Salem’s Lot by Stephen King is a 2011 Anchor Books publication. (Originally published in 1975)

I was a big fan of horror novels during my teenage years. My first encounter with Stephen King was through ‘Carrie’. However, it was the golden age of pulp horror novels, and there were so many books to choose from. As a result, I didn't get around to reading this book until the early eighties. By that time, I had already read other King books, and if I remember correctly, I had watched the made-for-TV movie before reading the book. Eventually, I managed to get a paperback copy of the book. While I'm sure it would have given me some sleepless nights under normal circumstances, I had a unique, humorous, and unforgettable experience while reading this book, which was truly nightmarish.

I had only just started reading the book when my roommate invited me to stay at her parents’ house for the weekend. Apparently, her family had just bought a fixer-upper Victorian and was eager to show off their latest renovations. As it turned out, the house was located in the middle of nowhere, which was great during the day. My room was on the top floor, and as always, I had brought a paperback with me. As everyone settled in for the night, the quiet, the inky black darkness, the unfamiliar house in the middle of nowhere, and reading Salem’s Lot by Stephen King made for a sleepless night of tossing and turning and jumping at every little sound. I kept imagining Danny Glick floating outside one of those second-story windows. This book scared the daylights out of me!! And I loved it!!

The town of Jerusalem's Lot holds its secrets tightly, and the Marsten House looms over it like a ruined king.

Stephen King, a master of horror, weaves the community's narrative with the aesthetics of terror. His horrors lurk in everyday realities, and the community can be as threatening as the secretive monsters. In '’Salem’s Lot', King writes, ‘We’d all be scared if we knew what was swept under the carpet of each other’s minds’. The town's ordinary folks allow their neighbor's traumas to fester, creating an unsettling atmosphere. The watching eyes of a predator, whether undead or judgmental, are equally eerie.

This novel taps into the real fears of small towns dying out, a topic that was relevant in rural areas of the US in the late 20th century. The flight from a small town in Maine seems like a victim of a collapsed local economy, but there is a darker secret within. The town knows about darkness, both from the rotation of the earth and the human soul. The bad behaviors of the town have opened the door for worse predators to take control.

The title and name of the town, Jerusalem's Lot, may have biblical connections. King frequently plays with biblical elements, and the town feels adjacent to Sodom and Gomorrah. In reality, the town is based on Durham, Maine, where King explored the real Marsten House as a kid. The story of Sodom and Gomorrah involves a town being destroyed for its sins, and Jerusalem's Lot seems to be just as bad, if not worse.

'’Salem’s Lot' is a creepy novel that maintains a growing tension of terrors. King's ability to thrill and chill in the moment and leave a lingering terror is remarkable. The scariest bits are often dropped into normal, mundane reality. This year, I indulged in horror novels and was blissfully reading this one with Nataliya. Even a simple task like feeding a neighbor's cat in the basement can trigger a fright when the mind decides to think about the Marsten House.

The atmosphere of the novel is both creepy and oppressive, like the small towns in Michigan's upper peninsula where I spent my summers. The town is full of people who know each other's business too well, and generational trauma is rampant. The question of whether the people's bad behavior made the town evil or vice versa is left unanswered. The vampires in the book become the worst versions of themselves, similar to the first vampire novel, 'The Vampyre' by John William Polidori.

It's King's early work, and it shows. The writing is great, but some parts lack clarification. The crucifix is a key tool for fighting vampires, and there is a lot of symbolism around the church. King also uses childhood innocence effectively, juxtaposing it with the power of their innocence. The theme of reclaiming memory is prominent, as Marsten House represents Ben's past traumas. He wants to recapture the magic of time now gone, but as King writes, ‘If a fear cannot be articulated, it can’t be conquered’.

The ending of the book is a bit of a letdown. While the purification by fire motif is interesting, we don't get to see the final battle. The book could have ended abruptly when Ben says ‘I’ll be back’, like a Vampire Terminator. Overall, '’Salem’s Lot' is a wild ride of frights and fun, with a lot of depth and symbolism. It's early King, and while a few parts are clunky, it's a well-told story that is worth reading.

