It is almost impossible to try and mention modern-day horror books, or films, without mentioning the legendary Stephen King. This man is simply our times greatest horror storyteller. How do we know this? Almost all his books have been developed into films and have massacred at the box office. One of his most legendary books is IT. Adapted into a tv show and several films, this book has become one of the most legendary horror stories ever written. It is also somehow believed to be true in some regions of the world. So, what makes this book, published in 1986, one of the greatest stories ever told?

1. A very nicely thought out story

The story of IT is just simply phenomenal. Let’s just start with the title of the book ‘IT’. Like who even titles their book It? This anonymity even sparks the curiosity of the reader further. When you delve into the book and start going through the journey of the children who mysteriously disappear in the local town of Maine, you get so consumed as you try to navigate your way through it. With an antagonist who is paranormal and feeds on the fears of his victims, who are children, you will be taken through a rollercoaster of emotions such as thrill, fear, excitement, and even spite as some level. The story is just phenomenal.

2. The protagonists are children

Some of America’s greatest works of art in film and novel always have children as their protagonists. It taps into the emotion of consumers because of the innate love for kids. This is exactly what Stephen King taps into in his novel. Just a bunch of kids, who have insecurities, struggle with adolescence and acceptance, and on top of all that have an adversary who seeks to feed on their fear and eventually feed on them. The journey of these kids as they try to overcome their fears, as well as Pennywise, will lead them down a path that no one can predict.

3. Pennywise

Who does not love a good back story for their bad guy? Pennywise is genuinely one of the very best characters to ever be created. His strengths, weaknesses, motivations, and even tactics make him so sly, unpredictable, and dangerous. And it even gets worse when his main targets are kids. The character arc of this antagonist and his journey as he preys on small kids make him one of the best characters to ever be created in any story universe. It even got better when Bill Skarsgard brought that character to life in the 2017 film adaptation of the book. It was as though he was born just to play the dreaded pennywise.

4. Supporting characters

Besides the seven main children who play the main characters, they have supporting friends and family who do a good job of developing the stories for these kids. It is so beautiful how Stephen King has woven together these characters and given them good support characters as well to make this more than just a mere horror film. It’s a relatable book to any individual who will find someone to identify with throughout the story.

Stephen King is just a master of his art, that is indisputable. And this has been proven in his works of art, and most especially It. There could be a slight back and forth on which is King’s greatest book and which film or tv show is the best adaptation, but one thing I am sure all horror fans can agree on is the fact that the entire horror universe would never be the same without Stephen King.

The Giving tree is quite an interesting name for a book. The ambiguity and curiosity it arouses are outstanding. You just want to know why there is a tree and what it is giving out but most importantly, are these gifts free? The Giving tree has been hailed as one of the most impactful books of all time. Written and published more than 50 years ago by author Shel Silverstein, this book has transcended time and has impacted generations over. So, what is so unique about The Giving Tree and what story does it tell so nicely that it has become a reader’s favourite for years upon years?
The Story
A very simple story that provokes the deepest of human emotions in the most subtle of ways. The story begins with a boy climbing a tree (which is referred to as female throughout the book), swinging from its branches and eating its fruits. The tree is portrayed as being very glad to give the boy the fruits. The boy then goes his way and forgets about the tree until his adulthood. As a young man, he goes back to the tree and asks for money. The tree tells the boy that it cant give him money but can give him her fruits so that he can go sell them and make money. Later, the boy comes back asking for more money, the tree is quite happy to give him her branches and later her trunk. Sooner rather than later, there is nothing left of the tree rather than a stump, which the now old man sit on without a worry.
The Lesson
Well, going through this children’s book we can see quite a straightforward message that the writer was trying to bring home: sacrificial giving. Giving without expecting anything in return. One of the most overlooked but vital traits many of us have been missing from the beginning of time, till now. The co-author, Lauren Snyder, was quoted once saying that if you give a mother 10 copies of this book then be sure that she will understand exactly the kind of person she needs to be.
The Relevance
The book has remained relevant because of its subtle depiction of humanity and its traits; both those desired (the tree) and those undesired (the boy/man). That is why, with every new publication, the book sells off of bookshelves quite fast. It talks about things that we are afraid to address.
The divisiveness
This book has remained in the lips of people for 50 years and over because of one of its most core objectives: its divisiveness on opinions. This is the one book that even a simple google search places it on both the ” favourite” as well as ”least favourite” books ever written. Some people believe that it is a beautiful book showcasing that life is not always about what you get back. This portion of readers believes that giving is better than receiving. On the other hand, some people derive traits such as narcissism, sadism, selfishness, and codependence. Logically arguing, these readers bank on the premise of a boy who took advantage of a tree to take care of all his needs without ever reciprocating.
My Take
In my opinion, this indeed is one of the best books ever written. Depending on what you focus on, you can take away some of the best lessons a human being can ever get in the course of his lifetime. Focusing on all the negative energy in the book, which is very vital, takes away your focus on all the positivity. I mean, can you ever know good without understanding bad?