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The Shining

Book 1 in the series:The Shining

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Danny and his parents move into a large hotel in Colorado to caretake over the winter shutdown period. Danny's father, an author, intends to use the solitude to write his new novel. However, the hotel is haunted by spirits that begin to influence Danny's father, leading to a fight for survival for Danny and his mother. The book explores the psychological breakdown of the characters, particularly Jack, and the slow decline of their family amidst dark forces at play in the hotel.

The story is a slow creeping horror that gets under your skin, creating a haunting effect with imagery and ideas that linger long after reading. It delves into themes of alcoholism, supernatural occurrences, and the psychological turmoil of the characters, especially the inner dialogue of the family members portrayed in a realistic and terrifying manner.

Characters:

The characters are deeply developed, showcasing their flaws and struggles, with Jack's descent into madness being particularly compelling.

Writing/Prose:

The prose is detailed and immersive, effectively building tension and psychological depth through varied character perspectives.

Plot/Storyline:

The plot follows Jack Torrance and his family as they face the sinister forces of the Overlook Hotel during their winter caretaker job, unfolding the personal demons and supernatural horrors that ensue.

Setting:

The setting is integral to the atmosphere and plot, as the isolated hotel becomes a character in itself, amplifying the sense of dread.

Pacing:

The pacing transitions from a slow build-up of character development to a fast-paced, tension-filled climax.
Ullman stood five-five, and when he moved, it was with the prissy speed that seems to be the exclusive domain of all small plump men. The part in his hair was exact, and his dark suit was sober but co...

Notes:

The Shining was published in 1977 and is considered one of Stephen King's masterpieces.
Jack Torrance, the main character, is a recovering alcoholic dealing with anger management issues.
The story explores themes of domestic abuse and the generational cycle of addiction.
Danny, Jack's son, possesses psychic abilities known as 'the shining' which allow him to see the hotel's dark history.
The Overlook Hotel is depicted as a malevolent entity, feeding off the weaknesses of its inhabitants.
Stephen King criticized Stanley Kubrick's film adaptation for its departure from the book's themes and character depth.
The novel's tension builds slowly, focusing on character development before culminating in terrifying events.
The relationship dynamics between Jack, Wendy, and Danny are central to the story, showcasing their struggles amidst supernatural forces.
Many iconic scenes from the movie, such as the infamous 'Here's Johnny', do not appear in the book.
The book delves deeper into the psychological horror of Jack's mental breakdown compared to the film's portrayal.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

Content warnings for The Shining include themes of child abuse, domestic violence, addiction, and mental health crises.

From The Publisher:

#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER

Before Doctor Sleep, there was The Shining, a classic of modern American horror from the undisputed master, Stephen King.

Jack Torrance's new job at the Overlook Hotel is the perfect chance for a fresh start. As the off-season caretaker at the atmospheric old hotel, he'll have plenty of time to spend reconnecting with his family and working on his writing. But as the harsh winter weather sets in, the idyllic location feels ever more remote . . . and more sinister. And the only one to notice the strange and terrible forces gathering around the Overlook is Danny Torrance, a uniquely gifted five-year-old.

Ratings (372)

Incredible (83)
Loved It (179)
Liked It (77)
It Was OK (26)
Did Not Like (5)
Hated It (2)

Reader Stats (564):

Read It (390)
Currently Reading (5)
Want To Read (97)
Did Not Finish (8)
Not Interested (64)

8 comment(s)

Loved It
1 week

Another reread. While I still love it it's not a five stars this time. I like the intensety of Jack's down spiral into alcohol and madness and enjoy that aspect slightly more then the spooky bits but they are still good. And poor Danny he doesn't have an easily life!

Not sure if I want to see the movie as it's apparently not similar to the book.

 
Incredible
1 month

Stephen King at his best. This book was thoroughly creepy, deranged, and exceedingly enjoyable.

 
Did Not Like
2 months

2.5. So Booktube-a-thon is off to a great start so far.

 
Loved It
2 months

For some reason this didn't scare the pants off me (literally - I was pants-less for days) like it did the first time I read it. Having read

Doctor Sleep, I think I went into this reading with an eye for Danny's relationship with his father. Although it's still a scary book, I read it more as one man's struggle against a darkness inherent in his soul. Jack Torrance attempts to overcome his abusive upbringing, his alcoholism, and his temper - in short, he attempts to be better than his father - and that alone would have been a great story. Of course, there's little to no chance for him to overcome these things with the Overlook urging him on. In the end, Danny and Jack face off over whether this third generation (Danny) will follow the pattern of fear and subservience that Jack's generation followed.

The Overlook is an unusual kind of "haunted house." It seems to have its own spirit, apart from the spirits of those who died ugly deaths there. The manager, the manta ray that flies out the window at the end - these are just as scary as the classic "all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy" that we're familiar with from the movie.

 
Incredible
5 months

One of the best psychological horror thriller.

 
Liked It
5 months

Interesting book and I like the way it ended. I liked Jacks character and how he struggled with alcoholism and his temper, the mother Wendy, is a submissive woman who only thinks of her child. She strives to be completely different from her own mother who she detests. Danny is an interesting character trying to understand the world around him with his “shining” abilities. Lastly we need to protect Dick Hollorann. He’s the type of friend everyone needs. Just call and he will be there.

 
It Was OK
7 months

I feel like King uses the same antagonist in a different form over and over and over again. Maybe if I would have read this one before others I would have liked it more.

 

There is no telling how a person will react to having to live among the consciousness of the deceased. Would you be taken over? Would you be able to live in peace with the Others? After recognizing how the place has come alive, maybe even changed you, just take it one day at a time. Don't go Jack's way.

 

About the Author:

Stephen King is the author of more than fifty books, all of them worldwide bestsellers. Among his most recent are Doctor Sleep; Joyland; 11/22/63; Full Dark, No Stars; Under the Dome; Just After Sunset; End of Watch; and the latest novel in the Dark Tower saga: The Wind Through…

 
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