Salem's Lot - Book 2 > Likes and Comments

Discuss Salem's Lot here. Please mark all spoilers for those reading along.

After reading King books since I was a teenager in the 1980’s, starting with Pet Semetary, The Talisman, and The Stand, I’ve decided to start reading the book in publishing order. I’m about 3/4 of the way through The Shining, so I tread Salem’s Lot prior. I have to say, after a breakthrough novel like Carrie, his second book being about vampires was a bravely safe choice to write about.

Cool 😎 I really enjoyed this one ☝️!

Aiming to join the readalong this month, my first time with yall, and my first time with this book.

I think this is the first time I'm reading King's books in the correct order. It's also the first time I notice the similarities between Carrie and 'Salem's Lot. They somehow share a similar tone, don't they?

I am absolutely loving the book. I hear it is connected in some way to the Dark Tower, of which I’m currently on book 3. My favourite character so far is the priest. I have yet to see the film/series adaptations of this books. Which adaption is most faithful in your opinion?

I'm anxious to read Salem's Lot again .... It was my first King read while I lived in Kansas. I was 21 .... it will be interesting to see what I think of it now that I'm 68!

Still need to back track and read a lot of King's older works. I've read everything from Duma Key and beyond. This year I'm branching out to other authors.

Never read. Count me in!

I read this book a couple of months ago and thoroughly enjoyed it. Subsequently, I watched both the old and the new movie adaptations. While the old movie was indeed entertaining, I found the new one lacking. The nail-biting suspense that keeps me turning the pages one by one is somehow always missing in King’s adaptation.

I've slotted it in for this month. Love this idea of reading them in chronological order, which is how I originally read them as they came out. This is one of my favorites.

R. wrote: "I am absolutely loving the book. I hear it is connected in some way to the Dark Tower, of which I’m currently on book 3. My favourite character so far is the priest. I have yet to see the film/seri..."

The original 70"s version with David Soul is the best in my opinion, by far,

Starting the book this weekend!!

Started and so enjoying it..about 10% ...Have never read this one....I also dont think I have seen the movies....

I own a copy of this book, but have not started reading it yet, so this is perfect timing.

Looking forward to starting this one soon

Ok, so this is my first readalong with the group. Do we discuss the book here? Spoilers maybe marked? Or is there a different thread for that, orare we just reading together, but not necessarily commenting? By the way, i dont really have much to say except that i finally cracked open the book and read up to like Chapter 2 (yes, the Susan chapter). Enjoying it so far. Will probably have to pause it though/read less until September actually, because i have other books to read and return first. But i wanted to check it out and also read somethi g different for a few minutes, because my current book has been a bit of a drag. Shrug

making good progress....about 30%....I am always amazed at SK skill to write in such a way that you feel like you are part of the story....almost like hovering above the scene.....
I just finished reading the funeral scene....I know in other books there are religion references....
does anyone know of what faith he was raised in....I know his daughter is a minister....

Rosina wrote: "...does anyone know of what faith he was raised in..."

Methodist

10% of the way through and what a thrill, so far. Really enjoying the characters and visualising the story unfold. So far, so good.

Thanks Michael!

I finished and really enjoyed this story. I had stayed away from reading it because I thought it would be really scary. I didn't find that it was scary. It was a great story. I just love SK writing and how he can make me see the scenes....I find not many writers can do that for me.

See you for the next read.

Salem’s Lot is my favorite King book. This was a great opportunity to read it again. I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve stayed awake late into the night with this one. As someone who has loved Dracula since I was a child, the Lot is the only vampire book that’s rivaled that old gem. Every character’s voice is rich. The descriptions of settings transport me.

Rosina wrote: "I just finished reading the funeral scene....I know in other books there are religion references..."

I'm not much past the funeral scene myself, and I thought it was the best part of the book so far.

Wasn’t too much of a fan of this one. That’s ok. Not all passes are touchdowns.

I read this when I was 13yrs old, and reading it again for the first time since then.
I'm absolutely riveted, reminds of why I love SK.

The funeral scene was heartbreaking and then scary af! Trying to finish this soon so I can keep up!

I find it very interessting how the funeral scene seems to be a landmark of that book. Most of us are obviously moved by it.

Trying to catch up this month! Still haven't gotten to the (view spoiler)[vampires yet (hide spoiler)], but it started to get creepy with the boys (view spoiler)[walking in the woods that night to their friend's house! (hide spoiler)] Exciting!

Nearing the finish line now. While there were moments where i felt it slow a little, overall it is a pretty decent pace and interesting. More on the entertainment side, it does have some poinient moments. I particularly like Matt's strategizing speech about hunting vampires (or like any sociopath, really) in ch 19, and Father Callahan's points to Marks father about his close mindedness and then facetiously, about Henry's willingness to bend in the previous chapter.


Edit: oh, the funeral scene from the sort of beginning? Took me a minute to realize what yall meant! It was actually annoying to me and i skimmed through it quickly, but it did paint the picture. It is just that it really slowed the pace and felt unnecesary. I mean, if this were a script for a screenplay, might be different. I dont know! Actually, i cant even recall who died. Oh was it the brother? Anyway, was unremarkable to me. Shrug

Adding the comment that I once again watched the movie after I read the story and really loved the movie over the book, so there’s that.