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Pet Sematary
Audio CD
Published February 1, 2001
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 224 reviews
July 6, 2018
One of the best horrors ever written.
July 24, 2017
Sometimes being in my 50s is a good thing. It has meant that I've been fortunate enough to read almost all of Stephen King's work when they were first published. Once in a while it's good to revisit one of his old classics & there are plenty of them to chose from.
I'm not sure how many times I've listened to this BBC Radio 4 dramatisation, but it's quite a few. I've had this version a long time....so long in fact that it's on cassette!
The cast & production values are high & the writing is splendid. King creates plenty of genuinely scary moments, and while some of his characters don't quite have the depth of some in his later work it's still a great piece of entertainment.
I'm not sure how many times I've listened to this BBC Radio 4 dramatisation, but it's quite a few. I've had this version a long time....so long in fact that it's on cassette!
The cast & production values are high & the writing is splendid. King creates plenty of genuinely scary moments, and while some of his characters don't quite have the depth of some in his later work it's still a great piece of entertainment.
March 26, 2009
loved it, such a unique king book
PS book is better than the movie
PS book is better than the movie
September 28, 2021
Where others have found chills and thrills, I found only sorrow. This may be one of the most gut-wrenching explorations of grief that I've ever read. Though I've been reading King since I was child, this is actually my first time with Pet Sematary. I've tried to read it several times before, and never could really stick with it. I think that has a lot to do with the slowness in which this story unfolds, and the fact that I'm mostly an instant gratification kinda girl. If I have to force myself to concentrate on a book I'm reading for pleasure, something is wrong. Since this is King, and labeled the scariest King at that, I couldn't just DNF and get on with my life. I happened upon this audio, with Michael C. Hall narrating, at just the right moment, I guess; I finally finished it.
I didn't find this book scary, except as a commentary on the insanity that grief can drive you to. I've dabbled in those waters myself. Losing a child, and then my mother in relatively close proximity to each other nearly destroyed me. And the magic of King, the power of his words, his characters, his legacy of story, is just one of the many ways I've kept hanging on.
I didn't find this book scary, except as a commentary on the insanity that grief can drive you to. I've dabbled in those waters myself. Losing a child, and then my mother in relatively close proximity to each other nearly destroyed me. And the magic of King, the power of his words, his characters, his legacy of story, is just one of the many ways I've kept hanging on.
July 31, 2018
(The edition indicated on this review is incorrect. Very recently an audio was produced for this book for the first time, and I'm not sure that is an available option on Goodreads.) When I saw that this audio was finally being produced, AND NARRATED BY MICHAEL C. HALL (Dexter the blood spatter analyst and killer of bad people), I was SO EXCITED. I read this book as soon as it was published in 1986, and it scared the living hell out of me, more than any other Stephen King novel would. More than the end of the world, Pennywise the Clown, or a homicidal St. Bernard. Per Uncle Stevie himself, it was the one book where he felt he'd "gone too far". And I get this. It's about six steps past the worst thing you can imagine.
I've seen the movie at least a dozen times, and in terms of sticking to the plot, it does a great job. But the deal is with any King novel, you just cannot visually recreate the horror that he conjures on the page and in your head. It comes out seeming inadequate and corny. Your mind will always be the best place for King's madness to come to life.
Sometimes dead is better. This is the mantra you'd better keep telling yourself if you ever find your way on that long stretch of highway in Ludlow Maine. You know, that long stretch where the little farm house sits, near the "Pet Sematary" where the town has buried it's beloved pets for decades. And where the MicMac burial ground lies, just beyond. Where the Orinco semi trucks blast by faster than they should.
Because there is a power there, beyond that Pet Sematary, that compels you to think otherwise. If it draws you in, just remember that if you buy it, you have to pay for it.
If you like scary stories, this is one that will test you. If you are easily bothered or squeamish, don't even try.
I learned awhile back that Stephen King is one of the few authors that has full power over his audio books, particularly in selecting who narrates. King is an audio addict, so he knows what he's doing. You will not find a shitty narrator of his books. In this case, Hall hits it out of the park. Of course.
I've seen the movie at least a dozen times, and in terms of sticking to the plot, it does a great job. But the deal is with any King novel, you just cannot visually recreate the horror that he conjures on the page and in your head. It comes out seeming inadequate and corny. Your mind will always be the best place for King's madness to come to life.
Sometimes dead is better. This is the mantra you'd better keep telling yourself if you ever find your way on that long stretch of highway in Ludlow Maine. You know, that long stretch where the little farm house sits, near the "Pet Sematary" where the town has buried it's beloved pets for decades. And where the MicMac burial ground lies, just beyond. Where the Orinco semi trucks blast by faster than they should.
Because there is a power there, beyond that Pet Sematary, that compels you to think otherwise. If it draws you in, just remember that if you buy it, you have to pay for it.
If you like scary stories, this is one that will test you. If you are easily bothered or squeamish, don't even try.
I learned awhile back that Stephen King is one of the few authors that has full power over his audio books, particularly in selecting who narrates. King is an audio addict, so he knows what he's doing. You will not find a shitty narrator of his books. In this case, Hall hits it out of the park. Of course.
September 20, 2012
I read this for book club. I'm kind of torn about it. Honestly, it was really intelligent until the last 40 pages or so. It was asking questions about what death does to humans, not just the actual dying part but how we perceive death, fear it, how dying slowly of disease can change and warp people, etc. The use of the paranormal creepy aspects were just a vehicle for getting at the problem of death in interesting ways, from different angles. The characters were well-rounded and realistic, and I LOVED the description of the main character's relationship with his wife--the ways they were funny together, worked together, understood each other, loved each other. And everything about the human interactions in this book had the ring of truth, the smell of reality, which is why Stephen King is a good author.
So that's why I was so disappointed when the ending was done in bland, regular horror-movie style. Up till now, we've been asking all these questions and been given no easy answers--and now we're faced with something pure evil? Kill the evil, duh. Up until now, evil has been mixed with good, which is why the characters couldn't deal with it the way they needed to. The ending didn't match the rest of the book, which made it disappointing and anticlimactic. It looked like Hollywood had come along and chopped off the real ending and replaced it with something more palatable to their focus group, more marketable to the masses--except Stephen King did it to himself, which is sadder.
So that's why I was so disappointed when the ending was done in bland, regular horror-movie style. Up till now, we've been asking all these questions and been given no easy answers--and now we're faced with something pure evil? Kill the evil, duh. Up until now, evil has been mixed with good, which is why the characters couldn't deal with it the way they needed to. The ending didn't match the rest of the book, which made it disappointing and anticlimactic. It looked like Hollywood had come along and chopped off the real ending and replaced it with something more palatable to their focus group, more marketable to the masses--except Stephen King did it to himself, which is sadder.
February 25, 2026
I listened to this anxiety inducing masterpiece and it was narrated by Micheal C. Hall who plays everyone’s favorite serial killer Dexter. He was awesome. His Maine accent was absolutely incredible.
I had to take breaks because this book scared me lol. I will never read it again but it definitely gets 5 stars!⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I had to take breaks because this book scared me lol. I will never read it again but it definitely gets 5 stars!⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
August 11, 2026
sorry kevin…
i really liked the overall idea of this book…however it took me 60 chapters to become interested. not a fan and have no desire to read more stephen king :) EVEN THOUGH i know he’s a great author and has amazingly cool ideas!
i really liked the overall idea of this book…however it took me 60 chapters to become interested. not a fan and have no desire to read more stephen king :) EVEN THOUGH i know he’s a great author and has amazingly cool ideas!
July 4, 2019
I'd read the print edition of this book a long time ago and I think I like the audio more. Michael C. Hall does a fantastic job reading.
September 28, 2026
My first Stephen King book and I felt like it was fitting as we are going into fall and spooky season. I really liked the concept of this book but the pacing was weird. The beginning was really slow and took a while to get to the point and then in the end everything happened super fast. I did really enjoy the audiobook, the narrator made it so much fun to listen to.
November 13, 2014
It's been some 20+ years since I last read this book, and at least 10 since I watched the movie. I was really excited to read it again.
I can see why King says this is his scariest book, if only for , and while I don't know that I necessarily agree with him, the last chapter before the epilogue is seriously so fucking scary. And I knew exactly how things would play out, and I still got all wigged out.
But I have something very important to say that I didn't notice when I read this pre-puberty. Here's the thing. People have been burying their pets in the Micmac burying ground for 300+ years. Only one report of an animal coming back evil.
I genuinely, sincerely, do not believe Church came back evil.
Let's look at the facts here. Church came back and acted like a cat. He sat on Ellie's lap, wanted to sleep in her room. Went to all the humans in the house including Gage to receive affection, just like he normally would.
And what did the humans do?
Hit him with the broom. Flung him off their lap. Flung him out the door. He did what any cat would do, found another way back in. The last reported incident of him purring was when he was laying on Louis' chest while he slept, and Louis flung him.
In the end, all we hear is how he slinks away from humans and glares at them.
Guess what? You do all this to a non zombie cat, and the exact same thing is going to happen!
I think the Creeds made Church the psycho cat he turned into. Because they were assholes to him.
So there.
That is really all I wanted to talk about in this review.
Oh, and Gage was born the same year I was, which, for some reason, I was obsessed with throughout the novel.
I can see why King says this is his scariest book, if only for , and while I don't know that I necessarily agree with him, the last chapter before the epilogue is seriously so fucking scary. And I knew exactly how things would play out, and I still got all wigged out.
But I have something very important to say that I didn't notice when I read this pre-puberty. Here's the thing. People have been burying their pets in the Micmac burying ground for 300+ years. Only one report of an animal coming back evil.
I genuinely, sincerely, do not believe Church came back evil.
Let's look at the facts here. Church came back and acted like a cat. He sat on Ellie's lap, wanted to sleep in her room. Went to all the humans in the house including Gage to receive affection, just like he normally would.
And what did the humans do?
Hit him with the broom. Flung him off their lap. Flung him out the door. He did what any cat would do, found another way back in. The last reported incident of him purring was when he was laying on Louis' chest while he slept, and Louis flung him.
In the end, all we hear is how he slinks away from humans and glares at them.
Guess what? You do all this to a non zombie cat, and the exact same thing is going to happen!
I think the Creeds made Church the psycho cat he turned into. Because they were assholes to him.
So there.
That is really all I wanted to talk about in this review.
Oh, and Gage was born the same year I was, which, for some reason, I was obsessed with throughout the novel.
May 19, 2020
3.5-4* (Still not sure)
This was one of my first ever horror books I decided to read. After seeing so much hype around S. King I really wanted to see what I was missing. Since this was my first horror book I am unsure how to rate it.
What I really liked was the atmosphere. It really did leave you feeling uneasy and uncomfortable. Especially since I was listening to the audiobook I feel like the narrator added to that a lot (the narrator was amazing by the way).
What I didn't like as much was that when it came down to the big bad happening it just felt like there was too much. You have Indiands and Wendigos and etc.
If I ever do read more horror books (and I might) I will probably come back to update this rating once I have a better idea of what the genre is like.
This was one of my first ever horror books I decided to read. After seeing so much hype around S. King I really wanted to see what I was missing. Since this was my first horror book I am unsure how to rate it.
What I really liked was the atmosphere. It really did leave you feeling uneasy and uncomfortable. Especially since I was listening to the audiobook I feel like the narrator added to that a lot (the narrator was amazing by the way).
What I didn't like as much was that when it came down to the big bad happening it just felt like there was too much. You have Indiands and Wendigos and etc.
If I ever do read more horror books (and I might) I will probably come back to update this rating once I have a better idea of what the genre is like.
June 5, 2026
Thoroughly enjoyed this one. Felt like classic Stephen King, with all his usual elements woven through it. Dark, gripping, and hard to put down once it gets going. Bonus points for this as an audiobook narrated by the one and only Michael C. Hall
October 25, 2025
Vet inte hur jag ska recensera. Den va spännande och läskig på slutet! Men det är en skräckis från 80-talet liksom fattar att den va toppen då men känns inte som en wow-upplevelse direkt
February 21, 2026
This is definitely not my usual genre, but my fiance who is a big horror and suspense fan thought it would be nice to read it together.
