**SPOILERS BELOW**
I finished IT just in time--about 3 hours ago. Nothing like cutting it close. I've been so lame at my past readalongs that by the time I finish the book, everyone else has moved on. That's no fun. So, since I'm still trying to wrap my head around this massive book, I'll just list a few random thoughts.
- This book was not nearly as terrifying as I expected. There were several times that I read it at night and had no creepy dreams. I even read the big scene in the IT's lair around midnight last night and slept just fine.
- Stephen King writes some amazing characters. I preferred ITs characters to The Stand. Maybe because they were kids and less annoying (except for maybe Richie--I wasn't a fan). It was easier to keep track of this cast of characters, and I cared about them more.
- I was surprised to find how much of the story took place in the past. The entire story was basically back story leading up to two days (and not many pages) in the present.
- The ending was a bit of a letdown. I didn't know the form that IT would take, but as I'm not particularly afraid of that kind of creature, I think the clown was creepier.
- The Bill and Bev thing pissed me off. HE WAS MARRIED! Seriously! What is wrong with you people?! It was unnecessary to the plot. Not really sure why King chose to go there. And to Bev--Ben is so much better and he still has his hair (though I don't think highly of his fashion sense).
- The plot line with Bev's husband was anticlimactic. He made such a big deal to get to Derry that I expected this big showdown (I was hoping Ben would give him a beat down [not that I generally approve of such things, but he had it coming]). He died off page, and I almost missed the mention of it.
- The scene where they all express their love or whatever that was supposed to be after their first time attacking IT, made my skin crawl. I felt dirty reading it. How old are they?! I thought they were like 11 or something.
- I loved Ben (hence the note to Bev above). He was my favorite character. Just so quiet, but strong. Never selfish.
So, that's the end of my random thoughts on IT. I'm glad I read it. There was of course, King's trademark verbosity, and some parts that I didn't care for, but when compared to the other few King books I've read, this is my favorite.
I agree with every single bullet point. We are indeed twinsies with our reactions to this one.
ReplyDeleteGlad you joined us! Although I'm giggling at your self-inflicted pressure to finish on time. That means you're ready to join us for The Shining the next year, though! Right? ;-)
We are twinsies. Thanks for hosting and for the cool bookmark! I may do The Shining with you all. I've heard it's shorter. That would be a welcome relief from The Stand and IT. So freaking long.
DeleteI agree with your points, too! Although, the Interludes didn't really bother me. YAY for readalongs!
ReplyDeleteI wonder if the Interludes were less bothersome while listening. It was a slog to read when I really wanted to get back to the main action.
DeleteI enjoyed the Interludes, myself, and thought they added a necessary depth to the story. But then, I'm a huge history buff. I always want to know the backstory: "How did this come to be in the first place?" is the question I want answered, and I'm usually unhappy if it isn't.
ReplyDeleteI guess that makes sense. Some of the interludes were interesting, but some for me just felt unnecessary.
DeleteI DID miss the kill-off of Rogan. :-/ That's the problem with audio...sometimes I zone out and then realize 30 minutes later I haven't been listening. And sometimes I just keep going on. However, the beginning scene with him and Bev was one of the most intense parts of the entire reading!
ReplyDeleteAnd yes, Ben! I imagine him to be very yum. Not sure what the draw to Big Bill was.
And like you, the ending wasn't as terrifying as I expected. Actually, I didn't have any problems with fright after the first initial encounters the kids had with It.
So glad you finished it!! Between you and me I wish that some kept more to the readalong schedule (or that I could read more quickly)--it is more fun to read together but I just can't read as quickly as some of the others. I did better with IT but it was a big pitfall for me with The Stand.
I almost missed Rogan's death too. I don't think it even said his name. There was something that IT said about her husband being in the web, kind of in passing. Disappointing. He deserved a worse end.
DeleteI know what you mean. I was better at keeping up with The Stand in the beginning and was able to be in on some of the twitter chat. This one I started late and never really caught up. It's been fun to see everyone's end reaction, but I missed being part of all of the conversations along the way and I feel like I missed out. I'll have to try and keep pace with everyone else during The Shining next year. Still glad I read it, though. Thanks for the encouragement.
I found parts of the book scary but the ending wasn't really scary at all (well, okay, maybe a little creepy since spiders gross me out ;)) That thing with Bev and the boys was wrong on so many levels and can't believe that someone (wife, editor, whoever) didn't convince him how wrong it was.
ReplyDeleteIt's been fun visiting Derry with you.
stacybuckeye--I completely agree. I'm trying to figure out why the editor didn't try to make King reconsider leaving that scene with the kids out of the book. It was just so wrong and not necessary. I don't get it.
Delete