It

How to rate.... I wouldn't call this book Horror. I'd call it Fiction with elements of fantasy and horror.

The book starts with adults, with memories of their childhood told through flashbacks. This made it easier to connect the adult to the children. That is a part I struggled with during the 1990s movie/mini series.

I loved the variety of characters and how they dealt with different issues. Beverley has an abusive father, Eddie has an overbearing mother, Bill deals with the guilt of his dead brother, Ben deals with obesity, Mike deals with racism, and Stanley deals with hatred towards Jews. Even the secondary and third characters have such complex backgrounds. I love how Mr. King mentions a character in the beginning, then ties back his character later on in the story. It may be a minor appearance, but essential to create the “small town” feel.

The horror is more gore and unknown. Yes, IT is scary, but the town bully, and Bev's father are much more frightening than the monster. They are monsters based in reality. Much more frightening.

IT, the novel, does a fantastic job recreating childhood emotions and desires. The desire to have fun. The fear or doing something wrong. Having people expect you to act one way or another. Now the controversial topic about Beverley. Mr. King has even expressed regret over this scene. The entire book emphasizes how she's just out to have fun with friends for the summer. Then her effort to save them from the monster, she crossed the line from child to adult. I knew it was coming, but didn't expect how it happened. One after the other? I found that a bit repulsive.

tldr; not as scary as I thought. More a reflection of childhood and standing up to your childhood monsters/demons.

First Stephen King novel I've read, and what a rollercoaster it was.

You will find yourself laughing and crying, exclaim in sheer magnificence at King's brilliance, and learn to jump at every shadow after finishing what I believe, is his magnum opus. It straddles a variety of genres (horror, mystery, comedy), and it does so with aplomb. The sheer scale of King's creation is unparalleled.

There is nothing more to be said about this work of art - it is simply one of the best works of art of our generation. Read, and be dazzled. Don't, and you will have missed out on so, so much.