Pet Sematary by Stephen King

Shane | Allentown High School, Grade 11

Rating: *****

How far would you go to bring back your family’s beloved pet? What if it was your own child? Arguably one of Stephen King’s best works, Pet Sematary explores the life of a nobody named Louis Creed. Life is on the up and up, in fact, they had just moved into a brand new home in rural Maine. The kids and wife are enjoying themselves out of the busy city until their pet cat (ironically named Church) is struck by a speeding truck. A few days later, Mr. Creed learns from one of the neighbors about the town’s pet cemetery in the woods, but warns that it brings a curse to those who bury there. The cat returns on their front porch with violent intention, and soon leads one of the Creed children into the road where it had been killed. And now Louis is once again faced with the same question… should he bury the child in the pet cemetery even while knowing the consequences?

This was horrifying and beautifully well done. Pet Sematary, in my opinion, developed the best cast of characters in all of King’s works. It pokes at a very human wish for death to be avoided, but not for oneself, but instead for those around us. While it is a very scary tale (no pun intended), it also is quite the novel to reflect on. The wholesomeness of family is a theme that reigns true, and the inclusion of all kinds of people make it that much more relatable. Not to mention, if you’re a legends, myths, and cryptids fan, it details some very interesting, true accounts on the sightings of the Wendigo.