Stephen King's horror book Pet Sematary was first released in 1983. The protagonist of the tale is a physician named Louis Creed, who relocates to the little Maine town of Ludlow with his family. They move into what appears to be an exquisite house, replete with a pet graveyard in the neighbouring forest. The Creed family quickly learns that their new house is not without its dark mysteries. There's an old cemetery with magical abilities beyond the pet cemetery. Louis learns about the burial ground's mysterious powers when tragedy befalls the family. He wrestles with the idea of maybe resurrecting the dead, but at a tremendous cost, and is faced with a moral dilemma. The novel delves into issues of death, grief, and the extent people will go to deal with loss, as Louis struggles with bereavement and the fallout from toying with forces beyond comprehension. The movie Pet Sematary is renowned for its psychological horror, spooky atmosphere, and examination of the limits between life and death. It explores the psychological and supernatural elements of horror and is regarded as one of Stephen King's most unsettling and thought-provoking books.
One critique I had about this book is the perceived bleakness of the narrative. From my perspective, I find the relentless exploration of grief and the darker aspects of human nature to be emotionally intense and, at times, overwhelmingly somber. The novel doesn't shy away from the harsh realities of loss and the consequences of trying to manipulate the natural order, making it a challenging and emotionally charged experience for me. Even so, this book is an absolute classic to read for horror.
I would give this book a 4.5/5.
This review was written by Anshul G.
Add a comment to: YOUth Review: Pet Sematary by Stephen King