Introduction
IT is a horror novel by the American author Stephen King, published in 1986. It is one of King’s longest and most ambitious works, spanning over 1,100 pages and covering themes such as childhood, trauma, memory, friendship, and fear. The novel tells the story of seven friends who call themselves the Losers Club, who are terrorized by a shape-shifting entity that feeds on the fears and emotions of children. The novel alternates between two time periods: 1958, when the Losers first encounter IT, and 1985, when they reunite as adults to face IT again. The novel is also a homage to the horror and science fiction genres, as IT can take the form of various creatures and characters from literature and pop culture. My overall evaluation of the book is that it is a masterpiece of horror fiction, with a compelling plot, rich characters, and a terrifying villain. However, it also has some flaws, such as excessive length, graphic violence, and controversial scenes that may not appeal to all readers.
Summary
The novel begins in 1958 when six-year-old Georgie Denbrough is killed by IT, who appears as a clown named Pennywise. His older brother Bill, along with his friends Richie, Eddie, Stan, Beverly, Ben, and Mike, form the Losers Club, a group of misfits who are bullied by the local kids. They soon discover that IT is behind a series of murders and disappearances in their town of Derry, Maine, and that IT has a cycle of awakening every 27 years to feed on children. They also learn that IT can be hurt by their imagination and belief, as well as by a ritual called the Ritual of Chüd, which involves biting IT’s tongue and telling jokes. The Losers manage to confront IT in its lair, a network of sewers under the town, and injure it, forcing it to retreat. They make a promise to return to Derry if IT ever comes back.
The novel then shifts to 1985, when Mike, who stayed in Derry as the town librarian, calls the other Losers, who have moved away and forgotten most of their childhood, to inform them that IT has returned. The Losers reunite in Derry, where they face their old fears and memories, as well as the new forms of IT, which include a giant spider, a werewolf, a mummy, and a leper. They also have to deal with Henry Bowers, a former bully who escaped from a mental institution and is manipulated by IT to kill them. The Losers once again enter the sewers, where they perform the Ritual of Chüd and destroy IT for good. However, they also lose two of their members: Stan, who committed suicide before coming to Derry, and Eddie, who died in the final battle. The novel ends with the Losers leaving Derry and losing their memories of each other and IT, except for Mike, who writes down their story in his journal.
Critique
The strengths of the book are many, such as:
The writing style: King’s prose is engaging, vivid, and descriptive, creating a sense of immersion and suspense. He also uses various techniques, such as flashbacks, interludes, epistolary, and metafiction, to enrich the narrative and explore different perspectives and themes.
The structure: The novel’s structure, which alternates between the past and the present, creates a contrast and a connection between the two time periods, showing how the Losers have changed and how they have remained the same. It also builds up the tension and the mystery, as the reader gradually learns more about IT and its history.
The tone: The novel’s tone is dark, grim, and horrifying, reflecting the nature of IT and the evil that lurks in Derry. However, it also has moments of humor, warmth, and hope, especially in the scenes involving the Losers and their friendship. The tone balances the horror and the humanity, making the reader care about the characters and their fate.
The credibility: The novel’s credibility is enhanced by the extensive research and detail that King put into the book, such as the history of Derry, the references to other works of literature and culture, and the realistic portrayal of the 1950s and the 1980s. The novel also draws from King’s own experiences and influences, such as his childhood, his fear of clowns, and his admiration for authors like H.P. Lovecraft and Ray Bradbury.
The originality: The novel’s originality lies in its concept and execution, as it combines elements of horror, fantasy, science fiction, and coming-of-age, creating a unique and complex story that transcends the boundaries of genre. The novel also introduces one of the most iconic and memorable villains in literature, IT, who can take any form and exploit any fear.
The relevance: The novel’s relevance is evident in its exploration of universal and timeless themes, such as fear, courage, friendship, memory, identity, and evil. The novel also addresses social and political issues, such as racism, sexism, homophobia, domestic violence, and child abuse, showing how they affect the characters and society. The novel also resonates with contemporary culture, as it has inspired numerous adaptations and references in media, such as the 1990 miniseries, the 2017 and 2019 films, and the 2016 clown sightings.
The weaknesses of the book are few, but significant, such as:
The length: The novel’s length, which exceeds 1,100 pages, can be daunting and exhausting for some readers, especially those who are not used to King’s style and pace. The novel also contains some scenes and passages that are redundant, irrelevant, or excessive, such as the descriptions of Derry’s history, the interludes with the Turtle and the Other, and the sexual encounter between the Losers in the sewers. The novel could have been shorter and tighter, without losing its essence and impact.
The violence: The novel’s violence, which is graphic, brutal, and disturbing, can be off-putting and upsetting for some readers, especially those who are sensitive or squeamish. The novel depicts scenes of murder, mutilation, torture, rape, and cannibalism, among others, which are not for the faint of heart. The novel also features violence against children and animals, which can be particularly hard to stomach. The novel could have been less explicit and more suggestive, without losing its horror and intensity.
The controversy: The novel’s controversy, which stems from some of its scenes and themes, can be problematic and objectionable for some readers, especially those who have different moral or ethical views. The novel includes scenes of incest, pedophilia, necrophilia, and child pornography, among others, which are not only disturbing but also questionable and unnecessary. The novel also portrays some of its characters and groups stereotypically or negatively, such as women, minorities, LGBTQ, and the religious, which can be seen as sexist, racist, homophobic, or offensive. The novel could have been more respectful and sensitive, without losing its realism and criticism.
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