3.75/5

When I first came across this book in a used book store, I was truly astonished by the sheer number of pages it had.

After all, it was a Stephen King book, and one might expect a certain level of bulk.

As I delved into the reading, many of those pages seemed to pass by slowly, and the story appeared to be advancing at a snail's pace.

I found myself thinking that this would, at best, be a three-star read.

It seemed like just a rehash of the classic "Dracula".

However, as I continued, I gradually began to fall under its enchanting spell.

The pace suddenly picked up, and the writing became truly amazing.

Soon, I was in a trance, seeing nothing but a five-star book in my future.

Count Stephen had managed to make me a believer.

This is indeed a modern-day Dracula story that has the power to captivate and surprise.

I just completed my second perusal of 'Salem's Lot. Truly, it was even better than the initial time. Given that this was among Stephen King's earliest novels, it reveals a great deal about the remarkable works that would follow from this highly productive author.

We are introduced to richly developed characters. His writing from a child's perspective is one of the elements that attract me to his work. We also gain an understanding of his talent for world-building. 'Salem's Lot is not merely the setting; it is essentially another character within the book. This aspect will be more prominent in his later writing, as seen with Castle Rock in Needful Things and several other books and short stories.

The interconnectedness of Stephen King's books and stories is yet another aspect that I adore about his writing. Reading 'Salem's Lot makes me eager to reopen the Dark Tower series. As young Jake tells Roland, "there are other worlds than these." And they all intersect throughout Stephen King's body of work.

I am extremely glad that I gave this book a second reading. We are reading through King's novels chronologically in the HORROR or HEAVEN Group. Next up is Rage. I am awarding 5 stars for my reread of Salem's Lot because it reminded me of all the aspects I love about Stephen King's writing.

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Genre: Horror

Salem's Lot takes its name from Jerusalem's Lot and is a small town in New England. Here, numerous strange and inexplicable things occur. Now, an author named Ben Mears returns to his childhood town. He aims to write a new story about the town and the terrifying incident he endured as a child. When he decides to rent and reside in Masten House, the very place where that incident took place, he learns that the spooky house has been purchased by a strange man named Kurt Barlow, who intends to convert it into an antique store. The situation in the lot begins to change and intensify with the disappearance of a young boy. And then, horror strikes in a major way!

The story is told from multiple points of view, mainly covering Ben and Susan's perspectives and then the lot in general. Fortunately, the narration is in the third-party style, ensuring no confusion or mix-up between the characters. This is a slow-burn horror, and as Stephen King put it, it's a sort of modern version of Dracula (though I haven't read that one yet). However, I'm not certain what else is similar between the two books aside from the presence of vampires.

While reading this book, I made sure to create the perfect atmosphere. I read it at night in my bed, in complete darkness, with only a single bedside table lamp. You have no idea how many times I was startled and gasped whenever I heard random little noises. I was so engrossed in the story that I felt like I was one of the residents of the lot. Of course, the author's amazing writing and atmosphere-building contributed greatly to this.

Like most of King's novels, the characters are well-developed and have strong personalities. The author includes so many tiny details that make you feel as if you already know these characters. This includes the secondary characters as well, not just the main ones. I loved everything about this novel! It was written at a time when vampires were truly scary creatures, unlike today when they are often oversexualized and more like love interests!

The edition of the book I own also contains two short stories, One for the Road and Jerusalem's Lot. The first is set many years after the events of Salem's Lot, and the second is like a prequel set in 1850. I enjoyed both. They are creepy and highly atmospheric too. I still don't know the connection between this book and The Dark Tower series. I think one of the characters in this book might appear in one of The Dark Tower's books. I guess I'll find out when it's time to read the next tower book.

Note: Salem's Lot is part of my reading of Stephen King's The Dark Tower series. This is Book No.8 of the 24 books I'm going to read for this series.

