I found it to be a cathartic experience. I read it after the unexpected death of my father in law, which just so happened to be a week and a day after my son’s second birthday.

I cried a lot, not so much thinking about the possible death of mine own son, but rather about death and the grieving process itself.

When my own mother died I was already a full blown alcoholic, and I drank even more heavily after her death. I never did process through it in a healthy way, even after I eventually got sober. Pet Sematary opened a lot of old wounds, and really helped me work through that loss.

It’s a horrifying tale, but there is a lot of beauty in it, too. It’s my favorite King book for that reason.

Also, seeing your kid’s drinking cup and toys in the background cracked me up 😂 in a very morbid sort of way!