“I Never Would Have Anticipated That.”
Welcome to The Podcast That Floats Down Here’s Daily Derry! The Daily Derry focuses on topics discussed in the most recent episode of the show, which this week was “Stephen King’s ‘IT’ – Noobz.”
In this special episode, first-time reader Luke is joined by two other first-time readers: Abby and Bailey. The trio discussed their favorite characters, favorite and least favorite moments, and questions they have for the rest of the novel.
IT was published in 1986 and since its publication and the famous 1990 miniseries starring Tim Curry, IT has never been out of the public consciousness. In this episode of the podcast, we hear from three first time readers who talked about how IT really wasn’t what they were expecting when they picked it up.
Abby talked about how she’s not a horror fan, which is why she never chose to read the book, and Bailey said she’s been surprised every chapter by how King addresses much more than she thought he would. The hosts listed off all of the issues King tackles in this novel: racism, gender inequality, bullying, abuse, domestic violence. Before starting the novel, “I never would have anticipated that,” said Luke.
How did this wonderfully complex story addressing social issues become relegated to simply horror in popular culture?
I was born in 1992, two years after the release of the IT miniseries and several years after the book’s publication. When I was a kid, I watched the miniseries on television and was rightfully terrified. If you mention IT to anyone, they will inevitably mention the opening the scene in which It lures George into the sewers (or they will mention the meme in which It lures other people into the sewers with offers of paying off student debt). This is what I always associated with both the novel and the miniseries, so I understandably had no desire to pick up the book, thinking it would just be a horror novel.
When I heard they were going to be making a new adaptation of the novel, this time on the big screen and starring that kid from Stranger Things, I was intrigued. I watched the trailer, became terrified of It again, this time as an adult, and vowed not to watch it. I have stuck to that vow. Let me know how you liked the movie.
But the way Luke and all the hosts of Floats Down Here discuss the novel, it sounds like it’s very different from any adaptation. I’m not sure a miniseries or film could easily translate King’s treatment of the issues to the screen. Maybe the only way to really understand this story is to read it, especially if, like me, you’re a fraidy-cat.
I have never been as scared of books as I have been of movies or television. When you’re reading, you’re in control of the image. Reading about It visiting the residents of Derry is no doubt still scary, but you know that your brain is in charge. While reading It, not only can you feel in control of the picture, but you can also grapple with the issues in the way King intended – through his words, and not through the interpretation of a director, producer, actor, and screenwriter.
The sequel to the newest It film is due out this year. Maybe all of us who neglected the book before should pick it up before then and spend some time with King’s words for the first time. I think we might be surprised at what we discover.
Until next time, stay imaginary.