Book Review: Stephen King’s Pet Seminary (1983)

Stephen King is undoubtedly a masterful writer with a unique ability to tap into our deepest fears. Pet Sematary, like many of King’s works, is a well-crafted tale of horror. The story is structured with precision, the sentences are meticulously composed to support the ebb and flow of tension, and the characters’ thoughts offer a raw glimpse into the dread and horror they experience as the story unfolds.

Nevertheless, while King’s storytelling skills are on full display, Pet Sematary leaves something to be desired in terms of depth. The narrative is gripping, and it compels readers to turn the pages with a relentless sense of foreboding. Yet, this page-turning quality comes at the expense of deeper contemplation. The events and the horrors they bring forth are vividly depicted, but they often feel more like a rollercoaster ride of suspense than an exploration of profound themes or philosophical concepts.

One of the key strengths of King’s books is his ability to create characters that readers can relate to and empathize with. In Pet Sematary, however, this aspect falls short. The characters, while well-developed in terms of their fears and desires, don’t invite a strong emotional connection. It’s challenging to truly empathize with their struggles, which can be a letdown for readers who expect to forge a deeper bond with the protagonists.

Furthermore, the lack of philosophical depth is apparent. King’s earlier works often delved into profound questions about human nature, morality, and the darker aspects of the human psyche. Pet Sematary doesn’t quite reach those philosophical depths. While it effectively delivers on the horror front, it misses an opportunity to explore the deeper implications of the supernatural and the consequences of tampering with the natural order.

As such, Pet Sematary showcases Stephen King’s exceptional storytelling skills and ability to evoke fear and suspense. However, it falls short when it comes to crafting characters that readers can genuinely empathize with and delving into the philosophical intricacies that have made King’s earlier works so thought-provoking. While it’s a compelling horror novel, it may not leave readers with the same level of contemplation and philosophical depth that some of King’s other works offer.

Edition read: King, S., Pet Sematary (2011; 1983). Hodder & Stoughton. https://www.amazon.com/Pet-Sematary-Stephen-King/dp/1444708139.