Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today for our final thoughts on Stephen King’s IT and all things clown-ish. I’m sure those of you who abstained from the book and the noses are breathing a huge sigh of relief.
To be honest, I’m kinda sad it’s all over. No more Crazy Clown Posse. *sniff* You guys were The Best! But! We’ll all be back next year to read The Shining? Right?? I think that one might be scarier, because I’m not going to be able to remove the image of Jack Nicholson from my brain, and he already scares the crap out of me when he’s playing unpossessed characters. (“You can’t handle the truth!!” Eep. No sir, I can’t.)
Anyhoosie. Below are my final thoughts on the IT, with major spoilers. Read at your own risk. (Also, I compare IT to The Stand a lot…because it’s the only other King novel I’ve got to compare it to. Or, you know, compare IT to.)
I still contend that The Stand was scarier, if only because I think something like that could happen. On the other hand, what are the chances that a clown will talk to me through a toilet? I’m pretty confident that answer is none. So. No doubt about it…sneezing is much scarier than clowns.
Also, I was kinda bored for 800 pages. Okay, so not ALL 800 pages. But it took until somewhere around page 800 before I hit the “don’t wanna stop reading and go to bed and you can’t make me” mark. And then I really did stay up too late on a work night just to finish.
In general, the characters in IT were less annoying than those in The Stand. But I would’ve been quite happy without Stan and Richie. And the Turtle. Also, without Stan and Richie, the book would’ve only been, ohhhh, maybe 800 pages? And I wouldn’t still be wondering what the whole point of including Stan was, when he freakin’ dies so early in the story (although, yeah, that death was creepy).
And I like history, but some of the old Derry history was a bit much. Mike’s a crappy historian, because I couldn’t remember squat. Except for The Black Spot. But that’s only because Mike’s dad told that story.
Mike’s dad! I loved Mike’s dad! Mike, on the other hand, bored me after awhile. He was too rambly in his Interludes. And it took me too long to figure out that it was him even doing the Interludes. And when he was with The Losers, he seemed to get lost. I usually forgot he was even there.
The juvenile orgy totally skeeved me out. Could’ve done without that one, thankyouverymuch. And okay, it wasn’t an orgy. It was a mystical experience to bring them all closer together. It was still skeevy.
The Turtle was a major disappointment. For all that he was supposed to be some sort of Big Deal, he was a bit of a wuss. I mean, how many times did we get a mention of The Turtle, like he’s gonna be Mighty Mouse (you know…here he comes to save the day!)? And in the end, he’s all ho-hum, I think I’ll die, you’re on your own.
IT, on the other hand? Yowza. I’m not getting why people are all freaked out about clowns after reading the book. It’s the spiders you gotta watch out for. Especially when you go to bed and feel something in the sheets with you. Or you look up at the ceiling and there’s one right above your head. There is NO WAY I am watching the IT video, because my imagination is plenty vivid, I don’t need to see that Thing on a screen.
Reading (or, in my case, listening to) 11/22/63 immediately after IT is a must. Because there is some serious time in Derry, a few months after the whole clown shit goes down. We get a brief glimpse of Richie (and holy hell are those voices annoying…you’ll be glad to know he’s still getting beep-beeped) and Bev, and mention of Patrick’s death, and cameos by many of the shopkeepers (Mr. Keene=total ass). And the description of the town and the general mood slays me. For example: Derry is “marginally more appealing than a dead hooker in a church pew.”
The return of Bev’s husband wasn’t as scary as I expected. Although it’s good to know he got his.
Did I mention that the juvenile orgy skeeved me out? I really, really wish King hadn’t gone there. Also, Bill and Bev’s one night stand? Ummm, no. I really don’t think sex was necessary to save the world. Or even bring the last of the memories back. The kids (and adults) were doing fine without it.
I loved the fact that the town is slowly disappearing into a giant sinkhole. Good riddance.
I’m sad that I didn’t listen to it, because 1) it sounds like it was amazing in audio and 2) Steven Weber? Are you kidding me?? My brain just can’t go there.
This is also one of my R.I.P. reads.
And it also works for The Stephen King Project!
So. For those of you that stuck it out, what did you think? Or, if you gave up, why? And if you’ve written up your thoughts, don’t forget to link up below! (And you don’t have to link up today…any time is good. Just try to get it done before next year. Because we are so on for the #shineon!)
Clowns coming up through the toilet? Yes I could see how that could scare the crap out of you!
Rhapsody in Books´s last [type] ..National Hispanic-Latino Heritage Month (9-15 to 10-15) Kid Konnection – Review of “Me, Frida” by Amy Novesky
I gave it up the night I was walking my dog, heard something rustling in the woods at the dead end of our road and immediately thought of an evil clown with sharp teeth. I think it’s so interesting that some stuff scares us (really scares us) and then other stuff doesn’t. I really liked The Stand…like you said, I can see that happening and it gave me the creeps…but I still could read it…wanted to read it…and even could persevere through the original 1000 pg novel. But, not It. Got freaked out early and abandoned ship. This was my 2nd time to try it…the first was when it first published. Something about the story just pushes a button of mine somewhere. None of my students had read it but 3/4 of the class had seen the movie…and even the hardcore horror lovers said don’t go there. So, I ain’t.
