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Pet Sematary
Audio Cassette
Published February 1, 2001
About the author
Stephen King
2,237 books894k followersStephen Edwin King was born the second son of Donald and Nellie Ruth Pillsbury King. After his father left them when Stephen was two, he and his older brother, David, were raised by his mother. Parts of his childhood were spent in Fort Wayne, Indiana, where his father's family was at the time, and in Stratford, Connecticut. When Stephen was eleven, his mother brought her children back to Durham, Maine, for good. Her parents, Guy and Nellie Pillsbury, had become incapacitated with old age, and Ruth King was persuaded by her sisters to take over the physical care of them. Other family members provided a small house in Durham and financial support. After Stephen's grandparents passed away, Mrs. King found work in the kitchens of Pineland, a nearby residential facility for the mentally challenged.
Stephen attended the grammar school in Durham and Lisbon Falls High School, graduating in 1966. From his sophomore year at the University of Maine at Orono, he wrote a weekly column for the school newspaper, THE MAINE CAMPUS. He was also active in student politics, serving as a member of the Student Senate. He came to support the anti-war movement on the Orono campus, arriving at his stance from a conservative view that the war in Vietnam was unconstitutional. He graduated in 1970, with a B.A. in English and qualified to teach on the high school level. A draft board examination immediately post-graduation found him 4-F on grounds of high blood pressure, limited vision, flat feet, and punctured eardrums.
He met Tabitha Spruce in the stacks of the Fogler Library at the University, where they both worked as students; they married in January of 1971. As Stephen was unable to find placement as a teacher immediately, the Kings lived on his earnings as a laborer at an industrial laundry, and her student loan and savings, with an occasional boost from a short story sale to men's magazines.
Stephen made his first professional short story sale ("The Glass Floor") to Startling Mystery Stories in 1967. Throughout the early years of his marriage, he continued to sell stories to men's magazines. Many were gathered into the Night Shift collection or appeared in other anthologies.
In the fall of 1971, Stephen began teaching English at Hampden Academy, the public high school in Hampden, Maine. Writing in the evenings and on the weekends, he continued to produce short stories and to work on novels.
Stephen attended the grammar school in Durham and Lisbon Falls High School, graduating in 1966. From his sophomore year at the University of Maine at Orono, he wrote a weekly column for the school newspaper, THE MAINE CAMPUS. He was also active in student politics, serving as a member of the Student Senate. He came to support the anti-war movement on the Orono campus, arriving at his stance from a conservative view that the war in Vietnam was unconstitutional. He graduated in 1970, with a B.A. in English and qualified to teach on the high school level. A draft board examination immediately post-graduation found him 4-F on grounds of high blood pressure, limited vision, flat feet, and punctured eardrums.
He met Tabitha Spruce in the stacks of the Fogler Library at the University, where they both worked as students; they married in January of 1971. As Stephen was unable to find placement as a teacher immediately, the Kings lived on his earnings as a laborer at an industrial laundry, and her student loan and savings, with an occasional boost from a short story sale to men's magazines.
Stephen made his first professional short story sale ("The Glass Floor") to Startling Mystery Stories in 1967. Throughout the early years of his marriage, he continued to sell stories to men's magazines. Many were gathered into the Night Shift collection or appeared in other anthologies.
In the fall of 1971, Stephen began teaching English at Hampden Academy, the public high school in Hampden, Maine. Writing in the evenings and on the weekends, he continued to produce short stories and to work on novels.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
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 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!⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
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!
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.
February 18, 2026
Tragic tale of grief. makes you dread what you know is coming. Listened on audio book and Michael C Halls portrayal is chilling.
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.
November 24, 2025
Ini tuh buku karya beliau yang pertama kali aku baca. Sebebnernya udah tertarik dari lama buat baca karya-karya beliau, tapi sebenernya aku kurang suka sama cerita horor ala barat, soalnya gak begitu nyeremin, gak ada hantunya. Cerita horor ala barat tuh biasanya lebih ke 'ngeri' yaa.. dari pada 'menyeramkan', makanya aku kurang suka. Yaa tapi aku juga kurang suka sama genre horor sih >.<
Buku ini tuh alurnya lambaaatt banget, pantesan ada 300+ halaman. Hal yang aku suka dari buku ini tuh ada satirnya, dan deskripsi tentang perasaan yang dialami tokoh utamanya tuh detail banget. Bikin aku bisa ngerasain gimana 'ngeri' dan 'takut' nya si tokoh utama. Dan deskripsiinnya itu looh, tepat banget! Apalagi mengenai 'kematian' dan buat apa acara setelah 'pemakaman' orang yang meninggal tuh.
