7. Kinghiana | Pet Sematary

La Torre Nera è una serie di otto romanzi di Stephen King che mescola fantasy, fantascienza, horror e western. Il protagonista, Roland Deschain, ultimo dei pistoleri discendente di Arthur Eld, intraprende un pellegrinaggio verso la Torre Nera, costruzione leggendaria che tiene uniti tempo, spazio e tutti i mondi. Accompagnato dal suo ka-tet, combatte contro il Re Rosso e forze oscure per salvare la realtà dal collasso, in un mondo 'andato avanti' devastato da guerre e decadenza.

Set in the fictional Pittsburgh suburb of Libertyville, Pennsylvania in 1978, the story revolves around Arnie Cunningham, a nerdy teenager who buys a dilapidated 1958 Plymouth Fury named Christine. As Arnie restores the car, he becomes increasingly obsessed with it, and Christine begins to exert a supernatural influence over him. The car, possessed by the vengeful spirit of its previous owner, Roland D. LeBay, systematically consumes every aspect of Arnie's life, leading to a series of terrifying and deadly events. Arnie's friends, Dennis Guilder and Leigh Cabot, must uncover the truth behind Christine's malevolent powers and stop her before it's too late.

La zampa di scimmia narra la storia dei White, una famiglia inglese che entra in possesso di un amuleto magico: una zampa di scimmia capace di esaudire tre desideri. Un amico, il sergente Morris, li avverte dei pericoli legati all'uso dell'oggetto. Nonostante l'avvertimento, il signor White esprime il primo desiderio, chiedendo 200 sterline. Il desiderio si avvera, ma con un prezzo terribile: il figlio muore in un incidente sul lavoro e la famiglia riceve un risarcimento di 200 sterline. La storia esplora i temi del destino, della superstizione e delle conseguenze delle proprie azioni.

Cose preziose è ambientato nella tranquilla cittadina di Castle Rock, nel Maine, dove apre un nuovo negozio chiamato "Cose preziose", gestito dal misterioso Leland Gaunt. Gaunt offre agli abitanti oggetti che desiderano ardentemente a prezzi apparentemente bassi, ma in realtà chiede in cambio favori che alimentano rancori e violenze tra i cittadini. La situazione degenera rapidamente, trasformando Castle Rock in un luogo di caos e terrore. Il romanzo esplora temi come l'avidità, la manipolazione e la fragilità della moralità umana.

Insomnia follows Ralph Roberts, a widower struggling with sleeplessness after his wife's death. As he delves deeper into his condition, he discovers he can see auras around people, leading him into a battle against dark forces in Derry, Maine. The novel explores themes of fate, free will, and the nature of reality.

In 'Salem's Lot, writer Ben Mears returns to his childhood hometown of Jerusalem's Lot, Maine, to write a book about the Marsten House, a place that has haunted him since childhood. However, he soon discovers that the town is being taken over by vampires, led by the ancient and powerful Kurt Barlow. Along with a small group of allies, including high school teacher Matt Burke, doctor Jimmy Cody, and young Mark Petrie, Ben must confront the supernatural forces threatening the town. The novel explores themes of evil, faith, and the struggle against overwhelming horror, culminating in a desperate battle to save the town from the vampires.

Published in 1857, 'Madame Bovary' is a seminal work of literary realism that tells the story of Emma Bovary, a beautiful and intelligent young woman who marries Charles Bovary, a dull and unambitious doctor. Emma's life is marked by boredom, romantic fantasies, and a series of ill-fated love affairs with men like Rodolphe and Léon. Her inability to distinguish between her romantic ideals and the harsh realities of her life leads to financial ruin, public scandal, and ultimately, her tragic demise. The novel is renowned for its masterful writing, detailed psychological insights, and its critique of bourgeois provincial life.

Pet Sematary, written by Stephen King, is a horror novel that delves into the darker aspects of human nature, exploring themes of grief, loss, and the consequences of tampering with the natural order of life and death. The story follows Dr. Louis Creed, who moves his family from Chicago to Ludlow, Maine, where he takes a job as the director of the University of Maine's campus health service. After their cat, Church, is killed by a truck, Louis's elderly neighbor, Jud Crandall, introduces him to an ancient Indian burial ground behind the 'pet sematary' where local children bury their pets. Despite warnings, Louis buries Church there, and the cat returns to life but is fundamentally different. The novel takes a darker turn when Louis's young son Gage is killed by a truck, and Louis considers using the burial ground to bring him back, despite the dire consequences that have been hinted at through the story of Timmy Baterman. The book is a profound exploration of the human fear of death and the devastating repercussions of attempting to defy it.

In Stephen King's 'The Shining,' Jack Torrance takes a job as the winter caretaker of the Overlook Hotel, hoping to rekindle his writing career and reconnect with his family. However, the hotel has a dark history and malevolent forces that begin to prey on Jack's sanity. As the isolation and supernatural influences intensify, Jack descends into madness, terrorizing his wife and son. The novel explores themes of isolation, addiction, and the destructive power of the past. King masterfully builds tension and dread, creating a chilling and unforgettable tale of psychological horror.