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curlykristenk's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Alcoholism, Death, Gore, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Racial slurs
Minor: Racism and Fire/Fire injury
maithewriter'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? Yes
5.0
Sure, there were scary parts (like room 217 and the hedge animals and the elevator), but what really struck me the most was the internal struggle of Jack as he descended into madness and lost his humanity bit by bit. Stephen King is a master of character-driven storytelling and it shows here. All the characters are compelling -- Jack as a troubled provider, Wendy as a mom who'd put Danny's welfare above all, and Danny as the gifted "shining" kid. Even side character Dick Hallorann had a bit of backstory in him. And of course, the hotel, used not just as a setting but a sinister character.
I also loved the recurring themes and images and references (wasp's nest, EAP's mask of red death), plus there isn't a shortage of literary devices (foreshadowing of the boiler and redrum, lots of repetition, for instance), so you just know this book was written with a lot of thought and carefully placed symbolisms.
I'd love to reread this book in the future, maybe once I get ahold of its sequel (Doctor Sleep). But so far this is my favorite King novel (not that I've read a lot, probably just 2 before this lol), and would probably be up there as one of my all-time faves for a long time.
Graphic: Child abuse and Murder
stabbytabby89'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? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Murder
michbrito'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
5.0
Graphic: Alcoholism, Child abuse, and Alcohol
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Blood, and Murder
Minor: Racial slurs
aeroscrolls'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
Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, and Murder
alex60517'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? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Body horror, Child abuse, Confinement, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexism, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Murder, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Death, Misogyny, and Death of parent
Minor: Sexual content, Vomit, Grief, and Fire/Fire injury
chloeburton's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Child abuse, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Violence, Blood, Murder, Gaslighting, and Alcohol
Moderate: Misogyny and Death of parent
Minor: Racism
shiftycow1313's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Body horror, Child abuse, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gore, Mental illness, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Self harm, Sexism, Sexual content, Suicide, Violence, Blood, Death of parent, Murder, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Car accident
xvivyx's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Domestic abuse, Gore, Violence, and Murder
Moderate: Racial slurs, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, and Schizophrenia/Psychosis
Minor: Cursing
ee_comins'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? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Body horror, Child abuse, Death, Domestic abuse, Gore, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Violence, Blood, and Murder