Thursday, October 27, 2016

The #StephenKing Challenge: Salem's Lot Read-Along - Discussion Two/Three #TuesBookTalk


Note: If you have not completely read sections 2 {pp 111 (Ch. 4, section 10 in Part one) - 218 (end of Ch. 9 in Part two)} and 3 {pp 219 (Chapter Ten - in Part two) - 328 (part three, Ch. 14, before section 4)}, please note that there are spoilers ahead.

I fell way behind on this read-along and I apologize. I hope I'm not the only one! So, this post will cover sections 2 and 3 (see above). I will have the final discussion posted on Halloween (Oct. 31). What better day, I say!?

I'm just going to start off by saying...Wow! That part when Matt and Susan are talking in his kitchen and he says, "There's someone upstairs" and then "I know my house...someone is in the guest bedroom..." Well, I started getting this funny feeling in the pit of my stomach. Then, when he goes upstairs and discovers Mike. Egads! That was probably the scariest part of the book for me so far. Whew! My skin was crawling with fear.

I've mentioned that I've seen both television mini-series based on this book. The 1979 version which starred David Soul, and the 2004 version starring Rob Lowe. Previously, these were the only point of reference I had for this story...and I thought them pretty scary, especially the 1979 version. Not anymore. These two TV films do not hold a candle to this book. So, again, the book is better. As if we didn't know!

Things really escalated in these two sections. People are dropping like flies, And Kurt Barlow. Did anyone else envision him as a Dracula-like figure? Totally! I just think the name "Kurt Barlow" is so weird. And I guess Straker is a kind of Renfield character, but a more tough, less sniveling one. Thank you for that, SK. I never could stand the Renfield character, to be honest. (I'm listening to Dracula on audio right now).

The facepalm moment for me was when Susan decides to go to the Marsten House...alone. What a dummy. She is so set on proving her independence (my opinion) that she takes it to the ultimate limit, and it costs her life. But I guess it's kind of the theme of vampire novels (or at least Dracula-esque stories). There has to be a woman who is tragically lost to the vampire.

So, those are my thoughts this week? What did you think? Are you enjoying the book as much as I am?

I'm also sharing this discussion in the TuesBookTalk group on Goodreads.

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4 comments:

  1. Spooky read thinking about these vampires once
    neighbors calling to those unturned to invite them
    into there places with such alluring voices.
    I really got grossed out when the dog was found
    impaled on the fence gate. I do not like when animals
    get hurt especially like this dog did. Though it was an
    indication of the horror to come.
    I was also upset by the abusing mother of the
    McDougall baby both before and after his death.
    Another scene that gave me shivers was when Dr
    Cody decide to take things in his own hands and
    fell on the knives then the mess when Ben pulled out
    the knives.
    I did love the creepy, old Marsten House. Would love
    to visit it..of course I need to take a crucifix , some holy
    water and a couple stakes with me
    Will post my wrap up and review tomorrow. Looking
    forward to re-reading Dracula in the near future as it
    has been 50+ years since first read and it mentions
    the book several times.
    Carol Smith
    penelope223@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  2. Final review
    Spooky, scary, deadly living in the small town of
    Jerusalem's Lot in southern Maine. Most of the
    town's people have lived there for years. They know
    everybody in town and the town holds no secrets.
    Ben Mears spent his childhood there and is returning
    after 25 years away to face the haunting of past
    demons. He needs to return to the creepy, old
    Marston House where his nightmares began.
    The Marston House is the sign of the evil and
    corruption in the town. Although their are two new
    owners of the house, Richard Straker and Kurt
    Barlow, his absent partner, the dark lineage continues
    to engulf the town in the form of the return of vampires.
    This is the first Stephen King I have read. It was well
    written, captivating the reader. The characters were
    vivid and uniquely place within the plot. The story hit
    on social issues such as child abuse, betrayal, spying,
    malicious gossip, resentment
    Thrills, chills, drama, mystery and suspense draw the
    reader into the story.
    Carol Smith
    penelope223@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Carol, thank for reading along. I'm glad you enjoyed it! I did not know this was your first Stephen King! Awesome! Did you join my Stephen King challenge (info in the sidebar)? Now that you've broke into his books, I know you'll want to read more. :-)

      In reference to your earlier comment about the dog being killed. That disturbed me too. Animals are so helpless and I hate when bad things happen to them in books and movies.

      Also, the mistreatment of the child was very disturbing. King is very good at exposing the underbelly of human nature and it's often not pretty. I think that's what makes his writing so good though. He writes human nature well.

      In all, a perfect read for the scary season, right? I mentioned in my final post that I listened to Dracula on audio. My second reading (I first read it over 20 years ago) and it is just such a great book!

      Thanks again for joining us for the read-along!

      Delete

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