it is the title character in stephen king's 1986 horror novel it. the character is an ancient cosmic evil which preys upon the children of derry, maine, roughly every twenty-seven years, using a variety of powers that include the ability to shapeshift, manipulate, and go unnoticed by adults. during the course of the story, it primarily appears in the form of pennywise the dancing clown.in the novel, it is a shapeshifting monster who usually assumes the form of pennywise the dancing clown, originating in a void containing and surrounding the universe—a place referred to in the novel as the "macroverse" (a concept similar to the later established "todash darkness" of the dark tower novels). it ended up on prehistoric earth during an asteroid impact and made its home under the land that derry would be built on, preying on indigenous tribes before confining its feedings within the town. it would sleep for approximately 27 to 30 years at a time, using its time awake to wreak chaos and feed on human fear by assuming what its prey fear the most. it has a preference for children since their fears are easier to interpret in a physical form, gradually breaking them akin to "salting the meat" before killing them. it can manipulate people with weaker wills, making them indifferent to the horrific events that unfold or serve as unknowing accomplices.
