The first novel published by iconic horror writer Stephen King was entitled

and appeared in 1974. It followed harrowing events experienced by the title character, Carrie White, a shy high school girl from Chamberlain, Maine. The book's experimental use of horrifying details that foregrounded sex and violence caused it to become one of the most frequently banned books in US secondary schools during the 80s and 90s. King had previously authored other novels, but

was his first publication, a work that, according to the author, began as a short story motivated by a challenge to demonstrate his ability to construct a powerful female character as opposed to a macho masculine one. The result was Carrie, a misunderstood teen and social outsider who possesses telekinetic powers that…

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Citation: Meyer, Michael J.. "Carrie". The Literary Encyclopedia. First published 19 February 2010 [https://www.litencyc.com/php/sworks.php?rec=true&UID=12626, accessed 25 November 2024.]

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