There was a problem filtering reviews right now. Please try again later.
on 9 January 2016
Fabulous book by the literary genius Stephen King. Another 'page turner' I couldn't put down.
Highly recommend.
Highly recommend.
on 15 November 2013
What a great short novel by Mr King. It's just as good as the movie and the formatting of the letter and newspaper exerts are a great touch. They are really effective in helping the story along.
on 12 December 2015
A masterpiece! Loved this book.
on 18 March 2017
This is a great book (like all of King's) and it is well worth the read
HALL OF FAMETOP 1000 REVIEWERon 30 November 2002
As with virtually everything Stephen King has written, this is enjoyable reading. It is also a quick-read for anyone who is intimidated by the length of some of the author's later works. I think the basic premise of this story appeals to many people because Carrie is, in many ways, the ultimate underdog, a girl terrorized by an insanely religious mother, victimized and persecuted by her peers, and alienated from the world around her. Everyone in life has been a victim or a bully, and I think the story of Carrie White does impart an important lesson to the folks out there who are treating someone they know the way that Carrie's classmates treated her. For those of us more sympathetic to Carrie's plight--the high school "outcasts," the "poor," the unpopular, the nerds, etc.--the story really matters here. Many of us daydream about the revenge we will exact from those kids who made fun of us all those years ago, and Carrie White shows us that revenge is not all it is cracked up to be. Carrie's "triumph" costs many innocent people their lives, and it doesn't really do a whole lot of good for Carrie herself.
You don't need me to tell you why you should read or re-read this book. This is Stephen King. By this point in time, unless you are just coming of age, you have already read this book if you are one of King's legions of fans or even if you were ever curious about this man's phenomenal success. Even more of you have probably seen the movie. While the movie was pretty faithful to the book, not even the magic of cinema can convey the true weight and atmosphere of this (or any other) book. Carrie is also King's first published novel. This is very important to would-be writers--clearly, King was still learning his craft when he wrote this novel, and thus the process of reading it provides any potential writer with a great learning experience. The format here is significantly different from King's more mature work. The story is told through several "voices," including a third-person account from a "survivor," extracts from research articles and newspaper items based on the events, as well as a more traditional author's voice. Thus, we get several perspectives on the characters and events. The story is not as fluid as it might be because we switch from one viewpoint to another as the tale unfolds. While I much prefer the style of King's later works, especially in terms of getting inside a character, King still infuses Carrie's world with realism and believability, proving that he can create masterful atmosphere and mood with any number of literary tools.
You don't need me to tell you why you should read or re-read this book. This is Stephen King. By this point in time, unless you are just coming of age, you have already read this book if you are one of King's legions of fans or even if you were ever curious about this man's phenomenal success. Even more of you have probably seen the movie. While the movie was pretty faithful to the book, not even the magic of cinema can convey the true weight and atmosphere of this (or any other) book. Carrie is also King's first published novel. This is very important to would-be writers--clearly, King was still learning his craft when he wrote this novel, and thus the process of reading it provides any potential writer with a great learning experience. The format here is significantly different from King's more mature work. The story is told through several "voices," including a third-person account from a "survivor," extracts from research articles and newspaper items based on the events, as well as a more traditional author's voice. Thus, we get several perspectives on the characters and events. The story is not as fluid as it might be because we switch from one viewpoint to another as the tale unfolds. While I much prefer the style of King's later works, especially in terms of getting inside a character, King still infuses Carrie's world with realism and believability, proving that he can create masterful atmosphere and mood with any number of literary tools.
on 24 March 2017
A very enjoyable story which highlights King's strengths as a writer. It is clear that he has used these areas in his works that followed.
There were a lot of very tense moments which I thought were the best parts of the book.
As usual the characters were brilliant and you could connect with each person in the story.
The only downside to Carrie (in my opinion) is the constant changes between the actual story, and segments from other books that were written in the future. It was a little frustrating sometimes when you were hooked to a certain part of the story and then all of a suddent it diverted elsewhere.
Besides that, I enjoyed the rest of the story and thought it was a good page turner.
There were a lot of very tense moments which I thought were the best parts of the book.
As usual the characters were brilliant and you could connect with each person in the story.
The only downside to Carrie (in my opinion) is the constant changes between the actual story, and segments from other books that were written in the future. It was a little frustrating sometimes when you were hooked to a certain part of the story and then all of a suddent it diverted elsewhere.
Besides that, I enjoyed the rest of the story and thought it was a good page turner.
VINE VOICEon 10 October 2013
It's been an awfully long time since I first read (and was terrified by) Carrie and I was slightly apprehensive about coming back to reread it but I really shouldn't have been!
Carrie lives with her Mother, a woman tormented by religious fervour. Since she was young Carrie has been bullied because of her difference, but little do the other kids at school know that she harbours a darker secret; she has telekinetic powers. The story charts the culmination of many years of systematic bullying and what happens during the lead-up to Prom night and the night itself.
It's interesting to come back to Carrie to see how King's writing has changed. Certainly he is more confident and assured now but there is a compelling rawness to this book that makes it one of my favourites and it still has the power to scare the beejeezus out of me!
Carrie lives with her Mother, a woman tormented by religious fervour. Since she was young Carrie has been bullied because of her difference, but little do the other kids at school know that she harbours a darker secret; she has telekinetic powers. The story charts the culmination of many years of systematic bullying and what happens during the lead-up to Prom night and the night itself.
It's interesting to come back to Carrie to see how King's writing has changed. Certainly he is more confident and assured now but there is a compelling rawness to this book that makes it one of my favourites and it still has the power to scare the beejeezus out of me!
on 11 December 2013
Right from the start I was completely absorbed in this book! To me, a book about telekinesis shouldn't be scary - take Matilda right?! King has a way with description and suspense. He is not afraid to include repellent descriptions and events right from the beginning. The whole atmosphere is uncomfortable and somehow grotesque and disturbing - I mean this in a good way of course!
I started reading this book since the new movie has come out. I've read a lot of criticism for Stephen King so I didn't really know what to expect. I have bought two other Stephen King books since reading this one and have recommended it to friends :)
I started reading this book since the new movie has come out. I've read a lot of criticism for Stephen King so I didn't really know what to expect. I have bought two other Stephen King books since reading this one and have recommended it to friends :)
