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by Stephen King (Goodreads Author)

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Reading for the 3rd time

read in January 2025

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McDougReads said:

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

" “No good friends, no bad friends; only people you want, need to be with. People who build their houses in your heart.”

I love this book and I always will. It’s an emotional epic, crafter not only with the intention of scaring you, but also to make you “No good friends, no bad friends; only people you want, need to be with. People who build their houses in your heart.”

I love this book and I always will. It’s an emotional epic, crafter not only with the intention of scaring you, but also to make you feel. Feel the bond between the Losers Club. Feel the fear of the town of Derry. Feel the absolute love between the characters and fear the hatred and unspeakable evil of the thing that lurks in the sewers.

I have to talk about my problems with the book first, and give a few controversial opinions because I think ending reviews on a high note are always the way to go.

The ending is the most obvious flaw. The whole book sets up such a beautiful bond and true loyalty between the members of the Losers Club. And then they all forget again. If the book had ended after it’s 23rd chapter, with the blood oath, and the Losers returning to the town house, accepting their pasts, it would have been perfect. But to have them forget everything just feels wrong. The film did the ending better. They remembered everything and still went on living happy lives. It also handles the reactions to certain character deaths better, I thought with Richie absolutely devastated by Eddie’s death and everyone taking a lot of time thinking about poor Stan.

And then the other big problem, I don’t think that really needs mentioning but I will anyway, is a certain scene in the sewers where certain characters do a certain thing that may have served a purpose in the narrative, but still wasn’t pleasant to read.

But those are my only real problems. Because for the most part, this book is perfect. The way it develops the characters, makes you truly care for them. That is a must in all horror media, otherwise who cares what characters die? The whole Losers Club/Bowers Gang rivalry is a nice touch to add to the realism of all of this. Getting terrorised by bullies for being different. Just an extra little sense of terror in there.

And IT, the creature, was handled so well. Not enough is given away to take away from the terror, but we still learn enough that we can see what this thing is and what it is capable of. One of my favourite villains of all time for sure.

I might edit this later to break down a lot more of the story, but I think for now, this is enough. I do have to say though, my favourite piece of IT media is the 2017 film. Is that blasphemous? I mean, it’s a popular film pretty widely for sure, but for me to say it’s better than the book???

Stephen King #1 ...more "

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(page 55 of 1067)
— Jun 18, 2026 09:11AM

Sep 27, 2025 06:31AM · see review