Robbie Cheadle’s review of Carrie by Stephen King

Published by

on

What Amazon says

An unpopular teenage girl whose mother is a religious fanatic is tormented and teased to the breaking point by her more popular schoolmates and uses her hidden telekinetic powers to inflict a terrifying revenge.

My review

Carrie, by Stephen King, is one of his shortest novels. It is also the King novel that had the greatest impact on me from a philosophical point of view as King expresses viewpoints about teenagers, and how they form themselves into social groups of different status, which are true and chilling. His unerring ability to strike to the core of teenage human nature and their driving need, as a group, to hunt in packs and to be accepted by one another, as well as their intolerance of difference, is frightening to read.

Carrie has been a social outcast since her first day at primary school when she gets down on her knees, as she has been taught to do, and says prayers before lunch. From that moment, Carrie is labeled “weird” and a “religious freak” and she has no hope of ever redeeming herself, no matter how hard she tries. Carrie is the product of a single parent home and her mother is willing to abuse her daughter, mentally and physically, in order to ensure she complies with her rigid and extreme religious views. Carrie is caught between trying to please a mother she does love, despite her abusive behaviour, and attempting to be accepted by her peers at school. We discover early on in the book that Carrie isn’t an ordinary girl, but possesses some rather extraordinary powers. Her mother has had a taste of her powers in the past and is extremely frightened that they  are gifts from the devil.

When Carrie becomes the victim of a school girl bullying event which involves the majority of her fellow students, one of the student’s, Sue, is so overcome by guilt, she decides to try and make amends for her bad behaviour. Sue convinces her boyfriend, Tommy, to take Carrie to the prom instead of her so that she can have a lovely evening to remember. Surprisingly, Tommy agrees and this starts of chain of events that quickly spiral out of control.

I am a great fan of Stephen King’s older works and I really enjoyed this book and the movie by the same name. I am not quite sure Carrie fits exactly into the horror book mold but it is certainly a gripping and fascinating story.

Purchase Carrie by Stephen King

Amazon US purchase link: https://www.amazon.com/Carrie-Stephen-King-ebook/dp/B001BANK2I

Reacciones en fediverso

29 respuestas a «Robbie Cheadle’s review of Carrie by Stephen King»

  1. Avatar de thomasstigwikman

    I did not read the book, but I’ve seen the 1976 Carrie movie and the 2013 Carrie movie. Like you say he expresses viewpoints about teenagers which are frightening but unfortunately true. A lot of people are cruel and teenagers are often much worse than adults. The Khmer Rouge knew that.

    Me gusta

    1. Avatar de robertawrites235681907

      Hi Thomas, I have also seen the movie which is good. I think this meanness towards students that don’t fit in as easily has become even worse and the bullying starts at a younger age. I don’t know why this is the case but it’s what I’m seeing.

      Le gusta a 1 persona

      1. Avatar de thomasstigwikman

        I hope it is not getting worse but that would be very sad. One thing I’ve noticed is how uncivil some people can be online, including grown ups who should no better. That’s on social media, not the blogosphere.

        Me gusta

      2. Avatar de robbiesinspiration

        Yes, I’ve noticed that too, Thomas. School kinds have got meaner and use social media as a weapon.

        Le gusta a 1 persona

      3. Avatar de thomasstigwikman

        That is terrible. Using social media as a weapon is entitled and cowardly.

        Le gusta a 1 persona

  2. Avatar de Dave Astor

    Excellent review, Robbie! You make a great point that King had real insight into teen behavior (in «Carrie» and some of his other works).

    Me gusta

    1. Avatar de robbiesinspiration

      Hi Dave, Stephen King had a lot of insight into the behaviour of people in general. A very clever man in my opinion.

      Le gusta a 1 persona

  3. Avatar de beetleypete

    I read quite a few of his books back then, including ‘Christine’, ‘Misery’, and ‘Cujo’, but I didn’t read this one. I did see the film adaptation though, and thought it was good. Shared on Twitter, Robbie.

