I downloaded the sample of Dr. Sleep, having only watched the movie version of The Shining, and on the very first page I new I would have to go back to where the story of Danny Torrence started if I was going to read Dr. Sleep. Many people say "the book was so much better" and that line can be no truer for The Shining.
Immediately, the characters elicit strong emotions from the reader.
Jack Torrence, both protagonist and antagonist, compells the reader to feel sympathetic for his plight. As a "dry drunk" who has fallen on hard times after a short bit of success as a writer, he is desperate to straighten out his life for his family and feels that his last chance to do so is to take the caretaker job at the Overlook Hotel during the winter season. The reader can relate to this desire to provide for one's family. Jack's indecision - to stay at the Hotel and guarantee financial support or to leave the Hotel for the safety of his son - is very palpable. Jack's desire to be a good father plucks at the reader's heartstrings.
Wendy, Jack's wife, was not as likeable as her husband, in my opinion. She is very timid, having suffered her mother's psychological and mental abuse for years. It's obvious that she has traded her mother's abuse for Jack's quick temper and (at times) violent outbursts. She is only strong enough to stand up to Jack when their son's safety is concerned. Any other time, she dances around the issues that have plagued her marriage and is outright skittish whenever Jack's mood sours. I felt that her inability to stand up for herself made her unlikeable.
Danny, the five-year-old boy of the Torrence clan, was by far the most interesting character. He is very gifted with psychic abilities such as telepathy, empathy, precognition, and mediumship. As a child, he has very little understanding of these abilities and of the adult subject matter that he is inadvertently subjected to due to his abilities. This struggle is captured very well as it is described through his young and innocent point of view. The reader feels afraid for him as his abilities draw the attention of the malevolent spirits dwelling in the Overlook Hotel.
King does an amazing job bringing his characters to life. The reader is captivated by the Torrence family chemistry via an in-depth look into their histories, their lifes' experiences, and their struggles. These elements become crucial to the events that transpire inside the Overlook Hotel and they become fuel for the spirits that are preying upon the Torrence family, thus entwining events of the past with those of the present.
As always, Kind does an excellent job with description. Not only can the reader visualize the Hotel's various locations (the lobby, kitchen, different floors, the basement, the outdoors) but he also does an amazing job capturing the emotions and thoughts of the main characters. The reader knows what the characters are experiencing, knows what they are feeling, knows what they are hoping to accomplish.
The story moves along at a very steady pace. Told through a limited third person point of view, the present is interspersed with tidbits from each characters' pasts that bring relevancy to the current situation. As tension between family members rise and as the danger of the hotel becomes more evident, the pace steadily grows faster and faster, making it very difficult to put the book down.
The Shining was a very enjoyable book, full of human emotion and supernatural phenomena. With characters that are compelling and well-rounded and a story that captivates, this is a book that I highly recommend.
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⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ •HEREEESSSSSS JOHNNNYYY!!!! October means the king of terror, Steven King, is in full force!! Re-reading The Shining, putting it in the Freezer when necessary, & watching the movie is an October must! —————————————————————•For those of you who aren’t familiar with The Shining.... When Jack Torrance, a college professor with a temper only fueled by a minor drinking problem, is offered a winter job at the Overlook Hotel- Jack, his wife Wendy, & his shining son Danny head for the hills, literally! Overlook hotel is a prestigious hotel with all the best features & outdoor views. The Torrance family is hired on to look after the hotel during the winter so that the regular staff can take some time off. Thinking this is their chance to mend family wounds & for Jack to get back to his writing, the Torrance crew is thrilled for the opportunity- until they aren’t. The last man who brought his family up for the winter shift killed his entire family & then himself. Workers refuse to go into one specific room, & people swear they see & hear things. Before long the Torrance family is seeing & hearing things too. One thing is clear- the Overlook Hotel doesn’t want them to leave & not everyone will!The Shining is currently available on @Netflix so make sure to add it to your October chills & thrills!
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Vivienne
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Reviewed in the Netherlands on March 30, 2024
Vivienne
Reviewed in the Netherlands on March 30, 2024
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