hosted by Daniel Kraus (details)
July 10 - September 4, 2017
Author/editor Daniel Kraus posts a 10-week journal of re-reading King’s classic. He is inviting folks to join in this venture and then watch the movie version which will be released September 8.
I will be posting my read-along tidbits here each week throughout.
B E W A R E: could be spoilery
by Stephen King
Find out more about this book and author:
Amazon
Goodreads
BookExcerpt
Website
Published: 2016
Publisher: Scribner; Reissue edition
Genre: Horror
Paperback: 1156
Rating: 5
First sentence(s):
The terror, which would not end for another twenty-eight years—if it ever did end—began, so far as I know or can tell, with a boat made from a sheet of newspaper floating down a gutter swollen with rain.
Soon to be a major motion picture—Stephen King’s terrifying, classic #1 New York Times bestseller, “a landmark in American literature” (Chicago Sun-Times)—about seven adults who return to their hometown to confront a nightmare they had first stumbled on as teenagers…an evil without a name: It.
Welcome to Derry, Maine. It’s a small city, a place as hauntingly familiar as your own hometown. Only in Derry the haunting is real.
They were seven teenagers when they first stumbled upon the horror. Now they are grown-up men and women who have gone out into the big world to gain success and happiness. But the promise they made twenty-eight years ago calls them reunite in the same place where, as teenagers, they battled an evil creature that preyed on the city’s children. Now, children are being murdered again and their repressed memories of that terrifying summer return as they prepare to once again battle the monster lurking in Derry’s sewers.
First off, I was not expecting that the book was a chunkster! The other Stephen King novel I read that was similar in size was The Stand which was an awesome read indeed. So based on that and the hype for this book, I am excited to put in the time for this horror-ific experience.
My two-bits:
CHAPTERS 1-3: (Daniel's post)
This section covered the introduction to the main six (maybe seven) characters. Each individual is presented with their quirks and ugly sides. However, what is interesting to note is the common loyalty they share to fulfill a promise they made in their childhood past. This is the mystery. What is the pact they made?
Already, I can tell that I am in for a wild ride.
THE FIRST INTERLUDE & CHAPTERS 4-7: (Daniel's take)
Zombie sighting:
George's eyes would be blank and terrible, the eyes of a zombie in a horror movie.
-page 248, chapter 5
New friendships and boy bonding begin amongst the main characters.
IT experiences are shared.
CHAPTERS 8-9 & THE SECOND INTERLUDE: (Daniel's take)
More IT experiences shared. And, we get a girl's perspective. With the formation of friendships, the courage and self esteem of the kids start to build. The time period details and descriptions are captured so well.
CHAPTERS 10-12 & THE THIRD INTERLUDE: (Daniel's take)
A reunion of the kids as grown-ups takes place. But also, each experience a brief reunion with their personal It. Horror images and all-around creepiness begins for them again. More dark Derry history is revealed as well.
CHAPTERS 13-16: (Daniel's take)
This section takes us back to the past with the kids and Mike's entry into the group along with his experience with It. So yeah, more history. And the kids are coming to terms with the need to do something about It.
Also, there is an interesting bit where Eddie talks about grownups and monsters.
CHAPTERS 17-18 & THE FOURTH INTERLUDE: (Daniel's take)
Major bullying and retaliation. The Loser's Club solidifies as a group.
CHAPTERS 19-20: (Daniel's take)
Zombie sighting:
Although still afraid, Mike had gotten over the debilitating idea that it might be Stan Uris, returned from the grave, called back by the scars on his palms, some eldritch magnetism which had brought him back like a zombie in a Hammer horror film.
-chapter 19, page 933
Quick flip flopping between terrors of the past with terrors in the present with the Losers club. King does so well with the transitions.
CHAPTERS 21-22: (Daniel's take)
The showdown and reveal of what truly is IT.
CHAPTER 23-EPILOGUE: (Daniel's take)
The town of Derry reverts back to a sleepy town. Great to get a wrap-up with the aftermath and battle scars.
MOVIE:
Director: Andy Muschietti
Screenplay: Chase Palmer, Cary Fukunaga, Gary Dauberman
Based on book by: Stephen King
Starring: Jaeden Lieberher, Jeremy Ray Taylor, Sophia Lillis,
Finn Wolfhard, Chosen Jacobs, Jack Dylan Grazer,
Wyatt Oleff, Bill Skarsgård
-Adventure, Drama, Horror | imdb | my rating: 4
A group of bullied kids band together when a shapeshifting demon, taking the appearance of clown, begins hunting children.
For Fall Film challenge: about fortitude
Gotta hand it to the kids for figuring out things. This version did not get too much into the paranormal bits found in the book. Clown creepiness cringe moments, indeed.
TO add to the creepy, we spotted this in the theatre lobby after the show. Ahhhh.