Patti Smith´s last [type] ..TLC Book Tour – Sad Desk Salad
It has been a long time since I read this one, but yes, didn’t like the orgy. I mean really Stevie? And he does yammer on, no matter what book he is writing. That is just what he does and I guess I’ve come to expect it and embrace it. I WILL tell you that the IT at the end of the movie is really stupid and hokey. You would laugh. It was a serious letdown, after that Godawful clown and the build-up. Definitely listen to 11/22/63…it is so SO amazing and appeals to the King geek because we see Bev and Richie. It is just some of that little added detail that makes King’s books so damn good. One takeaway = I will never be near a storm drain without a bit of unease. And two, The Shining absolutely rocks.
Sandy´s last [type] ..Sunday Salon: Go Back to the Mothership, Aliens
We have some of the same thoughts. I made an almost identical comment about liking the IT characters more because they were less annoying. Ha! I’m guessing they didn’t bother me as much because they were kids. They were all pretty innocent still and less jaded by the world (well, until the orgy I guess). Richie annoyed me though with his dumb voices. Stan didn’t bother me much.
I read 11/22/63 in January this year. I may just have to check it out from the library again just to read the Derry parts and see how their interconnected.
The Turtle was a big disappointment! It didn’t even help them but just hung out in it’s shell. It was dead for the final battle so I’m not sure what benefit there was in adding it in the first place.
Thanks for hosting! It’s been fun to read it and see what everyone else thought. Good RIP read.
Kristi´s last [type] ..It-Along Final Post
Yep, me too on less annoying characters in It, but I think that there really weren’t any that ticked me off like The Stand. Oy, The Stand characters grated on me (well, except a few), and It didn’t bother me, but that was more than likely because Steven Weber rocked it.
The Turtle was a super-big letdown. I almost giggled at it. Okay, maybe I did…
And the orgy was by far the one time I’ve ever read anything from Stephen King and actually got mad. I was so disappointed with that scene. I found it horribly ridiculous, debasing, and a shame. Completely preposterous. I could go on and on and on…
Thank you for hosting this Italong and for participating in The Stephen King Project as well!!
And download The Shining in audio, Campbell Scott is amazing.
Natalie ~ the Coffee and a Book Chick´s last [type] ..It, by Stephen King (Audio Review and Italong Final Post)
eep! I’ve never read Stephen King and I’m not sure I ever will!
I think I will have to reread 11/22/63 someday just to read the Derry parts that so went over my head. I never thought I would ever read IT but I’m glad I did. and I loved the audio. I liked IT more than The Stand and would agree with you on the scary of The Stand being more scary cuz it could really happen. And that to me, the scariest parts of IT were Bev’s husband!
I will miss all the #italong tweeting. Sure was a fun time! Thanks for hosting.
Care´s last [type] ..Happy #Readathon
That juvenile orgy was possibly the highlight of my seventh grade reading experience. I came across it right smack dab in the middle of reading hour at my Catholic grade school….
Trisha´s last [type] ..The Dancing Baby
It’s the End of IT.
heidenkind´s last [type] ..Guest Review: REFLECTED IN YOU by Sylvia Day
I never asked: when you all read The Stand, was it the “uncut” edition? I’ve read both, and agree that King gets awfully wordy sometimes. The book as first published was excellent; the expanded, uncut edition was also well done — especially Trashcan Man’s epic journey across the desert — but I can see why King’s editor initially told him “Go cut 300 pages.” I suspect the edition of IT I just read is also “uncut”. It was 300 pages longer than the version most of you all had.
I loved the Derry history bits. But I always have to be different.
avanta7´s last [type] ..IT-along: The Last Update
I liked Richie, but definitely liked him in audio. Bill on the other hand was PAINFUL on audio. At least in reading you can skip over all those stutters. Stan was absolutely unnecessary…unless he was only there to show how terrible IT was that he’d end it just to avoid it. I really really enjoyed this one–and of course it was more fun to read it with you lot than to read it alone–but I’m just not sure how I feel about King’s endings. I think he had me going until the turtle. I mean, really?? Thanks for hosting lady. I didn’t think I could read it but so glad I did.
I’m definitely in for The Shining next year.
Trish´s last [type] ..It – Stephen King (#italong)
I really disliked this novel when I read it in college — I’m glad it was a better experience for you. I don’t remember it all that well, but I do remember the juvenile orgy. I think that’s part of what killed it for me.
Stephanie´s last [type] ..Book Review: Genus by Jonathan Trigell — Dark Dystopian Fiction, Anyone?
My husband and I recently watched IT the movie and I was telling him about everything that was left out. He didn’t believe me about the juvenile orgy scene, he really thought I was making that up!
Rory O’Connor´s last [type] ..Favorite contemporary fiction authors: A top ten list
I liked the interludes! I could definitely have done without Stan but Richie grew on me. As for Mike, he was easy to miss in the scenes he was in, but he’s a librarian, he’s quiet.
I wasn’t bored exactly, but it didn’t get to be a page turner til the last few hundred pages. We are in total agreement about the sex, both times it was used.
Thank you so much for hosting, Jill. I wouldn’t have read it otherwise and I would have been missing out. I think I may try the mini-series, but I don’t see how it won’t be cheesy.
Good luck on The Shining. I listened to it a few years ago and liked it.
stacybuckeye´s last [type] ..The IT-along is finally over
I read and reviewed IT for the Stephen King Project before the It-Along. I would have loved to do a group read like this. It took me ages to get through it and I agree that some of the Interludes were quite laborious. I hope #shineon happens!