Reviews tagging 'Homophobia'

The Shining by Stephen King

36 reviews

itshrewsbury's review against another edition

challenging dark mysterious tense fast-paced

• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No

5.0

 I read the first of the Dark Tower series a while ago and thought I’d never read Steven king again. He just has a way of writing that is really evocative, but often…weird? Not in a sci fi/horror/thriller concept way but in a, “why do you always write women like THAT” way, in a “oh there’s this harmful trope again” way; it got repetitive and I had to stop reading him for a bit. But this was honestly SO good that I was able to push through the weird moments, and I think it’s bc you get so many POV characters with clear and fleshed out intentions here. Plus the tension just flows SO well, I actually was so stiff the whole back half.
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! 

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Content Warnings

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)

robinmarie13's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional hopeful mysterious reflective sad tense medium-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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcoholism, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Homophobia, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, and Violence

hktul's review against another edition

dark tense slow-paced

3.75

 The book gives each character depth, you learn why Wendy stays and the rationale behind Danny's decisions.   Yes, the symbolism for alcoholism is there but I'll be honest while King can write a good story I don't think he is a big stickler for themes. There is an evil hotel that tries to take advantage of people's trauma; that evil does not care if it is a family or if a child is to young for horror. That was the story King wrote and he did a good job. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Homophobia, Racial slurs, and Suicidal thoughts

mostly_present's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional mysterious reflective sad tense slow-paced

• 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

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Content Warnings

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

zellburke's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional mysterious sad tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• 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

2.0

The will-they-won't-they romance between Jack "I wish I knew how to quit you" Torrance and a stiff drink. They're the toxic couple that stays together because they love the drama.

Obviously, the book is going to differ from the movie adaptation. This was no different, and in both, they have their merits and their faults.

In the text, you do get a lot more depth into both Wendy's, Jack's, and Danny's characters. The family dynamic is tense from the start, and you end up lying in wait for the pressure to burst. King does a fair job throughout of building suspense and giving readers things to watch out for/fear.

However, something about King's writing is not for me. I suspected this going in so I acknowledge I am not the most impartial judge. Even though it is a horror story filled with evil and icky characters, the amount of sexist, racist, and homophobic language seems excessive at times, especially coming from a white, male author.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, and Sexism

Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, Homophobia, Car accident, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail

sfranklinwriting's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

The way King moulds together paranormal, drama, and thriller thematics into this twisted and frankly (overall) sad tale of a mentally and emotionally tortured family is a shining example of just how masterful he is with weaving of the written word. His third person omniscient narration and the way he bleeds together the dialogue with the thoughts of Danny, Wendy, Jack, and everyone and everything around them ushers a sense of complete hysteria from the get-go. Soft at first (yet complete) only to truly spiral as the looming messages Danny’s getting only seem to correlate more with reality and (literally) conjure as they eventually move to being shut up in the Overlook (blizzard of their century comin’ for ‘em). Got to Part II and you could feel the absorption of the story pull you forward. It’s a hunk of text but man it is worth the read. Tells a horrible, awful story that (seems to) turn out right at the end…I plan on reading Doctor Sleep this year, so I’ll see how future adult Tony is doing and try to buckle up for that ride as well (hoping it’s at least HALF as good as this block). 

Now, not to be petty or misunderstanding of the era in which the movie version was created in, but after finishing (heck, when I was only about 30% done with) the book I had begun to realize that Kubrick did not even tell the HALF of the Torrance’s story. He gave us a round of incredible performances from Shelly DuVall (so effed up the way he got her into character but damn the parallels to Wendy Torrance are uncanny and I so wish they would have kept her hair blonde!), Danny Lloyd, and Jack Nicholson; but The Shining as a piece of cinema seems more like a hashed up re-telling of the full story King so carefully crafted. Something personal to Kubrick and soiled by his need to succumb to the humdrum of Hollywood’s (then) obsession to always have someone produce “the next cult classic.” 

In terms of today, I think this could be brought back and told in-full (very visually) through the lens of a limited mini series on one of these dang streaming platforms. Could be a very easy way to solidly connect it to a Doctor Sleep limited series as well. Alas, this would totally require very awesome writers and producers who would want to put in the time, effort, blood, sweat, tears, and fingertips into WHOLLY honoring King’s classic tale of a failing family at the wrong place at the WRONG time(s). But for the love of all that is holy, keep out all the N words! (<<< this is my only true pet peeve with Mr. Stevie King, I can’t stand it even if it is “only to make the story authentic”)

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Child abuse, Cursing, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Mental illness, Misogyny, Racial slurs, Sexism, Sexual content, Violence, Grief, Murder, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Gaslighting, and Alcohol

kups's review against another edition

challenging dark tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

There are so many questionable things in this book. The story was wonderful though and very tense, once the story started to pick up it was hard to put down. The racism in the book and the weird sexual instances were so random though. While the racism could be explained as another way that the hotel was evil, it feels unnecessary. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Child abuse, Confinement, Gore, Misogyny, Racial slurs, Sexual content, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, and Alcohol

Moderate: Homophobia and Pedophilia

Minor: Suicide attempt

michaelatrelby's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional funny mysterious sad tense medium-paced

• 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

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Content Warnings

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

bites_of_books's review against another edition

challenging dark mysterious sad tense fast-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

2.75

What I enjoy about King is the character work, he does a good job in creating characters and moving them through strange settings. 

Danny - Poor kid, he really deserved better. I loved his ability to keep hoping against hope that things would turn out okay. 

Jack - Alcoholic father trying to quit drinking. I struggled with him because part of me felt bad for him while the other felt like King gave him no way out so what's the point?

Wendy - The mom who isn't used to standing up for herself or her son until the literal worst starts happening. She also didn't have many resources or anything to help her gain confidence so I can see why she had trouble with it. 

The racism, homophobia, and misogyny was all used without any kind of nuance and the constant use of the n-word was really unnecessary. 

Overall, it's not that scary, at times it's a bit silly (possessed hedges?) and what is scarier is the isolation and the mental states of the characters. 

Neither the book or movie is perfect, but together they make for something a bit more interesting. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcoholism, Body shaming, Bullying, Child abuse, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gore, Homophobia, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Self harm, Sexism, Blood, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail

rtthalia's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced

• 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

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, Body horror, Bullying, Child abuse, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, Gore, Homophobia, Mental illness, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Medical content, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Abandonment, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail