I Finally Read IT by Stephen King | [Spoiler Free] Vlog

WHERE TO FIND ME:

[thane]

I read IT for the first time when I was 14. It hit VERY differently than it does now at the age of 50. The things that seem problematic to me at 50 I didn't blink an eye at at 14. I think it proves the point that he makes in the books. We forget what it really is like to be young as we get older.

[RICHIEV]

The thing about King is, if you take out the horror element, (In this case the killer clown) You still have an amazing story. A story about a group of outcasts who have to band together to overcome their bullies.

[jenniferm.]

I recommend reading 11/22/63 next. It’s not horror but half the book is spent in Derry and it was really interesting to see the town and the unique evil that permeates it. You’re so right that the town itself feels like a character.

[the_Nameless_One]

One of the saddest things in "It" that I remember is right at the end, when they all start to lose their memories again. In a way, you are thankful that they will forget all the horrors and trauma, but when they start to forget about each other, that is when your heart starts to break. To make it even more terrible, this time they all knew that this was happening and are helpless against it.

[danlafferty]

IT is one of my top five favorite books of all time. I've read times? Five? I forget exactly. But each time, I discover and understand things on new levels. There is so much complexity, layering, and detail there that is mind-blowingly profound. Even King himself once said how the book was bigger than himself, and that it was the last time he'd try to write a book bigger than his own brain. The most haunting things about this book are the relatability of childhood. Thinking of just things like Ben's refuge in the library, or Eddie's struggles with his mom, these things are every bit as haunting as the supernatural scenes.

[koboldmartian]

Try Coraline by Neil Gaiman!

Its a novella, a really quick read, and may be considered middle grade or a children's book but as an adult who read it for the first time recently, it is actually a really scary and great horror story and there is a scene that is a real horrifying slow burn. There is this theme of light child neglect, not necessarily abusive, but more, parents who are too busy to fully give attention to their child. One of my favorite horror stories in literature.

Edit: I don't know if all editions have illustrations, but my copy did and they really are unsettling which added to the atmosphere of the story.

[Nasser]

Cant wait to hear what Merphy thinks of "that" scene XD

[tkinsey]

IT blew me away, personally. I've read about 20(ish?) King books, and my experience has mostly been like yours, Merphy (I loved Pet Sematary as well!). I actually have found that the less weird/supernatural the book is, the more I typically like it. I just think King's biggest strengths are settings and characters, especially young characters, and I think he focuses more on that with stories that are more grounded. And YET - I found IT to be basically flawless. The characters are incredible, the setting is FULLY realized, and the pacing (despite being a chonky tome) is honestly perfect. The story is gripping and scary. Outside of that ONE (unnecessary IMHO) scene at the end, I think this is King's opus. It's incredible.

[mephestopholes]

"Your hair is winter fire, January embers, my heart burns there too" Ben Hanscomb. We've all been there...

[DylanCollins]

My favorite thing about Stephen King is that the most important characters in his books are the towns! The way they change and evolve through his stories. Brilliant everytime!

[pedroignaciomorales]

What I love about Merphy's spoiler free reviews, is that now I feel like I HAVE to read this book, and get really excited about this feeling of having found a new awesome read to look forward to... but the bad side of seeing this videos is that now I feel like I HAVE to buy this book while already having spent a lot this month...

[alynam]

Such a great trip down memory lane, watching this. I love IT. Read it for my first time in 6th grade, and again just last summer.
One of the things I enjoy about the book that not many people talk about are the Interludes, getting all the back-history on Derry and the horror on other people who aren't characters in the main story

[gagesmith]

No joke I would lose my mind watching your discussions of the dark tower. It’s so crazy and full of love and tragedy and I honestly think you’d love it. It’s like the marineford of Stephen king😂

[AllyCraig]

I haven't read a lot of horror, but The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson is one of my all-time favourite books. (And good news, it's not very long!)

[KnifeOfK]

To me, King can shine at his brightest outside of the horror genre: books like 11/22/ 63 and the Dark Tower are some examples of this. I agree with you that his approach to horror can be very hit or miss, and often times it becomes to over the top to be scary!

[Christian-Pa]

King is always up and down for me. One author that I loved and would recommend is Shirley Jackson. "The haunting of Hill House" is the one people always talk about but "Hangsaman" is the one that still stays with me.

[brendanjones]

Fevre Dream by George RR Martin is a nautical Vampire book that's all about two dudes becoming friends. So you might really enjoy that one! Also Something Wicked This Way comes is like the OG spooky carnival comes to town story and it's fantastic!

[derrattenlord]

Great timing! I read IT recently for the first time too and it has instantly become one of my all-time favorite books!

[rohanmanro]

IT is my favourite Stephen King book ever. The way he captured the magic of childhood, the friendship, such a nuanced set of characters and there were the darker parts of Derry, Pennywise and everything. It was just amazing! So glad to finally hear your thoughts on it.

[Max-buky]

I’d highly recommend reading I am legend. It is one of my all time favourite horror books and the end still gives me chills to this day.