Is Carrie underrated?

[Weihnachten]

I think that Carrie is one of the best novels King has ever written. In university they teach that a new era of horror fiction has been founded with "pet sementary", but for me it is definitely Carrie. Carrie is a miestone of American literature. Not only is the idea of a story about a girl with telekinetic powers and an extremely overdone religious background impressive but also the close description of the main characters.
(I'm sorry, my English is not that good )

[JohnDalglish]

I think that Carrie is one of the best novels King has ever written. In university they teach that a new era of horror fiction has been founded with "pet sementary", but for me it is definitely Carrie. Carrie is a miestone of American literature. Not only is the idea of a story about a girl with telekinetic powers and an extremely overdone religious background impressive but also the close description of the main characters.
(I'm sorry, my English is not that good )

Hi,

Welcome to the MB, and keep posting, your English is fine, not to worry.

Interesting that Sai King didn't like it when it was written, threw it in the bin in fact, and that it's Tabby we owe everything to, and I believe he doesn't like it now either (considers it badly written!).

And he said that he's the only writer to build a career on sanitary towels!

Long days and pleasant nights

[GNTLGNT]

Read it several times, seen the movie, bought the t-shirt etc. and love-em all. Granted, it's not his greatest as far as "spit and polish", but it certainly shows the origins of the depth of character development he has refined to such an art form.

[Weihnachten]

Hi,

Welcome to the MB, and keep posting, your English is fine, not to worry.

Interesting that Sai King didn't like it when it was written, threw it in the bin in fact, and that it's Tabby we owe everything to, and I believe he doesn't like it now either (considers it badly written!).

And he said that he's the only writer to build a career on sanitary towels!

Long days and pleasant nights

I know that King thinks that Carrie is badly written but I cannot share that opinion at all. I have read it in English aswell as in German and I don't see any lack of expression or whatever. For me Carrie is a better written and more interesting than his newer publications like "love" for example. But I think that depends on personal palate (or taste? I don't know which word to put in here..) and you should give the novel a try if you haven't yet.

[Mark R]

I really enjoyed this and found it a good read. Underrated....not sure about that. IMO it is part of the SK collection and rate his work as the best out there. I was interested in seeing the movie on this and how it would compare and agree with the other post, it is better to read the book first.

[Billiards Girl]

I think that Carrie is absolutely underrated. Who possibly can argue with the destruction wrought across the last seventy pages? It's great stuff, really.
If you've read the red paperback version with the new introduction, S.K. describes Carrie as dated but still with the power to hurt. Personally I don't find it dated at all (aside from the description of Carrie's prom dress,) and it's themes are absolutely relevant and will remain relevant, because there will always be the high school bully and there will always be the 'Carrie'. Having said all that, I'd like to note on some of the things I really liked about this book, if I may be so bold.

S.K. describes Carrie as a 'patient ox'. Nobody could have done it better.

She simply stood, head slightly bent, letting the water splat against her flesh and roll off.

The word splat is so powerful in this sentence because it's such an unattractive word for such a mundane event, This coupled with patient ox really sets the tone for how plain and dopey Carrie is. Right off the bat I felt pity and revulsion for her.

Favorite term: Machineshop Chuck. I've used this one sooo many times. Thanks S.K.

And lastly, one of the non-gruesome images that has always stuck with me is where Sue and Helen are chalking the mural for the stage backdrop. They are sitting on the floor, two girls coloring on a massive coloring book page. The late afternoon sunlight. warm as oil and sweet as childhood, slanted through the high bright gymnasium windows. If you imagine these two on the floor bathed in that high light from high up in the rafters. it's really a beautiful image.

And then, all that beautiful chaos. ROCKS!

[Breger3]

Carrie is one of my favorite Stephen King books. I'm not sure if I'd call it under rated, but then, maybe I just hang around with a lot of readers who share my taste in books. I think it's a great book, and I've read it many times, and will read it many more. In fact, just read it last night. (I love that I can read it in less than a day)

[Provectus Fidelis]

Might be a little overrated actually; it was a good first attempt but I found it a little fustrating to read a story through a bunch of newspaper articles and story segments so to speak