Tuesday, October 27, 2015

#SalemAlong (it's over for me)

 
I am sad to say---it's over.
I've finished the book---and now my read-a-long time is done.
I'm taking my vampire teeth and moving on.
(Thanks for the vampire teeth Melissa --- they sat beside my computer every day while I listened to the audio version of the book. )
 
 
 
I know I'm a few days earlier in writing my post, but I am headed off to a little mini-vacation tomorrow.
This is the 2nd Stephen King Read-a-long I've participated in and it's been so much fun.
Besides making a few new friends,  I've discovered many blogs that I was unfamiliar with. There are so many amazing book lovers out there.
So, besides a good, fun read, thanks for exposing me to new people, new blogs, new friends Melissa, Care and Trish
(the co-hosts of this read-a-long)
 
My thoughts on Salem's Lot?
It was a GREAT October read!
It was my first time reading it and I was once again caught up in the characters in King's book.
I know he is the king (King is a king?) of setting up apprehension and fear, but he is also the king of character development---and I LOVE that.
You know his characters and then he slowly starts to set up the scene so that you are drawn in and before you know it--you really do want to put your book in the freezer!!
He can scare the poop out of you by his words!
 
He can also set the scene. Makes you understand where you are in a story....
 
""The town knew about darkness."
"The town has its secrets, and keeps them well."
 
Maybe he doesn't so much as set a scene but he makes you think of the place/scene as a whole separate character?  Perhaps.
 
One of the secrets is, of course, a vampire.
Not your teeny-bobber vampire (sorry Twilight) or your cheesy Barnabus Collins-type vampire  ( YES, I am really THAT old. Dark Shadows was my favorite after-school fright when I was 11), but this was a creepy, evil BAD vampire!
I have not read Dracula, but understand there a lot of comparisons.
I think one of our hosts is going to do a comparison post (Trish?), and I'm excited to hear what she has to say.
 
I didn't realize how much I loved a good scary read until this month.
When's the next Read-a-Long?
 
 
 
From Goodreads:
'Salem's Lot is a small New England town with white clapboard houses, tree-lined streets, and solid church steeples. That summer in 'Salem's Lot was a summer of home-coming and return; spring burned out and the land lying dry, crackling underfoot. Late that summer, Ben Mears returned to 'Salem's Lot hoping to cast out his own devils... and found instead a new unspeakable horror.

A stranger had also come to the Lot, a stranger with a secret as old as evil, a secret that would wreak irreparable harm on those he touched and in turn on those they loved.

All would be changed forever—Susan, whose love for Ben could not protect her; Father Callahan, the bad priest who put his eroded faith to one last test; and Mark, a young boy who sees his fantasy world become reality and ironically proves the best equipped to handle the relentless nightmare of 'Salem's Lot.
 

5 comments:

bermudaonion said...

When I read your posts like this, it always makes me want to join in the read-along. One of these days... Have fun on your trip!

Stefanie said...

Oh boy you are a courageous one. I have never read King nor ever plan to. I'm a scaredy-cat, says the reader whose mum was forced to watch The Exorcist while I was in the womb. I'm jealous you're heading off to a mini holiday. School had no holidays this month but can't wait for November for Veteran's Day and all of Thanksgiving week off.

Melissa (Avid Reader) said...

It was so good! I'm so glad we read it in October and did it as a group. King is just excellent at creating the perfect atmosphere. My post will be up tomorrow morning!

Care said...

Love it! Great review, glad you participated! Kingalongs are wonderful. I really might need a break (?!) but I bet I will get sucked into a readalong in 2016. I always said I wouldn't read Pet Sematary and I did. and I REALLY was NOT that interested in Salem's Lot and I think I might have it as a top 3!!! yikes. timing was good. ;P

Kay said...

Nice teeth! And I totally concur on all your points. Love the town quotes. Just a couple of sentences and the darkness is highlighted for the reader. Enjoy your trip!

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