Chills & Thrills: Stephen King's the Shining
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Hello, Fellow Book Worms and Book Dragons,
In 2015 my focus was very different, as were my reading habits. I decided that it was time to travel back to the Overlook Hotel. I looked forward to how I will interpret this novel today compared to 2015. What I came away with was a completely different telling of this tale that chilled me even further to the bone.
The Shining is written by Stephen King. It is published by Penguin Random House Publishing, under their Anchor Books imprint. Originally published in 1977, this classic horror novel introduces us to the Torrance family. When young Danny Torrance's father, John, is fired from his teaching job at a prestigious school, his parents struggle to survive on their meager finances. With divorce always looming in his mother Wendy's mind, Danny does his best to stay optimistic. He has his imaginary friend, Tony, that visits him sharing fun images and helping Danny find lost things. Danny is also learning to read, which excites him greatly. Then his father ventures away one day to go to a job interview. If he gets the position, he will become the newest Winter caretaker of the famous Overlook Hotel in the Colorado Mountains area. The only catch is that the Torrance family would be snowed in and isolated for several months. The area is usually hit with several feet of snow per season, making traversing the roads impossible.
When John "Jack" Torrance lands the caretaker job, Danny is visited by Tony. His friend shows him terrifying images and warns Danny not to go to the Overlook. The little boy is confused and frightened, keeping the images to himself. And as they get closer and closer to the hotel, the images grow in intensity. Upon arrival, Danny uses his perceptive abilities with the hotel cook, Dick Halloran. The old man is friendly, and like Danny, has the Shining. This ability allows the pair to speak without moving their lips. And Halloran explains that he has seen unpleasant things at the Overlook. He warns Danny to be careful not to "shine" too brightly at the hotel. And if he sees anything terrifying call out to him and he will hear him, even in Florida where he will be staying in the Overlook's off-season. As the months go by Jack begins to change, exhibiting his old drinking habits. But with no alcohol available, it is puzzling to Danny and Wendy why Jack is changing. What they do not know is that Jack is channeling the dead that haunts the Overlook. And they have told him to kill his family. It's a race against time to save their lives as their loved one hunts them down. Thankfully Danny has called Dick Halloran through the Shining. Will the old man make it to the hotel in time to stop another caretaker from killing his family? As the snow flies the tension is palpable.
The Shining is one of my all-time favorite novels. And like the Exorcist, I read this novel from a different perspective. Since Doctor Sleep focuses on an adult Danny Torrance, I read the Shining from Danny's point of view. What I came away this time with was a more terrifying read as seen through the eyes of a child. King's ability to capture innocence is very well achieved, as he tears into the reader with horrific visuals. As Jack grows increasingly unstable, we are also given a grand tale of Overlook's history. The spirits guiding Torrance's degradation are ruthless and scary. Wendy is a strong female lead that valiantly defends her son against her husband. She is a three-dimensional character that joins Dick Halloran in creating a sense of hope within the dark and macabre narrative. Danny is the light and innocence of the tale. He brings a light to the forefront that guides the hunted away from the hunter. Possible triggers in this novel are handled very well. Alcoholism and domestic violence are presented as part of Jack's background. At times these representations are extreme but integral to Jack's current state.
I read the Shining in part with the brilliant narration of actor Campbell Scott (House of Cards). His ability to change voice and accent winds the book's story into a tight ball. His tense reading of action sequences had me riveted to the book. And when Jack Torrance finally came undone, his reading was terrifying. Excellent work.
No surprise that the Shining once again receives five stars from me. It is a classic tale of terror that eviscerates the reader and leaves us with a tale that will forever be remembered. Action, tension, and a relentless sense of dread make for the perfect read any time of the year. With that said, I will be heading to Doctor Sleep soon to continue the story of the Shining.
The Shining is one of my all-time favorite novels. And like the Exorcist, I read this novel from a different perspective. Since Doctor Sleep focuses on an adult Danny Torrance, I read the Shining from Danny's point of view. What I came away this time with was a more terrifying read as seen through the eyes of a child. King's ability to capture innocence is very well achieved, as he tears into the reader with horrific visuals. As Jack grows increasingly unstable, we are also given a grand tale of Overlook's history. The spirits guiding Torrance's degradation are ruthless and scary. Wendy is a strong female lead that valiantly defends her son against her husband. She is a three-dimensional character that joins Dick Halloran in creating a sense of hope within the dark and macabre narrative. Danny is the light and innocence of the tale. He brings a light to the forefront that guides the hunted away from the hunter. Possible triggers in this novel are handled very well. Alcoholism and domestic violence are presented as part of Jack's background. At times these representations are extreme but integral to Jack's current state.
I read the Shining in part with the brilliant narration of actor Campbell Scott (House of Cards). His ability to change voice and accent winds the book's story into a tight ball. His tense reading of action sequences had me riveted to the book. And when Jack Torrance finally came undone, his reading was terrifying. Excellent work.
No surprise that the Shining once again receives five stars from me. It is a classic tale of terror that eviscerates the reader and leaves us with a tale that will forever be remembered. Action, tension, and a relentless sense of dread make for the perfect read any time of the year. With that said, I will be heading to Doctor Sleep soon to continue the story of the Shining.
Have fun reading this week. Let me know in the comments below what you are reading.
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All written content (c) Copyright 2023 by Thomas Bahr II
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