Jujur, aku kurang suka sama akhir ceritanya, rasanya kayak kurang puas. Ibarat makanan, kayak makan bakso tapi kurang gurih. Mungkin karena aku menolak ide si tokoh utama di akhir yaa.. makanya kurang ngerasa puas. Tapi buku ini bagus buat nemenin bulan November yang 'spooky-spooky' gimanaaa gitu.
Buku ini tuh alurnya lambaaatt banget, pantesan ada 300+ halaman. Hal yang aku suka dari buku ini tuh ada satirnya, dan deskripsi tentang perasaan yang dialami tokoh utamanya tuh detail banget. Bikin aku bisa ngerasain gimana 'ngeri' dan 'takut' nya si tokoh utama. Dan deskripsiinnya itu looh, tepat banget! Apalagi mengenai 'kematian' dan buat apa acara setelah 'pemakaman' orang yang meninggal tuh.
Jujur, aku kurang suka sama akhir ceritanya, rasanya kayak kurang puas. Ibarat makanan, kayak makan bakso tapi kurang gurih. Mungkin karena aku menolak ide si tokoh utama di akhir yaa.. makanya kurang ngerasa puas. Tapi buku ini bagus buat nemenin bulan November yang 'spooky-spooky' gimanaaa gitu.
October 18, 2025
I wasn't sure what I was getting into when I began this book. It was a very, very slow build-up, but it takes a build-up like this to reach an ending it had.
I really enjoyed this book, despite waiting for what felt like forever for "something" to happen. Its stories such as this are about the journey it takes you on, but the ending is where the real intensity lies.
I loved the character building in this novel. The characters felt real and believable. Jud felt like an old, caring relative to me, and his character brought me a lot of comfort. There is a lot of tragedy with moments of friendship sprinkled in.
... maybe I'll play a hand or two of solitaire. I might beware of the Queen of Spades, however.
"You think you are screaming, but it's only the sound of the loons, down south, in Prospect. The sound carries. It's funny."
I really enjoyed this book, despite waiting for what felt like forever for "something" to happen. Its stories such as this are about the journey it takes you on, but the ending is where the real intensity lies.
I loved the character building in this novel. The characters felt real and believable. Jud felt like an old, caring relative to me, and his character brought me a lot of comfort. There is a lot of tragedy with moments of friendship sprinkled in.
... maybe I'll play a hand or two of solitaire. I might beware of the Queen of Spades, however.
"You think you are screaming, but it's only the sound of the loons, down south, in Prospect. The sound carries. It's funny."
March 14, 2026
I was in a book slump and SK books are typically my "go to" when I need a good book to fill some time. I appreciated that at the beginning of the audiobook, he discussed the personal connection to this story, which helped me get excited about it when I saw how he wove real life into fiction. It also helped me see what was coming, so I was able to prepare myself for it and he wrote it in a way to lessen the sting of the "worst fear ever." The story, though dark, was powerful in its message and the characters were easy to connect with. This was easily added to my list of favorite SK novels because of the perspective. His best novels have good lessons, and this one is not an exception.
April 17, 2026
I read Pet Sematary for the first time back in high school or college (long time ago lol), and re-read it every year or two. As with many of King’s novels, it’s a slow burn. So much of this story is character development, you get to know the Creeds, Jud and even Church the cat. When the “action” does finally play out, you feel that it’s really happening, you feel what the characters feel because you know them so well. Reading this as a parent, the “what would I do” sends shivers down my spine.
PS I’ve never seen the movies but I’ve heard they aren’t good. The book, as almost always, is so much better.
PS I’ve never seen the movies but I’ve heard they aren’t good. The book, as almost always, is so much better.
September 30, 2025
My FIRST EVER Stephen King book! I absolutely loved this full circle story and the themes that it tackles. Don't get me wrong, a lot of the parts were unsettling, creepy, and not fun to read but it was SO captivating! I love the concept. The horror genre in general loves to play off grief and the emotions that come with that but this book stood out to me as more unique than that. A breeze to read through and I can't wait to read my next book by him. I'm just nervous I may have started with one of the best ones! We shall see..
