Submitted by Learning2Reed t3_zk5rkl in books
First off, previous to this year, I’ve never been a big reader. The largest book I ever read before this year was an autobiography sitting at around 450 pages. Also for context, I have had a desire to read this book for many, many years. So because of that, I strayed from watching the TV and movie adaptions. So I’m lucky enough to have gone into this reading 100% fresh, outside the few key things that I wasn’t able to completely hide from like the basic facts about Pennywise in the sewer for example.
When I realized that IT by Stephen King needed to be added to my “Must Read Before I Die” list, I was honestly a little nervous. The size of the book is what I would imagine makes the average person pass on tackling it. Sitting a little over 1,100 pages I can truthfully say…man, I understand.
It took me a little less than a month to read. But I am beyond grateful I decided to stick with it. Regardless of size.
I’m not someone who gets scared easily by media like books and movies. But the way Pennywise is written is truly terrifying. The lore around him mentioned and built throughout the book has some moments that made me feel unsettled. But the actual interactions with him creeped me out super hard. I went in downplaying the horror. That was silly of me.
I think this book was a writing master class. I also have more than enough reason to confidently believe this book will stand the test of time and will very likely be considered King’s “legacy.”
Sometimes when it comes to books that are extremely famous, I walk away a little disappointed. Hype makes me a hard critic because the bar is raised super high automatically. IT is a book that I will praise until the end. It makes complete sense why it is culturally relevant and still having adaptions made decades later.
My next “huge book of the year” will be The Stand. I know that both The Stand and IT are considered King’s very best. So I think it makes sense to naturally read The Stand when I’m ready for another large book to dive into.
10/10.