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dullshimmer's review against another edition
5.0
I've been trying to read through the works of Stephen King in order. The Shining is his third novel and I found it to be the creepiest of his first three works. Carrie is more of a supernatural twisted coming-of-age story. Salem's Lot was a vampire tale, but felt more removed. The Shining is very intimate. You spend most of your time with the Torrence Family. They are developed as rich nuanced people. Jack who is battling past alcohol addiction, a bad temper, and an abusive childhood. Wendy who is struggling to figure out if she should remain loyal to her husband despite his flaws or move on, but who also struggles with an emotionally abusive mother and the desire to not become like her. You also have Danny, who while only five years old has powers to read the thoughts of others, see visions of things he shouldn't know, and thus is quite advanced for his age.
I think it is this closeness to the character that causes the tension to really develop in this work. That and the fact that the fourth major character you spend time with in the book is the Overlook Hotel itself, the building where Jack is hired for the winter as a caretaker. While you start the book getting connected with the Torrence family, the hotel is mostly quiet. There is a thing here or there that seems off, but they can largely be explained away. However, as the book continues to go on the darkness of the Overlook breaks through more and more, until by the end it is completely unbound. In my personal opinion there is something just innately creepy about the idea of a building with a mind of its own.
Many may be more acquainted with the movie version, but they are really quite different. I find it interesting that many of the most memorable moments of the movie are not found in the book at all. I think the books are more intimate, but also that they lean into the supernatural a bit more. In the movie, the antagonist always seemed to be Jack, but in the book the enemy is the Overlook itself, with Jack simply unable to resist the temptations of the hotel and becoming the hands of the hotel so to speak. This is important to note because if you think the book will be like the movie, more of a psychological thriller, you'll be disappointed. While there are plenty of thrills, they derive from a more supernatural source than a psychological one.
What I really find interesting about Stephen King is that his works, at least early on, were so diverse. Carrie is very different from Salem's Lot and they're both very different from The Shining. They have similar aspects to them, one being the inclusion of writers as main characters (even in Carrie, Sue Snell, had wrote a book about the events) and the inclusion of supernatural elements, but read very differently in my opinion anyhow.
Of course being Stephen King, these aren't books for those easily spooked. They're tense and often not very pleasant books. However, I've enjoyed them and I would place The Shining as one of the best of his works so far right alongside Salem's Lot.
I think it is this closeness to the character that causes the tension to really develop in this work. That and the fact that the fourth major character you spend time with in the book is the Overlook Hotel itself, the building where Jack is hired for the winter as a caretaker. While you start the book getting connected with the Torrence family, the hotel is mostly quiet. There is a thing here or there that seems off, but they can largely be explained away. However, as the book continues to go on the darkness of the Overlook breaks through more and more, until by the end it is completely unbound. In my personal opinion there is something just innately creepy about the idea of a building with a mind of its own.
Many may be more acquainted with the movie version, but they are really quite different. I find it interesting that many of the most memorable moments of the movie are not found in the book at all. I think the books are more intimate, but also that they lean into the supernatural a bit more. In the movie, the antagonist always seemed to be Jack, but in the book the enemy is the Overlook itself, with Jack simply unable to resist the temptations of the hotel and becoming the hands of the hotel so to speak. This is important to note because if you think the book will be like the movie, more of a psychological thriller, you'll be disappointed. While there are plenty of thrills, they derive from a more supernatural source than a psychological one.
What I really find interesting about Stephen King is that his works, at least early on, were so diverse. Carrie is very different from Salem's Lot and they're both very different from The Shining. They have similar aspects to them, one being the inclusion of writers as main characters (even in Carrie, Sue Snell, had wrote a book about the events) and the inclusion of supernatural elements, but read very differently in my opinion anyhow.
Of course being Stephen King, these aren't books for those easily spooked. They're tense and often not very pleasant books. However, I've enjoyed them and I would place The Shining as one of the best of his works so far right alongside Salem's Lot.
twlghthoax's review against another edition
4.0
↠4.5 stars
the overlook hotel, tucked away high in the mountains, seems an ideal place for holiday. throughout the season it’s filled with laughter and guests coming in and out. yet, like all good hotels, this one also has its ghosts. they feed on human folly and weakness to finally create one great whole, and they will not stand for any acts of disobedience. what is it then they still need?
very much enjoyed the shining. i was on the edge of my seat almost the whole time, trying to guess what’s going to happen next but failing miserably. little danny has got my heart – i’m in awe of his bravery and quick wit. i wouldn’t withstand half of what he has.
