Pet Sematary

Pet Sematary (1983) front cover, first edition

Pet Sematary is a horror novel by American author Stephen King. It was first published in 1983 by Doubleday. The novel was nominated for a World Fantasy Award for Best Novel in 1984, and adapted into two films: one in 1989 and another in 2019. The story follows the Creed family, who move to a rural home where they discover a cemetery for pets in the nearby woods. The novel explores themes of grief, death, and the consequences of defying the natural order.

Plot Summary

The novel centers on Louis Creed, a doctor from Chicago who moves with his family to a rural town in Maine. Louis, his wife Rachel, their two young children, Ellie and Gage, and their pet cat, Church, settle into their new home. They soon befriend their elderly neighbor, Jud Crandall, who informs them about the "Pet Sematary" located near their house, where local children bury their deceased pets.

Jud takes Louis to a hidden burial ground beyond the Pet Sematary, which has the power to resurrect the dead. When Church is killed by a car, Jud advises Louis to bury the cat in this ancient burial ground. Church returns from the dead, but he is not the same; he exhibits aggressive and unnatural behavior.

Tragedy strikes the Creed family when Gage is killed by a speeding truck. Overcome with grief, Louis decides to bury Gage in the same burial ground, despite Jud's warnings about the malevolent forces at play. Gage returns from the dead, but like Church, he is changed and exhibits violent tendencies. The novel culminates in a series of tragic and horrifying events as Louis faces the consequences of his actions.

Characters

• Louis Creed: The protagonist, a doctor who moves his family to Maine.
• Rachel Creed: Louis's wife, who has a deep-seated fear of death stemming from her sister's illness.
• Ellie Creed: The Creeds' daughter, who has a strong bond with her cat, Church.
• Gage Creed: The Creeds' young son, whose death and resurrection are central to the plot.
• Jud Crandall: The Creeds' elderly neighbor who introduces Louis to the Pet Sematary and the burial ground beyond it.
• Church: The Creed family's pet cat, who is resurrected with malevolent traits.

Themes

Pet Sematary delves into several themes, including:

• Grief and Loss: The novel explores how different characters cope with the loss of loved ones.
• Death and Resurrection: The story examines the natural order of life and death, and the consequences of disrupting it.
• The Supernatural: The burial ground's power to resurrect the dead introduces a supernatural element that drives the plot.

Adaptations

Pet Sematary has been adapted into two films:

• Pet Sematary (1989 film): Directed by Mary Lambert, this adaptation closely follows the plot of the novel.
• Pet Sematary (2019 film): Directed by Kevin Kölsch and Dennis Widmyer, this adaptation introduces some changes to the original story.

Reception

The novel received critical acclaim for its exploration of dark themes and its ability to evoke fear. It is considered one of Stephen King's most terrifying works.

See Also

• Stephen King bibliography
• World Fantasy Award for Best Novel
• Horror fiction