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Peter's Reviews > Pet Sematary
Pet Sematary
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by
Peter's review
bookshelves: horror
Oct 11, 2019
bookshelves: horror
Read 2 times. Last read October 6, 2019 to October 11, 2019.
Since I recently watched the remake of the 80s film I had to re-read Pet Sematary again. A decision I didn't regreat. It is a phenomenally good book that grew in my opinion over the years (I actually read it for the first time in the 80s). On the one hand you have numerous excellent horror elements (the cemetery, the Wendigo, Zelda and those coming back from that place, like Church or Gadge). On the other hand it describes in a relentless way what happens if man plays God and tries to resurrect the dead (sometimes it's better to stay dead). Those people returning from the Micmac place are changed in a very unpleasant way. Lazarus is a very strong motif throughout the book. The whole story is masterly plotted and told. Jud Crandall is a very sinister character that leads Louis into temptation. The old Micmac burial place is brilliant and one of the eeriest places in horror literature. Vic Pascow's warnings come to late. The book is about death and what comes after death. It's not only what you'd expect about 80s horror but very philosophical. This book makes you really think about life and death. Absolutely awsome novel and must read. I'm very glad that I read that book in advanced years again!
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Reading Progress
Finished Reading
(Paperback Edition)
June 25, 2012
– Shelved
(Paperback Edition)
October 6, 2019
–
Started Reading
October 6, 2019
– Shelved
October 11, 2019
– Shelved as:
horror
October 11, 2019
–
Finished Reading
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Oct 11, 2019 02:52AM
You'd make a good Jud Crandall : I guess I must read it now :)
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LOL thank's for that comparison, P.E. The book is amazingly good. Forget about the movie adaptions and get the real deal by reading it. It is horror with some fundamental questions about life and death. I'm glad I re-read it since I missed the complexity of this book as a youth. I liked the book now way better than back then. This isn't cheap 80s horror it is much more! Happy reading and all the best Peter
I just reread this one, too. Enjoyed it all over again, as you did. Good review, Peter!
Thank you very much, Zoeytron. I couldn't remember that the book was so deep and absolutely enjoyed reading that King classic again. Jud Crandall is one of the most fascinating characters he ever did I guess. All the best Peter
Great review Peter! I've reread this many times, and like you say, it's so much more than a horror story as is most of King's work. So much so I found I couldn't read it while my children were very little as I found it too upsetting. Powerful stuff indeed.
Thank you very much, Indieflower. You're absolutely right. When I read the story as a youth I didn't understand all the implications on life and death in it as I do now. It's a brilliant novel playing on the Lazarus motif. The book is upsetting and extremely grim. The real horror is that Louis can't get away from that burial ground. He tries and tries again to get the job properly done, e.g. to get a beloved human being back as flawless as possible. He won't succeed. The novel is composed like a classic tragedy. The screen adaptations don't reflect the complexity of this books and are very shallow. As you say, it's very powerful stuff. I liked the Ramones song though :-) All the best Peter
Great review and book, Peter! Was the remake any better than the atrocious original?
Thank you very much, J.K.. Now, the remake was completely different to the story (Ellie was buried at the Micmac burial ground!) and had another ending (I won't tell here, but it was very bizarre). There were some shocking element (a group of kids bringing their deceased pet to the cemetery) but the director didn't get the gist of the novel at all. It was typical popcorn cinema. The picture quality was great (full HD) in comparison to the video tapes in the 80s but that was it. Pet Semetary is much bigger than the movies made from it. All the best Peter
Peter wrote: "Thank you very much, J.K.. Now, the remake was completely different to the story (Ellie was buried at the Micmac burial ground!) and had another ending (I won't tell here, but it was very bizarre)...."
What a shame!! 2 movie adaptations of such a great horror story, and neither one is worth a hill of beans. :o(
What a shame!! 2 movie adaptations of such a great horror story, and neither one is worth a hill of beans. :o(
Well, J.K., the movies rather are a kind of pulp horror than movies closely following the book. The book has far more horrors and eerie situations inside. I can only recommend it. Back then as a youth I understood only a fraction of what Pet Sematary really is about. I'm really glad I closed this gap now. One of the best modern horror books ever in my opinion. All the best Peter
I agree Peter, it is composed like a tragedy, I found it heartbreaking.
Hi Indiflower, it is like an ancient tragedy. All characters are led to their sad ending. Jud is a very interesting character here, hybris is followed by downfall. Also Louis is condemned repeating his faults again and again. This book is extremely affecting your emotional wellbeing, fully agreed. All the best Peter
I'm so happy I decided to read the book, I loved the movie and always wanted to read the book turns out reading the book was the best decision, it's profound and interesting. The way he built the story is brilliant. Much deeper than the movies. One of the best horror.
Excellent review, Peter!!
