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mattyvreads's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-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
4.75
An undeniably well-written piece of art. I was consistently enthralled, terrified, disturbed. I could not put it down. And it legitimately gave me nightmares, which has never happened to me before because of a book.
It is so different from the movie. I love them both.
There is a lot of racism, homophobia, ableism, and reference to sexual assault. I understand that some of it is contextual, given the time period(the present day actions of the book and the hotel's metaphysical echoes of past eras) andJack's undoing (possession) , but Mr. King is really trigger happy with the N word. It's pretty wild. Also, in one of Jack's internal monologues -before he goes mad - King sort of implies that a "homosexual experience" can turn someone into a pedophile... and there is no dissenting argument there.... So... I didn't love that. BUT the book is pretty damn flawless besides that. I would absolutely read it again.
It is so different from the movie. I love them both.
There is a lot of racism, homophobia, ableism, and reference to sexual assault. I understand that some of it is contextual, given the time period
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Domestic abuse, and Racial slurs
Moderate: Alcoholism, Body horror, Confinement, Homophobia, Mental illness, Racism, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, and Gaslighting
Minor: Rape
getyourghosts's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse and Murder
Moderate: Racial slurs
Minor: Homophobia and Racism
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!
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!
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
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Homophobia, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, and Violence
hktul's review
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.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Racial slurs, and Suicidal thoughts
mostly_present's review
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
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.
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.
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
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”)
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”)
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.
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
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