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3.93 AVERAGE
3.93 AVERAGE
dark
emotional
sad
tense
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
dark
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I saw the Salem’s Lot remake coming out and thought I should read the book—Vintage King. It was the best book I’ve read this year, and I’m honestly glad that I waited so long to read it. The characters are interesting a rich, and the town is textured. I’ve only read a handful of King’s works (I’ve seen more films and remakes). This book is a time capsule, and while the subject matter is dark and terrifying, it is still a glimpse into a time I am nostalgic for, which was enjoyable on its own. One note; I watched the movie remake after reading the book and it was abysmal, with none of the depth, tone, terror, or texture that made the book so grand. If I may, I would recommend the series Midnight Mass on Netflix. The Mike Flanagan series is no doubt inspired by Salem’s Lot, being a close blood cousin to the book. It captures the character, texture, terror, and tone of the novel almost perfectly, albeit with a unique story all its own.
Genuinely my least favorite book I’ve ever read. Like why did I dislike it so much??? I feel like I wasn’t interested in any of the characters and the first part dragged especially. I’m glad this was not the first Stephen king book I read. Because if it was I would never read another Stephen king book
dark
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
i find stephen king to be a good author but a few of his writing decisions arent for me. Sometimes his inclusion of cavalier humor in the midst of the horror breaks the immersion and he tends to build many of his side characters around popular archetypes. However the way he builds the atmosphere is fucking brilliant. The plot and setting pull you in and dont let go until youve reached the back cover.
This story is amazing. I sort of wish some of the other characters aside from Mark and Ben were built more upon but it doesnt bother me much only because the plot is so amazing. Salem's Lot really feels like Stephen King's love letter to Bram Stoker. These vampires are incredible. They use all the typical themes associated with vampirism (fear of perversion and queerness, loneliness, xenephobia, predatory dynamics, sacrilegious beliefs, ect) and add on an element of american post-war tension accentuated by undertones of a societal fear surrounding the cultural shifts that took place during and after the vietnam war. I really love this book. thank you stephen king!!!!
This story is amazing. I sort of wish some of the other characters aside from Mark and Ben were built more upon but it doesnt bother me much only because the plot is so amazing. Salem's Lot really feels like Stephen King's love letter to Bram Stoker. These vampires are incredible. They use all the typical themes associated with vampirism (fear of perversion and queerness, loneliness, xenephobia, predatory dynamics, sacrilegious beliefs, ect) and add on an element of american post-war tension accentuated by undertones of a societal fear surrounding the cultural shifts that took place during and after the vietnam war. I really love this book. thank you stephen king!!!!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Body horror, Bullying, Child abuse, Child death, Chronic illness, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gore, Gun violence, Infidelity, Physical abuse, Terminal illness, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Cannibalism, Car accident, Death of parent, Murder, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail, Pandemic/Epidemic
Moderate: Ableism, Addiction, Alcoholism, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, Xenophobia, Excrement, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Fire/Fire injury, War
Minor: Fatphobia, Gun violence, Homophobia, Pedophilia, Racial slurs, Rape, Sexual violence, Excrement, Mass/school shootings
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No