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.

@sleepysera

Жыл бұрын

I was 9 when I first read it (secretly smuggled it out of my mom's library), and can 100% confirm that my kid self had a very different view on the book than my adult self. It was absolutely not age-appropriate, but nowadays I'm kind of glad I read it back then, because I'll always have both perspectives in my head now :)

@davidoskutis6290

Жыл бұрын

@@sleepysera I was 13 - Dad gave it to me because he had a hard time explaining what "IT" was, and thought I wouldn't understand most of it. Loved every page (and honestly only saw "the scene" as kids taking a rite of passage to adulthood after defeating the "monster under the bed" thing - never saw it as anything else). It is a great show of how things have changed, it was written in the 80's, about kids in the 50's, and the attitudes on almost everything has changed so much compared to people in the 2020's looking back. I'm also very glad I read IT back then as opposed to now.

@CarolineMolyneux4491

Жыл бұрын

I was 14 when I read it, too. I loved it then, I wonder how I'd feel about it now, over 30 years later!

@mommyincolortv

Жыл бұрын

Yeah, I agree.

@liquidteal_

Жыл бұрын

I read Gerard's Game around 15 😅 IT I first read at 19 and reread at 31. One of my favourite books.

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.

@MrsAngua23

Жыл бұрын

Not to forget all the historic elements that happened in the town throughout the years. Although they were mostly caused by Pennywise...

@pregmobrainrot2857

Жыл бұрын

i never really cared about the horror in It. it was good horror, but the characters and their friendships were the highlight for me

@RICHIEV333

Жыл бұрын

@@pregmobrainrot2857 In many ways IT was Stranger Things, before stranger things... reminds me of growing up in the 70's early 80's.

@stevenandcarminabeedle9089

Жыл бұрын

Yep! Well said. That very last sentence in the book…😢🥲

@d818581dd

Жыл бұрын

I think you mean gangbang together.

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.

@adamp2029

Жыл бұрын

That’s my favorite of his!

@Simplybookdreams88

Жыл бұрын

She has already read it.

@killer92173

10 ай бұрын

She already read it, and unfortunately, she's not a fan of the book.

@user-ly2ll5od1r

10 ай бұрын

@@killer92173 she should stick to children's books tbh

@sathira_anuk5179

10 ай бұрын

​@@killer92173really?

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.

@Eraser18574

Жыл бұрын

YES, I always get choked up at the end and I HATED it that they changed that crucial part from the movie.

@Anonymous-qh9gq

Жыл бұрын

I like that the movie allowed the Losers to remember each other, you become so invested with each of the characters and their relationships that they have with one another and the idea of them losing each other is heartbreaking.

@alexanders4911

7 ай бұрын

We all forget. Happens to everyone. Its called life. ❤

@LongdogBookReviews

4 ай бұрын

I loved the part about 'King-isms'. It's so true- in nearly every story, he'll take an everyday action or observation, and describe it in the most disturbing way possible.

IT is one of my top five favorite books of all time. I've read it.....four 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.

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

@travis9260

Жыл бұрын

The 0rgy scene will probably ruin the whole book for her.

@DrakusLuthos

Жыл бұрын

Yeah, I’ve got IT on my bookshelf, and I can’t bring myself to read it anymore after I learned about “that” scene.

@Greendalewitch

Жыл бұрын

​​@@travis9260I have a love hate relationship with that scene. I see what King is going for with that scene and I think he achieved it. Its the pinnacle of the coming of age story but at the same time... ew. Ew. Ew. Ew.

@Paul_McSeol

Жыл бұрын

Even King regrets that part…and aside from that small section, the book is amazing.

@billyalarie929

Жыл бұрын

@@travis9260 can you not spoil it for her or others please

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

@barbarahunter2425

Жыл бұрын

I can’t give enough thumbs up to this comment!

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.

@tinustinus571

Жыл бұрын

Coraline is great!

@JMARVELZZ

Жыл бұрын

Heyoo Silver Awaaaayyy

@koboldmartian4063

Жыл бұрын

@@britneynicolewrites I heard that Coraline almost wasn't published because it was too scary for kids. He then gave the book to his daughter who was a child at the time and said she loved it, so they published it. She later admitted she actually was terrified of the book but put on a brave face which fits the overall message of the book so well. It makes me wonder though how kids actually feel about the book. I think I would have loved it as a kid but I loved spooky as a child.