    Best wishes, Pete.

    Me gusta

    1. Avatar de robbiesinspiration

      Hi Pete, the movie of Carrie was good and I liked the book too. I’ve read the books you mentioned here. Thanks for sharing.

      Le gusta a 1 persona

  4. Avatar de Annette Rochelle Aben

    This is the only one of his books that I have ever read, actually. As I was the bullied kid in my younger grades, it hit home. Then I saw the film, and it creeped me out. As I am not a fan of horror, I have purchased his books for my sister, but not cracked the spine on any of them.

    Me gusta

    1. Avatar de robbiesinspiration

      I’m sorry to know you were bullied, Annette. People tried to bully me too. I don’t develop close or deep relationships so can keep an emotional distance from people and their comments.

      Le gusta a 1 persona

  5. Avatar de Teri Polen

    I haven’t read this one in decades, Robbie. In my interactions with teens in more recent years, I’ve found that most are far more accepting of differences – which is a wonderful thing. I can’t speak for age groups younger than that.

    Me gusta

    1. Avatar de robbiesinspiration

      Hi Teri, I am happy to hear you’ve had good experiences with kids accepting difference. Sadly, that has not been my experience and there is a lot more bullying, including on social media, than when I was a teen and young adult.

      Le gusta a 1 persona

  6. Avatar de Colleen Chesebro

    In my senior year of high school, I saw this movie! It was terrifying!! Years later, I read the book and it was even more terrifying! This was a good review, Robbie. 💖

    Me gusta

    1. Avatar de robbiesinspiration

      Thank you, Colleen. Stephen sling is a brilliant writer.

      Le gusta a 1 persona

  7. Avatar de Liz Gauffreau

    The movie was painful to watch. Those kids were so cruel to Carrie.

    Me gusta

    1. Avatar de robbiesinspiration

      Yes, and the book is worse because you get more insights into thoughts ❤️‍🩹

      Le gusta a 1 persona

      1. Avatar de Liz Gauffreau

        I see enough evil thoughts in the news!

        Le gusta a 1 persona

  8. Avatar de shehannemoore

    Excellent review of an excellent book. Terrifying…yes ..but with depth.

    Me gusta

    1. Avatar de robbiesinspiration

      Hi Shey, I agree completely. This book deals with social issues.

      Me gusta

  9. Avatar de T. W. Dittmer

    It’s good to read your great review here, Robbie!

    Me gusta

    1. Avatar de robbiesinspiration

      Thank you, Tim 💞

      Le gusta a 1 persona

      1. Avatar de T. W. Dittmer

        My pleasure, Robbie! 😍

        Le gusta a 1 persona

  10. Avatar de Resa

    Ahh, a cool book, Robbie. Thanks for the review!

    Okay, I haven’t read it, but I have seen the movie more than once.

    I even got to work with Sissy Spacek in the early 2000’s. I designed her wardrobe in a movie where she played Zelda Fitzgerald. Lots of fun!

    Me gusta

    1. Avatar de robbiesinspiration

      Hi Resa, what a wonderful and exciting career you’ve had. This is a great movie 👌

      Le gusta a 1 persona

      1. Avatar de Resa

        Agree!
        ❦~ ❆ ꧁💙꧂ ❆ ~❦

        Le gusta a 1 persona

  11. Avatar de dgkaye

    I enjoyed your review Robbie. Truthfully, I love King, but I’ve stayed away from his horror books, so I’ve never read or watched Carrie – although I’m quite familiar. 🥰

    Le gusta a 1 persona

    1. Avatar de robbiesinspiration

      Hi Debby, King’s books are not for everyone. Thanks for adding your thoughts 💗

      Le gusta a 1 persona

      1. Avatar de dgkaye

        xx

        Le gusta a 1 persona

Deja un comentario