Reviews tagging 'Death of parent'

Doctor Sleep by Stephen King

14 reviews

travisppe's review against another edition

adventurous dark mysterious tense fast-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

2.75

King relies on some well worn tropes (and they don’t always land) but he knows how to tell a compelling story. 

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Kidnapping, Suicidal thoughts, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Terminal illness, Torture, Chronic illness, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Alcohol, Blood, Body horror, Child death, Physical abuse, Violence, Addiction, Alcoholism, Child abuse, Murder, Gore, Cancer, Car accident, and Death

lizzie_milton's review

dark tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Domestic abuse, Drug use, Gore, Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Racial slurs, Child abuse, Child death, Racism, Rape, Alcoholism, Terminal illness, Addiction, Alcohol, Blood, Body horror, Cancer, Death, and Death of parent

perfectcupoftea's review

adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious 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

5.0

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Death, Terminal illness, Death of parent, Addiction, Alcoholism, Alcohol, Body horror, Blood, Cancer, Child death, Cursing, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Gun violence, Infidelity, Kidnapping, Medical content, Murder, Pedophilia, and Physical abuse

veepopp's review against another edition

dark mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Alcoholism, Cursing, Blood, and Murder

Moderate: Violence, Drug abuse, Death of parent, and Kidnapping

Minor: Physical abuse, Infidelity, Abandonment, Torture, Grief, and Cancer

bites_of_books's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious reflective sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.25

I did not love The Shining but I was still curious to know more about Dan Torrance and what happened to him when he grew up. Dan ends up struggling with alcoholism like his father and eventually starts finding ways to manage his alcoholism. His shine is then put to use at a hospice where he helps people pass on and gives them some relief in their last moments. Throughout all this he is being contacted by someone via telepathic messages as well as writing on a chalkboard where he keeps track of patients. At first the messages are innocent but eventually they start talking about murder and danger so Dan has to find out more. 
There are still aspects of King's writing that are still sexist, racist, and ableist, so I can't give it the 5 stars it might have had without these inclusions. Compared to The Shining, this book does better in a lot of ways since I couldn't stop reading this 500+pg book. 

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcoholism, Violence, Vomit, Body horror, Child abuse, