@South Loki That really depends on the individual persons Maturity. There is a very brief sex scene between husband and wife ,like a few sentences, and some adult language. But over all 16+ should be fine with it.
I finished it a few days ago and I was more frustrated then grossed or scared. Yeah, it's terrible and horrifying to think about a zombie cat hanging around your kids, but I don't have any. I will give King props for making deaths memorable but I'm also daring King to scar me. So... I may end up trying to read 'It' because I hate clowns and the new movie awoke that mother bear mode in me.
@@zoebrugg7594I red the book in highschool and it didnt really grab me...I picked it up again recently as a parent to a toddler who likes to take off in any random direction...this book now haunts me
I think the scariest part of this book is Jud's story of the reanimated soldier who the locals visited and how he would laugh and scream about all the dark secrets of the villagers. It had a very Lovecraftian feel to it.
I think one of the great things about SK's writing is that he understands how emotion effects behavior. This book is a really good example of how grief can affect people and result in bad decisions. I think this book is underrated. Thanks for the review.
Yes sir. He has a reputation of a guy who only scares us, but his examination of human reaction to said scary things is what makes it unique and brilliant.
There is a feel good part in this book - a really honest and authentic part that warms your heart. It‘s when Lou and Gage go flying kite. King captured this moment so amazingly and real that it hits so much harder in the follow up.
My sister lost her 11 year old daughter to cancer a couple years ago. This book absolutely hits the nail on the head when it comes to loss. I've seen first hand what it did to my sister. Two years later and she's doing a lot better. The best that you she can considering the situation. I read this book for the first time a few months ago, and it was a gut punch! It's such a fantastic book though.
@@Galvatronover no i think they’re referring to the lil section or a page or two pages we had where Louis thinks of Gage being old n great at swimming…
The final 100 pages of the book made me feel sick, and when i finished it i felt like my head cant let go of this story, its still haunts me, thanks for the review, Needed that.
Had to come here 10 minutes after finishing it and I feel compelled to share whatever I'm feeling before it diminishes away forever. It feels like I've witnessed firsthand, page by page of a man suffering from grief to the point of insanity. It's scary how thoroughly the subject of grief has been explored in this book. I normally don't get nightmares from reading horror but the manner of Mr King's prose truly prodded my imagination, teasing it, making me come up with my extensions of Mr Creed's thoughts and emotions, making it personal. In the end i'm left with a feeling of melancholia and pity for the characters involved, It truly could happen to just about anyone and for me personally, the line that gave me goosebumps was when he asked himself "How could I have been so stupid?" The implication of that line, the introspection, the final strand of sanity coursing through him to make it right and to watch it snap so slowly and brutally was a masterclass in storytelling. I just felt so numb reading the final portion of the book, I believe that was exactly how Creed felt. Numb, holding on to a final hope that is the alternative to life and death. The book wasn't holding back when it posed the question; “The most terrifying question of all may be just how much horror the human mind can stand and still maintain a wakeful, staring, unrelenting sanity.”
I just finished this book last weekend, and I loved it, as much as it scared me. I knew absolutely nothing about it, my wife got it for me because it had a cat on the cover and she knows I wanted to read more Stephen King books. That said, it absolutely scared the hell out of me, but touched on a very sensitive topic for me. As a father who had to bury their child (8 years ago now), I did not expect the twist that was coming, and by the time I saw what was coming it felt like a punch to the gut. King's writing always takes a while for me to get started, but by then he has drawn me in with emotional weight, where I HAVE to keep turning the pages to find out what happens. It's like a trainwreck in motion, you can't look away. I felt every emotion Louis felt, understood them to my core, and I doubt I would have done anything different. The dream he had about Gage's future, I felt that, and the opportunity to make that dream come true would have driven me to the same actions Louis took. Great review, I just discovered your channel, so I'm looking forward to seeing more of your video's!
Absolutely one of my all time favorites. I think for me I felt more sadness and anxiety reading Pet Semetary than I did actual fear. Either way King did an amazing job of making the reader feel all those emotions the characters in the story were feeling....great review!
for me (I‘m 21) the real horror of this book wasn‘t really "somebody died, how do you deal with that?" bur rather that one knew upfront what was going to happen to the kid, but still really wanted for that not to come true. made me so anxious!
Man, THIS is the review I've been waiting for! This is the story that got me into Stephen King, I mean my god, when I read this I was hooked in a huge way. I actually saw the film first opening night in 1989 at the tender age of 8, with my oldest sister. It terrified me so bad, I had nightmares for weeks, and I ended up not being able to push myself to watch it again, for another 5 years, the film scarred me that bad. Anyway, fast forward to my mid teens and I'm a huge horror junkie and finally watch it again, and love every second of it. That was what pushed me to read the novel, and I belonged to Stephen King from that point forward. It is now my favorite book and movie of all time. Fun fact, this book was published on my Birthday that's coming up, November 14th! I always thought that was so cool.
@@bl.gabe- Oh absoulutely. First, the book is much darker than both films, and theres alot in the book that never made it on film. I highly recommend the novel.
My #1 favorite book. It helped me learn to process grief as a child and again as an adult, honestly. My Mom saw the movie in the theater when she was about 7 Months pregnant with me and it gave her horrible nightmares, so I guess I have loved it from the beginning lol I would definitely recommend reading "The Monkey's Paw"; it's a short story and a great read. But I would never say that Pet Sematary is "just a re-telling" of it. Pet Sematary is far longer, much more fleshed-out lore behind what is going on, and the character exploration and the deep exploration of grief you get in Pet Sematary is not present in "The Monkey's Paw". The terror in the "The Monkey's Paw" comes more from what you yourself are envisioning might be at the door. With Pet Sematary, Stephen King opens the door and shows us that what is standing there is even worse than we were imagining, a very difficult feat.
As I was reading this my grandpa died and I seriously think this book helped me process his passing, though I don’t think I ever will fully process it. It was very intense.
I read this book for this first time about a month ago. I have to say it was one of the most terrifying stories that I have ever read. I lost my father when I was 7, and I think the feelings and emotions that I saw the Creed family going through in this book really reminded me of a dark time in my life, which made this story hit differently. I really do agree with Mike that this story made me feel like I needed to take a shower at some points. One of the weirdest things I still can't explain about this book is how the feeling of eerieness grew as I progressed in the story. Thanks for the great review, Mike!
Yeah, it made me think of my aunt who passed away when I was a teenager when I first read it, but after having kids it just hit a new level of depth for me. It's what makes re-reading his books so special. It'll hit you differently depending on where you're at in life.
Most definitely his scariest - I read this when my son was Gage’s age and it really got to me. He is the master of emotion. One of my favourites. I gave a copy of this novel to my cousin who wanted to get into King and she became a fan straight away.
This is one of my all time favorite books from Stephen King and also one of my favorite movies. Well, the 1989 movie. I saw the movie first and it was "All about the scares" when I was about 9 or so. I have read this book a bunch of times and as I've gotten older and while I don't have children of my own, I think of my nieces who I'm really close to and that book is all the more scary and horrifying when I think about how devastating that loss would be. And I can relate to Ellie because I have a cat. And Zelda... There are no words for how scary she was. I agree with you in that the humans in this book are scarier. She still scares me and 'm in my mid 30's. Lol!
I think people lose sight of what this book was about. It’s not about the supernatural elements. It’s about grief and loss…and how we deal with those things as humans.
This one is definitely a gut punch. The creeping dread and the paralyzing sense of loss make this stand out amidst an impressive catalogue. Really enjoyed your breakdown of this one and am, as always, looking forward to the next!
You started with my favorite passage from the book!!!! I appreciate that King has always been transparent about doing his own version of 'Dracula' (Salem's Lot) or 'Monkey's Paw' (Pet Sematary) and borrowing ideas to make them his own. This book continually messes me up even without kids, so God forbid in that regard according to my little brother who recently re-read after having one. My favorite King book at the moment (yeah, it's been usurped by IT & THE STAND many times), but they do go back and forth in my Top 3. About to re-watch that delightful film. Cheers Sai!
I go 1)IT 2) The Stand 3) Pet Sematary and then the rest seem to fluctuate by the damn day. And it's the 3rd time I've used that passage on this channel. I just love it so much. It represents horror and the human reaction to it 100% perfectly.
Jaime, will the Horror Show be making any special videos, for this book's 37th anniversary next week, or are we gonna have to wait till the 40th in 2023?
I really hope you've read or listened to "the Monkey's Paw" by now. It's not a full blown novel, but rather a short story. The difference between it and "Pet Sematary" is that the resurrected person isn't shown/appears to the living, but imagined. It's a great example of "nothing is scarier."
I read this at 13 or 14 y.o. when it came out. It wasn’t quite my first King book, I had read at least Carrie, Cujo, Salem’s Lot and the Shining at the time, but I wasn’t prepared for how scary he could get. I haven’t reread it, yet, but many scenes still haunt me to this day.
This is a great review but you left out a crucial part of it - the Wendigo. What made this creepy for me is how much all of this was probably out of their control. The Wendigo had been waiting for such a long time for a suitable family to move in and then set the ball in motion. Louis says it himself in the end of the novel, he's being played, all of them, by this demonic force but his grief is too much. When we hear the truck driver's evidence that he couldn't help but speed up as he travelled closer to their house, you get the idea. The walk through the woods is incredibly scary because of that supernatural element. That's what really struck me, Louis, the man of science, his secular wife equally avoiding any talk of the after life because of Zelda, they are just toys to this ancient supernatural force that doesn't give two f**** about labs and penicillin and automatic transportation and the modern world in general. By the way - King actually quotes Monkey Paw in one part of the novel!
This is book was the first that I read from Stephen King. For me this book was like medicine. I lost my wife this January, she was 37, I am 42. the book describes the path that the loss of the loved one can take you.
This was the last Stephen King book I ever read. I was 15 when this came out and I got the book for Christmas - finished it before before New Years. It freaked me out so badly that I never read another King novel. I've seen many of the movies and tv shows, but no more of the books.
I remember reading this in high school, took it to my aunt's house for a family function. I went to her basement to read in quit, I started getting freaked out so ended up reading upstairs around my whole family. Was to scared to read in basement alone. 😆
Great review! This certainly brings back memories from high school. During the summers, I would read piles of books, and made my way through a good chunk of King's work. This book in particular certainly left an impression. Thanks for sharing this !
Best last word of a book ever!! The ending of this book and Thinner are hands down are the best endings of all time. Loved this book. In my top 10 and I’m 60 and read a book a week.
Yep I 100% didn't buy a house after I saw a huge truck fly down a road right nearby. So this one totally stayed with me. It was my first SK probably 18 years ago now and I'm totally hyped for a re-read.
Excellent video! I’m looking forward to reading this. I have it. Just haven’t got to it yet. I really love The Monkey’s Paw. It’s one of my favourite older horror tales! Cheers! 🙈
@@mikesbookreviews There’s actually a really cool book that I bought at Barnes & Noble a few years ago. It’s called HP Lovecraft Selects Classic Horror Stories. It’s a collection of works from some of the authors that influenced HP. The Monkey’s Paw is in it. It’s a cool book, you’d likely enjoy it.
This is easily in my top 10 King books and I think it’s one of the scariest “good” books that I’ve ever read. I read it only once, and that was back when it came out, and it’s still stuck with me.
I am so beyond excited to have found your channel! You love horror, sci fi, fantasy and Stephen King. Yay! Production quality is great. Content is interesting and on point. You are a fellow Gen Xer!!! Yesssssssss. It's my lucky day!!!
I just finished a paper on this novel. My essay wonders how we can read /Pet Sematary/ differently if we differentiate the horror of the novel between psychological and theological. Intertwined within these are the natural and the supernatural elements that contribute to the genre in this novel. From this observation, I claim that Louis' grieving actions (digging up and burying Gage in the Burial Ground) are justified by a series of demonic possessions - affecting the plot directly and indirectly - within him based on his exposure to the power of the grounds and his succumbing to temptations.
Reading this now, and found another connection: morning after burying Church, Jud wrote a note to Louis that he and Norma went to do some after-Thanksgiving shopping at Emporium Galorium
I read my first two King books this past week, Carrie and Pet Sematary. Loved them both! Pet Sematary FREAKED me out. Stepped outside at night to smoke a cigarette while reading it and was picturing Pascow walking out of the trees in his red shorts with a big grin on his face, excited to show me the old indian burial ground out in the woods. I see why King is a master now, I blasted through Carrie and Pet Sematary in a couple days. Couldn't put them down. What to read next...
Pet Sematary is one of Stephenn King's greatest horror novels. Watched the 4K movie of it last night, and loved that too. Will be putting up a video review of the 4K today. Great video. Well done. Oh, and I love the cover of that hardback. Wanted that version for so long, but it's so hard to get now online at a reasonable price.
The first time I read it, I was still married and made the mistake of reading that section at night in bed. I was so scared that I actually woke up my ex-husband and made him hold me. He was in law school at the time and was an early riser, so he was more than a little annoyed. I asked him, "Haven't you ever been really afraid of something you read?" And he said, "Yeah, sure, but not of Timmy Baterman, the World War Two dancing zombie from Italy." He just didn't get it.
19:00 I’m just now getting into King and I just read Pet Semetary a week after The Shinning , and the first thing I thought reading Ellie’s dreams and visions was “The Shine” it seemed pretty direct to me
Beatiful and terrifying, I didn't know a lot of the story before, but reading it was really scare since it was so clear where the story was going. Also, love Jud as character!
I read PS I think almost 2 years ago and it's my first Stephen King story I read (currently waiting for Outsider). He really does know how to write emotions and how they affect people and I can say that was the strongest part of the book for me. But the sense of loss that the book is trying to portray isn't something I could relate when reading (fortunately I haven't lost a family member yet). I certainly did enjoy how the characters just broke down as the book continued though. Also it was pitched to me as the scariest of his books and I can say that it didn't really scare me or creep me out, besides one scene in the forest. Anyways, those are just some stray thoughts I had. Really liked it though and would like to re-read it again.
On another note, I am going to be BUMMED OUT 😞 once Fright Fest is over. This has been such a great month of horror and classic horror videos, I hope you do again next October
I read this book a long time ago and am going through King's library because of you. I remember watching the movie and thinking "is that Herman Munster?" Lol.
I can't claim to have read a lot of King or even a lot of horror in general, but this is the most thoroughly unsettling book I've ever read. I don't even have kids and this book horrified me. Louis's internal monologue; knowing that what he's doing is a bad idea, but still talking himself into it. I distinctly remember thinking, "This must be what a descent into madness really looks like."
This book is literally my fear my son has autism and he has no awareness of danger literally I don’t take my eyes off him after reading this book and that scene of loss and the grieving I had to put down the book for a few days because I felt so down and depressed that’s how you know Stephen King writes raw and heart wrenching this is his greatest book yet
Excellent review! As it happens, Pet Sematary was my very first introduction to Stephen King, and into the world of "grown up" horror books. I read it when it was newly released through Double Day Book Club...I was 18-years-old at the time. It scared the living daylights out of me! The second time I read it, I was in my late 20s and had gotten married and become a mother by that time, and I don't mind telling you that it scared the living HELL out of me once again, but in a completely different way and for very different reasons altogether! This is just my opinion, and even though he has written so many awesome books, I still think Pet Sematary is Stephen King's best piece of work to date, and for anyone who hasn't yet read it....I highly recommend it! 😁👍🏻
I read this book a few years ago and man did it disturb me. It still does after all these years. Since December I am a father myself now. And now I am really really scared to reread it!
I really loved this book the relationship of Louis and his family and with Chad are really fleshed out and the death of his son was really gut reaching. Richelle is a really tragic and well writen character and her memories of Zelda are so traumatizing . Something I don't see many people mention is the way from the pet sematary to the burial grounds of the mickmacs is just it is so chilling especially the Wendigo and also it is writen like a day dream or a hallucination and you really feel it( I had a fever when I read it so it may be that thought)
Rachel drives passed a sign that says Jerusalems Lot but only remarks on how it’s an odd name for a town. This book is flawless imo, has everything a horror novel should and then some
i love this book i dove in the deep end with this being my 1st king book i read i was all ready aware of his work because of the movies and tv mini series's i by no means have read all his books but this book is just powerful i felt like i was hit by a truck reading this book
We are going out with a bang!! The Fear Scale thingie is great and we got another Into the Multiverse. I already own this book and i will definetly read it asap :D
I read Pet Sematary in high school. Loved it! I was already a constant reader and horror movie super fan, and this book gave me everything I wanted. Spoilerific Territory - What really stuck with me, as a teen, was Jud Crandall’s story of the soldier who was buried in the pet sematary. I think that mini story is what freaked me out the most. It’s still vivid in my mind. Haven’t read the book again, but I will one day. As for the movies, each has elements I like. The first movie was was a better representation of the book, but the atmosphere in the remake was palpable to me. And I thought John Lithgow was a horrible Jud Crandall. I can’t be convinced otherwise. In conclusion, your video was spot on, and it is in my top 5 King books.
The movies were definitely let downs. This book is so good and well written, their is no reason why a competent director/producer cant make a great movie...
Dude, I relate to your statement about the child anxiety so much. To make it even worse, my kid's nick name is Ellie. Made it so I almost bailed out in the first quarter just because of the resonance.
Some time after reading it I woke up in the middle of the night at my aunt's house and her cat was sitting in my bed looking at me. I almost shat the bed then. The most terrifying book ever.
@@mikesbookreviews I actually didn’t even read him til this year. Pet Sematary always seemed like such a silly title that I avoided it as a cheap jump scare book. I read it and was like Holy S*#t does King understand the psychology of grief and loss better than any writer I’ve ever read. Add to that the fact that the story stemmed from an actual experience SK had with Owen and I was ALL ABOARD THE HYPE TRAIN
I think I was in 7th grade reading this at my kitchen table after my family went to bed. Read it for a second time for a college course American Horror Lit. No other thoughts, than this was a great King read
I remember watching the 1989 adaption and not taking it seriously because of some of its dated effects and campiness. I think it left a poor taste in my mouth, so much that I never considered checking out the book. However, that was 10+ years ago and I trust your word on this being a truly scary book and one of King's best. So, I've added to my future TBR!
Powerful book. King deals with losing a child in several books...IT, THE BODY, SALEMS LOT (off the top of my head). Evidently it weighs/weighed heavily on King.
Something I never seem to find in the comment section is not just Stephen King's writing style, but how he goes back and forth with flashbacks and thoughts of characters cutting through narration and dialogue. This is what I believe makes his books so immersive. IDK. It might just be me.
@@mikesbookreviews that's very true. Just feels a bit like a college freshman ready to try their first joint, and Mike suggests freebasing crack. It's an apt analogy because this book could mess you up.
@@williamjones3534 i actually lifted it from an Anthony Hopkins movie because of a tenuous connection to the college band i started the channel for. but thanks anyways. Best of luck with your writing.
@@Merrick Damn! I lifted the name from the "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" movie. I really hoped to encounter someone with the name. Thanks for the encouragement, I really need it. :-)
Did it scare me no... the only book to have done that was the tunnel scene in the stand (I didn’t know anything about the book when i read it and though this is where the dead comes to life! Lol) but this book sure did unsettle me especially during the funeral. Great plot great storytelling great characters not bloated fast paced without seeming too fast... just overall a excellent book.
Pet Sematary was the first King book I ever read at 14, this was the book that got me started reading really. After just having a child a year ago I don't know if I'm brave enough to do a reread atm!
I grew up next to a road very similar to this one, and my parents used the movie adaptation of this to scare me from the road. I think I was like 5 when they told me that I would die like "the kid from pet sematary." I probably shouldn't have known what they were talking about at 5 years old.
I read The Monkey's Paw some time before King's novel and had no problem with the inspiration drawn from it. It has been decades since I read Pet Sematary and I know there were some scary and disturbing moments but I can't specifically recall any of them now. I also seem to recall the 1989 movie being a pretty faithful adaptation but it's been decades since I've seen that as well.
![Stephen King- Interview (Pet Sematary) - 3/27/89 [Reelin' In The Years Archive]](/img/n.gif)
I just finished reading "Pet Sematary" 10 minutes ago. Its the first Stephen King book I've read. It won't be the last.
@South Loki That really depends on the individual persons Maturity. There is a very brief sex scene between husband and wife ,like a few sentences, and some adult language. But over all 16+ should be fine with it.
I finished it a few days ago and I was more frustrated then grossed or scared. Yeah, it's terrible and horrifying to think about a zombie cat hanging around your kids, but I don't have any. I will give King props for making deaths memorable but I'm also daring King to scar me. So... I may end up trying to read 'It' because I hate clowns and the new movie awoke that mother bear mode in me.
Real
Congratulations on starting your journey with King! What else have you read since PS?
@@zoebrugg7594I red the book in highschool and it didnt really grab me...I picked it up again recently as a parent to a toddler who likes to take off in any random direction...this book now haunts me
I think the scariest part of this book is Jud's story of the reanimated soldier who the locals visited and how he would laugh and scream about all the dark secrets of the villagers. It had a very Lovecraftian feel to it.
Oh, God, Timmy Baterman. If you added up all the scary things in that book, it still wouldn't come close to the horror I felt reading that scene.
@@WeasleyGirl1767 💯 agreed. Timmy’s story is the part that still haunts me. Movies could not do it justice.
And neither Film adaptation has brought that part of the book to life.
I think one of the great things about SK's writing is that he understands how emotion effects behavior. This book is a really good example of how grief can affect people and result in bad decisions. I think this book is underrated. Thanks for the review.
Yes sir. He has a reputation of a guy who only scares us, but his examination of human reaction to said scary things is what makes it unique and brilliant.
@@mikesbookreviews That's why PS is underrated. It"s not good for a horror book, it's a good book.
There is a feel good part in this book - a really honest and authentic part that warms your heart. It‘s when Lou and Gage go flying kite. King captured this moment so amazingly and real that it hits so much harder in the follow up.
My sister lost her 11 year old daughter to cancer a couple years ago. This book absolutely hits the nail on the head when it comes to loss. I've seen first hand what it did to my sister. Two years later and she's doing a lot better. The best that you she can considering the situation. I read this book for the first time a few months ago, and it was a gut punch! It's such a fantastic book though.
I'm so sorry to hear that.
@@mikesbookreviews All good man. Appreciate the kind words.
this book really gets under your skin. it definitely sticks with you. the part where Guage grows up is devastating.
You mean when gage comes back to life
@@Galvatronover no i think they’re referring to the lil section or a page or two pages we had where Louis thinks of Gage being old n great at swimming…
@@surenderbeniwal8578 oh yeah I knew from the start that was just his greif induced dream
The final 100 pages of the book made me feel sick, and when i finished it i felt like my head cant let go of this story, its still haunts me, thanks for the review, Needed that.
I agree with that is amazing how dark my mood change after reading it
What shook me the most is how there’s no mention of what happened to Ellie! So heartbreaking to think of the aftermath for her
Had to come here 10 minutes after finishing it and I feel compelled to share whatever I'm feeling before it diminishes away forever. It feels like I've witnessed firsthand, page by page of a man suffering from grief to the point of insanity. It's scary how thoroughly the subject of grief has been explored in this book. I normally don't get nightmares from reading horror but the manner of Mr King's prose truly prodded my imagination, teasing it, making me come up with my extensions of Mr Creed's thoughts and emotions, making it personal. In the end i'm left with a feeling of melancholia and pity for the characters involved, It truly could happen to just about anyone and for me personally, the line that gave me goosebumps was when he asked himself "How could I have been so stupid?" The implication of that line, the introspection, the final strand of sanity coursing through him to make it right and to watch it snap so slowly and brutally was a masterclass in storytelling. I just felt so numb reading the final portion of the book, I believe that was exactly how Creed felt. Numb, holding on to a final hope that is the alternative to life and death. The book wasn't holding back when it posed the question;
“The most terrifying question of all may be just how much horror the human mind can stand and still maintain a wakeful, staring, unrelenting sanity.”
This book honestly changed how I view my own grief, and I feel forever changed by it.
Well said. Can't think of another book that really hammered that home as well.
I just finished this book last weekend, and I loved it, as much as it scared me. I knew absolutely nothing about it, my wife got it for me because it had a cat on the cover and she knows I wanted to read more Stephen King books. That said, it absolutely scared the hell out of me, but touched on a very sensitive topic for me. As a father who had to bury their child (8 years ago now), I did not expect the twist that was coming, and by the time I saw what was coming it felt like a punch to the gut. King's writing always takes a while for me to get started, but by then he has drawn me in with emotional weight, where I HAVE to keep turning the pages to find out what happens. It's like a trainwreck in motion, you can't look away. I felt every emotion Louis felt, understood them to my core, and I doubt I would have done anything different. The dream he had about Gage's future, I felt that, and the opportunity to make that dream come true would have driven me to the same actions Louis took.
Great review, I just discovered your channel, so I'm looking forward to seeing more of your video's!
It truly is special. And welcome!
Also, for anyone reading the comments who enjoys audiobooks.. it’s read by Michael C. Hall (Dexter) and it’s ⭐️⭐️excellent⭐️⭐️
It really is
Its so good i just couldn't go through the whole accident again (i read it years ago) Michael is fantastic narrator.
I might check that out in a "re-read."
Misophonia makes audiobooks a risky purchase, but Michael c hall has a good voice for narration and I’d consider this. 😅
yes is it amazing. I actually got that book from audible and I was so excited when I heard he was the narrator. He did an amazing job.
Absolutely one of my all time favorites. I think for me I felt more sadness and anxiety reading Pet Semetary than I did actual fear. Either way King did an amazing job of making the reader feel all those emotions the characters in the story were feeling....great review!
for me (I‘m 21) the real horror of this book wasn‘t really "somebody died, how do you deal with that?" bur rather that one knew upfront what was going to happen to the kid, but still really wanted for that not to come true. made me so anxious!
Man, THIS is the review I've been waiting for! This is the story that got me into Stephen King, I mean my god, when I read this I was hooked in a huge way. I actually saw the film first opening night in 1989 at the tender age of 8, with my oldest sister. It terrified me so bad, I had nightmares for weeks, and I ended up not being able to push myself to watch it again, for another 5 years, the film scarred me that bad. Anyway, fast forward to my mid teens and I'm a huge horror junkie and finally watch it again, and love every second of it. That was what pushed me to read the novel, and I belonged to Stephen King from that point forward. It is now my favorite book and movie of all time. Fun fact, this book was published on my Birthday that's coming up, November 14th! I always thought that was so cool.
As a gateway to his darkest writing, this is definitely the place to hook someone.
do you think it's still worth it to read the book after watching the movie knowing about the creature that brings other things back to life?
@@bl.gabe- Oh absoulutely. First, the book is much darker than both films, and theres alot in the book that never made it on film. I highly recommend the novel.
@@ConqueringWeightLoss ok thank you!
My #1 favorite book. It helped me learn to process grief as a child and again as an adult, honestly. My Mom saw the movie in the theater when she was about 7 Months pregnant with me and it gave her horrible nightmares, so I guess I have loved it from the beginning lol
I would definitely recommend reading "The Monkey's Paw"; it's a short story and a great read. But I would never say that Pet Sematary is "just a re-telling" of it. Pet Sematary is far longer, much more fleshed-out lore behind what is going on, and the character exploration and the deep exploration of grief you get in Pet Sematary is not present in "The Monkey's Paw". The terror in the "The Monkey's Paw" comes more from what you yourself are envisioning might be at the door. With Pet Sematary, Stephen King opens the door and shows us that what is standing there is even worse than we were imagining, a very difficult feat.
This book left a whole in my stomach after reading it. Loved it.
I listened to the audio drama recently it was amazing I loved it
Will give the book a second read at some point😊
As I was reading this my grandpa died and I seriously think this book helped me process his passing, though I don’t think I ever will fully process it. It was very intense.
I read this book for this first time about a month ago. I have to say it was one of the most terrifying stories that I have ever read. I lost my father when I was 7, and I think the feelings and emotions that I saw the Creed family going through in this book really reminded me of a dark time in my life, which made this story hit differently. I really do agree with Mike that this story made me feel like I needed to take a shower at some points. One of the weirdest things I still can't explain about this book is how the feeling of eerieness grew as I progressed in the story. Thanks for the great review, Mike!
Yeah, it made me think of my aunt who passed away when I was a teenager when I first read it, but after having kids it just hit a new level of depth for me. It's what makes re-reading his books so special. It'll hit you differently depending on where you're at in life.
Loved the backstory of the sematary
Thanks for the review mike! I just finished my first reading of Pet Sematary and it left a lasting effect on me. An absolute classic for me.
Most definitely his scariest - I read this when my son was Gage’s age and it really got to me. He is the master of emotion. One of my favourites.
I gave a copy of this novel to my cousin who wanted to get into King and she became a fan straight away.
This is one of my all time favorite books from Stephen King and also one of my favorite movies. Well, the 1989 movie. I saw the movie first and it was "All about the scares" when I was about 9 or so. I have read this book a bunch of times and as I've gotten older and while I don't have children of my own, I think of my nieces who I'm really close to and that book is all the more scary and horrifying when I think about how devastating that loss would be. And I can relate to Ellie because I have a cat. And Zelda... There are no words for how scary she was. I agree with you in that the humans in this book are scarier. She still scares me and 'm in my mid 30's. Lol!
I love your review. The tragic element in Pet Sematary is as powerful as the horror one, and that was what blew me away.
Yes sir. King is a wizard.
I think people lose sight of what this book was about. It’s not about the supernatural elements. It’s about grief and loss…and how we deal with those things as humans.
This one is definitely a gut punch. The creeping dread and the paralyzing sense of loss make this stand out amidst an impressive catalogue. Really enjoyed your breakdown of this one and am, as always, looking forward to the next!
Glad you enjoyed it!
Soul crushing
You started with my favorite passage from the book!!!! I appreciate that King has always been transparent about doing his own version of 'Dracula' (Salem's Lot) or 'Monkey's Paw' (Pet Sematary) and borrowing ideas to make them his own. This book continually messes me up even without kids, so God forbid in that regard according to my little brother who recently re-read after having one. My favorite King book at the moment (yeah, it's been usurped by IT & THE STAND many times), but they do go back and forth in my Top 3. About to re-watch that delightful film. Cheers Sai!
I go 1)IT 2) The Stand 3) Pet Sematary and then the rest seem to fluctuate by the damn day. And it's the 3rd time I've used that passage on this channel. I just love it so much. It represents horror and the human reaction to it 100% perfectly.
@@mikesbookreviews It epitomizes the Horrors of falling into insanity so convincingly. One of my favorite passages of anything El Rey has written.
Jaime! Knew you wouldn't miss this video.
@@ConqueringWeightLoss Would this CR ever miss Mike's King videos?
Jaime, will the Horror Show be making any special videos, for this book's 37th anniversary next week, or are we gonna have to wait till the 40th in 2023?
To be clear I’m not underrating the terrifying here… but the sorrow wins .
I really hope you've read or listened to "the Monkey's Paw" by now. It's not a full blown novel, but rather a short story. The difference between it and "Pet Sematary" is that the resurrected person isn't shown/appears to the living, but imagined. It's a great example of "nothing is scarier."
I treat her this today at 49 years … all I could see was the sorrow and grief and no horror or fear… it’s so heartbreaking in its truth.
I read this at 13 or 14 y.o. when it came out. It wasn’t quite my first King book, I had read at least Carrie, Cujo, Salem’s Lot and the Shining at the time, but I wasn’t prepared for how scary he could get. I haven’t reread it, yet, but many scenes still haunt me to this day.
This is a great review but you left out a crucial part of it - the Wendigo. What made this creepy for me is how much all of this was probably out of their control. The Wendigo had been waiting for such a long time for a suitable family to move in and then set the ball in motion. Louis says it himself in the end of the novel, he's being played, all of them, by this demonic force but his grief is too much. When we hear the truck driver's evidence that he couldn't help but speed up as he travelled closer to their house, you get the idea. The walk through the woods is incredibly scary because of that supernatural element. That's what really struck me, Louis, the man of science, his secular wife equally avoiding any talk of the after life because of Zelda, they are just toys to this ancient supernatural force that doesn't give two f**** about labs and penicillin and automatic transportation and the modern world in general.
By the way - King actually quotes Monkey Paw in one part of the novel!
I wanted to keep it spoiler-free.
My favorite horror book but man I am in medical school and currently doing my rotations in pediatrics. It was a tough read during pediatrics.
This is book was the first that I read from Stephen King. For me this book was like medicine. I lost my wife this January, she was 37, I am 42. the book describes the path that the loss of the loved one can take you.
This was the last Stephen King book I ever read. I was 15 when this came out and I got the book for Christmas - finished it before before New Years. It freaked me out so badly that I never read another King novel. I've seen many of the movies and tv shows, but no more of the books.
I remember reading this in high school, took it to my aunt's house for a family function. I went to her basement to read in quit, I started getting freaked out so ended up reading upstairs around my whole family. Was to scared to read in basement alone. 😆
Good vid, Mike. My favorite King read this year so far. Funeral scene was the most uncomfortable for me.
Oh, man. That was ROUGH.
Shared this on Facebook. LOVED this review
Great review! This certainly brings back memories from high school. During the summers, I would read piles of books, and made my way through a good chunk of King's work. This book in particular certainly left an impression.
Thanks for sharing this !
Best last word of a book ever!! The ending of this book and Thinner are hands down are the best endings of all time. Loved this book. In my top 10 and I’m 60 and read a book a week.
Yep I 100% didn't buy a house after I saw a huge truck fly down a road right nearby. So this one totally stayed with me. It was my first SK probably 18 years ago now and I'm totally hyped for a re-read.
I believe it.
Excellent video! I’m looking forward to reading this. I have it. Just haven’t got to it yet. I really love The Monkey’s Paw. It’s one of my favourite older horror tales! Cheers! 🙈
I gotta pick up Monkey's Paw.
@@mikesbookreviews There’s actually a really cool book that I bought at Barnes & Noble a few years ago. It’s called HP Lovecraft Selects Classic Horror Stories. It’s a collection of works from some of the authors that influenced HP. The Monkey’s Paw is in it. It’s a cool book, you’d likely enjoy it.
This is easily in my top 10 King books and I think it’s one of the scariest “good” books that I’ve ever read. I read it only once, and that was back when it came out, and it’s still stuck with me.
It'll definitely stay with you.
Never been this early before, I'm so hype!
Hope you enjoyed it!
Amie Burnell did you read pet sematary? did you like it?
@@davidlona7553 not yet but I plan to. My boyfriend loved it!
This should definitely go into King's top 5, no question, along with It, Stand, Shining, and Misery.
This one, IT, and The Stand are locked. 4-5 seems to fluctuate.
@@mikesbookreviews I agree. I think his top 3 books are Pet Sematary, IT and The Stand......their spots are interchangeable, but definitely his top 3.
I am so beyond excited to have found your channel! You love horror, sci fi, fantasy and Stephen King. Yay! Production quality is great. Content is interesting and on point. You are a fellow Gen Xer!!! Yesssssssss. It's my lucky day!!!
Thanks for the review tonight Mike!
You bet!
This is on my short list of King books to read after I finish The Dark Tower series. Well said about loss. Thanks, Mike!
Hey, I hope you enjoy it. Getting folks to read more King is a personal goal of mine.
@@mikesbookreviews In that case, I’m an example of your success!
I just finished a paper on this novel. My essay wonders how we can read /Pet Sematary/ differently if we differentiate the horror of the novel between psychological and theological. Intertwined within these are the natural and the supernatural elements that contribute to the genre in this novel. From this observation, I claim that Louis' grieving actions (digging up and burying Gage in the Burial Ground) are justified by a series of demonic possessions - affecting the plot directly and indirectly - within him based on his exposure to the power of the grounds and his succumbing to temptations.
I know seeing Ellie’s reaction absolutely destroyed me. I just finished this book and it scared the hell out of me.
I picked this up when I was 12 and it became my favorite book. It still is 26 years later, much to your point, for many different reasons.
Reading this now, and found another connection: morning after burying Church, Jud wrote a note to Louis that he and Norma went to do some after-Thanksgiving shopping at Emporium Galorium
I read my first two King books this past week, Carrie and Pet Sematary. Loved them both! Pet Sematary FREAKED me out. Stepped outside at night to smoke a cigarette while reading it and was picturing Pascow walking out of the trees in his red shorts with a big grin on his face, excited to show me the old indian burial ground out in the woods. I see why King is a master now, I blasted through Carrie and Pet Sematary in a couple days. Couldn't put them down. What to read next...
Pet Sematary is one of Stephenn King's greatest horror novels. Watched the 4K movie of it last night, and loved that too. Will be putting up a video review of the 4K today. Great video. Well done. Oh, and I love the cover of that hardback. Wanted that version for so long, but it's so hard to get now online at a reasonable price.
THIS is the book that keeps me up at night, especially when Jud tells Louis the story of Timmy Baterman. That part scares me for days.
Absolutely. That was the most terrifying part of the book for me.
The first time I read it, I was still married and made the mistake of reading that section at night in bed. I was so scared that I actually woke up my ex-husband and made him hold me. He was in law school at the time and was an early riser, so he was more than a little annoyed. I asked him, "Haven't you ever been really afraid of something you read?" And he said, "Yeah, sure, but not of Timmy Baterman, the World War Two dancing zombie from Italy." He just didn't get it.
Old wooden legggg that's what they call ya old wooden legg 😂😂😂😂😂😂
@@conyeezy8027 You're freaking me out!
19:00 I’m just now getting into King and I just read Pet Semetary a week after The Shinning , and the first thing I thought reading Ellie’s dreams and visions was “The Shine” it seemed pretty direct to me
Definitely my favourite KIngs book, and my favorite horror book all time.
I would not argue with anyone that calls it King's best.
Beatiful and terrifying, I didn't know a lot of the story before, but reading it was really scare since it was so clear where the story was going. Also, love Jud as character!
I am currently reading Pet Sematary and I must say it flows so well. I love the story so far. I
I read PS I think almost 2 years ago and it's my first Stephen King story I read (currently waiting for Outsider). He really does know how to write emotions and how they affect people and I can say that was the strongest part of the book for me. But the sense of loss that the book is trying to portray isn't something I could relate when reading (fortunately I haven't lost a family member yet). I certainly did enjoy how the characters just broke down as the book continued though. Also it was pitched to me as the scariest of his books and I can say that it didn't really scare me or creep me out, besides one scene in the forest. Anyways, those are just some stray thoughts I had. Really liked it though and would like to re-read it again.
Read this a couple of years ago. It's incredible! One of his best.
Has aged like a fine wine.
@@mikesbookreviews Because grieving over lost loved ones is timeless. This book will never ever be not relatable.
On another note, I am going to be BUMMED OUT 😞 once Fright Fest is over. This has been such a great month of horror and classic horror videos, I hope you do again next October
I read this book a long time ago and am going through King's library because of you. I remember watching the movie and thinking "is that Herman Munster?" Lol.
I can't claim to have read a lot of King or even a lot of horror in general, but this is the most thoroughly unsettling book I've ever read. I don't even have kids and this book horrified me. Louis's internal monologue; knowing that what he's doing is a bad idea, but still talking himself into it. I distinctly remember thinking, "This must be what a descent into madness really looks like."
Yes, the whole idea that he is telling himself not to do it while he realizes he already is. Just...ugh.
@@mikesbookreviews See, the whole time I kept thinking there was another force in his head talking him into doing it.
This book is literally my fear my son has autism and he has no awareness of danger literally I don’t take my eyes off him after reading this book and that scene of loss and the grieving I had to put down the book for a few days because I felt so down and depressed that’s how you know Stephen King writes raw and heart wrenching this is his greatest book yet
Excellent review! As it happens, Pet Sematary was my very first introduction to Stephen King, and into the world of "grown up" horror books. I read it when it was newly released through Double Day Book Club...I was 18-years-old at the time. It scared the living daylights out of me! The second time I read it, I was in my late 20s and had gotten married and become a mother by that time, and I don't mind telling you that it scared the living HELL out of me once again, but in a completely different way and for very different reasons altogether! This is just my opinion, and even though he has written so many awesome books, I still think Pet Sematary is Stephen King's best piece of work to date, and for anyone who hasn't yet read it....I highly recommend it! 😁👍🏻
I read this book a few years ago and man did it disturb me. It still does after all these years. Since December I am a father myself now. And now I am really really scared to reread it!
I really loved this book the relationship of Louis and his family and with Chad are really fleshed out and the death of his son was really gut reaching. Richelle is a really tragic and well writen character and her memories of Zelda are so traumatizing . Something I don't see many people mention is the way from the pet sematary to the burial grounds of the mickmacs is just it is so chilling especially the Wendigo and also it is writen like a day dream or a hallucination and you really feel it( I had a fever when I read it so it may be that thought)
Rachel drives passed a sign that says Jerusalems Lot but only remarks on how it’s an odd name for a town. This book is flawless imo, has everything a horror novel should and then some
You are 100% correct on this one. It's also my favorite of kings work. I still think about this book.
It has never left me. Besides IT, this is probably the one that has stuck with me the most.
@@mikesbookreviews both have been favorites of mine. I also agree about it!!!
You just hyped me up to read this book!
Hope you enjoy!
Visceral is the perfect word. This book shook me.
