Horror· United States
It
by Stephen KingAggregate Editorial Score45/100
★Bram Stoker Award
Published 19861168 pagesEnglish
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Published in 1986, It established Stephen King as one of the defining voices in horror. In the town of Derry, Maine, seven children are drawn together by a shapeshifting evil—most often a clown called Pennywise—that preys on their fears. Years later, they must return as adults to face It again. King's monumental novel is a meditation on childhood, memory, fear, and the bonds of friendship. Themes of childhood, fear, memory run through the work. The book has received recognition from Bram Stoker Award 1986.
Book Details
About the Category
👻 Horror
Fiction designed to frighten, unsettle, or disturb the reader.
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🇺🇸 United States
This book is part of United States's rich literary tradition.
Explore books from United States →Editorial Assessment
Stephen King published It in 1986, and it has since become one of the more widely recognised works of horror from United States. The book's treatment of childhood, fear, memory, friendship accounts for much of its enduring reputation.
Among its recognitions: Bram Stoker Award 1986. With an editorial score of 45/100 drawn from 1 independent sources, the book occupies a well-documented position in the critical literature. Its recognition spans international prizes, "best of" lists, and academic surveys.
What distinguishes It is how it handles its central concerns — childhood, fear, memory, friendship — without reducing them to neat conclusions. The book invites close reading and holds up well to it.
Stephen King's role in the literature of United States is well established. It can be read as both a standalone achievement and as part of a broader national literary conversation about identity, history, and the possibilities of narrative form.
About this assessment: Editorial scores are aggregated from 1 independent sources including major literary prizes, critical surveys, and leading publications. Our editorial team reviews and contextualises this data. Rankings reflect critical consensus, not personal opinion or popularity metrics. Learn about our methodology.
Awards & Recognition
Bram Stoker Award
list · genre
198621
Stephen King is a celebrated author from United States known for influential works of horror.
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