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A review by whatrobinsonreads
It by Stephen King
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
In IT, Derry is America in 1958 and 1985. Thriving on the surface, with well-stocked shops downtown and nice houses with nice families surrounding it. It’s truly the shining city on Up-Mile Hill. But beneath the surface lurks an evil otherworldly presence that uses Derry as a feeding pen. It exerts unseen power over the people and keeps them silent, feeding on the townsfolk cyclically every 27 or so years. One of my favorite parts is how It is in everything—the air, the water, the houses, the factories, the fields. It’s the town (says Bill). It’s all the isms and fears imaginable rolled into one horrifying character: Pennywise, IT. When seven children decide to take It down, they alter their lives forever.
Despite being 1,150 pages, it reads fast. And I’m left wanting more. Except, ofc, when I want less (yes I’m talking about that scene). Strong pacing. Terrific description. Many metaphors and lots of allusions. The narrative is the best part. Some of the language is outdated and many offensive terms are used, the n-word being used in particular a lot when the narrative focuses on Mike, the one Black character in the book, besides his dad, and the only main character who isn’t white.
TW-wise: the book is 100% about bullying. It’s about overcoming bullying with your friends (albeit with more bullying, but what are you gonna do with one maybe two sociopaths and a kid who’s nicknamed Belch?), and coming together despite the distance of so much time.
That scene: why did she have to sleep with all of them? King couldn’t have had her just like, suggest Eddie re-look? It’s so unnecessary. They don’t really know if It’s dead or gone away, they haven’t exhausted all their options looking wise, and it’s supposed to compare her to the library’s glass tunnel, well dude, objectification much? That turns her into this vessel so they can transition to adulthood and she can through them? Just…wtf with that scene. Sucks cause I love the rest of the book—Eddie was my guy 💔— and this scene is absurdly and frustratingly gratuitous.
Despite being 1,150 pages, it reads fast. And I’m left wanting more. Except, ofc, when I want less (yes I’m talking about that scene). Strong pacing. Terrific description. Many metaphors and lots of allusions. The narrative is the best part. Some of the language is outdated and many offensive terms are used, the n-word being used in particular a lot when the narrative focuses on Mike, the one Black character in the book, besides his dad, and the only main character who isn’t white.
TW-wise: the book is 100% about bullying. It’s about overcoming bullying with your friends (albeit with more bullying, but what are you gonna do with one maybe two sociopaths and a kid who’s nicknamed Belch?), and coming together despite the distance of so much time.
That scene: why did she have to sleep with all of them? King couldn’t have had her just like, suggest Eddie re-look? It’s so unnecessary. They don’t really know if It’s dead or gone away, they haven’t exhausted all their options looking wise, and it’s supposed to compare her to the library’s glass tunnel, well dude, objectification much? That turns her into this vessel so they can transition to adulthood and she can through them? Just…wtf with that scene. Sucks cause I love the rest of the book—Eddie was my guy 💔— and this scene is absurdly and frustratingly gratuitous.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Bullying, Child death, and Violence
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Sexual violence, Racial slurs, Hate crime, and Suicide
Minor: Animal cruelty
The whole book is about its trigger warnings. Read review for more.