'Salem's Lot

Illustrated Edition
by
Stephen King

Doubleday, December 2005 (1975), 594 pp.
ISBN: 0-385-51648-7

Genre: Horror
Subgenre: Vampires
Reviewed: 11/24/2005

Reviewed by: Conan Tigard

Book Cover

Excerpt

"Make connections," Ben said.

"The world is coming down around our ears and you're sticking at a few vampires."

"'Salem's Lot is my town," Susan said stubbornly. "If something is happening there, it's real. Not philosophy."

"I couldn't agree with you more," he said, and touched the bandage on his head with a rueful finger. "And your ex packs a hell of a right."

"I'm sorry. That's a side of Floyd I never saw. I can't understand it."

"Where is he now?"

"In the town drunk tank. Parkins Gillespie told my mom he should turn him over to the county--to Sheriff MsCaslin, that is--but he thought he'd wait and see if you wanted to prefer charges."

"Do you have any feelings in the manner?"

"None whatever," she said steadily. "He's out of my life."

"I'm not going to."

She raised her eyebrows.

"But I want to talk to him."

"About us?"

"About why he came at me wearing an overcoat, a hat, sunglasses . . . and Playtex rubber gloves."

"What?"

"Well," he said, looking at her, "the sun was out. It was shining on him. And I don't think he liked it."

They looked at each other wordlessly. There seemed to be nothing else on the subject to say.

Synopsis

In September of 1975, Ben Mears returns to the town of Jerusalem's Lot to face his fears. Now a writer, he intends to pen a new story about the Marsten House. Murders and a suicide had occurred in this house in the 1930's, and Ben had gone into the abandoned, evil house when he was a boy living in town.

He had taken something with him and been haunted by what he had seen through out the years on that horrifying visit. He intends to rent the house and live in it while writing his newest novel, but finds out that the house has recently been purchased by Richard Straker for the mysterious Kurt Barlow.

They are to be opening an antique shop that specializes in old and fine things, but seem a little overpriced. Straker claims that Barlow is in New York on a buying trip. But, what the town does not know is that Barlow is already in town. In fact, he has just been delivered to the Marsten House in a box. When he awakens, people start to disappear and are soon found again. But there is something wrong with these people, as they turn to mist, can fly, only come out at night, and are very strong.

Their one objective is to enter another's house and give them a kiss . . . a kiss of death. For vampires now walk the streets of Jerusalem's Lot and only Ben and a few accomplices seem to realize what is going on.

'Salem's Lot is a horror story by Stephen King. Stephen King has written over 40 novels and is known as the most prolific horror writer of our time. His books are usually very large and slow to build, but are extremely character driven. They usually end in a whirlwind of building tension that climaxes in an explosion so satisfying that the reader may actually shudder in ecstasy as they lay the book down for the final time.

Review

This version of 'Salem's Lot is the Illustrated Edition. It has eight pictures in it including the cover. These eerie photographs were created by Jerry Uelsmann. I enjoyed the black and white photos but was disappointed that they had nothing whatsoever to do with the story. Another bonus with this edition is the 50 pages of alternate and deleted scenes along with two especially good short stories at the end of the book pertaining to Jerusalem's Lot.

There is also a new introduction by Stephen King. As for the story itself, I quite enjoyed this tale of vampires in a small New England town. Being a huge fan of both the television series of Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel, I love stories about vampires. The vampires in this story are  more along the traditional lines of a vampire in that they can turn to mist, fly, need an invitation to enter a house, and, of course, are bloodsuckers.

The interesting thing about being turned into a vampire is that they don't have to kill you . . . just suck your blood. In a few days, WHAM . . . you're a vamp! Like with all Stephen King books, the plot is slow to build, but build it does. I was shocked by how many of the main people die, but hey, its a horror story, right?

Once again, Mr. King weaves a magical spell in his pages that keeps the reader transfixed on his written word.

Overall, I quite enjoyed this fairly bloodless tromp through the mind of Stephen King and his interpretation of a great vampire story. 'Salem's Lot is a bloody winner.

I rated this book an 8 out of 10.