‘Salem’s Lot is the first vampire novel by Stephen King I’ve read (is it also the only one? I’ve read so much by him, but never encountered another vampire novel). It was is his second published book.
Plot:
Suprisingly, the main character is a young, successful writer, Ben, coming back to his old hometown Jerusalem’s Lot in Maine after his wife died. Overlooking the town is an old mansion, which is supposedly haunted. Shortly after Ben arrives in town, he starts a relationship with Susan, a kid disappears and a series of mysterious deaths strikes ‘Salem’s Lot.
To say that ‘Salem’s Lot is classic King is not entirely true – though it already shows traits of his later works, it’s more self-conscious. The ending is not the huge explosion they usually are. It’s more hurried, as if King wanted to get to the story fast, afraid that if he started slow, he’d lose his audience. And I have to admit that I like mature King better.
I can’t say that much about his writing because I read it in German. I bought the book about 8 years ago (I do come around to reading these books. Amazing, isn’t it?) in a second hand book shop. My English wasn’t as firm then, so I didn’t mind buying a translation. But I tell you, it’s funny to read it like that. First, I am so used to reading Stephen King in English that I was really confused – I always expected the book to be in English when I opened it. Second, the translation is over 30 years old (as is the book) and German has changed. The small things just throw you off. Like a boy calling another boy “Lauser”, a word no self-respecting person under the age of 50 has in their active vocabulary nowadays.
I love Stephen King. His writing is good and his stories and characters are just repetitive enough to give you a sense of homecoming when you open one of his books, but not repetitive enough to bore you. ‘Salem’s Lot is no exception.
kalafudra's Stuff 
I am totally enjoying it, and was at first totally skeptical
Why were you skeptical?
I’d have to say in terms of his mainstream horror stuff, ‘Salem’s Lot is probably my favourite Stephen King too…
His best book, for my mind? “Eyes of the Dragon” – the man writes good fantasy!!
Well, I’m always a bit hesitant to pick up a best seller. But I suppose there is sometimes a reason these authors fill the book stands at airports… I love horror films and books (in general), but have never read a proper horror book.
Best passage thus far:
Chapter 10 “The Lot (III)
Subheading (?) 1
Jaw-dropping! I had know idea he was such a writer.
@liberrydwarf:
My favourite Mainstream Horror King is probably Needful Things. Or The Mist. Or The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon.
But his best work from what I’ve read is The Body.
I have never read his fantasy, though. And I didn’t get around to reading the Dark Tower, either.
@ebean:
I see. Yeah, bestsellers are dangerous territory. There might be something to the hype, but more often than not, they suck.
Stephen King really is a good writer. I take it it’s the first book by him you’ve read? Unfortunately, he has to battle the notion that all horror is crap (so not true) like all romance authors have to do (also not true). Or comic authors do (certainly not true). And even if we think we know better, it’s somehow still in our heads.
I was a huge Stephen King fan. My favorite Kings are It and The Stand. I had lost interest in him until I read a few of the Dark Tower series. Its been a while. I’ve always wanted to read the rest of that series. Guess there’s no time like now.
Probably. Part one and two of the series are sitting on my bookshelf complaining. But I promise that I will get to them. Just not right now. :P
I’ve read two editions of the first part – The Gunslinger. He wrote parts of the first book in college, and revisited it later on. But as the series built on, he re-wrote and re-released the first book again to fit it better in the series.
I liked the first edition as it is- you could see the stylistic incongruencies, and they were sort of endearing.
So, did you like the first edition better than the second? Or is there no way to tell?
But I know that feeling of liking the incongruencies. :)
Hmmm… I liked the first version. :)