Over a 1000 pages long and not for one second is this book boring. Even the scenes that are just about kids living their lives. King is brilliant at writing character: he makes them so real and so detailed. And he nails each distinct voice. Pretty cool to have a stuttering hero, too. 
 I know people's heads and limbs literally get ripped from their bodies etc., and that there's lots of gore and death, and so the main feeling I'm supposed to have is fear and thrill, but I can't stop feeling anguish about the women and their relationships. The women characters can't catch a break: they're beat on and sexualised at every opportunity, even from their 'well-meaning' friends. 
 (view spoiler)[They each have their turn to save their friends, and I hate that the way Beverly saves her friends is through sex. And I hate that the way that Bill is punished for cheating on his wife is for his wife to be hurt. (hide spoiler)]