'Salem's Lot
Ratings669
Average rating3.9
Contains spoilers
This is definitely a "slow burner" book, and it feels like it takes at least a good 400 pages before everything starts to really take off and have a good snowball effect. There are a lot of characters in this book, which is sometimes hard to keep track of and remember who is who, but I do feel like this is imperative to the story itself as it makes the devastation of Salem's Lot feel more personal and more catastrophic. I do feel like the ending could have been so much better, as I feel like once they had that final 'lightbulb' moment, I thought "Oh, that's it?"
You can tell this is an older book, especially when it comes to any female characters and an unnecessary description of her breasts at that current moment, but it's still a cracking Vampire story nonetheless.
King's talent for writing everyday life of a small town and populating it with interesting characters is on full display here. Granted there are times he goes into the small details that may not appeal to everyone, but for me as a non-visual reader he paints a picture that even I can see.
The atmosphere he builds while slowly increasing the tension is a great journey, which I thoroughly enjoyed. There were some elements I didn't think were particularly strong such as the romance Ben has and I thought there were a tad too many ‘random' characters. Overall though it's a great “modern” take on the vampire mythos.
My first horror book, and King novel, that I read when I was 14! I was petrified! I am reading it again before the new movie comes out- just as haunting!
While this is obviously an earlier work, it's just a darn good little vampire story, as well as a not-subtle commentary on the evil that can lay at the base of small town communities.
Stephen King knows how to use descriptive language and unique points of view to really amplify the tension of a book. I really appreciate that he's not afraid to have all of his characters on a level playing field. Even the ones that appear to be main characters are not safe from a grim fate
This is my absolute favourite horror book so far. The pacing is great, the city seems so alive (or dead). The characters are clearly written. And there were some of the creepiest parts I've ever read.
Compared to "Pet Sementary", I think "Salem's Lot" is better because the overall package is just so coherent. There's also no hanger. But "Pet Sementary" remains the scariest in general of them which I have read.
A very slow burn that escalates and escalates. Definitely has some writing that is of its time, but otherwise it's a timeless story of a snowball's descent into an avalanche. I'm not sure what edition I was reading, but the 100 page epilogue very felt out of place. You can skip it, and read it later as a short story.
Damn… Tough read! Was not prepared for the utter hopelessness that ensues in this. Intriguing characters and mysteries that never fully blossom, though I guess that’s the point.
Updated Ranking:
- The Shining
- Finder’s Keepers
- The Outsider
- It
- Holly
- Mr. Mercedes
- ‘Salem’s Lot
- Carrie
- Cujo
- End of Watch
- The Running Man
- Later
- 1922
I love a horror with a slow creeping monster that stays just out of sight. I always love a good investigation. Salem's Lot definitely had both of those things. There were a ton of characters, but I mostly kept them straight. I appreciated the way that ending played out. There was a logic to it. Some of the harsh and awful town members seemed typical of books written at this time period. I didn't like it, but I did expect it.
Overall enjoyable, but not the most horrifying King I have read.
Final Rating: 3.5
Expected something more intense, the horror scenes had minimal effect. Started slow, but became more enjoyable as the story progressed.
This was really fun to read. It felt slow at times but it picked up really nicely at the end and I felt like the ending was good. I will be watching the movie sooner or later.
i was reading the climax of this alone in complete silence at night and jumped out of my skin because a GOOSE honked while flying over my house.
As an avid fan of Stephen King, diving into “Salem's Lot” felt like a natural progression in my exploration of the horror genre. Having enjoyed King's intricate character development and ability to create palpable atmospheres in his other works, I approached this novel with high expectations. However, “Salem's Lot” proved to be a rather challenging read for me, particularly due to its parallels with Bram Stoker's “Dracula,” a classic that I struggled with in the past year.
Similarities between “Salem's Lot” and “Dracula” range from the small-town setting to the gradual realization that supernatural forces are at play. The feeling of déjà vu, while undoubtedly intentional on King's part, created a sense of predictability that hindered my ability to become fully immersed in the narrative. It felt like a déjà vu not only in theme but also in the structure of the story, with characters discovering the truth about the supernatural threat through journals and investigations.
Maybe it is just a book at the wrong time, as I have been binging a lot of Stephen King and this was the last book that broke my streak. I might revisit at another time and give it a second chance.
Había leído que Stephen king no hacía buenos finales, pero este me ha gustado mucho.
Buena historia , de la mitad en adelante se prende y no para, pero el inicio.... El primer 30% fue lento y con relleno, con cosas que no hubieron al caso para lo que fue el desenlace del libro.
En general muy entretenido, con una buena construcción de personajes y con el autor sin miedo a matar personajes geniales.
Mi primera experiencia con king, pero bastante satisfactoria
Fine, but a bit too much of a slow burn for me and I'm MAD about Susan. Also it's annoying to me when King introduces 57 characters all at once and I have to keep them straight but ¯_(ツ)_/¯
Anyone who's read The Dark Tower will understand why I've read this.
Chilling and a good read.