I just find it very interesting how, between Stan and Bev’s called-by-mike chapters, which are both from the perspective of their spouses…you get all the look you need at their relationships with their respective Losers.
The subject gets a little uncomfy so if anybody reads this be ready ok please
What I mean is, you can tell that Patty really loved Stan. She grieves his death and regrets not checking on him after he seemed shaken by the phone-call and blames herself for missing little tells that she should know by now, but it’s the fact that she feels like she should know by now, and that she cared so much. Sure she’s emotional once he. you know. dies. which is understandable, that is her husband and also she just walked in on a dead body, which would be jarring whether you knew the guy or not. But we learn so so much in that chapter about her love for him and their relationship throughout its duration, and it makes it all the more difficult to read, emotionally. The thing is, though, that I thought it would just be a one-off sort of thing, I thought she was narrating because yeah! Stan’s dead so it can’t really be from his perspective, right? I thought it was a super clever move to paint a picture of his life and what he’d made of it, without the image being tainted by the panic of his trauma and last moments.
But!! I’m part-way through Bev’s chapter, which is from Tom’s POV, and it’s totally different in a way that really shows his character. He has no clue who’s on the phone, he doesn’t care and doesn’t bother asking, which Patty did. He’s not concerned by the look in Beverly’s eye, but intimidated because it’s been a while since he’s seen it, especially outside of work (fashion, iirc?). He doesn’t care to know why she’s frantically packing, just that she’s doing it while smoking a cigarette. All we get from him, at least as far as I’ve gotten into the chapter, is anger at her for disobeying and “forgetting her lessons” (he makes me sick and is creepy as shit in a way that makes me wish we’d gotten longer opening scenes for the Losers in the Chapter Two movie, did I mention that??), and the detached manner in which he thinks about the situation playing out in front of him/us is really good at conveying how he sees her in general. While we get shown how much Patty loved Stan, the way Tom regards Bev does a very good job at telling me yeah, hey, if you need to know he’s abusive outside of the literal physical violence we’re depicting for you and have been since the chapter’s friggin name, he doesn’t think about her humanely at all — he certainly doesn’t love her now, and if she was in Stan’s position, he certainly wouldn’t have Patty’s reaction because he wouldn’t love her then, either. He can say that he does, but he really clearly doesn’t
Idk if this makes sense or not lmao and this is probably the kind of thing I’ll reread when I’m older and delete out of embarrassment and shame but right now I just wanna like kind of keep a live-reaction-journal-thingy while I read!!
Each week we read a certain amount of the book and I have thoughts and feelings about IT *Ba Dum Tss*
Warning: There are Spoilers
Week 1
Ch. 1
I really liked being in Georgie’s perspective, and the whole time he’s describing the basement I kept hearing the Jaws *dun dun* because of future events and just having the knowledge I have from the Miniseries, Movies (and Musical), like, dude, you have no idea how right you are! And that turtle wax made me go, “omg, does Stephen King even realize what he did there?!” and it’s like “yeah, ya goof.”
Georgie and Bill’s relationship was so siblings. People don’t always write siblings being assholes to each other while also showing that they care about each other. I think the butthole jokes weirdly show that off the best, and Georgie is so cute about Bill saying “shitty butthole” — very little kid of him.
Also, when Georgie kisses Bill on the cheek and Bill tells Georgie to be careful before leaving, I never thought it was weird while watching the other media, so when it was pointed out how unusual it was it got me thinking about why did they do it that time? Was it the turtle or was it just one of those moments that really stands out to you because it was the last time you saw that person and it ended in tragedy or was it something else completely?
Something that really surprised me was that an adult “saw” what happened and actually went to go check on Georgie. Any other time I’ve seen this scene it almost always cuts away right after Georgie is attacked so I had no idea. Plus adults suck, so anytime they aren't it’s always wild to me.
Ch. 2
This chapter is so brutal, obviously. But like, fuck, dude. What adds to the harshness of it all is like this shit has happened and can still happen. My heart felt so disgusted by what those homophobic pricks were doing. And the hopelessness of Don crying out for anyone to help, and running back to Adrian and not being able to anything was so sad and sickening.
And with Pennywise showing up to finish off Adrian I find myself thinking, not at the time but looking back on it, Pennywise is not as bad as those jackwagons. Is that weird to think? I mean, Pennywise is a murder-crazed space clown god thing, what are those scum sucking fuckwads excuses?
Something I found interesting is how kinda neutral the cops were? ACAB and all that, but I thought they were gonna be evil and that’s that. But no. Sure they aren’t supportive of the gays but they didn’t go out of their way to fuck with them, and one stopped the first altercation and told the warthog sniffers to fuck off. Again ACAB and at the end of the day they are, but I was kinda thrown for a loop when they weren’t vile creatures.
On a happier note; the Elmer Curtie part was really funny. Man has a successful gay bar in a small, homophobic town and it takes him 4yrs, give or take, to realize it. Amazing! And when he figures it out he’s like, “Most of my patrons are polite, I never have to pay for damages because girls aren't an issue, and I’m making money?? I see only positives!” Also, it’s totally canon that he ships Don and Adrian.
Ch. 3
This was a hefty chapter, and my favorite out of the 3 for this week. For a chapter as a whole; I liked the back and forth of who was narrating for each Loser’s parts (other person, that loser, other person, that loser, other person, that loser), and a thought I’m sure no one has had before; IT should really be a TV Series. Chapter 1 and 2 could easily be their own episode, and each of the Losers’ sections could be their own episode too!
Stan- Okay, starting off strong and sad. Really surprised that Stan is first, and we’re in Patty’s head. I learned way more about Patty than I ever did with the Miniseries and Movies combined. I mean in total her screen is like what? Over 5mins?
The people need to know that puzzles are Patty’s thing! I repeat, girl has hobbies away from Staniel!!
That part about her not being allowed in that high society club dance, describing her beautiful dress that made her look like a mermaid, the sound that her heels made on the gravel when walking back to the car, the laughing she hears and how that will affect her even years from now, that shit is crushing. And her and Stan's relationship is so nice and sweet. She doesn’t always get him, but she loves him so much, and they’re each other's person. He’s gentle with her for their first time. I made an audible “awww” when Patty said, “Don’t hurt me, dear.” and he said, “I will never hurt you.” Then the moment got ruined with remembering what’s gonna happen, but I digress.
So when Patty goes to check on Stan, again, it’s way longer. The one thing that really stood out to me is that she notices all the unusual things Stan is doing, things that he never really does but it’s nothing that she feels like she needs to bring up with him. And then it’s too late, and those out of place things are just playing over and over again in her head. It got me thinking about Georgie's chapter. The kiss and the concerned warning that the brothers do for the last time they would ever see each other. And how it stands out to them but they say nothing about it, and thoughts of these mistakes and what they should have done will stay with (sadly only) Bill forever. And now with Patty. Fuck.
Two things I can now confidently say now about Stan is he’s autistic and the man fucks!
This is such a little piece and I haven’t read the whole book so technically the whole picture isn’t there, but Stan is autistic. The way he talks and interacts with people, he’s logical and doesn’t feel the need to explain himself. ‘Cause why would he? He’s right. Speaking as a person that also falls on the spectrum, reading this little bit about Stan at least makes me go, “Hmmm, gonna file that for later.” Also, and I really wish this wasn’t the case, I really appreciate having Stan not come off as cold and heartless. He jokes around and clearly loves his wife. Almost like he's a person and not some broken robot. What a concept!
On a hornier note, Stan likes sex. The Miniseries understood that. It’s so great that when they leave the clinic, Stan's first words are, “I never do”, and then clarifies, “Think about procreation during.” Noice. I don’t know; I just really like knowing that the dude fucks and he likes it.
On a final note; I’m interested in finding out why he remembers more than any other losers. Like, I know but I’m curious to see how the book will explain it.
Richie- Richie has ADD/ADHD!
From the need to play music (the louder the better) to either help him focus or distract him.
All those voices he does, him wanting to please the people he talks to, and not wanting to say or show what he’s actually feeling or thinking? That is so masking!
I know with every character there are a lot of thoughts going on in their heads, but Richie’s on a different level. Not only does he have a lot of thoughts, but he’s also talking to a lot of people, using multiple voices, and he’s quick on his feet when on the spot. Plus I know he has the gift of gab (aka never shuts the fuck up), he’s moving around a lot, and he’s keeps getting distracted with little things going on around him. His brain is all over the place.
Imma call it; Richie wasn’t bullied for his glasses (I mean he was but shush); he was bullied because he has ADD/ADHD! Kids don’t need to know what it is to spot it and hate you for it. Talking from experience as an ADD kid (or that weird annoying girl).
It’s really sad that the main memories that he remembers is the bullying, the names they called him, and getting beat up.
I’m glad he had friends that loved and cared about him.
Also, holy crap! Richie said, “You bet your fur” first!
Ben- …Okay, real talk? Ben’s part was so funny! I already brought up that the amount of times Ricky Lee’s name was so fucking funny to me here, but the waitress, the lemons, and the amount of stress Ben was giving Ricky Lee was really funny.
Of course I feel bad for Ben but to be in Ricky Lee’s POV is really something special!
