caspian's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Racial slurs, Child abuse, and Alcoholism
rtthalia's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Moderate: Blood, Body horror, Domestic abuse, Racism, Abandonment, Addiction, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Bullying, Child abuse, Cursing, Death, Death of parent, Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Gore, Grief, Homophobia, Injury/Injury detail, Medical content, Mental illness, Misogyny, Murder, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Violence, and Vomit
jenniferbbookdragon's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: Addiction, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Physical abuse, Alcoholism, Blood, Death, and Domestic abuse
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail, Racial slurs, Violence, Gore, Grief, Gaslighting, Confinement, and Death of parent
meaghanelizabook's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Graphic: Body horror, Child abuse, Alcohol, Emotional abuse, Alcoholism, Blood, Car accident, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Gore, Injury/Injury detail, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Toxic relationship, and Violence
Moderate: Death of parent, Excrement, Gaslighting, Mental illness, Murder, and Sexual content
roctothorpe's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This book is INTENSE. The Shining is one of my favorite films (I know, Stephen King famously hates the movie adaptation), and reading the book has put the story into a completely different light for me. It's tense and thrilling, yes, but also heartbreaking, in a way that you really don't expect from a horror classic. This is due in large part to the incredible character work and the slow burn buildup we get even before arriving at the Overlook hotel.
King gives us an intimate portrait of this family, and you build a painful sense of sympathy for each of them. The supernatural elements actually take a backseat to the normal, human struggles that the Torrance family faces - alcoholism, financial ruin, jealousy, and mistakes from your past that continue to haunt you.
Jack is such a complex character and his slow unraveling throughout the book was one of the most compelling and terrifying character arcs I have ever read.
Once, during the drinking phase, Wendy had accused him of desiring his own destruction but not possessing the necessary moral fiber to support a full-blown deathwish. So he manufactured ways in which other people could do it, lopping a piece at a time off himself and their family.
This passage stood out to me as so gut-wrenchingly realistic, and despite all of the horrible things Jack says and does, there are parts of his character that are uncomfortably relatable. There are these moments in Jack's descent into madness where he realizes what monstrosities he is capable of, and that for me is where the true horror in this story lies.
Spoiler
And then the epilogue was such a surprise! After such a dark, incredibly disturbing story, the conclusion was just so beautiful and pure.
Graphic: Alcoholism and Child abuse
Moderate: Racial slurs
tygeis02's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Addiction, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Sexism, Suicide, Emotional abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Murder, Racial slurs, Suicidal thoughts, Physical abuse, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Alcoholism, Drug use, Cursing, Mental illness, Sexual content, Violence, Blood, Body horror, Child abuse, Gore, Injury/Injury detail, Racism, and Self harm
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts and Vomit
lolwat's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Racial slurs and Murder
overtheedgeofthewild's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
1.0
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Murder, Alcoholism, Physical abuse, Pedophilia, Sexism, Violence, Child abuse, and Racial slurs
tytrack99's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
Not quite a 4 star as I just cant get with stephen king’s writing sometimes. like why are you using the n-word SO much HARD R?! also talking about women’s breasts when it has nothing to do with the scene..
so a 3.75 for me due to those things. otherwise could have been higher!
Graphic: Domestic abuse and Racial slurs
gossamerchild's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Racial slurs and Violence