'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 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