It: A Novel
Stephen Kingâs classic #1 New York Times bestseller and the basis for the massively successful films It: Chapter One and It: Chapter Two as well as inspiration for HBO Maxâs series It: Welcome to Derryâabout seven adults who return to their hometown to confront a nightmare they had first stumbled upon as teenagers...an evil without a name: It.
Welcome to Derry, Maine. Itâs a small city, a place as hauntingly familiar as your own hometown. Only in Derry the haunting is real.
They were seven teenagers when they first stumbled upon the horror. Now they are grown-up men and women who have gone out into the big world to gain success and happiness. But the promise they made twenty-eight years ago calls them reunite in the same place where, as teenagers, they battled an evil creature that preyed on the cityâs children. Now, children are being murdered again and their repressed memories of that terrifying summer return as they prepare to once again battle the monster lurking in Derryâs sewers.
Readers of Stephen King know that Derry, Maine, is a place with a deep, dark hold on the author. It reappears in many of his books, including Bag of Bones, Hearts in Atlantis, and 11/22/63. But it all starts with It.
âStephen Kingâs most mature workâ (St. Petersburg Times), âIt will overwhelm youâŚto be read in a well-lit room onlyâ (Los Angeles Times).
Welcome to Derry, Maine. Itâs a small city, a place as hauntingly familiar as your own hometown. Only in Derry the haunting is real.
They were seven teenagers when they first stumbled upon the horror. Now they are grown-up men and women who have gone out into the big world to gain success and happiness. But the promise they made twenty-eight years ago calls them reunite in the same place where, as teenagers, they battled an evil creature that preyed on the cityâs children. Now, children are being murdered again and their repressed memories of that terrifying summer return as they prepare to once again battle the monster lurking in Derryâs sewers.
Readers of Stephen King know that Derry, Maine, is a place with a deep, dark hold on the author. It reappears in many of his books, including Bag of Bones, Hearts in Atlantis, and 11/22/63. But it all starts with It.
âStephen Kingâs most mature workâ (St. Petersburg Times), âIt will overwhelm youâŚto be read in a well-lit room onlyâ (Los Angeles Times).
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Community Reviews
This chilling novel, written by American author Stephen King, made its debut in 1986. Reading it while I was in Ohio left a profound mark on me; the story still haunts my dreams. King's talent for crafting terrifying environments is exceptional and profoundly affecting. This book stands as his 22nd work and was the 17th novel published under his own name. The plot revolves around seven youngsters who are tormented by an evil entity referred to as It, which exploits their fears to take on various forms while pursuing its victims.
this was so much more than i ever anticipated, and i simply don't have the words to tell you how unforgettable this book is
Took me awhile to get through one of my first books from him and what got me hooked into reading definitely a good horror to read.
âď¸âď¸âď¸âď¸âď¸ A Massive, Terrifying, and Unforgettable Achievement
IT isnât just a horror novelâitâs an experience. At over 1,000 pages, it demands your full attention, pulling you into a sprawling story that blends childhood trauma, deep-rooted fears, and friendships that cut straight to the heart. Finishing it feels like a feat, and the journey is nothing short of wild. The horror creeps in slowly, burrowing under your skin, and by the time it fully sinks its teeth in, thereâs no escape.
Pennywise is terrifying, but the real fear runs deeperâKing explores how terror shapes people, especially through the lens of childhood. The Losers' Club shines as the emotional core. Their bond makes every horrifying moment hit harder, and watching them face impossible odds, both as kids and adults, is gripping. Every character feels fully realized, making their journey feel intimate despite the massive scope.
Kingâs writing is relentless. The pacing whips you between nostalgic memories and pure nightmare fuel, creating a constant sense of unease. Some scenes left me holding my breath, others had me blinking at the pages, wondering how things escalated so quickly. Itâs intense, dark, and completely absorbing without ever feeling overwhelmingâjust massive in a way that pulls you deeper with every chapter.
Finishing IT is like walking away from a battleâexhausted but completely satisfied. Itâs disturbing, emotional, and, at times, downright unhingedâbut thatâs what makes it brilliant. King doesnât just tell a horror story; he drags you through it, making every terrifying, heart-wrenching moment linger long after the final page.
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