Carrie

By: Stephen King

Narrated by: Sissy Spacek, Margaret Atwood

Length: 7 hrs and 46 mins

Publisher's summary

#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • 50TH ANNIVERSARY EDITION WITH A NEW INTRODUCTION BY MARGARET ATWOOD • Stephen King's legendary debut, the bestselling smash hit that put him on the map as one of America's favorite writers • In a world where bullies rule, one girl holds a secret power. Unpopular and tormented, Carrie White's life takes a terrifying turn when her hidden abilities become a weapon of horror.

"Stephen King’s first novel changed the trajectory of horror fiction forever. Fifty years later, authors say it’s still challenging and guiding the genre."—Esquire

“A master storyteller.”—The Los Angeles Times • “Guaranteed to chill you.”—The New York Times • "Gory and horrifying. . . . You can't put it down."—Chicago Tribune

Unpopular at school and subjected to her mother's religious fanaticism at home, Carrie White does not have it easy. But while she may be picked on by her classmates, she has a gift she's kept secret since she was a little girl: she can move things with her mind. Doors lock. Candles fall. Her ability has been both a power and a problem. And when she finds herself the recipient of a sudden act of kindness, Carrie feels like she's finally been given a chance to be normal. She hopes that the nightmare of her classmates' vicious taunts is over . . . but an unexpected and cruel prank turns her gift into a weapon of horror so destructive that the town may never recover.

©1974 Stephen King (P)2012 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

“Stephen King has built a literary genre of putting ordinary people in the most terrifying situations. . . . he’s the author who can always make the improbable so scary you'll feel compelled to check the locks on the front door.”—The Boston Globe

“Shivering, shuddery, macabre evil!”—Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

“Eerie and haunting—sheer terror!”—Publishers Weekly

Makes a good audible book

The narration by Sissy Spacek is a plus.
I actually enjoyed the audible version better than the book...it's an early work by King and some areas are rough, but it is much less noticeable when you are listening to the audible version.

Narrator was amazing

This was one of my favorite narrators. She did an excellent job! I ‘ll have to look for more books she narrates.

intence

Bullying, abuse, tyrannical religious monsters, twisted christian values… this one is a juicy, sink your teeth into, masterwork.

The pain she endures from her religious, nut-job mamma is excruciating. It is real. It is something that can be believed in and experienced during the read.

The use of the letters and newspaper clips that break up the character narrations make it unique, unusual.

indeed this is great story telling. this is one of King's best

-m

Favorite Book to Listen to

Love this book. The story is about a girl who gets even with those who have tortured her since grade school. While the punishment is excessive, it does show that all actions have consequences, even if you're a teenager. King tells the story so well, it makes me wonder if he was ever on the receiving end of the bullying. The book is read by Sissy Spacek, who some will recognize as the first actress to play Carrie. She has a great voice and is easy to listen to.

The Ultimate Underdog Bites Back!

Would you consider the audio edition of Carrie to be better than the print version?

Yes, this was an incredibly well done audiobook. It was definitely better than the movie, I love that she fought back.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Carrie, since the book was narrated by Sissy Spacek and she played Carrie in the original movie...it made it all the easier to imagine.

Which character – as performed by Sissy Spacek – was your favorite?

Carrie and her mother, they were well done and very complicated.

If you could take any character from Carrie out to dinner, who would it be and why?

Again I would pick Carrie, that poor girl never got the chance to have a real friend and feel loved. I would love to be her friend.

Wonderful and yet...

I picked up this book after reading the back story of when Steven King wrote this Novel. I am not a horror fan, but this wasn't quite the needless butchering I usually hate. I am now a fan of Steven King writing. Amazing writing skill. The only grievance is the news reports. He would jump back and forth between the story and almost a panel of investigators. It made the final events anti climatic. I grunted every time the story would stop to hear a after article or police report in the middle of a scene. I didn't mind them in the beginning but they were like commercials: a few in the beginning but a ton at the end because they know you won't stop now. I would recommend it. Wonderful book. I felt a real connection to characters and events, truly a good read.

Excellent and Scary!!

Very brilliantly written novel. Stephen King was at his very best for this story. This book kept me on the edge of my chair.

Great book, loved it!’

It was great listening to Sissy Spacek read it, it was the first king movie I watched & the first book I bought. I have read it many times & now I will listen to it repeatedly!

Great Thriller/Horror

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes, to all my friends who enjoy this type of book. The narrator kept things interesting, and intriguing. He absolutely kept me on my toes

What was one of the most memorable moments of Carrie?

The narrators infliction in telling the story. Every moment was memorable because the narrator left a lasting imprint in my mind.

What does Sissy Spacek bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

It felt like I was listening to a thrilling story around a campfire, with infliction in tone and excitement. This would have never have been the same if I had read the book

If you could rename Carrie, what would you call it?

I would not re-name Carrie, since the book is all about her and the life she led, and how she became the crazed girl in the end.

Any additional comments?

Carrie is a girl with telekinetic powers who has been isolated from her community due to the crazy reputation of her mother. Her mother has kept her sheltered and taught her extreme religions views and opinions.

All of this made going to high school a traumatic experience for her. Especially when the torture and traumatic times seem to occur on a daily basis.

Everything comes together and she finally explodes with rage, taking it out on anyone and everyone who has ever caused her pain.

It just so happens that the whole town has bullied her, so Carrie has a vendetta against a large amount of people.


I'd give this book 5/5 for an classic original King horror book.

Favorite book

This is my favorite book of all time besides Harry Potter. Whenever I can't figure out what to read, I read Harry Potter and I can read anything, same with Carrie. From the multiple POVs, to the characters, the setting, the symbolism, the introduction really makes it personal. I love this book.