I was very pleasantly surprised by this novel. Our narrator Louis is so blunt and sarcastic, so much so that I pictured him as Dexter. That also may be because Michael C. Hall has such a unique voice. But truly, I found myself questioning a lot of the things that went through his head. From irrational choices to also quoting ““Hey! Ho! Let’s Go! by the Ramones at random points in the story. And also continuing to repeat ”Oz the gweat and tewwible”.Did I see the plot twist coming? Of course! But it didn’t take away from the suspense of the book. Overall it was very well paced and written. I really enjoyed it and I look forward to reading more suspense going forward!
I was very pleasantly surprised by this novel. Our narrator Louis is so blunt and sarcastic, so much so that I pictured him as Dexter. That also may be because Michael C. Hall has such a unique voice. But truly, I found myself questioning a lot of the things that went through his head. From irrational choices to also quoting ““Hey! Ho! Let’s Go! by the Ramones at random points in the story. And also continuing to repeat ”Oz the gweat and tewwible”.Did I see the plot twist coming? Of course! But it didn’t take away from the suspense of the book. Overall it was very well paced and written. I really enjoyed it and I look forward to reading more suspense going forward!
November 24, 2011
Had some creepiness, but I get pretty weary of Stephen King's style with its rambling--there are some brackets that run for half a page or more before you get back to the sentence, & by then you've forgotten the first part. Plus, he's too fascinated with male genitalia. (Example: when climbing a spiky fence at night, or otherwise in mortal peril, you're not worried about breaking a leg or skewering a lung; apparently, your main fear is of damaging your gonads, and you must contemplate this possibility in detail.)
I read lots of Stephen King in middle school (because "Oo, it's so good, it's so scary") and saw these problems pop up every time.
I read lots of Stephen King in middle school (because "Oo, it's so good, it's so scary") and saw these problems pop up every time.
August 21, 2026
Such a classic. Can Michael C Hall narrate all of my books please?
September 15, 2021
Oh la la was this good. I've only seen the movie and, per usual, it does the book NO justice. The whole story has a shadow of death hanging over it. They talk about it, think about it and are unknowingly surrounded by it. The actual premise of the movie doesn't happen until the very end of the book-didn't know that.
What is the rest of it about then? The story telling, the detail and the chilled, menacing descriptions of the town's history with the ancient burial grounds. That coupled with the dark, menacing voice of Michael C Hall made this a perfect 5!
What is the rest of it about then? The story telling, the detail and the chilled, menacing descriptions of the town's history with the ancient burial grounds. That coupled with the dark, menacing voice of Michael C Hall made this a perfect 5!
May 13, 2022
Rating: 4.63 leaves out of 5
Characters: 4/5
Cover: 4.5/5
Story: 5/5
Writing: 5/5
Genre: Horror/Thriller/Fantasy/Paranormal/Mystery
Type: Audiobook
Worth?: Yeah!
Another book on the SK Book Train in Book Lovers Club is done with. Honestly I am happy with this one. I have seen both movies before so I knew what was coming but it was done so well. The ending was so/so but I enjoyed the whole of this book. A rarity it seems from him.
Characters: 4/5
Cover: 4.5/5
Story: 5/5
Writing: 5/5
Genre: Horror/Thriller/Fantasy/Paranormal/Mystery
Type: Audiobook
Worth?: Yeah!
Another book on the SK Book Train in Book Lovers Club is done with. Honestly I am happy with this one. I have seen both movies before so I knew what was coming but it was done so well. The ending was so/so but I enjoyed the whole of this book. A rarity it seems from him.
October 7, 2017
Is it me or is the wife hysterical throughout the book? Even before her son dies. And what about when her husband mandates that she take a valium after she reveals the death of her sister for the first time? Ellie, the daughter, seems to be the only capable functioning member of society. And she'll need all the luck she can get.
September 17, 2009
pet semetary was a really good book. it was kind of sad when the cat got ran over and the little girl had to hear it from her mom and dad. its one of stephen kings good horror books and it also is a good movie
April 22, 2026
Next one on the list...reading King books in order.This is one of his scariest books IMO.The last half of the book was tense in a great SK way.
June 25, 2026
Interesting concept, and quite funny (and a bit scary) at times, but not sure yet whether King's writing style is for me.
July 4, 2026
This book was 10% scary and 90% rambling. Literally the middle 200 pages could be taken out and it would probably make it better.
October 2, 2026
The perfect book to kick off spooky season. “Hey-ho, let’s go.” 🐈⬛
September 30, 2026
Dark, gripping and really hard to put down. This was my first Stephen king novel and it did not disappoint.
March 27, 2026
Book Review: Pet Sematary by Stephen King
Rating: ★★★★☆
Many people approach Pet Sematary expecting a traditional horror novel filled with jump scares and creepy monsters. However, after finishing it, I found it much more effective when read as a piece of psychological literature—a profound character study on grief, the limits of human logic, and the defiance of the divine.
The Hypocrisy of Pragmatism
One of the most telling moments in the book occurs early on during a conversation between Louis and his wife, Rachel, regarding their daughter’s fear of death. At the time, Louis is the "voice of reason." He is calm, clinical, and almost dismissive, telling Rachel that death is a natural part of life that must be accepted. He views mortality through a strictly medical lens.
However, the core irony of the novel is that as soon as Louis is faced with a personal, "true horror" experience—the death of his son, Gage—his pragmatism completely vanishes. All his medical knowledge and stoic beliefs are overthrown by a primal, desperate need to undo the inevitable. It serves as a haunting reminder: never underestimate the power of a real-life experience to shatter your intellectual armor. Louis was only a pragmatist because he hadn't yet truly suffered.
The Logic of Madness
King masterfully illustrates how grief hijacks a logical brain. Instead of a sudden "snap," Louis treats the impossible task of resurrecting his son as a series of calculated options. He weighs "Option A" against "Option B," trying to rationalize a completely irrational act. To Louis, his descent isn't madness; it’s a desperate attempt to solve an unsolvable problem. This "calculated madness"—the doctor trying to "prescribe" a miracle—is far more unsettling than any ghost.
Psychological Horror vs. Supernatural Flaws
While the internal conflict is brilliant, I did find some "missing links" in the storytelling. Certain elements felt like convenient plot devices—such as the sudden onset of Louis's sleepwalking or the highly prophetic dreams experienced by his daughter, Ellie. At times, these supernatural interventions felt a bit pretentious or forced, acting as "short-cuts" to move the plot forward rather than emerging naturally from the characters' psychology. Similarly, the early mention of Jud Crandall as a "father figure" felt like a missed opportunity for deeper exploration given Louis's own background.
Defying the Divine
The religious undertones of the book are impossible to ignore. By beginning each section with biblical references, King highlights the friction between religious norms and human impulse. Louis and Rachel’s journey is essentially a defiance of the natural order. In a world where "God gives and God takes away," the Creeds attempt to take that power into their own hands, sacrificing their consciousness and sanity to reach for the impossible.
Final Thoughts
Is it scary? Not in the traditional sense. It is, however, deeply tragic. The core message—"Sometimes dead is better"—isn't just a warning about zombies; it’s a commentary on the cost of refusing to let go. If you are looking for a book that explores the mental struggle of handling the most desperate of emotions, Pet Sematary is a masterclass, even if some of the "horror" tropes along the way feel a bit inconsistent with the grounded psychological drama.
Rating: ★★★★☆
Many people approach Pet Sematary expecting a traditional horror novel filled with jump scares and creepy monsters. However, after finishing it, I found it much more effective when read as a piece of psychological literature—a profound character study on grief, the limits of human logic, and the defiance of the divine.
The Hypocrisy of Pragmatism
One of the most telling moments in the book occurs early on during a conversation between Louis and his wife, Rachel, regarding their daughter’s fear of death. At the time, Louis is the "voice of reason." He is calm, clinical, and almost dismissive, telling Rachel that death is a natural part of life that must be accepted. He views mortality through a strictly medical lens.
However, the core irony of the novel is that as soon as Louis is faced with a personal, "true horror" experience—the death of his son, Gage—his pragmatism completely vanishes. All his medical knowledge and stoic beliefs are overthrown by a primal, desperate need to undo the inevitable. It serves as a haunting reminder: never underestimate the power of a real-life experience to shatter your intellectual armor. Louis was only a pragmatist because he hadn't yet truly suffered.
