“It” by Stephen King Book Review.

Hello, my fellow Gaston College Book Club followers!  Well, aren’t you going to say hello? For those of you who have read the book I am about to review or seen the TV mini-series from the early 1990’s, you will likely understand the previous reference.

I never thought in a million years that this novel would receive nothing more than a casual glance by me.  As I have probably mentioned in past posts, the horror genre of literature is one of the least visited ones for me other than Westerns.  Part of the reason stems from the fact that I do not typically like to be scared. However, considering that the book I am about to review is being remade into a theatrical feature, my curiosity peaked.  From time to time, I enjoy reading a novelization of some books that have a film counterpart, typically before the film itself is released.

The book I am reviewing today is a doozie, not only for its scope, but also for its length. Depending on which format you read, the number of pages can range anywhere from 1098 pages to 1500 pages.  Be forewarned:  while I will attempt to not reveal any spoilers, there is no guarantee that this review will omit key plot points.  Realize also that this is not a book for anyone who gets easily offended.  For anyone who has doubts about the content of It by Stephen King, I highly encourage you to read the “Tags” section of this review.  This is definitely NOT a novel that anyone younger than 15 should be reading, and that may even be a stretch.

The story of It is mainly a coming-of-age story about the Losers Club, a group of kids living in the fictional town of Derry, Maine. One summer, amidst not only the awkwardness of puberty but also the onslaught of a group of boy teen misfits led by Henry Bowers, the Losers’ Club encounters It, also known as Pennywise the Clown, a shape-shifting malevolent entity. Each main character comes into contact with It at various times throughout the novel, and the climax ends with the Losers’ Club confronting It as adults in the 1980’s.

The only negative aspect of this novel that deserves mention is that the story alternates back and forth from the 1950’s to the 1980’s, but this could also be dependent upon each reader’s personal preferences.

For fans of horror, this is without a doubt required reading, and it would seem strange if you are a horror genre fan and you have NOT read this novel yet.

And yet underneath all of the gross-out gore, profanity, racism, and the darker side of the human psyche lies the essence of all great stories:  believable yet flawed characters, excellent antagonists that which the reader may still sympathize, and a nasty shape-shifting villain whose demise is yet unknown to this particular reader.  I have about 200 or so pages left until my journey through this novel is complete.

What is quite possibly the best part of this novel is that there is a certain poignancy to the main characters.  Ben Hanscom, who as a child is heavyset and a hopeless romantic, is able to surprise anyone who tries to hurt any of the Losers Club members.

I would dare go far enough to say that this is one of the best novels I have ever read, easily making my Top 20 all-time favorite reads list.  Did this story scare me?  Yes.  Were there times when I read it but probably should not have and thus had nightmares?  You bet! Was I entertained while reminded of the awkward yet innocent times of childhood and yesteryear?  That deserves a resounding YES!

It by Stephen King is available for checkout at the Morris Library and is part of the Summer Reading display.  Please stop by during the library’s hours of operation to see what is available.

 

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“The Frangipani Hotel” by Violet Kupersmith Book Review.

The country known as Vietnam has a long and storied history, in part due to the Vietnam War, but also because of its geographic location.  Nestled between India and China, it has been a place of conquest, conflict, and prosperity for a variety of countries.  However, its folklore may not be as familiar to Western civilizations. But the book being reviewed today might just be an attempt to change such a notion.

Hello, Gaston College Book Club followers!  Evening Librarian Whit Preston here with some thoughts on an enjoyable work of fiction titled The Frangipani Hotel. The book consists of short stories that blend old Vietnamese folk tales with the modern day circumstances that occur for each story’s characters.

A creepiness factor happens periodically within each story, adding a bit of supernatural heebie-jeebies. This alone helps propel the rest of the story, while adding a bit of mystique and intrigue to each story.

Additionally, the work as a whole attempts to reinforce the realities that the Vietnamese, that is, its current citizens and the ones residing in the United States, have experienced and suffered, in both the Vietnam War and throughout its 3000+ year recorded history.  Many of the stories’ characters speak of delusions and flashbacks, similar to what may occur during post-traumatic stress disorder.

But these same characters also evoke a sense of humanity, in their desires and their flaws.  One story tells of a slightly obese Vietnamese American girl who gets sent with her sibling to Vietnam to spend the summer with their grandmother.  The family’s ultimate hope is for the girls to appreciate where they have come from, and ultimately a tale of morality, temptation and human nature ensues.

This collection of short stories is recommended for anyone who wants something slightly off the beaten path. Anyone unfamiliar with the folklore of Vietnam will likely be intrigued to discover other relevant collections of Asian mythology and folklore.

The Frangipani Hotel is not held within the collection of the Gaston College Libraries.  However, it may be requested through Inter-library Loan (ILL).

Please add any thoughts, questions, and comments at the end of this post.

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“The Night Circus” by Erin Morgenstern: Thoughts

Come one come all to something that only happens at night!  Ok, so this is not just an evening event, but there is some relation to a book that deserves recognition.  Due to a series of attempted failings, this will simply be ponderings of Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern.

Hello, Gaston College Book Club followers!  Whit Preston, Evening Librarian here with my own admission: I tried to read a book that I could not complete.  And I know, I know!  Many of you might be saying, “but you’re a librarian, you’re a librarian!  You are supposed to read a book in its entirety.”

This was not because of a failed attempt on the author’s part but rather my own lack of interest in the story’s point of view and its viscous pacing.  The story essentially begins with two men, who the reader can believe to be magicians, eternal spirits or even ethereal entities.  Their relationship is comparable to two English gents: one who sees societies as forces conducive to equality and fairness versus one who sees the world where the chosen few endeavor to be the best and thus are the only ones worthy of eminence, power, and wealth.  Essentially, each character seeks a protege whose tutelage will propel one as victor and one who becomes vanquished.  These bettors do not realize that the two students might become lovers, amidst the backdrop of the carnival culture.

The story does a great job of using imagery to evoke a parallel circus that only appears at night.  Sadly, there is not much else that can be said due to my own inability to get no further than about 80 pages into the novel.

However, for anyone who enjoy romance, this will likely be one that is not terribly mushy but certainly contains the teenage innocence, albeit a speculation based on my initial impressions of the story.

The book is available for Interlibrary Loan from other community colleges in North Carolina.

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