'Salem's Lot Original' vs '2005 Limited/Illustrated Edition'

[BlackThorn]

I haven't read more than the first thirty pages of either yet, but I found a stale copy of 'Salem's Lot in a dusty old barn the other day, so I started to get into it...

But I remembered there was another version of this story out as well. When I checked the wiki (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/%27Salem%27s_Lot)on 'Salem's Lot, I was explained that in 2005, there was a Limited/Illustrated edition, that had alternate names of town and such... but it was stated as 'deleted material', leading me to believe this was more like a 'director's cut' or 'original take' to a movie, which is usually my favorite anyways. I rarely want it the way it's spoonfed to the mainstream.

Without any intense spoilers, or as little spoilage as possible, has anyone read both versions, and what did you think about how much you liked either? And if anybody knows King's take on the newer version, I'd be happy to hear that as well.

Thanks!

[michal]

I have an older version and a new one with some minor differences and "uncut" scenes at the end - stuff that was removed from the completed book (and reading them you will no doubly understand why) as well as a short story that's related to the book itself. Are those the versions you mean?

I enjoyed both, although the new one did add a thing or two to my understanding of the book.

[aneaglesangel]

Oh wow! I never heard of this version of 'Salem's Lot! I'll have to see if I can find it! I loved 'Salem's Lot! I read it as a young teen and man that book scared the heck out of me. Of course, I had a sister who had fallen off her bike, right over the handle bars, and had broken her teeth so that they looked like fangs. She used to lay in her bed at night and look at me and say, "Go to sleep, Annie, and when you do, I'm going to suck your blood! And when you wake up, you'll be a vampire, too!" Needless to say, I didn't sleep well until I talked my father into buying me a cross on a chain to wear at night to ward off my vampire sister! But yes, 'Salem's Lot was pretty scary for me!! Loved it though! I'll let you know how I like it if I find it, and thanks for the head's up on it!

[mrsbreece]

The original Salems Lot is what "hooked" me on King. I have been his "number one fan" ever since!

[mstay]

I have read both Blackthorn and I didn't get much out of the new "uncut" version. The deleted parts are not included in the story, they are a separate section of the book. It was interesting though to see the differences in the story before it was edited for publication.

The new one had pictures too but they were unrelated to the story...just spooky shots of trees and stuff like that.

Overall I was not impressed with the newer version.

[kingricefan]

I, too, read the original version way back when it came out in paperback in the 70's (YIKES!!!) and was hooked ever since. I have both versions of the book and was really excited when 'they' announced the version with the deleted scenes. I thoroughly enjoyed reading those parts, but I can understand why they were removed as for that particular time period they were pretty darn graphic. At least you get to see what happened to all the rats that were in the first half of the book and then just kinda disappear from the storyline!!

[tillyn]

No can't say i've read a different , the comment about the cross was funny, i pulled up my blanket to my neck for years!

[Insomniak]

I never got to read Salem's Lot, I want both versions.

[guitarhero]

The Illustrated version of 'Salem's lot has the novel as it was/is published intact to start the book. The deleted scenes are all together at the end of the book along with the short stories Jerusalem's Lot and One For The Road. So you get everything in the illustrated version.

The deleted scenes are wonderful to read. Some are very powerful. I didn't like every alternate scene and so overall I think I prefer 'Salem's Lot the way it ended up as the official novel, but I would have really liked a couple of scenes from the deleted parts to have worked their way into the final cut.

[jchanic]

I wish the newer version of the book had been a re-written version that included the deleted scenes, instead of having them included separately at the end of the book. I realize, however, this would have entailed a lot of time on sai King's part, so I'll take what we got.

John

[BlackThorn]

...I loved 'Salem's Lot! I read it as a young teen and man that book scared the heck out of me. Of course, I had a sister who had fallen off her bike, right over the handle bars, and had broken her teeth so that they looked like fangs. She used to lay in her bed at night and look at me and say, "Go to sleep, Annie, and when you do, I'm going to suck your blood! And when you wake up, you'll be a vampire, too!..."

I just met a woman my age the other day, who was going to get braces, and the dentist removed the wrong set of top teeth. So her K9 teeth, were the second set of top teeth. She looks just like a vampire, it's awesome. She's spunky and a bit wild too, so it totally suits her.

[Tooley]

I guess the more the better, but the original version is what got me hooked.

[Breger3]

I've only read the newer version. I figure it's the same just with extras in the back. I do like the first extra story, about the family that gets stranded in 'Salem's Lot.

Great book either way.

[AndyDufresne]

I wish the newer version of the book had been a re-written version that included the deleted scenes, instead of having them included separately at the end of the book. I realize, however, this would have entailed a lot of time on sai King's part, so I'll take what we got.

John

I think Mr. King is satisfied with the novel as it is. I'm glad the deleted passages weren't incorporated into the story.
I just wish I could find an English copy somewhere. I owned the Dutch version and it looked amazing, but I want it in English as well. And even though I knew the short stories, they were great supplements, I think.

[djbeilstein]

I am looking forward to purchasing both UNDER THE DOME & SALEM'S LOT (The Illustrated Edition). I took a look @ it last week and was very impressed. I always loved the book, but when I viewed the movie I didn't like it that much. It seems Mr. King's relationship with Hollywood is not unlike Elmore Leonard's – They both have few great movies made out of their novels – but both seem to have a dozen medicore movies. Does anyone agree or not? I realize 'SALEM'S LOT has it vans – as film buffs love "cheese" sometimes, but in terms of quality stuff – seems like both Authors have that hit and run track record in terms of Hollywood's adaption of their work.

[Trademarc]

I can't say enough nice things about Salem's Lot and I was very happy to find a paperback copy of the special edition. I especially enjoyed the deleted scene of Ben discussing his book and his opinion of 'life imitating art'.

[aeroplane]

Seeing that the illustrated edition of Salem's Lot can be a little expensive to purchase, at least in hardcover, it really depends on how big of a King or Salem's Lot fan that you really are.

Most of the deleted and alternate scenes were left out of the book for good reason. I thought the alternate scene involving the MacDougall & Evans family was all right. It could have easily fit in with the finished book.

The scene I liked the best out of the "deleted" stuff was where Straker and Barlow meet up after dark. In the scene, they talk about how the first group of vampires are doing and where they would be going from there.

The illustrations are all negligible inclusions since none of them really tie into the story itself.

For the average reader who isn't interested in extra material, they might as well stick to a paperback copy of Salem's Lot and Night Shift. Just my two cents.

I happen to own the illustrated edition and am rather happy with it. I was lucky enough to get it as a "free selection" from some order-by-mail book club.

[CrazyAbe]

Hi to everybody

good story about vampires

i think the original version is much better:biggrin2:

[headonthewritersblock]

Hi there. First post. Scary. Exciting.

I loved the original and (even though I have two copies of it kicking around) picked up the new edition when it came out.

I did enjoy it but still would have liked to see it put into the novel in a different way (i.e. included in the body of the text) rather than appearing like DVD Extras at the back.