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Carrie++
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Carrie was the odd one at school; the one whose reflexes were always off in games, whose clothes never really fit, who never got the point of a joke. And so she became the joke, the brunt of teenaged cruelties that puzzled her as much as they wounded her.
There was hardly any comfort in playing her private game, because like so many things in Carrie's life, it was sinful. Or so her mother said. Carrie could make things move--by concentrating on them, by willing them to move. Small things, like marbles, would start dancing. Or a candle would fall. A door would lock. This was her game, her power, her sin, firmly repressed like everything else about Carrie.
One act of kindness, as spontaneous as the vicious jokes of her classmates, offered Carrie a new look at herself the fateful night of her senior prom. But another act--of furious cruelty--forever changed things and turned her clandestine game in to a weapon of horror and destruction.
She made a lighted candle fall, and she locked the doors...
Also see: Alternate Cover Editions for this ISBN [ACE] ACE #1
~
Carrie was the odd one at school; the one whose reflexes were always off in games, whose clothes never really fit, who never got the point of a joke. And so she became the joke, the brunt of teenaged cruelties that puzzled her as much as they wounded her.
There was hardly any comfort in playing her private game, because like so many things in Carrie's life, it was sinful. Or so her mother said. Carrie could make things move--by concentrating on them, by willing them to move. Small things, like marbles, would start dancing. Or a candle would fall. A door would lock. This was her game, her power, her sin, firmly repressed like everything else about Carrie.
One act of kindness, as spontaneous as the vicious jokes of her classmates, offered Carrie a new look at herself the fateful night of her senior prom. But another act--of furious cruelty--forever changed things and turned her clandestine game in to a weapon of horror and destruction.
She made a lighted candle fall, and she locked the doors...
Also see: Alternate Cover Editions for this ISBN [ACE] ACE #1
~
Hardcover
Published January 1, 1974
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
December 5, 2019
Bought a nice looking hardcover of this for a few bucks, turns out it was a first edition (not first printing, however), and thought I'd give it a try. I didn't know that this was Stephen King's first published novel, and that it was a hit from the start. I can totally see why. It's a fun read, total page turner. Definitely recommend to anyone looking to have a good time.
April 7, 2017
Though it has aged poorly in some aspects, this is the novel that started it all. The epistolary formatting of the book makes many of the characters and events feel cold, which can be a negative when trying to appeal to audiences. I quite enjoyed the court room scenes and experts from fictional telekinesis specialists.
The writing of the finale is masterful. None of the three film adaptations have come close to reaching the terror created within that prom scene in the gym.
The writing of the finale is masterful. None of the three film adaptations have come close to reaching the terror created within that prom scene in the gym.
August 6, 2025
I wanted to read some Stephen King, so I figured this was a good place to start. This seems like a really strong effort for a young writer (I believe he was 26) and I can see why he has had such a long career if this was his first novel. While there are some issues here and there, it’s a good and quick read. You could tackle this in a day easily.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews