The glowing crosses not only worked for me but I think it’s one of the most fun and interesting ideas in the book because of it’s connection with Tolkien. Let me explain. . . There is an introduction King wrote to Salem’s Lot where he observes that Dracula shares its plot, broadly speaking, with The Lord of the Rings: the “Dark Lord” comes from the East with a vanguard of frightening minions to invade England-or The Shire-and take over the world. However, some of his victims have friends and those friends eventually come together to form an intrepid party led by a wise mentor-Van Helsing/Gandalf. This party learns about the unique magical strengths and weaknesses of the Dark Lord and progressively beat him back to his native country where they all have a final showdown and destroy the magical evil at its source before heading home and tying up any loose ends so that life can go back to normal, more or less. Now whatever one thinks of that comparison, remember that elven weapons in Tolkien’s work glow blue when orcs and other evil creatures are near. And now consider that Tolkien got the term “orc/ork” from Beowulf where they are listed among other magical creatures ("ettins and elves and orcneas"). Now the etymology of orcneas is disputed but there are two possibilities. One is that it may be related to orca-like killer whales-and may thus refer to sea creatures. But, since the text describes these creatures as being descendants of Cain, it seems likely that they are all humanoid. In which case the etymology seems to indicate a possessed corpse (orc-“demon”, neas-“corpse”). Now what is a vampire? A demonic corpse, of course. So I like to interpret the crosses glowing blue in Salem’s Lot as an informed and rather brilliant attempt to establish continuity between Salem’s Lot, Dracula, LotR, and Beowulf. . . 😊

@glockensig

8 ай бұрын

Huh?

@deforeestwright2469

8 ай бұрын

@@glockensig I did my best to spell it out. Let me try again. . . In Beowulf there is a reference to monsters called "orcneas". The term "orcneas" is where J.R.R. Tolkien got the term "orc" or "ork" in Lord of the Rings. Linguists debate the etymology, but one of the major interpretations of what "orcneas" means is "demon-corpse". In most of the vampire folklore of Europe vampires are also conceived of as demonically possessed corpses. So, folklorically, vampires and "orcs" are basically the same thing. In Lord of the Rings, Tolkien says that elven weapons glow blue when orcs are near. In Salem's Lot crosses glow blue when vampires are near? Coincidence? I don't think so, because Stephen King wrote in an introduction to Salem's Lot that Dracula (the novel) and Lord of the Rings have the same basic plot structure. Dracula (the character) and Sauron, he argues, are analogous figures. So I think that Stephen King's idea of having the crosses glow blue when vampires are nearby was a direct homage to Tolkien having elven weapons glow blue when orcs are nearby. I don't know how to explain it any more simply. I am basically just saying that even though the crosses glowing blue thing seems a little weird, King is actually tying Salem's Lot directly to Lord of the Rings, and indirectly to Beowulf. . .so the idea is actually literary genius in my opinion. That one detail takes Salem's Lot from being a mere 70s pop-horror novel and brings it into conversation with THE seminal modern epic fantasy (Lord of the Rings) and one of the most important works of Old English literature (Beowulf).

I forgot about the holy superpowers. Agree with your review entirely. For me, one of the best characters was Salem’s Lot itself - King has a talent for building a wonderful sense of place.

@michaelk.vaughan8617

3 жыл бұрын

Yeah, he really nails the sense of place and the character of the town.

I read this book about 15 years ago. I was 13 and still had a poor handle on the English language, so I’m sure a lot of the details completely escaped me, but nonetheless I remember it was tons of chills and thrills, and the ending was the first book ending that made me feel empty inside… so great memories! Can’t wait for you to read The Shining. I also recently re-read it last year. It holds up!

@PlaguedbyVisions

3 жыл бұрын

PS were you trying to look like Barlow in the thumbnail? 😂

@michaelk.vaughan8617

3 жыл бұрын

Ah, the first book to make you feel empty inside! Good ole Stephen King! As for the thumbnail, when it uploaded the thumbnail turned out to be me with my eyes closed and my tongue out…so I improvised.

I enjoyed this book, didn't know anything about it so was surprised about the Vampires.

Best thumbnail ever.

The only King novel so far that actually gave me the creeps. I like the metaphor of the vampire as a reflection of the life being sucked out of small towns in that time period, becoming husks of their former selves.

@michaelk.vaughan8617

3 жыл бұрын

Oh man! You just gave a better review in a couple sentences than I did in this whole video! Darn you, AJ Dunn!!

@AJDunnReadsandWrites

3 жыл бұрын

@@michaelk.vaughan8617 Ha! I'm just recycling my own content on this video and throwing it up in your comments section. 😁

I read this when it was first published.....which gives away my age! In my humble opinion, this was his best book.

@michaelk.vaughan8617

2 жыл бұрын

It was very good, indeed.

I spent so much time on my last project that I am not even close to finished with reading this book. I should have some time to catch up this weekend. Great review! And thank you for not giving too much away.

This is my favorite Stephen King book. The second being Pet Semetary. I think Salem's Lot is King's masterpiece. Barlow is in my opinion the creepiest vampire ever!

Great video Michael. I've had this one on my re-read pile for awhile now. I'm going to have to move this up on my list! (EC Comics, I never liked them when I was younger and now I regret that immensely!)

@michaelk.vaughan8617

4 ай бұрын

This video is so old I don’t even remember what I said in it! 😅

Haven't read too many King novels... but this is my favorite one I've read so far! (I do think Dracula is the best vampire novel of all time but Salem's Lot is really good and a great tribute to Stoker's masterpiece!)

@michaelk.vaughan8617

3 жыл бұрын

Dracula is my favorite novel. I love that book.

I'll just read Dracula....and if time permits, I'll then read something besides King....

I own the illustrated edition which has the deleted scenes and includes the two other Salem's Lot short stories "Jerusalem's Lot" & "One For The Road"

I haven't read this one, but Stephen King + vampires sounds wonderful. And there's a miniseries? I guess I should get to this one some day.

@michaelk.vaughan8617

3 жыл бұрын

Yeah, this was a good one!

I didn’t know it was a mini-series. I’m getting ready to re-read it 😊

@michaelk.vaughan8617

3 жыл бұрын

Yeah, the film from the late 70s was broadcast on television as a miniseries. It was really good.

@anthonymunn8633

11 ай бұрын

There was a second miniseriies for TNT in the early 2000s,with Rob Lowe,Rutger Hauer and Donald Sutherland.

Yes! I agree with the sudden supernatural powers not quite sitting right. Great review.

@michaelk.vaughan8617

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks! I really enjoyed this one despite the conveniently deity dispensed super strength.

Good book. I heard that Jake Gyllenhaal is in negotiations to play Ben Mears and Christopher Waltz as Straker, which is pretty interesting.

@michaelk.vaughan8617

3 жыл бұрын

That should be interesting!

I reckon I'm about due a re-read!

Back to Stately Vaughan Manor! Yay! When I picked up ‘Salem’s Lot, I had no stinking idea it was a vampire novel. I was very surprised when I got into it. Very cool edition!

@michaelk.vaughan8617

3 жыл бұрын

Wow! That must have been a surprise for sure!

@Shellyish

3 жыл бұрын

@@michaelk.vaughan8617 It was!

All I can remember of the original show was Hutch from Starsky & Hutch, and the kid from James at 17 , or something like that. I'm one of the few who didn't go gaga over this book. It was good , but not close 2 my favorite by S. King. I believe you put it up high in your favorite S.King books in a older video of yours. No Vampires are more Monstrous than in Necroscope. LoL. 🤣 Notice how I always try 2 throw that in.👍(Necroscope 💀) Great Review, and Video 👍😁👍

@michaelk.vaughan8617

3 жыл бұрын

First off, Stasky & Hutch was the best cop show ever! Necroscope! I’m really looking forward to those. I just ordered a nice set from EBay.

@jamesfetcho6315

3 жыл бұрын

@@michaelk.vaughan8617 👍😁

I read this in the 80s, so my memory is not great. But the comment on glowing crosses seems very much a King trait in his later books. He seems to turn the supernatural volume up to 10 when a 4 to 6 would have been just fine. I remember a scene in the Shining where he broke the dial, turning it up 15 and it just didn’t work for me. He pumps it up in later books too.

[Pee Wee Herman voice] What? Am I going to have to reread ‘Salem’s Lot and have my teenage adoration bubble burst, Lord Michael?

Salem's Lot - great book! I'm reading book 3 (having not read the first 2) of the Anno Dracula series - Vince brought it over. Pretty good so far!

@michaelk.vaughan8617

3 жыл бұрын

I read the first Anno Dracula and thought it was pretty good. I have to read the rest of those!

@1946lynne

3 жыл бұрын

@@michaelk.vaughan8617 Your mom is getting #l and sending it to me, I'll get #2 and send it to her, along with #3, so maybe she can send them to you. I'm really enjoying your videos! Don't watch them every day, but try to catch up when I can.

Loved this book. So, we believe in vampires but no one else getting unbelievable powers? Great review.

@michaelk.vaughan8617

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks! I really liked this one. And of course the idea of people being turned into the living dead is completely convincing but glowing crosses…that’s just crazy.

Like your channel, little late to this video but here goes, quick comment if your interested, later release of Salem"s Lot contained edited out sections, one of the edited out portions is an alternate demise to Dr Cody that is truly harrowing, it was likely edited not due to novel length but it is far too graphic, after I read this I oddly felt much better for the Doc and his published finale,

@michaelk.vaughan8617

Жыл бұрын

I didn’t know that. Thanks!

You've got some long King books on the horizon lol Great review. Does it still stay in your best horror novels list?

@michaelk.vaughan8617

3 жыл бұрын

Oh yeah, definitely. I like this book a lot.

How did I not know this was a vampire book? 🧛‍♂️ 🧛‍♂️ 🧛‍♂️

@michaelk.vaughan8617

3 жыл бұрын

I have no idea! I thought everyone knew but apparently not! It’s really good.

I didnt know this was about vampires !! Do I recall correctly you regard this as his best (or your favourite) book of his ? Or was it Pet Sematary ?

@michaelk.vaughan8617

3 жыл бұрын

Pet Sematary is my favorite. This one is in my top five though.

@JamesSedgwick-jp6hh

24 күн бұрын

​@@michaelk.vaughan8617 it's the other way around for me. Salem's Lot is my number one favorite with Pet Semetary coming in very close as my second favorite

I've heard of this book, but I had no idea this book has elements of Dracula in it. I do love the original Dracula, so I really want to check out this book, even with some of the unbelievable supernatural elements.

@michaelk.vaughan8617

3 жыл бұрын

It is really good. I liked almost everything. Almost 😅