in the same way, i hate jack torrence and his persistence that it’s something else that makes him take various actions; he was not as passive as he would have liked to believe. there is, though, a moment where one can see humanity outshine whatever has become of him, and for this one quick second you mourn him as you would one of your most beloved characters.
although it is important to highlight that the book deals with topics of domestic abuse and addiction, and that is probably what king wanted to emphasise the most, i wish he had written more spirit/past/hotel history encounters. i simply wanted to know more about the place!
i applaud king once again for creating such a well-developed and eerie setting that becomes a vital character of its own. it is probably this craftsmanship that makes me go back to his novels all the time. hats off!
ps. beware of room 217. or perhaps the entire hotel while you’re at it.
the overlook hotel, tucked away high in the mountains, seems an ideal place for holiday. throughout the season it’s filled with laughter and guests coming in and out. yet, like all good hotels, this one also has its ghosts. they feed on human folly and weakness to finally create one great whole, and they will not stand for any acts of disobedience. what is it then they still need?
very much enjoyed the shining. i was on the edge of my seat almost the whole time, trying to guess what’s going to happen next but failing miserably. little danny has got my heart – i’m in awe of his bravery and quick wit. i wouldn’t withstand half of what he has.
in the same way, i hate jack torrence and his persistence that it’s something else that makes him take various actions; he was not as passive as he would have liked to believe. there is, though, a moment where one can see humanity outshine whatever has become of him, and for this one quick second you mourn him as you would one of your most beloved characters.
although it is important to highlight that the book deals with topics of domestic abuse and addiction, and that is probably what king wanted to emphasise the most, i wish he had written more spirit/past/hotel history encounters. i simply wanted to know more about the place!
i applaud king once again for creating such a well-developed and eerie setting that becomes a vital character of its own. it is probably this craftsmanship that makes me go back to his novels all the time. hats off!
ps. beware of room 217. or perhaps the entire hotel while you’re at it.
justinearianna's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
zeldaluver98's review against another edition
dark
tense
slow-paced
- 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
4.5
m3adrid's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
zuzubaloox's review against another edition
1.0
Jack, after losing his job gets another being the caretaker for the Overlook Hotel during the winter months, whilst it is closed for the season. He and his family move there, potentially being isolated for months, until then spring. Will the family survive the winter? Or will they end up going the way of the previous caretaker’s family?
This is my second Stephen King book, behind [b:Carrie|11740831|Carrie|Stephen King|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1451469595l/11740831._SY75_.jpg|1552134], and I'm not seeing the appeal. This was a boring book, the characters were boring and the plot, in my opinion, was vague and weak.
The book was so slow, boring and drab that at one point it put me to sleep. For a book that was supposed to be scary, it was a huge snoozefest, and even the supposedly scary, horror scenes weren't scary
Nearly 500 pages and not a lot happens. The build-up to getting to the hotel was boring, and probably a lot of it was unnecessary and the same could probably be said for their time during their stay in the hotel. By the time something happens, the book has finished.
I found the hotel rather confusing. It's strong enough to seem “alive” but it is incapable of repairing its boiler. I'm not sure if it's alive, full of ghosts, or everybody was higher than a kite (I was wishing I was by the last 50-100 pages), a combination of these things or none at all.
I'm not sure how many times I can say this book was boring, but it was boring.
This is my second Stephen King book, behind [b:Carrie|11740831|Carrie|Stephen King|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1451469595l/11740831._SY75_.jpg|1552134], and I'm not seeing the appeal. This was a boring book, the characters were boring and the plot, in my opinion, was vague and weak.
The book was so slow, boring and drab that at one point it put me to sleep. For a book that was supposed to be scary, it was a huge snoozefest, and even the supposedly scary, horror scenes weren't scary
Nearly 500 pages and not a lot happens. The build-up to getting to the hotel was boring, and probably a lot of it was unnecessary and the same could probably be said for their time during their stay in the hotel. By the time something happens, the book has finished.
I found the hotel rather confusing. It's strong enough to seem “alive” but it is incapable of repairing its boiler. I'm not sure if it's alive, full of ghosts, or everybody was higher than a kite (I was wishing I was by the last 50-100 pages), a combination of these things or none at all.
I'm not sure how many times I can say this book was boring, but it was boring.
christiangobel's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
rebplane's review against another edition
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
josephine_z's review against another edition
5.0
scary! loved the build up but i think i’m still too afraid to watch the movie