(2) STEPHEN KING –

IT (1986)

Hail to the King! Stephen King, that is. One of the most iconic and prolific writers of our time. Lines and scenes from his work reverberate throughout popular culture, albeit particularly driven by cinematic or screen adaptations. His prose is vivid and visceral – indeed, the only books that have given me bad dreams, something which generally only occurs from the direct visualization of movies. In short, I am that Constant Reader to which King addresses his Author’s Notes.

Ultimately however, if there is a book that not only has its own individual mythos and is an important part of King’s overarching mythos, but also encapsulates and symbolizes King’s mythology in itself, it is, well, It. It traces its shapeshifting eldritch entity of evil in its favorite shape of Pennywise the Clown, as well as its lair and hunting ground, the town of Derry in Maine, and its opponents, the Losers’ Club through multiple and overlapping layers (even if it has some narrative missteps –and yes, I’m talking about THAT scene, which I prefer to mentally omit from the novel). As the saying goes, you don’t know how deep It goes – but then, you’ll all float down here…

SF & HORROR

Well, horror obviously – it’s the genre for which King is known, even if it overlaps with dark fantasy. Perhaps what is more surprising is how often King dips into the SF genre, including in this novel.

RATING: 5 STARS*****
S-TIER (GOD-TIER)