet Sematary" tackles the taboo subject of death in a way that is both shocking and honest. It expands on the brilliant short story "The Monkey's Paw" by WW Jacobs - and even references that in places - by tempting the reader to think about what they would do if faced with the same awful dilemma as that faced by Louis Creed as the story unfolds. King is brilliant in disecting the hypocracy of public grief and loss, and the rituals associated with this, and the more gnawing, gut-wrenching pain of private loss. It's quite a brilliant achievement for a writer who was still under forty when he wrote it.As a horror story, it works well enough, and some of the set-piece writing in the latter stages still shocks and brings the hairs up on the back of the neck. Only right at the very end does it feel as if King has slightly over-done things, and almost painted himself into a corner from which any conclusion is going to feel slightly messy and unfinished.But, "Pet Sematary" remains more than just one more horror book - and remains one of King's most brilliant and memorable achievements.
M**6
Pet Cemetery - Stephen King
Great book to read this time of year 🎃
J**A
Gran libro, gran edición!
Me encantó la historia. La edición es muy buena también. La letra es quizá un poco más pequeña de lo que me gustarÃa, pero creo que reste a la calidad del producto. Tiene un acabado que no habÃa visto en otro libro, y creo que eso lo hace especial.
S**A
Loved
This book is so freaking good!It came in perfect condition.
R**E
Très bon état
J’ai commandé le livre car impossible de le trouver en librairie et vu le prix j’ai opté pour l’option seconde main et franchement je dois dire que je suis surprise du bel état du livre! On dirait un neuf franchement trop trop contente et impatiente de le lire pendant la spooky season 👻
K**T
Goed!
Heel spannend en heel goed! Ik vond dit een van de meest meeslepende boeken van Stephen King die ik tot zover heb gelezen.
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