'Salem's Lot by the renowned Stephen King is truly not just one of his all-time greatest novels but a horror classic! The manner in which he constructs Jerusalem’s Lot, brick by brick, along with all its fascinating characters, will instantly captivate you from the very beginning. I simply couldn't put this book down and savored every moment of reading it, as it is that immersive.

As 'Salem's Lot progresses, whether you read it long ago or are reading it for the first time, the way King manages to keep you on the edge of your seat is truly extraordinary. He established the tone for his remarkable writing career back in 1975 when this was first published, and decades later, it still retains its charm. In fact, many readers will assert that it's the best novel he's ever penned, yes, even more terrifying than “It”. I've read numerous horror novels in my lifetime, and I can affirm without hesitation that 'Salem's Lot belongs in the “best of the best” category.

This book earns a perfect 5/5 stars in my opinion and is something I would highly recommend to anyone who either adores King's work or is a horror enthusiast. If you're interested in reading novels about vampires that are written in a unique and distinct way, 'Salem's Lot is the perfect choice for you. Just remember to keep the lights on...

Full review now posted!


If you're in search of vampires with real bite, your search ends here.


There are few monsters as enduring as the vampire. For over a thousand years, mankind has regaled itself with tales of preternatural beings who resemble us, perhaps were once us, but now survive by draining our life force. Sometimes, these are mere campfire stories, intended to send a shiver down our spines and thrill us before we push them aside with the mundane. But other times, we can't help but believe our own fabrications.


In the past few decades, vampires have taken a significant hit in pop culture. True, they remain popular, perhaps even more so than ever before, yet they've lost some of their potency. Vampires were once terrifying entities, using their alluring beauty like a cobra's hypnosis to ensnare their victims. However, in recent years, society has, so to speak, defanged them. We've made them harmless by endowing them with consciences and glittery skin, transforming them into a metaphor for combating the temptations of the flesh.


That's not at all what you'll encounter when you visit 'Salem's Lot.


This sleepy little community in Maine is Everytown, USA. There's not much to do, and kids often leave as soon as possible in search of a more exciting life. This leaves behind the elderly, children, and those who couldn't escape and had to settle for keeping the town running. It's a town that could disappear from the map with hardly anyone noticing, and that's precisely what occurs. The building horror of what decimated the town, and how swiftly and easily most of the townspeople succumbed to that destruction, is where King truly excels.


On one side, we have a terrifyingly magnetic vampire mastermind, his disturbing and articulate henchman, and the townspeople who quickly yield to their new master's advances. Some of these newly turned are children, which makes them even more disturbing. No one can write about children like King, whether they're brave and captivating or terrifying enough to make a person think twice about having kids. Both children and adults march to the rhythm set by their new master, who embodies everything a vampire should be. He, and his newly turned children, are the embodiment of vampires; they're beautiful, yet their beauty is disturbing and deadly. They are mankind's version of a Venus Fly Trap, using their unearthly beauty to lure their prey into their hungry, tooth-lined mouths.


On the other side, we have a motley crew of renegade townsfolk, rebelling against the force attacking their town and doing their utmost to save 'Salem's Lot from complete annihilation. An author from out of town, the girl he hits it off with, an English teacher from a local high school, a doctor, a priest, and a child stand alone against an incomprehensible evil. Where the story goes from there is something you'll have to read to discover.


There's one other central figure in the story: the Marsten House. This house, the site of the town's most disturbing history and allegedly haunted to boot, is what drew Ben, our writer, back to 'Salem's Lot. It looms menacingly over the town, seemingly evil despite its inanimate state, making it the perfect abode for a monster. King did an excellent job of making the house itself extremely disturbing.


In recent years, I've developed a love for reading horror novels in October; they get me excited for the changing seasons, cooler weather, and Halloween. This book was exactly what I was hoping for, atmospheric and scary in a purely intellectual way that didn't disrupt my sleep. King did a great job of reclaiming vampires for the horror genre. Remember, this book was originally published in 1975, long before our modern society decided that vampires should be lusted after rather than feared, but it was still refreshing to read a novel that restored the bloodsuckers to their throne of fear. If you're in the mood for a great Halloween read, I wholeheartedly recommend this book. And if you're simply looking for a way to see vampires in all their terrifying glory, I think you've just found it.