@tinustinus571

Жыл бұрын

the animation movie Coraline is also great.

@tinustinus571

Жыл бұрын

@@britneynicolewrites I didn't know that there was a graphic novel. have you read it?

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!

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...

@inkylynx2777

Жыл бұрын

Library

@pedroignaciomorales1570

Жыл бұрын

@@inkylynx2777 that's the cool part... most of the books she talks about (specially fantasy) don't get translations to portuguese, nor gets imported to Brazil, so libraries don't have those, though "It" specifically may be there... don't know...

@messinalyle4030

Жыл бұрын

@@pedroignaciomorales1570 It very well might be there. It's a famous enough book, so it's worth a shot.

@sleepysera

Жыл бұрын

Well you can just wait 4 days and it will be a new month 😉 Jokes aside, IT is a massive international bestseller, I'd be surprised if your library doesn't have it (unless it is one focused on more scientific books, for example).

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.

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

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😂

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

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.

@bigfrankfraser1391

10 ай бұрын

the friendship? does that include the child sex orgy king put in the book

@goldenageofdinosaurs7192

8 ай бұрын

@@bigfrankfraser1391Lol, you’ve definitely never been to an orgy if you think that’s what that was🤣

@vaibhavgaur5268

7 ай бұрын

​@@bigfrankfraser1391stop crying lol

@bigfrankfraser1391

7 ай бұрын

@@vaibhavgaur5268 no, im serious, everyone i know who read the book and loved it always mentions how fucking creepy the gangbang bit was, to haar its a favourite book without raising an issue with that one scene is really creeepy in itself

@vaibhavgaur5268

7 ай бұрын

@@bigfrankfraser1391 lol weird take, a bunch of normies dictate what is considered okay to mention? And yes the scene is creepy and disturbing, it's supposed to be, and it's a great for it rather than in spite of it. It's art, not real life, and we should celebrate artistic irresponsibility and menace, it's beautiful.

I love this style of video where you take us on the journey with you. I’ve never been interested in reading King, but I’m interested now. Your feelings about the book make it even more fun. Filmed and edited wonderfully

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!

@bribook69

Жыл бұрын

The chorus hasn't stepped up and sang yet, but it will: "11-22-63" is Stephen King's best work.

@HarryBuddhaPalm

Жыл бұрын

"Different Seasons" was great.

@nightmarishcompositions4536

Жыл бұрын

The Green Mile is another great example.

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!)

@BachelorMachinesTV

Жыл бұрын

She's got a review! kzread.info/dash/bejne/X6Ke2M1vgLTWlcY.html

@GavinJamesDrake

Жыл бұрын

I also enjoyed it

@Draykidsbuthol

10 ай бұрын

the greatest opening line in any novel ever, imho

I hadn't read this book since high school (years ago now) and I always used to say it was my favorite book of all time, and maybe it still is. But hearing your progression and reaction as you went through It was not only great for remembering why I loved it so much, but also for reflecting on the flaws that I used to overlook in King's books in general, this one included. If you never go back to King again I'm at least very, very glad that this was the book you decided to go back and read from him. The Stand is amazing and I personally love a few of his other books too, but IT to me is the quintessential King book for better and for worse, and I'm just glad that you gave this one a shot. Thanks for the trip down memory lane Merphy!

For me this is the best book ever. Its amazing how he builds up all these - not just stories but like lifetimes. Including Derry itself.

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!

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.

@WhytheBookWins

Жыл бұрын

the ending is so fantastic!!

@Lynn-CA

Жыл бұрын

Aye, Merphy has read that and really enjoyed it 😊

FINALLY a review I've waited years for

Glad you finally gave one my ATF books a chance. It is overall an amazing book and King at his best. It surely is not without his "King-isms" and some really dark and disturbing stuff (and the Beverly orgy in the sewers is the one thing people never want to talk about, but you nailed it). King's fondness and ability to express the wonders, imagination, and connection with friends in childhood is pretty remarkable. As adults the Losers must be able to connect with that past in order to beat IT for good. It is so much more than a clown and the movies can't really touch on the shape-shifting as much because you have to cast an actor. Nicely done review and yes amazing last few pages.

