Author Background Information

At the age of seven years old, the immensely popular ‘King of horror fiction,’ Stephen King began taking interest in the art of writing and life beyond the supernatural. Stephen King, born to Donald Edwin King and Nellie Ruth on September 21, 1947 in Portland, Maine is a distinguished sixty-nine year old novelist and known as one of the most successful horror fiction writers in the history of the United States and around the world. When King was only two years old, his father Donald King left his family, leaving King’s mother to care and support Stephen and his older brother during their childhood and teenage years. In 1965, King’s first piece of writing was published in Comics Review. One year later in 1966, King graduated high school and went on to pursue a Bachelor of Arts degree in English at the University of Maine in Orono. Nearly half a decade later, King went on to marry his wife Tabitha King and later had three lovely children, Joe Hill, Naomi King and Owen King. Years later, King began his work on his most well-known novel Carrie and later published it in 1974. From that day forward, Carrie was captivated as one of the most astonishing pieces in horror fiction and declared King as one of the greatest horror writers of all time. (Reilly, 2013)

Stephen King

Why the Book is Challenged and/or Banned

Despite the captivating theme and popularity of the well-known novel ‘Carrie,’ Stephen King, as well as the novel itself has faced extensive criticism over the years. Due to the intense theme of violence and sexuality, the book has been banned or challenged by multiple organizations, including the Union High School library located in Vergennes, Vermont. The educational organization claimed that this novel could potentially harm other children, especially the mindset of younger women. In 1991, district libraries of Altmar-Parish-Williamstown, New York banned the book due to the inappropriate aspects and violent content. A minister from Bismarck, North Dakota also challenged and advocated for the complete ban of the novel Carrie and eight other books written by Stephen King in public schools, saying that each of them were not age appropriate for young scholars. (Doyle, 2014)

Why the Book Should be Read

In spite of the heavy and extensive criticism that the novel Carrie has faced, people around the world and many find it as one of the most interesting horror fiction novels ever written. The unique aspects of including horror fiction, violence, as well as bullying all in the same content also allows the novel to influence and teach individuals internationally valuable life-lessons. Some personally do not recommend this novel for children; however many find it very thrilling for young adults and adults. This book is especially interesting to read around Halloween and the autumn months. (Reilly, 2013)