February 18, 2026
wow WOW WoW WOW ...
primo libro di stephen king che ho letto e sicuramente non l'ultimo!!!
mi ha tenuta incollata dalla prima all'ultima pagina e anche quando non lo stavo leggendo non riuscivo a fare a meno di pensare ai personaggi. ho amato tutto e tutto dall'inizio alla fine e adesso sto solo pensando a fare una rilettura ...
primo libro di stephen king che ho letto e sicuramente non l'ultimo!!!
mi ha tenuta incollata dalla prima all'ultima pagina e anche quando non lo stavo leggendo non riuscivo a fare a meno di pensare ai personaggi. ho amato tutto e tutto dall'inizio alla fine e adesso sto solo pensando a fare una rilettura ...
February 22, 2026
Extremely grim and has a lot of Stephen king-ism rants/random stories that can get burdensome on binge reads which made this a tough book to get through for a while, but eventually found myself being unable to put it down and is a real page turner. Thematically love this book and I think will stick with me a while, very interesting idea and concept. Closer to 3.5/5 then 4/5
March 27, 2026
I felt like the first half was a little slow, but the way it accelerated in the second half and especially the last quarter actually made it even scarier. I was horrified for sure, this is such a creepy concept because of how we all feel that potential to do the same I think. Won’t be reading anymore horror for a while lol
April 18, 2026
Me encanto... Stephen king nunca decepciona y la forma de narrar el suspenso es completamente atrapante. Aparte deja la duda justa para uno imaginarse un poco el final.. o tener dudas.
La esposa de Jud, cuando describío Lou que tenía un aliento mortecino .. será que también fue una de las que pasaron por aquel lugar ??
La esposa de Jud, cuando describío Lou que tenía un aliento mortecino .. será que también fue una de las que pasaron por aquel lugar ??
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 25, 2026
The world building in this novel is absolutely fantastic, a bit slow paced at times but then again the attachment you form with the characters wouldn't be as great otherwise.
It would've been 5/5 for me... if it wasn't such a blatantly racist premise against indigenous peoples. The burial grounds could've just been ancient and Eldritch in nature, and that would've been enough.
It would've been 5/5 for me... if it wasn't such a blatantly racist premise against indigenous peoples. The burial grounds could've just been ancient and Eldritch in nature, and that would've been enough.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 11, 2025
The build up of this book was long, almost too long. All of the action takes place in the last 100 pages, leaving the ending feeling a bit rushed. But definitely an interesting and gruesome story line. Classic King.
October 13, 2025
This is an incredible book. I haven't read much King yet, but this is one of my favourite horror stories overall. Incredible, thrilling, psychological, tragic, and horrific all at once.
October 14, 2025
Horrifically sad and scary and traumatizing but as it’s usual with Stephen king it is well written and impossible to put down.
November 13, 2025
“Hey Ho, Let’s go”
Truly the king of storytelling. This wasn’t very scary but I was fully immersed in the characters and their experience. Such a long big build up but worth it.
Truly the king of storytelling. This wasn’t very scary but I was fully immersed in the characters and their experience. Such a long big build up but worth it.
January 23, 2026
I watched the movie a few times so u knew what I was in for but the book if way better then the movie it always is.
It may be a long build up the the scary stuff but it’s so worth it.
It may be a long build up the the scary stuff but it’s so worth it.
February 1, 2026
Twisted, dark and disturbing. Pet Sematary explores themes of grief and loss, and the refusal to let go. A novel only Stephen King can conjure.
February 22, 2026
Worst book I have ever read
March 2, 2026
Honestly, a difficult book to read for anybody who has experienced any sort of grief. Fantastic writing though and a great ending.
March 19, 2026
Not as scary for me, I think, because I saw the movie so many times. Obviously it's a little different than the movie, and the book is way better. Stephen King books just check every box for me!
March 22, 2026
one of Stephen King's best books. I wish I knew what happened to them afterwards though, the epilogue didn't provide enough information
March 23, 2026
Սա ինչ էր...
Մտածում էի սկզբում գիրքը շատ ձգձգված ու հիմնական սյուժեին քիչ էջ ա հատկացված, բայց վերջաբանից հետո ամեն ինչ տեղն ընկավ... հերթական 5/5 գործը Քինգից
Մտածում էի սկզբում գիրքը շատ ձգձգված ու հիմնական սյուժեին քիչ էջ ա հատկացված, բայց վերջաբանից հետո ամեն ինչ տեղն ընկավ... հերթական 5/5 գործը Քինգից
March 31, 2026
A page turner, for sure.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews