Stephen King’sdebut novel,Carrie, is one of my favorite stories by the horror author, yet I’ve always wished King expanded on one especially intriguing part of his book. Published in 1974,Carriefollows a teenage girl named Carrie who is bullied at school and faces abusefrom her strictly religious mother. Yet, when Carrie discovers she has telekinetic powers, she is finally able to stand up for herself in the most intense way possible. Over the years,Carriehas been adapted into aKing movie adaptationtime and again, but a sequel is what I really desire.
AlthoughStephen King’s booksare known for their beefy page counts,Carrieis one of his smaller projects. At just under 200 pages, the book quickly delves into the persecution Carrie faces both at home and at school. Arguably, the plot moves pretty fast. Carrie is humiliated after getting her first period during gym class, which sets off a shocking chain of events that eventually ends with Carrie using her powers to viciously murder her classmates. However, along with Carrie’s story,King includes excerpts of scientific reports within the novel. This is the core of what makesCarrieso interesting to me.
Carrie’s Ending Sets Up An Intriguing Premise That’s Never Delivered On
How King’s Formatting Implies A Larger Story
At the end ofCarrie,there is a section written by an outside observer who wonders if there are other adolescents with telekinetic powers. More than that, the narrator considers the fact that situations likeCarrie’s prom massacrecould happen again, and it would be nearly impossible to track before it’s too late. Ultimately, this is the part that strikes me the most aboutCarrie.It seems impossible that Carrie is the only person in the world to have telekinetic abilities, which makes me wonder who else is like Carrie, and more importantly, what they do with their powers.
8 Things I Learned Reading Stephen King’s Carrie For The First Time In 2024
I’ve heard a lot about Stephen King’s Carrie over the years, but I only read it for the first time in 2024 – and I learned things I didn’t know.
In many ways, the entire set-up of the book insinuates a larger story at hand.King could have set the book solely from Carrie’s perspective, or that of Carrie and Sue together. The same major plot points still would have occurred. However, by making it an epistolary novel set after the fact, it gives readers more distance from the story. Thus, they are better able to see the bigger picture. Carrie’s abilities did not just affect her, but sent shockwaves through an entire town. She is a scientific anomaly. Yet, her existence implies that there may be others like her.
I Wish Stephen King Expanded On The Greater Impact Of The Carrie Incident
What Happened To Sue & How Were Others Affected
My biggest wish forCarrieis that Stephen King gave readers more informationafter Carrie’s prom incident. Although we learn a task force was formed, the “White Committee,” we never truly see the extent of their work. There is also a peek at another telekinetic child, who apparently got her powers from her great-grandmother, yet we only get a hint of her before the novel ends. While these additions offer some answers at the end ofCarrie,they also beget more questions. I’m desperate to knowhow Carrie’s telekinesis worksand if her incident sparked even more problems later on.
To me, Sue is the lingering thread that could uncover another installment in theCarriestory.
There is also the question of Sue.Sue ends up being one of the sole survivors of Carrie’s rampage, and she alone witnesses Carrie’s death. As a teenage girl, this must have been incredibly traumatic. I have always wished that we got a better sense of how Sue dealt with this tragedy after the fact, and if she herself became invested in the idea of telekinetic children. It seems unlikely that Sue would leave the entire story behind and pretend it never happened. To me, Sue is the lingering thread that could uncover another installment in theCarriestory.
Stephen King’s Take On Telekinesis Opens The Door For Further Exploration
What King Could Do With The Future Of Carrie
In the end, I feel like King’s explanation of Carrie’s telekinesis opened the door to an even bigger story that he has yet to explore. I appreciate thatCarrieis short and to the point, however,King lays the groundwork for an even vaster story about telekinesis and troubled children. Because of how greatCarrieis, I would love to see more of this world from King. I want to follow other telekinetic children, especially those who come from loving homes. I want to know what happens to a telekinetic child when their life isn’t as bleak as Carrie’s was.
There have been fourCarriemovies since 1976.
Of course, I also have to admit that sequels can be a big risk for an author. King has successfully made series in the past, butCarrie’stime may be long gone.Stephen Kingmay have no interest in a sequel, and even if he did, there is no guarantee that it would satisfy all my curiosity. In this way, aCarriesequel may not even be the best option. PerhapsCarriewas always supposed to make readers ponder in this way. Regardless, I will continue wondering what happened afterCarrieended and wishing for just a bit more.
Carrie
Cast
Carrie is a horror film directed by Brian De Palma, based on Stephen King’s novel. It stars Sissy Spacek as Carrie White, a shy high school student who discovers her telekinetic abilities. Tormented by her peers and controlled by her fanatically religious mother, played by Piper Laurie, the film follows Carrie’s emotional and psychological struggles leading to a dramatic climax. Carrie solidified its place in the horror genre for its powerful performances and chilling atmosphere.