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.

It is my favorite book I have ever read (so far). I've read the book eight times now, once in middle school, three out of the four years in high school and four more times in the 20 years since (the last time in '21 or '22). My understanding of it has changed over the years. It is a phenomenal read, even though my copy is just shy of 1100 pages. At it's core I believe that it is about confronting and overcoming childhood fears. I love the way King weaves the two timelines together, both climaxing at the end, with the interludes where Mike Hanlon relates the history of the town regarding It's feeding cycles. King is very good at showing how It and the town are so deeply interconnected and how It is able to mask its presence from the outside. The story is a variation on the haunted house trope where the town itself is the thing that is haunted. I can see what you mean about some of the minor characters. Bev's abusive husband Tom and Bill's wife Audra don't really get a lot of development and feel like stock caricatures along with Belch and Victor. Tom's only purpose seems to be a surrogate Henry Bowers and Audra is little more than a macguffin and damsel in distress. Victor and Belch are ultimately nothing more than Henry's goons. It does seem odd that Patrick Hockstetter and Edward Corchoran get more development as throw away characters. As for "that scene" I understand how it is oddly fitting thematically as it binds the characters together. Clearly it would not make it past censors today but keep in mind this book was published in 1985 and standards were quite different then. Presentism can be a hard thing to get past, but it is important to do so. Many of the things we accept today will likely not be acceptable 30+ years from now. Personally, I believe that the nature of horror as a genre needs to have the leeway to cross these sorts of standards freely and with impunity. "That scene" is hardly the worst thing you could find in a horror novel. It's out of print now (or was last I checked), but if you can get a hold of a copy, University by Bentley Little is another book that I love. It's a lot shorter and has much more of a Lovecraftian cosmic horror feel to it.

I have watched a lot of your videos and this one was, well, brilliant. It was articulate, insightful and engaging. This novel has been on my list for a long time and I have been somewhat intimidated by the commitment required. I think I will now move this up in priority, even given your less than stellar final assessment. Kudos on an excellent vlog.

It is just such an emotional book to me. its about growing up and friendship and love and fear, like you said, and that very specific nostalgic feeling you have about your childhood where you feel like you wont ever be as happy as you were, and that no matter what you do, the feelings you had back then wont come back. i do agree it fell off in the second half, but the writing and characters are phenomenal and the ending wrecked me

I recommend "Swan Song", but Robert McCammon. It's often compared to "The Stand", but aside from in the very broadest sense, it is nothing at all like that book, and it's much, much better. Just reread it some 20+ years later, and it still holds up. Fantastic Characters.

@georgeheingartner6995

Жыл бұрын

Swan Song is terrific.

Rosemary's Baby by Ira Levin is my favorite, and it's a pretty quick read. The movie is also basically a perfect adaptation.

@kneau

Жыл бұрын

There happens to be a newer print with an introduction from Chuck Palahniuk. The movie really is artfully adapted. However, being Roman Polanski's Hollywood debut, the movie is taboo. That said, Sleeper (1973) is a favorite of mine & it's Woody Allen's first full length film.

@nightmarishcompositions4536

Жыл бұрын

Simple but brilliant horror book!

@stevenandcarminabeedle9089

Жыл бұрын

Right! I want to say I read that Polanski (?) wasn’t yet aware of taking creative liberties so he basically shadowed the book. But the adaptation still turned out really well.

I have not seen you do this style of video before but I really enjoyed it. I hope you do more in the future.

@merphynapier42

Жыл бұрын

I plan to do more! But I also have another channel where I do weekly reading vlogs, it’s in the description 😊

Really love this format, and this book!

i LOVE the way you talk about books. your enjoyment is so infectious, but also you explain things so well. i’m so curious about how this compares to his other story centering kids in a scary situation, the institute. i’m reading that one right now and find some elements so compelling, but definitely agree with you that sometimes things just miss the mark or are super overdone. i’m sorry that king hasn’t always worked for you but can’t wait to see this foray into horror and new authors!

This Thing Between Us by Gus Moreno was excellent. It's exploration of grief made me feel like I'd recently lost someone along with the main character. Just Like Home by Sarah Gailey is amazing so far. I haven't finished yet, but she tends to write satisfying endings based on The Echo Wife.

I love these types of videos from you!

If you like the town with an issue trope, The Tommyknockers and Needful Things are great King books.

@MsKornkitty

Жыл бұрын

Needful things is underrated.

I listen to the audiobook, and read along when I can, of IT every year around October. I do find it a masterpiece but also I 100% agree with you that it can be over the top in many different areas that kind of take you out of the story a little bit. That is a Kingism that does appear in a lot of his work. I always tell people that "disturbing" is the best word I can come up with to describe IT. I grew up watching the mini series so now getting the full picture in the book is phenomenal. Like you said, the way he builds the story, the characters, and the town is amazing and really draws you in. I'll stay spoiler free as well, but I love all those history of Derry breaks you get in the book just to showcase how evil the town is and how long it's been happening. I feel the ending of defeating IT is a little lackluster, but the true ending of the book is heartbreaking yet very well crafted.

@naranha1776

Жыл бұрын

I think it's one of the strengths of the book, that it takes you for this wild emotional roller coaster ride and I always come around wanting to go along with it again. In that, it's similar to The Stand. It immerses you in a strange, beautiful and terrifying world using strong imagery, that makes you want to experience it again and again.

I literally finished reading It yesterday! I loved it. So excited for this video!

Good timing. Literally finished reading it last night.

King is something of a 'behaviorist'. The most shocking aspects of his books are people's behaviours (and the history). The violence and the horror elements usually feel a bit sophmoric to me.

This is probably my favorite book of all time, if I had to pick one. It's like a slow circling around a dark drain, everything meanders, but it's all connected, and you don't see the full picture until the end. I think the cyclical events in flashback scenes are kinda what dragged it down. Those took several reads to fully connect what I was reading and why. And honestly, still can't read the death of Patrick Hochstetter and not feel sick, despite reading and listening to this six times. I think this text really lends itself to audio, although I feel for the poor soul that had to read Butch Bowers's lines...

Great vlog!

My favorite novel of all time. Glad you enjoyed it!

The first time I read *that scene* I was sitting in a room where the Red Hot Chili Peppers song Californication happened to be playing. I can no longer listen to that song. The human brain’s capacity for sense association truly is a marvel.

I think both adaptions (the TV miniseries and the recent theatrcial version) prove you can bring the childhood portion of the story to a climax successfully WITHOUT that scene. I love IT, I've read it a few times to date, it is one of my favorites, but it stays away from the top spot because of *that* scene. I'm actually of a fan of King giving side/small characters quirks that make them memorable. There's already a lot in the book(s), so we don't need to go into heavy detail about them, but it keeps them memorable.

I just read it for the first time earlier this year. What I loved is the very clear line between good and evil, and that evil requires a choice, even if that choice is to do nothing. I have found that in several of his other books as well and it is one of my favorite aspects of his writing.

That scene you showed about Beverly’s dad was one of the scenes that made my skin crawl like crazy. I was listening to the audiobook and the narrator went all out, I had to pause it and collect my thoughts for a while. Even looking at the page during the video gave me whiplash lmao

"Clown? Who you calling a clown?" Pennywise.

@JordanS-ww4eu

5 күн бұрын

Like Slappy the Dummy

Paul Tremblay's "A Head Full of Ghosts" was the scariest horror novel I've read. Well written, with a modern sensibility, great characters, and a horrific story.

@BachelorMachinesTV

Жыл бұрын

I was going to post the same thing. Could not put it down.

@luckycharms3783

Жыл бұрын

Horrific story indeed

The power went out in my first apartment when I was alone, reading this book for the first time. It was the first time I understood the term "hysterical laughter". This is a great video!

I’m reading IT right now, this video came out at the perfect time

The Ruins by Scott Smith and Urban Gothic by Brian Keene are two of my favorite non King horror novels

@Ink129

Жыл бұрын

The Ruins is really, really good. Haven't heard of Urban Gothic before - guess I'll check it out.

@ninjaflavored2853

Жыл бұрын

I loved The Ruins, it was my favorite book last year! I loved the subversion of expectations. I still can't get over how Smith made me hate every single one of his characters in the fist 50 pages and then got me to relate to them by the end of the book, so that I was genuinely sad when they got what they deserved. Incredible.

