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itshrewsbury's review against another edition
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
5.0
The old saying about books always being better than their movies rings really true here (though I do adore the Kubrick movie, regardless). I loved how different the two are!
Graphic: Alcoholism, Drug use, and Gore
Moderate: Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, and Suicidal thoughts
Minor: Ableism, Homophobia, and Sexual content
Additional TW/CW: physical assault (modereate), homophobic slurs (minor), drunk driving (minor), ableist slurs (minor), overdose (minor), hallucination/unreality (graphic), manipulation (graphic)mostly_present'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? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Alcoholism, Body horror, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, and Gore
Moderate: Ableism, Homophobia, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexual violence, and Suicidal thoughts
Minor: Pedophilia and Schizophrenia/Psychosis
ammme'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? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gore, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Suicide, Violence, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, Gaslighting, and Alcohol
Moderate: Ableism, Misogyny, and Sexism
michaelatrelby'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? Yes
4.25
Graphic: Alcoholism, Child abuse, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Emotional abuse, Gore, Mental illness, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Sexism, Violence, Blood, Car accident, Murder, and Fire/Fire injury
Moderate: Ableism, Fatphobia, Homophobia, Racism, and Alcohol
phvntomstvrs's review against another edition
- 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
3.75
Graphic: Ableism, Addiction, Alcoholism, Body horror, Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Gore, Hate crime, Homophobia, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Suicide, Violence, Blood, Excrement, Vomit, Grief, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
chaptersbydani's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Word on the street is that every one of Stephen King’s books have been banned/or challenged at some point since their publication. The Shining was challenged for “containing violence and demonic possession and [ridiculing] the Christian religion” in Wyoming and Alabama.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
I’m honestly shocked that I liked this as much as I did. This book broke my reading slump and kept me up all night. This is my first Stephen King book and I totally understand why he is the icon he is.
The way he writes is just mind blowing. It’s so simple. You never feel like it’s over your head and you always feel so close to figuring everything out. But you just never quite do until he reveals it. And despite the fact that basically every character is the most awful person I’ve ever encountered (Jack being the worst), I was sucked in immediately.
And the way the text was formatted??? Cherry on top. It added so much suspense and really illustrated the flirtation/ descent into madness.
There definitely was violence and demonic possession. I didn’t see the ridicule of Christianity (and wouldn’t have cared if it was there tbh.) My only issue is that I didn’t love King’s use of racial slurs. It made sense when the hotel used them and I could halfway accept that. Capitalism is an incredibly racist system and is violent- emotionally and physically- to Black folks (understatement). It makes sense that the Hotel, the symbol of capitalism here, was verbally violent to our main Black character. The other uses just felt out of line considering the author is white.
I wish that our main Black character, Dick, had more purpose in the book than guiding Danny and saving him and Wendy. It felt like he was just a tool for Danny’s development than anything. He’s a cool character and deserved a little bit more.
I will say, this is a book that I was pleasantly surprised lives up to its hype. I’m excited to watch the movie and see how it matches up. Also apparently there’s a sequel? I’m thinking of checking that out too.
Graphic: Ableism, Addiction, Alcoholism, Body shaming, Bullying, Child abuse, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gore, Homophobia, Mental illness, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Grief, Stalking, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Murder, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
melsage1823'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
4.0
Before I get to what I liked it pains me to talk about my dislikes. If you are Black, Lgtbq+ or Disabled do not read this book as a mixed Raced Lgtbq+ Disabled person I couldn't be more ashamed with Mr King. There were so many unnecessary times where the N word was used, ableism was used to show how hot headed Jack is and there was the F slur in a couple of times. This is suppose to be a horror novel not a alienate your margalized. I get he wrote it at a time where it was acceptable to write those things but he should have at least released it for modern times. Swearing fine but any time a slur was spat out it took me out of the story which I'm afraid is why I have to knock a star off.
Other than that it's a brilliant novel and wasn't what I expected at all. The build up to Jack losing his mind is absolutely fantastic, you completely end up feeling sympathy for Wendy and Danny and Jack himself. It suburts the humanising an abuser trope and makes Jack a complex character with lots of depth. The pov chapter format was absolutely amazing as through having every chapter be from one characters perspective it allowed for great character development and build up which made the powerful ending even more emotional than it already was. Without going into depth spoilers this novel levels you uneasy, horrified, relived and hopefully all at the same time. The way King writes his horror allows for a clear description and picture of what's going on. I thought the lady in the Bath tub was creepy on film but reading this book proved me wrong. After reading this incredible novel I absolutely want to read Doctor Sleep. Definitely recommend if you want to read something spooky during October.
Graphic: Ableism, Addiction, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Homophobia, Racial slurs, Toxic relationship, and Gaslighting
zombiezami's review against another edition
5.0
Graphic: Ableism, Addiction, Alcoholism, Body horror, Child abuse, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Gore, Sexism, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Racial slurs, Racism, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Vomit, and Car accident
Minor: Child death, Genocide, Slavery, Cannibalism, Colonisation, and War
caitlink'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? It's complicated
3.0
Graphic: Child abuse and Physical abuse
Moderate: Ableism, Homophobia, and Sexism
msradiosilence's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.5
Read my full review at: https://www.rainyreader.com/single-post/the-shining/.
Graphic: Ableism, Addiction, Alcoholism, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Body horror, Body shaming, Child abuse, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gore, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Self harm, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Excrement, Vomit, Grief, Car accident, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Murder, Pregnancy, Fire/Fire injury, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail