Pet Sematary is a horror novel Stephen King published in 1983. The story follows Louis Creed, a doctor who moves to a new town with his wife, Rachel, and their two kids, Ellie and Gage. The family soon discovers a mysterious pet cemetery in the woods behind their house. After Louis's cat Church is killed by a car, he buries it in the pet cemetery, and it comes back to life. However, the resurrected cat is no longer the same, and it begins to exhibit strange and violent behavior. Louis later buries his son Gage in the pet cemetery after he is killed in a car accident. Gage also comes back to life, but he is even more monstrous than Church. Louis is forced to confront the dark and dangerous forces that inhabit the pet cemetery and fight for the survival of his family.

What is Pet Sematary?

The Setting of Pet Sematary

Pet Sematary is set in Ludlow, Maine, a small town in the fictional Cumberland County. The town is surrounded by woods, and there is a pet cemetery located in the woods behind the Creed family's house. The pet cemetery is an ancient burial ground that has been used by the townspeople for generations. It is said that the pet cemetery has the power to bring dead animals back to life. However, the resurrected animals are not always the same as they were before they died. They are often more aggressive and violent.

The Characters of Pet Sematary

The main characters of Pet Sematary are Louis Creed, his wife Rachel, and their two kids, Ellie and Gage. Louis is a doctor who moves to Ludlow with his family for a new job. Rachel is a stay-at-home mom who is initially hesitant about moving to the small town. Ellie is the older daughter, and Gage is the younger son. The Creeds also have a cat named Church, who is killed by a car early in the story.

The Themes of Pet Sematary

Pet Sematary explores several themes, including death, grief, and the dangers of trying to control death. The novel also examines the role of ritual and superstition in human society. King uses the pet cemetery as a symbol of the human desire to cheat death and the consequences of doing so. The resurrected animals in the pet cemetery are a reminder that death is a natural part of life and that trying to interfere with it can have disastrous results.

The Legacy of Pet Sematary

Pet Sematary is one of King's most popular and enduring novels. It has been adapted into two films, a 1989 film and a 2019 remake. The novel has also been praised by critics for its suspenseful plot, well-developed characters, and exploration of universal themes. Pet Sematary is a classic horror novel that continues to terrify and fascinate readers today.