Wow, exactly! Well said! Absolutely Visceral!
Omg just read this a few months ago! Definitely an all time favorite now. I've been looking forward to you thoughts!
Hope you liked said thoughts!
Honestly I've rewatched this 3 times to soak it all in 😂
Oooh yay! I’ve been looking forward to this 🐈 ⚰️
Best closing line I have read in any book!
i love this book i dove in the deep end with this being my 1st king book i read i was all ready aware of his work because of the movies and tv mini series's i by no means have read all his books but this book is just powerful i felt like i was hit by a truck reading this book
We are going out with a bang!! The Fear Scale thingie is great and we got another Into the Multiverse. I already own this book and i will definetly read it asap :D
Hope you like it!
I read Pet Sematary in high school. Loved it! I was already a constant reader and horror movie super fan, and this book gave me everything I wanted. Spoilerific Territory - What really stuck with me, as a teen, was Jud Crandall’s story of the soldier who was buried in the pet sematary. I think that mini story is what freaked me out the most. It’s still vivid in my mind. Haven’t read the book again, but I will one day. As for the movies, each has elements I like. The first movie was was a better representation of the book, but the atmosphere in the remake was palpable to me. And I thought John Lithgow was a horrible Jud Crandall. I can’t be convinced otherwise. In conclusion, your video was spot on, and it is in my top 5 King books.
Yes! Jud's story was one of the most chilling parts of the book.
The movies were definitely let downs. This book is so good and well written, their is no reason why a competent director/producer cant make a great movie...
Love, love, LOVE Pet Sematary. Have never seen either of the movies, at least in full any way
I would really only recommend the 1989 film, that's the most faithful, probably because King wrote the screenplay himself.
Watch '89 if you're curious, watch '19 if you want to be furious.
Dude, I relate to your statement about the child anxiety so much. To make it even worse, my kid's nick name is Ellie. Made it so I almost bailed out in the first quarter just because of the resonance.
Some time after reading it I woke up in the middle of the night at my aunt's house and her cat was sitting in my bed looking at me. I almost shat the bed then. The most terrifying book ever.
The version i bought had about 397 pages, but im seeing some copies on line with close to 500 pages. Does anyone know if there's another edition?
My all time fave book and won't look at animals the same way again.
First SK book I ever read - unbelievably good.
My first, also. I absolutely love it!
I think this book was the point where I went from "he's my favorite" to "this guy is the best storyteller of my generation."
@@mikesbookreviews I actually didn’t even read him til this year. Pet Sematary always seemed like such a silly title that I avoided it as a cheap jump scare book. I read it and was like Holy S*#t does King understand the psychology of grief and loss better than any writer I’ve ever read. Add to that the fact that the story stemmed from an actual experience SK had with Owen and I was ALL ABOARD THE HYPE TRAIN
I think I was in 7th grade reading this at my kitchen table after my family went to bed. Read it for a second time for a college course American Horror Lit. No other thoughts, than this was a great King read
It's a special one.
I remember watching the 1989 adaption and not taking it seriously because of some of its dated effects and campiness. I think it left a poor taste in my mouth, so much that I never considered checking out the book. However, that was 10+ years ago and I trust your word on this being a truly scary book and one of King's best. So, I've added to my future TBR!
Another marvellous review! I don't have a kid but I do have a cat, so I get freaked out by Church ;D
Ha ha, this may be a reason I've never been a cat person.
@@mikesbookreviews Haha, it didn't put me off :D
I finished Pet Sematary last week and I couldn't believe how compelled I was through the last 150 pages or so, could not put it down!
Yeah, the final act is a thrill ride.
Powerful book. King deals with losing a child in several books...IT, THE BODY, SALEMS LOT (off the top of my head). Evidently it weighs/weighed heavily on King.
Something I never seem to find in the comment section is not just Stephen King's writing style, but how he goes back and forth with flashbacks and thoughts of characters cutting through narration and dialogue. This is what I believe makes his books so immersive. IDK. It might just be me.
Ellie and Eachel both shine SO HARD.
wow, it would never have occurred to me to rec PS as someone's entry King novel.
Certainly one of his best and easily the scariest
If they want to get scared and they don't want to stand in a line to get there, this is the place.
@@mikesbookreviews that's very true. Just feels a bit like a college freshman ready to try their first joint, and Mike suggests freebasing crack.
It's an apt analogy because this book could mess you up.
You spell your name same as my main character in my book. Thank your parents for giving you your name ;-)
@@williamjones3534 i actually lifted it from an Anthony Hopkins movie because of a tenuous connection to the college band i started the channel for.
but thanks anyways. Best of luck with your writing.
@@Merrick Damn! I lifted the name from the "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" movie. I really hoped to encounter someone with the name. Thanks for the encouragement, I really need it. :-)
Did it scare me no... the only book to have done that was the tunnel scene in the stand (I didn’t know anything about the book when i read it and though this is where the dead comes to life! Lol) but this book sure did unsettle me especially during the funeral. Great plot great storytelling great characters not bloated fast paced without seeming too fast... just overall a excellent book.
Pet Sematary was the first King book I ever read at 14, this was the book that got me started reading really. After just having a child a year ago I don't know if I'm brave enough to do a reread atm!
I grew up next to a road very similar to this one, and my parents used the movie adaptation of this to scare me from the road. I think I was like 5 when they told me that I would die like "the kid from pet sematary." I probably shouldn't have known what they were talking about at 5 years old.
I read The Monkey's Paw some time before King's novel and had no problem with the inspiration drawn from it. It has been decades since I read Pet Sematary and I know there were some scary and disturbing moments but I can't specifically recall any of them now. I also seem to recall the 1989 movie being a pretty faithful adaptation but it's been decades since I've seen that as well.
King wrote the screenplay for the movie, so it's mostly faithful. Has aged surprisingly well.
@@mikesbookreviews I was not aware of that. Thanks for letting me know.
I think Pet Semetary is just so sad as a parent. I can see where it’s going and I get it, even when it’s awful. Grief is hell.
100 percent.
Omg The Ramones reference 😍😍