For horror books outside Kings, you should read Vampire Chronicles by Anne Rice, especially the first book "Interview with the Vampire". Also very unique style writing and story story telling. I think you'll enjoy it

@AJStone888

Жыл бұрын

The second book, the Vampire Lestat, is also a favorite of mine.

@supriadimarthaen9113

Жыл бұрын

@@AJStone888 yes, the second book also very good

I agree with you completely on THAT SCENE. This was a book that I somehow read over a single long weekend, many years ago, and I loved so much of it, including the ending, which I interpreted as a healing of both childhood and adult traumas through such a simple joy as the sound of playing cards in a bike wheel. I know you said you wanted other authors now, but sticking with King for a moment, I think you might like the books he did for the Hard Case Crime imprint: The Colorado Kid, Joyland, or Later. All are shorter, character driven, with a strong sense of place. More horror novels? The Woman in Black by Susan Hills comes to mind, and A Head Full of Ghosts by Paul Tremblay.

Very insightful! I agree with everything you say so much so that I could have said almost the same thing! I love your passion!

Dark Tower is his best book yet not horror. And he said so too being his favorite. 👀 In horror he has serious impact on everything.

So we all know a lot of King's books from the '80s were fueled by cocaine and I HOPE that THAT scene was dredged from the depths of his cocaine mania stoked cerebral cortex and do not say anything too damning of the man when he's sober. What I don't get is why the editors went "Yeah this looks fine, no changes required". And if there were changes to that scene, I desperately want to know what the original scene was like.

Just bought today excited !

Been on my TBR for a while so I guess it’s time to get to it.

When someone reads IT for the first time, I'm always curious about their reaction to THAT moment. And we all know what THAT moment is.

@msjkramey

Жыл бұрын

I feel weird asking this but I heard it was underage group s*x. Is that true or is that a rumor? That sounds so weird and unnecessary

@Solmead

Жыл бұрын

Lol yep

@ZethisVA

Жыл бұрын

Honestly I don't get how much of a deal people make of that scene. It probably wouldn't be written today but I didn't have a strong reaction to it.

@Eric4real4321

Жыл бұрын

​@Zethis I love the book. That said, there were a million other ways he could have had them solve their issues, and "that" is what he chose.

@troncatch

Жыл бұрын

I agree. No lie, I read this when I was 11, and when I got to that scene I was just like "Yeah, that makes sense."

Merphy trying King again came just in time as I tried Farseer again. I have to say. Fitz is growing on me quite a bit after being insufferable for half a book ( turn around was the Lady Patience chapter). I'm starting to think maybe my issue was the audiobook all along. Excited to see where the story goes. I'm saving King for Halloween this year. Eager to see where I'll stand with his work. Also got me some Liu after yesterday's vlog. That is this weekend's business.

@darKuchiki

Жыл бұрын

What a coincidence i was just about to start the Lady Patience chapter and I've felt the exact same way so far. Hopefully this is a turning point for the better for me as well. I also like to schedule my horror reading for Halloween and I'm just thinking of trying a Stephen King book for the first time. Cheers!

@shethewriter

Жыл бұрын

I can’t help living Fitz. Enjoy!

Love watching you experiencing this book! I haven't been keeping up with any booktuber these past few months and this is the first book-related video that caught my interest :D As for the horror rec, I'd like to recommend The Devil All the Time (Donald Ray Pollock). It's a small town horror that has stayed with me ever since I first read it back in 2019 or so. Hope you'll love it as much as I do 🤍

this became my favourite book, i'm happy you enjoyed it

Stephen Graham Jones' The Only Good Indians is a fantastic horror which really explores the genre. Plus, I think you might really enjoy Grady Hendrix -- I would describe what he writes as horror with real heart and in all those I've read fantastic female leads. I especially loved his latest - How to Sell a Haunted House.

@DangerDaddyD

Жыл бұрын

Read The Only Good Indians around Halloween last year and loved it. It has similarities to IT in some ways, but the horror is so sudden and brutal in that book that it made me actually give vocal reaction at some points and that's how I know it's a good horror.

I haven’t read a ton of horror outside of Stephen King (I still haven’t read IT, don’t know if I ever will). But I read Summer of Night by Dan Simmons (author of Hyperion) and I liked it a lot. Similarly it’s about a group of kids dealing with an evil force but it doesn’t feel derivative.

It is so cool that you read it, because the book is so good, despite that unfortunate scene.

Love the teleporting child in the background at 17.13 - vanishes behind the tree and then appears out of the other tree behind Merphy's head ;)

I agree with recommending Coraline. Very well done. And, oddly enough, I also recommend 99 Fear Street by RL Stine or the Cheerleader Saga by RL Stine. Obviously they’re YA horror but I still consider those in particular to be very well done

Merphy, you really have to read What Dreams May Come by Richard Matheson. He was the first writers to inspire King. The story is incredible.

If you're looking for non-King horror, I'd recommend The Taking by Dean Koontz. It has some haunting scenes that are truly well done, plus the rain/storm element only adds to the tension. Also has some great themes around hope and redemption which help prevent the book's horror elements from weighing you down. And there are some pretty special dogs in there too, which is another fun layer to the book.

Stephen King is one of my favorite authors because of his characterization and ability to unsettle, and It is one of my favorites of his, but I completely see where you're coming from too. I think It is special to me because it's the first King novel I read, and I was so swept up in the story that I ended up writing a paper on it. I love the cyclical nature of the story, and how it is really more about the characters and their fight against fear and evil, rather than it being about the fear and evil overcoming them. It's been years since I first read it and I'm a little more critical when I approach King now, because he does absolutely have his weaknesses and they can start to grate after awhile. But I'm so glad you gave this one a shot and can appreciate what he was trying to do. :) (But yes, THAT scene. Yikes. The worst yikes I've ever read.) I also really love The Woman in Black by Susan Hill. It's a classic British ghost story and there's something about it that is just so uniquely unsettling to me. It's beautifully done and a fairly short read.

As an indie horror writer and author, I’ve come to discover some incredible voices in horror that I never would’ve found had I been keeping to King and the more mainstream horror. I know you said to recommend one, but there’s two I must recommend. THE FISHERMAN, by John Langan. This one’s a strange work of literary cosmic horror. It’s about grief, and love, and healing, about the things that happen after which nothing about us or the world is ever the same. And it’s also full of otherworldly horror, and dark promises. Beautiful novel. Has a story within a story that, if you stick with, is quite the experience on top of the whole narrative. One of my favorite books. A DARK MATTER, by Peter Straub (not indie horror, but a beautiful work of literary horror. This one takes the trope of IT and other similar novels, that of a group of young people encountering something otherworldly and horrific, and then having to revisit it or face it again later in life. But this book does that without the rematch. In that way it’s a book about trauma, and aging, and time. Not as plot-driven or propulsive as some horror out there, but a rich, challenging, and multilayered read nonetheless. It parses its climactic reveal across the entirety in Rashomon-like style, as opposed to building to a climax. There’s so many more I could suggest… A COSMOLOGY OF MONSTERS, by Shaun Hamill, or THE GRIP OF IT, by Jac Jemc, or anything at all by the great Mariana Enriquez, and also Paul Tremblay. But I’m gonna make myself shut up now 😂

@daniel.romano

Жыл бұрын

Read the Fisherman in October last year and it's quickly become one of my favorite horror novels

it scared the $**t out of me when she said that IT manifests it self according to the victims. I instantly imagined my kids hurt, luring me into an abandoned house. O.O

I really like Grady Hendrix. His books are a roller coaster. They aren’t “scary,” but when I read them I have so much dread because of how he writes his books. My favorite of his is The Southern Book Club’s Guide to Slaying Vampires.

This is my favorite book! I’ve only ever seen your One Piece content and collabs with Liam. While it always makes me nervous when people whose opinions I respect review stuff I like, I’m looking forward to hearing your thoughts on It!

From what I understand King has come out over the years to say he regretted having ‘the scene’ in the book and would not have it in there if he wrote it today. I kinda wish he would re write that part and do a re release of the book.

@glyndwr15

Жыл бұрын

I've noticed that King edits things in his books on re printing, usually for political or ideological reasons. For instance, when I first read Pet Sematary, there is a scene where Louis is lamenting the fact that it's always the man's job to be strong for everybody during Gage's funeral. I bought another copy of it years later and I couldn't find that bit in it anywhere. I wonder what other things he's taken out. In the case of Rage, a whole book disappeared. I don't know. I kind of disagree. I think it's actually a shame that writers don't have freedom to write stuff like that anymore, even if it's awful. That was an era where people were just trying to tell stories or make art people wanted to consume rather than self censoring and trying to write propaganda so they could signal to everyone that they're good people with the right values or political ideas.

@KmartKingpin

4 ай бұрын

@@glyndwr15 Too be fair, while I love king, he's a genius at writing; he's a left wing, ideological ridden moron. It's not at all shocking to me he's willing to censor his own books, no one loves to parade their rights away more than liberals and post-modern Marxist thinkers.

Kings books are very hit or miss for me and most people, I think. IT is great, I also love the Shining, it's sequel Doctor Sleep and The Dead Zone. I read 11/22/63 a few years back and really loved it too. I think part of it for me is that he very much straddles the line between fantasy and horror and his more fantasy books are just dark enough that they feel more geared for adults then some (but not all) of the fantasy books out there.

Merphy you described loving a town where everyone or most people know somethings wrong but no one leaves, read Salems lot. One of my favorite Kings, and one of his first few books he wrote

Your reaction to The Scene was basically my reaction and I couldn’t stop laughing at your look to the camera. Same.

The novel "Hex" by Thomas Oude Heuvelt is a really fun horror. Much shorter than King, but has the same vibe as King, without a lot of the... problematic scenes. The author also subverts the haunted town trope in a unique way that leaves you guessing how the events are going to unravel due to how unconventional it is. The characters can be a little caricature-esque in the way Stephen King does his characters, but the tone of the novel is very much in the same vein as King. Another choice that's not so much outright horror is Annihilation by Jeff Vandermeer, part of the Southern Reach trilogy. It's such a wonderfully strange book and is so engrossing, even for how short it is. Despite the length, it feels like a slow burn, where all of the horrific events are experienced from a singular point of view by a character who feels disconnected from her humanity.

@tomroose7733

10 ай бұрын

I agree with Annihilation, one of the best books I have read. I read it on holiday in Thailand and the somewhat tropical and humid setting of area X just fit with where I was. The characters etc are all fantastic aswell

House of Leaves by Mark Z. Danielewski is a phenomenal horror book. Its also the sort of book that very much leans into the medium of being a book and having that essential to its structure. The stuff it does with footnotes, unconventional page layouts, etc is unlike anything else I've ever read. Be very curious to get your thoughts on it.

i bought the book about a few months ago with hopes to have read it, i haven’t yet because i am intimidated by the size but i think once i get past the first few chapters it’ll be ok. thank you for being so positive about it because other reviews aren’t quite what i liked. i hope to try and start this weekend

I think I know exactly what scene you were reading to have that face in the thumbnail... and that is definitely the correct reaction

A very atmospheric horror recommendation would be, The Elementals, by Michael McDowell. It’s a subtle type of horror, very well written. I’ve thought of this book so many times since reading it… it stays with you, which is my favorite type of horror.

@Thecatladybooknook_PennyD

Жыл бұрын

Yessss!! I really liked that one. I'm reading his Blackwater series now.

@VegasHermit

Жыл бұрын

I’m saving Blackwater for October, I can hardly wait!

@misty547

Жыл бұрын

I read Blackwater last summer. It was great. Loved it!! I also loved the Elementals and Cold Moon Over Babylon.

The Passage trilogy (The Passage, The Twelve, and The City of Mirrors) by Justin Cronin is an excellent use of vampire tropes. Also there’s generations of character development to dive into. He just released a new stand alone too if you like his work.

"IT" is my all-time favorite novel. I read it at the age of 9, again at age 12, and numerous times since then. I guess since I read it the first time as a kid myself, "the scene" was a 'woah' moment, but not an uncomfortable one, as it might be reading as an adult. Based on the things you DID like about it, I'll go ahead and recommend two of my other favorites that have similar vibes/themes...both coming-of-age horror: Let the Right One In by John Ajvide Lindqvist and Summer of Night by Dan Simmons.

Flashfoward to a year later: Merphy is wrapping up book 7 of The Dark Tower

Here's the thing about Stephen King: You may not think this is a masterpiece now. But weeks or months from now, you'll be walking along or doing the laundry, and you'll have flashbacks to something of his - a turn of phrase or a scene - and you will realize that he is a master storyteller.

