Review | IT by Stephen King

Maybe, he thought, there aren’t any such things as good friends or bad friends – maybe there are just friends, people who stand by you when you’re hurt and who help you feel not so lonely. Maybe they’re always worth being scared for, and hoping for, and living for. Maybe worth dying for, too, if that’s what has to be.

What can I say about this book that hasn’t already been said? For my reread before the release of IT Chapter Two, I went back to Derry and stayed there for 4 days, staying up until the early morning to finish the book (a record for me!). The world building is amazing and spending time with the Losers gave me a real book hangover. Other books seem so easy compared to this! It’s not even the length that’s difficult but the density and the emotions that come with the story – it’s exhausting. I forgot a lot of stuff that happened and the abuse and bullying scenes are especially hard to read.

My favourite parts are all the times when the Losers are playing games and hanging out in the summer. And when Pennywise starts bothering them, I love that they would burst into tears and get so afraid. Not many books are willing to show children just acting like children, snotty tears and all. The way IT takes the form of their worst fears feel visceral and incredibly suspenseful. I liked the interludes and the flashbacks to the history of Derry, because it shows the terror and influence of IT throughout the years.

While the story moves between the past and the present seamlessly, I thought the section when they’re adults could be more interesting. Also I hated a particular cheating scene, I just didn’t see the point when the characters ended up going in different directions. I’m not completely enamoured with the cosmic turtle ideas but I was willing to go with it. It made for an unexpected ending!

I think what the book does best is not only capturing the nostalgia of childhood but also showing that it’s okay to grow up and let it go. I wish I had read this book when I was at the Losers’ age, I think I would have loved it. And that ending! So bittersweet in the best way. If you’re a new Stephen King reader, the length of this book may seem daunting but I assure you, it’s worth the time.

About the author: Stephen King

Photo by Mitodru Ghosh