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gethin_burke's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Child death, Death, Drug use, and Violence
Moderate: Cursing and Domestic abuse
perfectcupoftea'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, Cancer, Child abuse, Child death, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Gun violence, Infidelity, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Terminal illness, Blood, Medical content, Kidnapping, Death of parent, Murder, and Alcohol
veepopp'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? No
4.0
Graphic: Alcoholism, Cursing, Death, Blood, and Murder
Moderate: Drug abuse, Violence, Kidnapping, and Death of parent
Minor: Cancer, Infidelity, Physical abuse, Torture, Grief, and Abandonment
bites_of_books'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? It's complicated
3.25
There are still aspects of King's writing that are still sexist, racist, and ableist, so I can't give it the 5 stars it might have had without these inclusions. Compared to The Shining, this book does better in a lot of ways since I couldn't stop reading this 500+pg book.
Graphic: Ableism, Addiction, Alcoholism, Body horror, Bullying, Cancer, Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Fatphobia, Genocide, Gore, Gun violence, Infidelity, Physical abuse, Racism, Rape, Self harm, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Terminal illness, Torture, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Medical content, Kidnapping, Grief, Stalking, Car accident, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, Injury/Injury detail, and Pandemic/Epidemic
kreglow'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
Graphic: Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Cancer, Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Genocide, Gore, Gun violence, Incest, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Terminal illness, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Medical content, Dementia, Kidnapping, Grief, Medical trauma, Stalking, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Murder, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Toxic friendship, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
jenniferbbookdragon's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Dan Torrence is an incredibly complex character, at times loveable and at other times frightening and out of control. His journey is rich and painful, and his connections to the terrible events of his childhood haunt him in ways that he can't explain to people without being hospitalized for psychosis.
Abra is well written, a young woman of 13 dealing with gifts and threats to her self and family that others teens can't even imagine. King does an outstanding job capturing the voice of an adolescent girl without making her too childish or adult.
The bad guys are constructed in a spine chilling way, but it never goes over the top. I highly recommend this book.
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Death, and Alcohol
Moderate: Cancer, Cursing, Terminal illness, Violence, Grief, Stalking, and Murder
felofhe'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
5.0
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Body horror, Body shaming, Bullying, Child abuse, Child death, Cursing, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Fatphobia, Gun violence, Infidelity, Mental illness, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Sexism, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Terminal illness, Torture, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Kidnapping, Grief, Medical trauma, Stalking, Murder, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Eating disorder
zakcebulski's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
I can absolutely understand why people were disappointed with this book. But, in comparing a book to its predecessor there will always be hurdles- especially if you are expected to follow one of the cultural watermarks of the 20th century- The Shining.
Regardless, I thought that Doctor Sleep for what it is, was a very interesting read that I felt built on the foundation which King laid down in The Shining very well.
The story follows Dan (Danny) Torrance- a man plagued by the traumatic events of his time in the Overlook Hotel. Dan finds himself an alcoholic who is not above stealing money from single mothers solely to pay for his next drink.
As time progresses Dan eventually starts in AA and becomes sober with the help of Billy the fucking MAN Freeman, and Dr. John. He becomes employed as a worker at a hospice center where he helps people pass through the veil of death. He is gifted the nickname of "Doctor Sleep", as he phrases passing away as "going to sleep".
While working here he comes in contact with Abra Stone- a young girl who not only has the shining, but, who has a shit your pants strong version of it. Dan and Abra are in contact for a little while before it becomes evident that her shine is being targeted by... a group of bumbling goons.
The True Knot are the central antagonists of this story and quite honestly, they were a fucking disappointment to me. I have not recently read a book where the villains were so so so outclassed by the protagonists to the point where I was certain that none of the protagonists would perish at their hands. And, you know what? I was right. These characters had such an easy time dismantling the enemies in this book that I truly didn't feel like there were any stakes at risk, which is a bit disappointing, especially when compared to things like Salem's Lot, The Stand, Duma Key, Needful Things... every fucking book by King. Even the ending of the Shining had the main characters battered and bruised, but, the villains in this book were so fucking nonthreatening. I thought that more background to these characters would have been really appreciated as well. I mean, they are people who are in some cases centuries old, and all we know is that they have been around for a while.
I was not cheering for any of the good guys to win, but, there was scarce a moment where I thought someone could even die.
In comparison to the movie, I felt that the book versions of the True Knot were much less interesting. I did appreciate, however, how we could see and understand the desperation which each of them faced. I thought that the characters themselves were interesting as they were all archaic by standard human lifespans, but, they were still just psychic vampires who prey upon the "steam" released when a person with the Shine is killed.
I thought that these were some of the most doofus ass characters, because they were continually outmatched by the tag team of Dan and Abra.
I got such fucking satisfaction from these characters dying, because they are child predators who have a god complex due to their chronological invincibility (perceived).
I thought that the final showdown was.... kinda boring to be honest. However, I did like the feeling of catharsis that follow when Dan utilized the "ghostie people" who he had locked away for 30 years to kill members of the TK. I thought that this was a symbolic release of the trauma that Dan had been carrying. And, reading about him getting his 15 year chip from AA? I was like a proud son. Hell yeah. I read this book and got the feeling that Dan had become the man that Jack had aspired and ultimately failed to become, as he fell victim to his demons of addiction. Ultimately, Dan broke the chains of generational trauma and addiction.
I felt that this book was a strong follow up to one of the greats in terms of horror fiction. The pacing, however, was wonky to me, and there were sections wherein I felt that the book could have hurried the fuck up, but, all in all I appreciated getting a bit of closure regarding Dan Torrence.
Graphic: Child abuse, Child death, Cursing, Death, Death of parent, and Murder
_masha_'s review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Body horror, Cancer, Child abuse, Death, Drug use, Gore, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Terminal illness, Torture, Violence, Blood, Medical content, Kidnapping, Grief, Medical trauma, Murder, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Cursing, Domestic abuse, and Car accident
alaskan_bull_worm'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
3.25
Graphic: Child abuse, Death, Violence, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, Child death, Gore, Sexual content, Torture, Cannibalism, and Alcohol
Minor: Body horror, Cursing, and Blood