I think that it is so completely appropriate that I have come to 'Salem's Lot right around the month of October, when the air has chilled, and Halloween is right around the corner. I have read this book only once before, many years ago when I was a teenager. I don't remember all that much, but I do remember that I really enjoyed it.
As I have now read through the first 80 pages or so, I see that SK has developed what is to be his more common book format (Chapters, within chapters, within 3-4 "Parts"(or "Books"), within the novel). Also, unlike Carrie, the action of the story really does not get going for a good way into the book. SK spends a lot of time setting the scene, and developing characters, which I appreciate completely. I do like this format a lot, and I feel that he develops his stories well with this layout.
Now about my first personal 'Salem's Lot reflection...the first part of this book is mostly about how the main character, Ben Mears, comes back to the town of Jerusalem's Lot ('salem's Lot for the "Ho's at home") after being away for 25 years. The feeling of the story, in my opinion, is much like a ghost story. And it is quite fitting, because visiting a place that you knew as a child is quite haunting. I grew up in Connecticut, and lived there until I was 21 years old, when I picked up and moved to Atlanta, GA (8 years ago, for those of you keeping score). I have been back several times to visit family, attend funerals, and other such things that pull you home. Each and every time I go back, I get a haunted sort of feeling. There are always ghosts of places I used to play as a child, or of hangouts that I spent nights as a teenager. Whenever I'm there, there is always a part of me that never wants to leave, but simultaneously can't get away quick enough. It's an odd sort of feeling, that I don't know how to express except by saying that it is a "haunting" of sorts. Even now, thinking about it, I get lost in thought. I remember more and more things, and people, and places that will forever be trapped in some mental bubble. When I was younger, I swore that once I got out of CT, I would never NEVER move back there. But as I get older, it calls to me in a strange way. I don't know if I ever will move back there, but I certainly will always be haunted.
Well, I'll leave you with that thought for the day...
As I have now read through the first 80 pages or so, I see that SK has developed what is to be his more common book format (Chapters, within chapters, within 3-4 "Parts"(or "Books"), within the novel). Also, unlike Carrie, the action of the story really does not get going for a good way into the book. SK spends a lot of time setting the scene, and developing characters, which I appreciate completely. I do like this format a lot, and I feel that he develops his stories well with this layout.
Now about my first personal 'Salem's Lot reflection...the first part of this book is mostly about how the main character, Ben Mears, comes back to the town of Jerusalem's Lot ('salem's Lot for the "Ho's at home") after being away for 25 years. The feeling of the story, in my opinion, is much like a ghost story. And it is quite fitting, because visiting a place that you knew as a child is quite haunting. I grew up in Connecticut, and lived there until I was 21 years old, when I picked up and moved to Atlanta, GA (8 years ago, for those of you keeping score). I have been back several times to visit family, attend funerals, and other such things that pull you home. Each and every time I go back, I get a haunted sort of feeling. There are always ghosts of places I used to play as a child, or of hangouts that I spent nights as a teenager. Whenever I'm there, there is always a part of me that never wants to leave, but simultaneously can't get away quick enough. It's an odd sort of feeling, that I don't know how to express except by saying that it is a "haunting" of sorts. Even now, thinking about it, I get lost in thought. I remember more and more things, and people, and places that will forever be trapped in some mental bubble. When I was younger, I swore that once I got out of CT, I would never NEVER move back there. But as I get older, it calls to me in a strange way. I don't know if I ever will move back there, but I certainly will always be haunted.
Well, I'll leave you with that thought for the day...
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