This was a buddy read with my wonderful friend Caleb!


Original review can be found at Booknest.

Stephen King is renowned for his ability to create vivid and terrifying scenarios and characters, and this novel is no exception. He has taken his time to present us with a story that unfolds gradually, building tension and mystery along the way.

He had started this particular novel, the second to be published by him, years ago but had set it aside. This was a huge mistake. From the very beginning, I found the reading to be terrifying as we intuit and are then shown little by little the horrors that lurk within the story. The mystery surrounding the ghost town of Salem's Lot takes its time to make an appearance, but believe me when I say that it is well worth the wait.

Bean Mears decides to return to the town where he spent part of his childhood with his aunt to exorcize the old demons that have been haunting him since he made a bet with his group of friends. All he had to do was enter the imposing Marsten House, which looms over the town like a lighthouse, and take an object from it as proof of his bravery. It seems easy, doesn't it? But since then, he has been plagued by terrible nightmares every night, and returning to the town does not seem to have been the best decision.

There, he will meet Susan and a few other inhabitants who will help him in his search for the evil that seems to have inhabited the house since ancient times. We will learn about his past and present, and it seems that he is a magnet for the evil that spreads its roots like weeds.

We will witness as the town gradually descends into the deepest darkness. King tells us how chaos is being established in each house, each family. What are those strange noises that can be heard behind the windows? Where is the people? Strange disappearances and sinister sounds lurk as night falls.

I loved this novel, but I must admit that I was hoping for a more apocalyptic ending with the main villain of the story. However, it still managed to keep me on the edge of my seat until the very end.

One tip for enjoying this reading even more is to read the stories also set in Salem's Lot that are included in Stephen King's first anthology, "Night Shift". These are "Graveyard Shift" (which is a homage to Lovecraft and could be considered a prequel that tells us about the origin of what happens in that cursed region) and "One for the Road", which is a sequel to the novel I have been reviewing.

If you want to be scared and look over your shoulder at what hides in the shadows behind the window, don't hesitate and visit Salem's Lot with the master of horror himself. Just remember to close the shutters of the windows before going to sleep

King's undeniable talent is on full display in Salem's Lot.

Set in a small 1970's New England town, a familiar setting for King, it is filled with characters having different spectral aspects of himself. This enables his personal experiences to enhance the persuasiveness of his remarkable descriptive powers.

The result is a highly immersive and believable world where vampires are real and taking over.

Unfortunately, 1970's New England holds no nostalgia for me. I didn't like most of the characters in the book, and this aspect failed to resonate with me as a reader. Salem's Lot just seemed hopelessly outdated.

I recall that one of my favorite shows in high school was THAT 70's SHOW, but my dad hated it, telling me and my brother that the 70's were nothing like that for him. I use this to defend King (though he doesn't really need it from a butcher in Georgia). My father would likely agree with this portrayal of 1970 small town America and feel nostalgic. My lack of connection is not a criticism of King but a heads-up for other Gen Xers and millennials.

As I mentioned, the characters are believable and overall well-developed. Some may be clichéd, but they do serve their purpose. The vampire aspect is also well-executed, with Barlow embodying the classic European vampire. He was scary to me. I'll admit that Barlow may be clichéd to modern readers, but King still manages to deliver the chills.

Salem's Lot is a 4-star read, except for one major flaw. In the version I read, he reveals in the beginning about a man and a boy who are not related trying to escape a traumatic experience. Then he catalogs newspaper articles about the town, and in a few cases, you find out who survived. This added a bit of intrigue but mostly ruined the suspense as I was able to figure out large portions of the ending. To defend King one last time (who again doesn't need it), Salem's Lot may be clichéd, but in his second book, he succeeds in his goal of creating a 1970 Dracula in America. Well done!

Stephen King's exploration of vampires in this book offers a unique take. However, I didn't find it as engaging as CARRIE.

The heroes in the story include an author, Ben Mears, who seems to have a bit of self-insertion. He's the only character with good sex in the novel. Then there's Father Callahan, an Irish-American drunk priest who's fed up with the human evil he witnesses daily. Jimmy Cody is a doctor, and Mark Petrie is a little boy with special powers. Matt Burke, a mild-mannered bachelor English teacher, is like the Van Helsing of the group.

The only female who could be considered a heroine is Susan Norton. I have mixed feelings about her. On one hand, she's a reader, stands up for Ben against her mother, and tells Ben what she wants sexually. But on the other hand, she does some stupid things. For example, she decides to go after the powerful vampire all by herself with only a broken fence slat.

The characters often do stupid things just to give King a way to kill them off. They split up despite being warned not to, and people die as a result. This is very frustrating and out of character.

The book is heavily Catholic, with the heroes using crosses, holy water, and prayer to fight the vampires. The scenes of these battles are well-written and exciting. However, I disagree with the idea that the Church has become weaker by addressing modern problems.

King also views small towns as wretched hives of scum and villainy, which I find irrational and disturbing. And there's a character who leaves town to avoid dying, and Ben calls him a coward. I don't think this is fair.

Overall, while there are some flaws in the book, it's still a good read. King is an excellent author, and there are some truly outstanding chapters. I look forward to reading more of his books and ranking them.

I went through this book fairly quickly.

This was my first time reading Stephen King, and I must admit it was a crazy experience. (Crazy I know.) King's writing style is truly captivating, and it didn't take long for me to be completely immersed in the story.

From the very beginning, the book had me on the edge of my seat, with its twists and turns that kept me guessing until the very end. (This book was crazy... And I loved it.)

After finishing this book, I can't wait to explore more of King's works. His ability to create vivid characters and build intense atmospheres is simply remarkable.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a good thriller or horror story. It will definitely keep you entertained and leave you wanting more.

\\n  Update:\\n I have made a decision to lower my rating to 3.5 and then round it down to 3 stars. Please don't misunderstand me. Salem's Lot is indeed a good book. It's just that I didn't enjoy it to the same extent as some of the other 4-star rated books on my bookshelf. The reasons for this are stated in my review below. Nevertheless, I still recommend it!
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\\n  Original Review\\n

3.75

I truly believe that Salem's Lot was just okay. Like many others, I would say that it's not among King's finest works. However, I can understand why it is regarded as a classic. It's quite remarkable considering it was only King's second published book. That being said, it has numerous excellent aspects, but it also has some flaws. And in typical King fashion, the ending is one of them.

You see, I'm not a fan of vampires. (Twilight really spoiled everything for me.) And King didn't revolutionize the concept here. Nevertheless, Salem's Lot felt refreshingly new (despite its age) and distinct from all the vampire nonsense nowadays. The vampires weren't terrifying - I could listen to the audiobook before going to bed - but the atmosphere was still dark and suspenseful. There were certain moments - like the window scenes - that were truly disturbing.
As always, King takes his time to establish the threat and get the story moving. It felt like an eternity in here (almost half the book). But when things finally started to progress, I was hooked until the end. I really enjoyed the vampire hunting and how everything quickly got out of the characters' control. Sadly, the ending was anticlimactic and disappointing. King really struggles with writing strong endings.

Some of the characters were another concern I had with Salem's Lot. Ben was an incredibly dull main character. He lacked substance, and I wasn't convinced by his development. I also wasn't a fan of Susan. She seemed like the typical stupid horror movie love interest who thinks she's super smart and independent but is far from it. However, Matt, Mark, and Jimmy were characters I really liked, and they enhanced every scene. The rest of the cast was also okay and demonstrated that King's strength as a writer often lies in his characters.

If you want to start reading King, I think Salem's Lot is a great option. It's an entertaining read with some flaws, but it's definitely a must-read for both fans and newcomers alike!
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It turned out better than I initially expected. RTC