It
"*It*" is a 1986 horror novel by American author Stephen King. "*It*" was his 22nd book and his 17th novel written under his own name. The story follows the experiences of seven children as they are terrorized by an evil entity that exploits the fears of its victims to disguise itself while hunting its prey. "*It*" primarily appears in the form of Pennywise the Dancing Clown to attract its preferred prey of young children. The novel won the British Fantasy Award in 1987, and received nominations for the Locus and World Fantasy Awards that same year. In 2003, "*It*" was listed at number 144 on the BBC's The Big Read poll.
Themes & atmosphere
Books in conversation with It
A few of the closest reads from our full list.
Also by Stephen King
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What you might want to know about It
The questions readers send us most often, answered without spoilers.
In 1958, seven misfit kids in Derry, Maine fight something in the sewers that has been killing children there for centuries. In 1985, the survivors get a phone call that pulls them all the way back home.
Yes. It is widely cited as one of Stephen King's most genuinely terrifying novels. The horror builds across two timelines (1958 and 1985) following the same group of friends. The clown imagery has become iconic.
Andy Muschietti's 2017 and 2019 two-part film follows the children's and adults' timelines separately. Most fans consider the films a strong adaptation, though they cut significant material from the 1,100-page novel.
It is around 1,138 pages in standard print editions, making it one of Stephen King's longest novels. It typically takes most readers 25 to 35 hours to finish.
It was written by Stephen King, published in 1986 by Scribner.
It is 1168 pages in standard print editions, though page counts vary slightly between hardcover, paperback, and large-print formats.
At an average reading pace of about 250 words per minute, It takes most readers 18 to 25 hours to finish.
It is a standalone novel by Stephen King, not part of a series.
It is available in hardcover, paperback, ebook, and audiobook formats from Amazon, Bookshop.org, ThriftBooks, and most major bookstores.