'Salem's Lot by Stephen King

[gilda_elise]

Stephen King's second novel, the vampire bestseller 'Salem's Lot, tells the story of evil in small-town America. For the first time in a major trade edition, this terrifying novel is accompanied by previously unpublished material from King's archive, two short stories, and eerie photographs that bring King's fictional darkness and evil to vivid life.

Also contains: One For the Road, Jerusalem's Lot

Ben Mears has returned to Jerusalem’s Lot in hopes that exploring the history of the Marsten House, an old mansion long the subject of rumor and speculation, will help him cast out his personal devils and provide inspiration for his new book. But when two young boys venture into the woods, and only one returns alive, Mears begins to realize that something sinister is at work—in fact, his hometown is under siege from forces of darkness far beyond his imagination. And only he, with a small group of allies, can hope to contain the evil that is growing within the borders of this small New England town.

Though only his second book, King hit it out of the ballpark. I remember reading it when it was first published, and it hasn’t lost any of its pathos, its suspense, its terror.

It’s hero, Ben Mears, moves back to the town out of his childhood, ‘Salem’s Lot. He has known danger there before, and has come to conquer it. But things don’t go as planned. There is a sickness that his come to ‘Salem’s Lot, and as the danger heightens, it shows King at his best, pulling the reader into the horror that is taking over the town. He’s a master at his craft.

It also shows how King had a way of creating characters who the reader can come to care for, who you want to succeed. And though, it being King, you don’t know who will live and who will die, you still can’t help but take them to heart. You want Ben to come through unscathed, or at least, alive.

Delightfully creepy, I think this is one book to which I’ll return, perhaps time and time again.






Links are to more information regarding each book or author, not to the review.

1. The Ministry for the Future by Kim Stanley Robinson
2. The Book of Accidents by Chuck Wendig
3. The Autumn Throne (Eleanor of Aquitaine #3) by Elizabeth Chadwick
4. Grant's Final Victory: Ulysses S. Grant's Heroic Last Year by Charles Bracelen Flood
5. Doctor Sleep (The Shining #2) by Stephen King



6. The High House by Jessie Greengrass
7. Leadership: In Turbulent Times by Doris Kearns Goodwin
8. Nightmare Country by Marlys Millhiser
9. The End of the Ocean by Maja Lunde, Diane Oatley (translator)
10. 'Salem's Lot by Stephen King















Vampires
2. 'Salem's Lot, Illustrated Edition by Stephen King

Comments

[wpadmirer.livejournal.com]

I remember reading this book when it first came out. I think it was the last Stephen King I ever read because it gave me nightmares.

[gilda-elise.livejournal.com]

I love horror. My husband thinks I'm weird for reading horror books and watching horror movies. But I've never gotten nightmares from them. Even as a kid, watching horror movies with my older brother, I never did. I did have a nightmare after seeing the first Alien, though. *g*

[wpadmirer.livejournal.com]

Oh, Alien was not good for me. Pat took me to Alien, and when the creature burst out of that first guy's chest, I got hysterical and we had to leave the theater.

At a later time I did manage to watch it with him, but that experience was really traumatizing. I can see why that one would give anyone a nightmare.

[gilda-elise.livejournal.com]

That scene in Alien probably got to everyone, to some degree or another. The movie is more a horror movie than a sci-fi movie.

[honor-reid.livejournal.com]

I remember seeing an older movie series with David Soul staring back when I was a kid, I think I remember liking it. It does sound like a good book as well.

I am glad you liked it!

[gilda-elise.livejournal.com]

Yes, I saw that one, too. There was a remake with Rob Lowe, but I think the first one was better.

Thanks, the book is great!

[bradygirl_12]

This is the only book I ever read that made me afraid to go to sleep at night.

[gilda-elise.livejournal.com]

It's pretty spooky, which is what I loved about it. For whatever reason, I loved books or movies that do that. Weird, I guess. *g*

[severina2001.livejournal.com]

One of my favourite King books. I've read it many, many times over the years since it was published. The part when Mike Ryerson and Danny both show up at separate houses still scares the shit out of me!

[gilda-elise.livejournal.com]

It truly is a scary book. One of my favorite kinds! King has written some great books over the years, but this one remains in my top five.

[justjo2u]

I remember reading this many years ago. And watching the two part TV movie with David Soul and James Mason. And yes 'delightfully creepy' sums it up perfectly. I may have to revisit. I see a new film is coming out later this year. Yet the old one has something of a nostalgic feel to it.

[gilda-elise.livejournal.com]

Another adaption? That's be the third! I did like the first one best, the one with Soul and Mason.

The book is timeless. Just as creepy this time as the first. Definitely one of his best.

[justjo2u]

Yes. I only discovered it when I was looking the old one up. (My brain remembered it was David Soul but I wanted to double check!)

[gilda-elise.livejournal.com]

Looks like it'll be streamed on HBO Max sometime in October. Perfect timing!

[justjo2u]

Might be worth a look...

[nakeisha.livejournal.com]

If horror were my thing, then this is a book I would have read by now. I've always heard good things about it.

[gilda-elise.livejournal.com]

I've been reading, and rereading a lot of King's books recently. It's shown me just how good this one is. His writing is still compelling, but this one definitely stand outs.