The Shining (The Shining #1) by Stephen King

[gilda_elise]

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.

It’s been years since I visited the Overlook; it’s just as creepy and sinister as it’s always been. Though one of King’s earlier works, the book is masterly as it pulls you in to the lives of Danny Torrance and his parents, especially that of his tormented father.

So there are two types of horror going on here: what the hotel is creating, and that of Jack’s struggle with alcohol and what it’s doing to have family. Danny sees his parents struggle, and is frightened by the word DIVORCE. Would the hotel have been able to do what it does if not for that Jack’s struggle and Danny’s fears? It’s hard to say.

I’ve been wanting to read Doctor Sleep, but wanted to reread The Shining first. Now that I have, I’m looking forward to reading its sequel.






Links are to more information regarding each book or author, not to the review.

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42. The Shining (The Shining #1) by Stephen King









Read a book you saw a tv/movie character read - The Shining by Stephen King
From "Friends" Season 3, Episode 13 "The One Where Monica and Richard are friends"




I Read Horror Year-Round List

*Winter Theme, or winter appearance on the cover (snow, ice, etc.) - Ararat by Christopher Golden

*Ghosts or spirits - The Family Plot by Cherie Priest

*Psychological - The Chalk Man by C.J. Tudor

*Monster or Monsters - Snowblind by Christopher Golden

*A body of water (featured in story, on cover, or in title) - Duma Key by Stephen King

*Really scary book cover - The Breach by M.T. Hill

*Woman on cover - Later by Stephen King

*Written by a woman - The Mummy (Ramses the Damned #1) by Anne Rice

*Written by a best-selling horror author:
1. If It Bleeds by Stephen King
2. The Shining

*Written by an indie author - Echoes of Home by M.L. Rayner

*Historical horror (must be an historical novel written by a contemporary author) - Last Train From Perdition by Robert McCammon

*Folk horror

Comments

[wpadmirer.livejournal.com]

I've never read the sequel. This book was excellent.

[gilda-elise.livejournal.com]

I hope it's just as good because, you're right, this book is one of his best. And that's saying a lot.