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A review by guivx5
Carrie, a Estranha by Stephen King
dark
emotional
reflective
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? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Imagine starting your writer career with a book that defines a genre?
This is King's first book I've read (and I didn't know it was his first book written before picking it!), and it already sets some high standards for him, for I thought this was a brilliant experience. This is a 200-ish page that covers a multitude of topics with good balance: from bullying, abuse, childhood trauma to telekinetic powers and even scientific negligence (Like, God, how can you be THIS creative for a single story?). "Carrie" brings a lot to the table and does it well.
Perhaps what made me 5-star this one is how King uses horror and suspense, genres that are so saturated with cheap jumpscares and generic demonic creatures, to build a complex character such as Carrie. Her ultrareligious mother, her socially-reproved appearance, the lack of any happiness in her life... She's got you hooked even before you know about her powers. The uniqueness of her situation, and at the same time the ways we can relate to the problems, is truly something I haven't seen in a book character in a long time. She seems very real (Not only her, but the entire cast of characters here). Her powers are an amazing twist to the narrative as much as they are a metaphor for her anger. The rise of her telekinesis is, ultimately, her downfall. The amount of symbolism mixed to the tragedy here is astonishing.
I have a feeling that King could say he hangs out with aliens every saturday night for a poker game and I would just believe it. Intentional or not, "Carrie" pokes on uncomfortable subjects. It makes us wonder: how is one supposed to go through life facing so much hate without exploding? And if they do... can we really blame them?
On another note, I'll start training my cousin to see if she can lift objects.
This is King's first book I've read (and I didn't know it was his first book written before picking it!), and it already sets some high standards for him, for I thought this was a brilliant experience. This is a 200-ish page that covers a multitude of topics with good balance: from bullying, abuse, childhood trauma to telekinetic powers and even scientific negligence (Like, God, how can you be THIS creative for a single story?). "Carrie" brings a lot to the table and does it well.
Perhaps what made me 5-star this one is how King uses horror and suspense, genres that are so saturated with cheap jumpscares and generic demonic creatures, to build a complex character such as Carrie. Her ultrareligious mother, her socially-reproved appearance, the lack of any happiness in her life... She's got you hooked even before you know about her powers. The uniqueness of her situation, and at the same time the ways we can relate to the problems, is truly something I haven't seen in a book character in a long time. She seems very real (Not only her, but the entire cast of characters here). Her powers are an amazing twist to the narrative as much as they are a metaphor for her anger. The rise of her telekinesis is, ultimately, her downfall. The amount of symbolism mixed to the tragedy here is astonishing.
I have a feeling that King could say he hangs out with aliens every saturday night for a poker game and I would just believe it. Intentional or not, "Carrie" pokes on uncomfortable subjects. It makes us wonder: how is one supposed to go through life facing so much hate without exploding? And if they do... can we really blame them?
On another note, I'll start training my cousin to see if she can lift objects.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming, Death, Emotional abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Genocide, Violence, Bullying, and Blood
Moderate: Misogyny
Minor: Miscarriage