Growing up I watched a number of Stephen King films that I had no idea were adapted from his books. My favorite was always Stand By Me. I still remember watching the scene with the leeches and being delightfully freaked out and disgusted by it. I was enthralled.
In high school was when I first started reading King and the first book of course had to be Pet Semetary because I longed to give myself nightmares. When I finally made myself to The Shining I was hooked and right at the first page, I fell in love with that mad, psychotic, haunting book. It is one if not my favorite King novel and I’ve read a lot of them.
I’m sure most of you know the basic plot of it if not from the book but from the movie. But you know how this goes and I’m going to break it down for you anyway.
Taking a job as a caretaker during the off season at the Overlook Hotel is just what Jack Torrance needs to get back on his feet. He was recently let go from his job, longs to reconnect with his family, and has a play he wants to finish writing. The Overlook is set high in the mountains in Colorado and the family will virtually be cut off from all human contact when the snow sets in. The family needs this but terrible things have happened at The Overlook and terrible things are beginning to stir and the only one who has noticed is the Torrances’ son, Danny, who has a unique gift. The hotel is gathering all of its power and past ghosts to get what it wants. And what it wants is Danny and his unique gift of shine.
This is a heavy read as King’s books usually are. His characters are so complez and lifelike they jump off the pages. They’re not exactly likable. Especially Jack. I’m going to say it now. Fuck Jack. Fuck him always and forever. I know he has his issues and his demons but man, these might be minor spoilers but it’s literally chapter one in the book. He broke his THREE YEAR OLD SON’S ARM. FOR SPILLING BEER ON HIS PLAY. Like, I don’t give a shit. That is a baby. YOUR BABY. A BABY. That’s monstrous. Yes, he comes from a cycle of abuse and alcoholism but jesus christ man.
Wendy…sigh. It’s very complex with her. I just wanted her to leave him from the very beginning. Leave, leave, LEAVE. There is a point where you have to realize that your marriage is irreparable and yeah, you’ve reached it.
Danny. Such an amazing astute soul. Wendy was right. They didn’t deserve him. He was an amazing little kid and his interactions especially with Dick Halloran were great.
The Overlook is the kind of evil that has manifested over time and a miasma has formed that’s so thick that it sucks the energy of anybody that has any mental or psychic ability. This is where Danny comes into play. But Danny is stronger than anybody else it has come into contact with. A 5 year old boy, imagine that.
The writing is typical King style. Maddening gibberish, snatches of literature such as Poe’s The Masque of the Red Death. The climax is insane and the ghosts are intense and scary. Don’t go into room 217, dear god. Please don’t.
I think the scariest part of this book besides the ghosts is Jack’s slow and creeping descent into madness. You see it coming and you see him try to stop it but in the end it’s too much for him and he succumbs to his demons and they devour him whole. Perhaps this is the fate of the other host of spirits at the Overlook, it simply became too much and they gave in. The lore to me is so fascinating honestly.
Re-reading this has only energized my King fix and I think I will go back and read some of my old faves. This is definitely a good fall read but it’s ESPECIALLY good for the winter. Snowed in. Especially if you’re in a creepy hotel room. Just make sure your room’s not by the elevator.
“and the red death held sway over all”
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🎃🎃🎃🎃🎃 5/5
I never want to either read this or watch the film. ITS JUST TOO MUCH FOR MY DELICATE SOUL 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂
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LMFDHKIBJ ILY YOURE PROBABLY LIKE WHEN WILL THE HORRORS END AMANDA it’s so creepy it’s goooood
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Nah. I love reading the reviews! I’m living my October vicariously through you 😂😂😂<333
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I adore you so much
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It’s because I’m flawless right?? Such a struggle being this amazing………………………….. LMAOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!! <3333333333
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I have the same reaction to this story, Emer! But this is a great review.
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LOOOL thank you so much!!! sometimes i’m just like I need to be scared
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I loved the book and the movie!!! Great review Amanda!!
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yeees it’s amazing!! thank you!!
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Only watched the movie…
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👍🏾
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Such a great review and I totally agree – FUCK JACK! Not Jack Nicholson though! haha he was great in the film – as always. I haven’t actually read the book, I have read a handful of King’s stuff and I have a love/hate relationship with his books but I’ve been thinking about picking up some titles of his again sometime soon.
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he was FANTASTIC in the movie omg. I actually wanted to rewatch it right after reading it but netflix removed it ugh.
and I agree with you about his books. I love his older work a lot more than the newest. it’s been years since i’ve read one of his titles and rereading this reminded me how much I love his work tbh lol.
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What a great post! I’ve seen the movie and after reading your post I really want to read the book. Thank you so much for sharing 😊
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the book really goes into more detail with the hotel which I loved! and of course! thanks so much for reading 🥰
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Not a book for me but I am glad you liked it 🤣
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What are the main differences between the book and the movie? I was creeped out watching the movie, especially the woman in the shower… 😨💀
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I’ll try not to spoil you too much haha. I haven’t seen the movie in sooo long. There’s no bloody elevator scene in the book nor are there any evil twins appearing.
Jack’s murder method is completely different as well as the way he dies. I have to say that I DO enjoy both ways he dies and see why Hollywood couldn’t do it the book version but it would have been pretty cool.
The dead woman in the bath/shower scene is pretty accurate and still scares the hell out of me. Out of all of them she’s my favorite ghost…I felt bad for her but she’s terrifying.
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omggg thank you love
AND YES YOU NEED TO READ THE SHINING. it’s one of my fave stephen king books. misery is amazing too. black house by king is pretty good as well. all of these on your list are great though.
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I just finished listening to this on Audible. I have read it twice before that. I love it. Great review, I can really tell that you enjoyed it and you love King. As do I! I even have his book On Writing, which is him teaching me how to write like him. As if!
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ooooh I cant even imagine how wonderful it was to listen to!!!
it’s one of my favorite king novels it’s just so so good. thank you so much. he’s always been one of my favorite authors. aaah that’s a great book too!!
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