I was given my copy of IT, by Stephen King, many many years ago by my Dad. He had read the book and told me “Take this book, I had nightmares and I don’t want it in my house.” I was 16 at the time.
That statement intimidated me for years before I plucked up the courage to read it, yet I moved it around over all the places I lived, sitting in my mind, and on my shelf. I had seen the original movie with Tim Curry, which was scary enough but I figured if I could take the movie I could take the book. That I assumed and was correct, would be a deeper look at Derry, the kids, and the horror that would mess with their lives for decades.
So in the fall of 2016, I decided I had waited long enough and it was time. This was my first undertaking into the world of Stephen King, I had heard a lot about his writing style and how he was great at horror and suspense alike. I was not disappointed.
*****If you have not read it or seen the movies at this point, then sorry I might spoil things for you. But it’s been out since 1987, what are you waiting for?******
Starting with poor little George, who just wanted to play with his boat after the rain storm. Just wanted to have his older brother make him a newspaper boat that he could float outside because inside was boring. Mr. King does a wonderful job of taking you into the story quickly, you can smell the rain-covered streets and feel the little rain still falling while you run alongside George following the boat….until it disappears into the storm drain. When he bends down to see if he can spot the boat, maybe Bill could get it, he had longer arms after all….that damn clown pops up, and….well not sure what to say here besides fuck that clown. Never liked clowns at all, but this one did not help ease that feeling.
Pennywise, as he is called……can you call IT a he? Or is that just what he wants you to see, after all he can pop up as anyone’s greatest fears, spiders, or a 40 foot tall Paul Bunyan. He is a truly iconic villain, embodying the fear of the unknown and preying on the deepest fears of his victims. King’s ability to tap into the primal fears of his readers is a testament to his skill as a horror writer. The novel’s exploration of the power of fear and the way it can shape our lives is a central theme that resonates throughout the story.
Anyway….where was I, oh yes, poor little George looking in the storm drain. The being of years of toucher for Bill, Ben, Richie, Eddie, Stanley, Mike and Beverly. Starting as young kids, the kids who didn’t fit in with the “cool” crowd but were drawn together and bonded by the experience with the clown. The losers club as they would come to be called. Each character has their own fears and insecurities, making them three-dimensional and sympathetic.
It is over 1000 pages of terror, love, adolescence, and well worth the journey.
If you have an overactive imagination like me, I suggest not reading it at night…..unless you want Pennywise to visit during the night.