The Logic of Madness
King masterfully illustrates how grief hijacks a logical brain. Instead of a sudden "snap," Louis treats the impossible task of resurrecting his son as a series of calculated options. He weighs "Option A" against "Option B," trying to rationalize a completely irrational act. To Louis, his descent isn't madness; it’s a desperate attempt to solve an unsolvable problem. This "calculated madness"—the doctor trying to "prescribe" a miracle—is far more unsettling than any ghost.
Psychological Horror vs. Supernatural Flaws
While the internal conflict is brilliant, I did find some "missing links" in the storytelling. Certain elements felt like convenient plot devices—such as the sudden onset of Louis's sleepwalking or the highly prophetic dreams experienced by his daughter, Ellie. At times, these supernatural interventions felt a bit pretentious or forced, acting as "short-cuts" to move the plot forward rather than emerging naturally from the characters' psychology. Similarly, the early mention of Jud Crandall as a "father figure" felt like a missed opportunity for deeper exploration given Louis's own background.
Defying the Divine
The religious undertones of the book are impossible to ignore. By beginning each section with biblical references, King highlights the friction between religious norms and human impulse. Louis and Rachel’s journey is essentially a defiance of the natural order. In a world where "God gives and God takes away," the Creeds attempt to take that power into their own hands, sacrificing their consciousness and sanity to reach for the impossible.
Final Thoughts
Is it scary? Not in the traditional sense. It is, however, deeply tragic. The core message—"Sometimes dead is better"—isn't just a warning about zombies; it’s a commentary on the cost of refusing to let go. If you are looking for a book that explores the mental struggle of handling the most desperate of emotions, Pet Sematary is a masterclass, even if some of the "horror" tropes along the way feel a bit inconsistent with the grounded psychological drama.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 20, 2021
And the most terrifying question of all may be just how much horror the human mind can stand and still maintain a wakeful, staring, unrelenting sanity.
Pet Sematary by Stephen King was my first audiobook ever. Maybe that's why this book didn't get a 5/5 from me. However, I do believe the rating is very accurate, and I've had a lot of time to collect my thoughts on this book.
When I started this book, I didn't have very high expectations of what was going to happen. Partly because it's my first King book, and I didn't want to raise my hopes up and end disappointed. But, this wasn't the case here.
As I began diving into the book, the storyline kept me hooked and intrigued. On a side note, the audiobook was done excellently. I knew what the story was about, but that didn't make me any less shocked when
I've heard people say Stephen King is too descriptive, so I ordered Misery and I'm really excited to give a review for another book of King. Only this time a paperback version of it.
All in all, I would recommend this book, since it shocked me and always left me wanting to know more. It's worth to mention that this book got me out of my reading slump, and honestly, I never believed books would scare me, but here we are. Happy reading!
August 15, 2019
I've read King before and he never really spoke to me. I know he's a pantser (like me) but he also comes from a time before the trend of tightly editing books down that I have noticed lately. Thus he tends to have a lot of scenes that could be eliminated without losing the story at all. That said, while this normally frustrates me, the mood of this book in particular benefited more than it suffered. From the moment the father resurrects the cat you know he's eventually going to try a person and you spend much of the book poised forward eagerly awaiting that eventuality. For the most part I enjoyed this lengthy anticipation. I enjoyed the MC as a character. He's flawed, but not despicable like many of King's characters. He's a dutiful father and a caring husband and neighbor.
That said, there were still places that dragged and as the ending unfolded I get a little annoyed with the pace because I had waited so long for it, and it was still taking it's sweet sweet time.
I have come to the conclusion from the King works I know that he might be afraid of kids and doesn't particularly like animals. I felt bad for Church, even when he was a zombie.
This might be my new favorite King. While it does suffer from the slow pace that often annoys me in his works I found the characters and suspense more enjoyable than usual and would recommend giving this one a look! I plan to do a full review over on my youtube channel.
That said, there were still places that dragged and as the ending unfolded I get a little annoyed with the pace because I had waited so long for it, and it was still taking it's sweet sweet time.
I have come to the conclusion from the King works I know that he might be afraid of kids and doesn't particularly like animals. I felt bad for Church, even when he was a zombie.
This might be my new favorite King. While it does suffer from the slow pace that often annoys me in his works I found the characters and suspense more enjoyable than usual and would recommend giving this one a look! I plan to do a full review over on my youtube channel.
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