Reviews with content warning for Murder - Pet Sematary

My first ever Stephen King book!

Pet Sematary answers the classic horror question of "What happens if we bring back the dead?" And the answer, as always, is "Nothing good."

The Creed family is delightful--Louis, a university doctor, Rachel, his lovely, sweet, thanatophobic wife, Ellie, a delightful daughter, and Gage, the sweetest baby boy. Everything seems to be going right for them when the move to Ludlow, and then, within a year, things go very, very wrong.

King does an excellent job at pacing the story. Nothing, save for the concluding events, happens back-to-back, and it allows for the horror and dread to grow and fester. He makes you care about the characters and feel for them when tragedy hits.

I didn't love the final events like I thought I would, but still, a very satisfying conclusion! A truly dreadful horror novel that deserves its place as a classic.

Content Warnings

amandalouise717's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional sad tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

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kawooreads's review against another edition

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dark emotional mysterious sad tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

I listened to the 2018 audiobook narrated by Michael C. Hall, and it was outstanding. The 1989 original movie is one of the most iconic horror movies of my generation. Although I haven't watched the movie in a long time, I can remember in detail the story frame by frame because it scared me immensely as a kid. The book is perhaps my favorite King I have read thus far (the list I've read is short). Just a masterpiece although it doesn't pass my test which is challenging King to write a story that doesn't mention a woman's breasts/nipples in a creeper sort of way at least once. I had no idea King wrote this based on an experience he had where his young son waa almost hit by a large truck in the road by their home. In his author's note, King remarks that this story of "what if?" is the scariest story he has ever written. Michael C. Hall does an incredible job narrating and his Jud Crandall voice at times made me think Fred Gwynne was going to crawl out of my headphones. Now I can't wait to re-watch the movies. Perfect book for October!

Content Warnings

megselyane's review against another edition

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dark sad tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

Content Warnings

amiegold's review against another edition

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dark sad tense slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

Oh man, what a ride. I think this is the best portrayal of death and grieving that I have ever read. King explores different kinds of death, as well as different reactions to it. He even touches on different religions and views of death. His portrayal of a funeral hit spot on.

And in all reality, if most people had a chance to bring someone they loved back from the dead, especially in those painful first days, wouldn't they give anything to do it?

I didn’t love the condescending way Louis treats Rachel, even if it’s coming from a good place.

Content Warnings

readwithjessj's review against another edition

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dark emotional sad tense slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

What an emotional ride. As I continue on my Stephen King journey I continue to find the movies are really not like the book. These characters felt so very human and real. The responses that they have to their situations didn't feel completely farfetched. Stephen King showed the desperation that can arise for protecting your family and trying to end your grieving. Loved it so much.

Content Warnings

ladybocknite's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional sad tense slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

I found this book to be really slow until 70 or 80% of the way into it. The narrator was really good though. I find the conversation topic of the book(death) to be really interesting and how it’s discussed. We see someone spiral because of grief and make choices that they think are good,but in the end aren’t. King’s characters don’t asked to be redeemed unlike most modern stories. They are just who they are and that’s it.

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