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sfranklinwriting's review against another edition
- 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
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”)
Graphic: Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Homophobia, Alcohol, Cursing, Murder, Sexism, Misogyny, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Mental illness, Addiction, Alcoholism, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Grief, Racial slurs, Sexual content, and Violence
ammme'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? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Death of parent, Gaslighting, Addiction, Gore, Alcoholism, Alcohol, Blood, Child abuse, Grief, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Suicide, and Violence
Moderate: Sexism, Ableism, and Misogyny
slimshaedy92'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: Sexual content, Cursing, Alcoholism, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Violence, Death, Emotional abuse, and Racial slurs
Moderate: Physical abuse and Suicide
Minor: Misogyny, Gaslighting, and Pedophilia
ash_ton's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Graphic: Alcoholism, Body horror, Gore, Injury/Injury detail, Racism, Violence, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Emotional abuse, Blood, Child abuse, and Alcohol
Moderate: Death of parent, Confinement, Domestic abuse, Death, and Sexual content
Minor: Sexism, Animal death, Vomit, and Misogyny
emdeannah's review against another edition
- 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
5.0
Graphic: Cursing, Racism, Violence, Blood, Alcoholism, Murder, Misogyny, and Emotional abuse
arihana'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? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Death of parent, Violence, Blood, Racism, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Toxic relationship, Body horror, Child abuse, Dysphoria, Fire/Fire injury, Mental illness, Misogyny, Murder, Racial slurs, Alcoholism, Death, Emotional abuse, Confinement, Domestic abuse, Gore, Injury/Injury detail, Physical abuse, Sexual content, and Suicidal thoughts
scip'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
5.0
Graphic: Death of parent, Drug use, Fire/Fire injury, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Misogyny, Racism, Toxic relationship, Physical abuse, Violence, Death, Domestic abuse, Alcoholism, Child abuse, Addiction, Alcohol, Blood, Confinement, Racial slurs, Cursing, Drug abuse, and Schizophrenia/Psychosis
Moderate: Murder and Sexual content
Minor: Vomit and Self harm
kups's review against another edition
- 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
4.5
Graphic: Toxic relationship, Violence, Gore, Misogyny, Alcoholism, Sexual content, Addiction, Torture, Alcohol, Racial slurs, Child abuse, and Confinement
Moderate: Pedophilia and Homophobia
Minor: Suicide attempt
michaelatrelby's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Child abuse, Confinement, Cursing, Fire/Fire injury, Gore, Mental illness, Misogyny, Alcoholism, Car accident, Death, Emotional abuse, Sexism, Violence, Blood, Murder, Physical abuse, and Racial slurs
Moderate: Homophobia, Racism, Ableism, Alcohol, and Fatphobia
bites_of_books's review against another edition
- 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
2.75
Danny - Poor kid, he really deserved better. I loved his ability to keep hoping against hope that things would turn out okay.
Jack - Alcoholic father trying to quit drinking. I struggled with him because part of me felt bad for him while the other felt like King gave him no way out so what's the point?
Wendy - The mom who isn't used to standing up for herself or her son until the literal worst starts happening. She also didn't have many resources or anything to help her gain confidence so I can see why she had trouble with it.
The racism, homophobia, and misogyny was all used without any kind of nuance and the constant use of the n-word was really unnecessary.
Overall, it's not that scary, at times it's a bit silly (possessed hedges?) and what is scarier is the isolation and the mental states of the characters.
Neither the book or movie is perfect, but together they make for something a bit more interesting.
Graphic: Homophobia, Racial slurs, Sexism, Bullying, Death, Death of parent, Misogyny, Alcoholism, Domestic abuse, Alcohol, Body shaming, Child abuse, Racism, Blood, Cursing, Emotional abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Gore, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Self harm, and Physical abuse