Sorry, not that much to say. I guess something to add is Ben needs therapy (no duh). In this case I’m talking about his body image issues, and for what he put his body through and I bet is still doing to look “perfect.”
Eddie- I don’t think I have to bring up examples on why Sonia sucks and is a terrible mother; you saw all the words about her.
Everything that was shown about Eddie wasn’t surprising. I think reading the source really showed me the fights that he has with himself might be his biggest problem (those words come from his mother but you get it) And I really like that you can tell, even through all his fear, that Eddie is a capable person and is very brave.
Also, I was expecting Eddie to have a long list about everything he takes but, good lord, that list really did go on forever.
I don’t know how fans feel about this, considering all the fanfics I read I think I’m really in the minority, but I don’t think Myra is abusive?? At worst, I think she kinda manipulates Eddie into feeling bad and getting her way but like I don’t know, it feels like she’s fucked up like Eddie but in a different way, they both seem to be stuck in this life. Even what I said about the worst seems a bit too much. I actually feel bad for her. I’m really surprised because, again, all the fanfics I’ve read, things I’ve seen online talking about her and Sonia’s similarities, and I guess the little snippet from the second movie shaped my original opinion about her.
And can I just say, I hate how Stephen King describes fat people. He makes it seem like the biggest sin a person can have is being fat. Like, “Of course they're a bad person. Didn’t you see how big they are? I mean how could you not?! Fat people are so gross!” I just — it makes me uncomfortable. Especially ‘cause, oh I don’t know, BEN! Let’s see how that goes.
Bev- This is really brutal. Besides Bev beating the ever-loving shit out of Tom and scream-laughing like the beautiful mad lady she is when she's outside, my overall favorite part is how Tom is able to sound cruel and vile but also show just how pathetic and dumb he really is.
He really is a top tier abuser with no skills of his own, and has the mind of a whiny child. I hope his balls exploded into bloody nothings, and the wounds Bev gave him never heal and he’s unable to cover them so he never forgets what happened and his outside matches his insides. (btw scars are cool and okay but fuck this turd)
I’m glad Bev found her strength again.
Bill- I learned you can do anything if you have the unjustified confidence of a white man. I wanted to say that college Bill was being really egotistical, but what the fuck do I know? It worked out great for him.
Seriously though, I’m trying really hard not to jump the gun but I know that book adult Bill sucks and the live action adult Bills don’t. And overall Bill seems okay in his section buuuut, I don’t know; I’ll keep trying to take in the book without my prior knowledge.
I like Audra, and finding out how they met. I think it’s sweet that you wouldn’t think they would have ended up together but they really do seem to love each other. And Audra really seems to care about him. What a nice, good lady. Sure would be a shame if Bill became human trash and taints what they have.
But when the dogsbody husband of the girl from before brought the writer’s woman, It had put on no face—It did not dress when It was at home. The dogsbody husband had looked once and had dropped dead of shock, his face gray, his eyes filling with the blood that had squirted out of his brain in a dozen places. The writer’s woman had put out one powerful, horrified thought—OH DEAR JESUS IT IS FEMALE—and then all thoughts ceased. She swam in the deadlights. It came down from Its place and took care of her physical remains; prepared them for later feeding. Now Audra Denbrough hung high up in the middle of things, crisscrossed in silk, her head lolling against the socket of her shoulder, her eyes wide and glazed, her toes pointing down.
- IT with Audra Phillips and Tom Rogan in Stephen King, IT (p. 1032) 🎈
[I wanted that Losers versus Tom showdown so badly. Lame cop-out, but it’s the end of a King novel and you know what they say…]
Tom: So just because I've done bad things in the past, am currently doing bad things and will probably continue to do so in the future, I'm a "bad person"?
Bev Marsh and violence - with the qualifier that I'm only a third of the way through reading It.
When Bev gets beaten by her dad, there's no emphasis to the violence. It's there, it's present, but there's no more time spent on it than the time she takes pick things up or turn or smile. There's no weight. The violence is so normalised to her that it's just another part of life, and not one she feels affects her greatly.
In contrast to this is Tom. Every instance if the violence he invokes is accentuated. He exudes violence. He ponders it and plans it and thinks about it. It has emphasis and with from his pov at the start, after Mike calls. He is subsumed by violence; h would be nothing without it.
The contrast is really compelling, and another great example of King's character writing. It's also notable that, despite everything, Beverly doesn't think much of the violence for good or bad. It's just there.
Beverly is a complicated character, because sometimes she feels like her own person, but often she's just the sexualised extension of the boys. This is reduced in the movie adaptation. There's a fine line between a caricature of a female abuse survivor and an accurate depiction, and King spends most of his time jumping back and forth over it. I like that she ends up with Ben though; they'd be so good for each other.