@scotts1912

Жыл бұрын

100%. IT is one of the few books that somehow pops into my head for at least a couple seconds every single day, even nearly 20 years after the first time I read it. It's a true masterpiece.

@joshjones853

Жыл бұрын

Oh man, I have trouble walking down stairs in the dark because of this book.

Very good, personally really enjoyed it. Except THAT scene. Never in the history of novels has there been a scene less needed.

@00ammy00

Жыл бұрын

The only time I have ever ripped out pages from a book. No seriously, I cut out those pages from my copy so I need never have to read them again if I ever reread the novel.

There could be several reasons for the full tilt on side characters: real-life, more common connections to certain characteristics being highlighted through the main narrative, playful fun and relief from the main story line (fun especially for the author), and to distract us or attempt to throw us off of the trail of solving plot twists before the author unveils them. It could even be the author just showing is how connected everything in the story, the character’s universe and its author are involved in everything happening. The cab driver’s may not know the protagonists’ stories or what they’re going through; yet, ket, if you will, speaks and acts through them as if on some level they do know… and maybe they don’t care. Lots of possibilities, but I think it’s a fun.

I recently recommended this on one other video of yours, but I’m gonna drop it here again. It’s not a phenomenal 5 star horror book, but Nathanial by John Saul is a fun read. It’s very much small town, somethings wrong but people can’t leave and they’re drawn back to it. It’s a super quick read and I think you’d enjoy it if you enjoy that trope.

I mostly watched one piece content but now i'm enjoying a lot your book videos. Your channel got me reading again and i'm really grateful for it. Thank you ❤ Unfortunately IT gave me nightmares😂

Try The Road by Cormac McCarthy. Not strictly a horror but also kinda a horror

@tinustinus571

Жыл бұрын

great book. it was my recommendation as SF.

The way you described the impact of kings writing is spot on,makes you love some of his stuff or never want to pick up another book from him again 😂

I'm sorry but that face turn to the camera at about 15:00 had my laughing. Like, yeah, that perfectly sums up ending a King novel. I haven't read proper horror books in so long - I read all of King and Koontz in high school and then kind of fell off. But there's a YA horror book that just came out that I picked up and fell in love with immediately. It's called "She is a Haunting", and it's a wonderful Vietnamese-American coming of age tale. Beautiful work by Trang Thanh Tran.

This is one I can always come back to. As for the scene you call, "That scene," what I can say for it is that it's psychologically sound. After years of pestering my mother (she was a psychologist) , she finally listened to IT. And I asked her specifically about "That scene" Her analysis was King set it up right---with her father being the way he was, coupled with the trauma bonding, and the ages we were dealing with, and how powerless they were outside the losers club--it made perfect sense to her.

@theskyisteal8346

Жыл бұрын

I absolutely agree that it makes perfect psychological, thematic and narrative sense but I also agree with the prevailing sentiment that there are still some things that you shouldn't make your fictional 12 year olds do.

@bendover7841

Жыл бұрын

@@theskyisteal8346 For some reason people are more ok with what happens to fictional 12 year olds than what the author makes them do. Still think the scene is weird af.

Holy Crap! This is my all time favorite book. Super excited to see what you think ❤

That "one scene" makes alot more sense if you read Dark Tower first and understand what a "ka-tet" means (a group of people bound by more than friendship, sharing the same destiny). Also I just read Boy's Life by Robert McCammon and it was really similar to IT but I think Boy's Life might be better. Other recommendations: Battle Royale - Koushun Takami, The Vampire Lestat - Anne Rice, City Infernal - Edward Lee, Abraham Lincoln, Vampire Hunter - Seth Grahame-Smith

@samhartje723

Жыл бұрын

No, child sex is just gross and shouldn’t be used as a theme to tether these characters friendship together. The monster IT should be what brings them together, which is much more profound and horrifying.

One of my favorites of all time.

I will never forget the first time i read IT, when the big thing happens at the end and the town is coming apart, sections of the book i was reading started to fall out of the book! It was an old copy, and i'm not especially gentle on spines, so it's not really a surprise. But the timing was so crazy i still can't believe it happened _right then._