Has anyone ever read it? Is it any good? The only King novels I've read are Carrie and Misery.

I have money for only one book at the moment so I wondered... is it worth buying or should I just go to the library so that I can give it back?

Personally, I consider "Salem's Lot to be one of the best vampire novels ever written, and one of King's best. Now, people raised on the imagery of the modern urban vampire or the vampire ala Anne Rice might not think so. This is not for those looking for escapist flashy vampire "wars".

While Salem's Lot does have a Dracula-like vampire who orchestrates the destruction of 'Salem's Lot, the real hook of the book is how a sleepy mundane town slowly turns into a population of vampires. Your neighbor, your car salesman, your teacher, etc. King has a superb grasp of small town life, and of how denial is a first defense against the horrific.

The terrifying thing about 'Salem's Lot is that it seems perfectly possible for your town to be next.

"Every small town has its heart of darkness" - King

Minty, I think it's an awesome book. It's probably one of the creepiest books I've ever read. It's got an awesome sense of creeping evil that really sends shivers down your spine. I hope this helps with your decision.

As lostindreaming said, whenever I drive through a little sleepy town, I wonder what's going on behind those doors and windows.

'Salem's Lot was the first Stephan King novel I read, and it remains my favorite of all his novels. Do get the book! Highly recommended!

-- Nephele

Thank you all so much... that was what I was hoping the answers would be

yes yes yes. it was also the first of his i read. great book, not such a great movie however

Absolutely agreed. Book was way much better.

-- Nephele

Book is amazing. I've actually read it a few times and it scares the crap out of me every time.

Great book. Highly recommended.

~spidey

Salem's lot is one of the better works of King imho. However , if you wanna be really creeped out , you should probably check out Needful Things or "It".

I read a synopsis of It at Wikipedia earlier today and even that scared me


I'll have to see about buying a copy of 'Salem's Lot (my local library don't stock it sadly). I have the mini series of it, but I didn't want to watch it until I'd read the book (as I don't think that movie/tv versions of books ever really improve on the written version and sometimes they are just dire).

Definitely give it a read, Minty. This thread actually made me dig out my copy and re-read it; I'm currently about 1/3 through it. I had a bad moment when I had to turn off the kitchen light last night when getting ready for bed. Excellent!

'Salems Lot is one of the few King books I don't own, let alone have read (I own the majority of his early stuff, and just haven't gotten the chance of getting any of his newer stuff, mostly because I have so many other books that are still waiting to be read), but being a fan Kings work for the most part, I find it hard not to recommend any of his works.

In Salem's Lot, King also nails the interpersonal relationships of small towns perfectly. In any small town where residents have lived for generations, there is a thin veneer of civility and affability towards outsiders overlaying a ruthless, nearly evil, code towards each other.
I was much like Ben Mears. I spent my early years in a very small community where my mother's family is, and then returned there twice, as a teenager, and again as an adult. So, like Mears when he returned to the Lot, I was accepted by locals to a degree, but not with the same status as an "insider".