Peace In The Margins

Welcome to Derry, Maine…the supernatural nexus of all things Stephen King (did you detect a bit of fangirl in the inflection?).

And with Chapter Two hitting the theaters, I thought this would be a great book to review for October. I have to say, while King movies always intrigue me, this new version of IT is about as close to the actual text as you can get in cinema. I didn’t get the “ooo – ahh creepies” from it, but fans of King should be encouraged to watch. (And of course our favorite writer has a guest appearance in Chapter Two.)

Interestingly, when I think about the epic horror odyssey we all know as IT, I don’t think about Pennywise the clown, the iconic red balloon, or even little Georgie telling his big brother, “We all float down here.” 

While these are all fabulous images from the novel, what I think about is the profound way Stephen King can take the English language and evoke a deep and powerful emotion from his readers. Terror beyond fear, friendship that spans a lifetime, grief and love and hate and empowerment. Emotions you don’t even realize exist ooze from within, sometimes gently, but oft times with an explosion that rattles the windows of your soul. 

While it is a great fall/Halloween read, it is really a coming of age story demonstrating how one single event can bind people together for the rest of their lives. 

“Maybe, he thought, there aren’t any such things as good 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. No good friends. No bad friends. Only people you want, need to be with; people who build their houses in your heart.” 

Even with the availability of two movie versions, I encourage you to read the book – or audio it (Mr. King would approve). He is the master of stringing one word after another till the letters come to life in moving images within imagination. King never disappoints. 

Like with this description:

“In the stutter-flashes of light, the clouds look like huge transparent brains filled with bad thoughts.” 

I mean, wow! What a picture he paints! And who can pass up the amazing one-liners throughout the saga?!

“Politics always change. Stories never do.” 

“Oh Christ, he groaned to himself, if this is the stuff adults have to think about I never want to grow up.” 

“You pay for what you get, you own what you pay for… and sooner or later whatever you own comes back home to you.” 

“Mrs. Cole was a perfect democrat. She hated all kids equally.” 

But in the end, it is always the story. Stories define us, they drive us, they give voice to our innermost longings. The Losers Club would concur – stories indeed define us, but it is in the voice behind the tale where we discover the truth within ourselves and our ability to rise above expectation. 

“Maybe, in the end it’s the voice that tells the stories more than the stories themselves that matters.” 

So, grab your favorite beverage, hold off on hitting the theaters until you read the book, pick up that behemoth of a novel, and settle in for a long and satisfying read. I promise, King never disappoints (did I say that already?).

An unsolicited review.

Until Next Time, 

Alicia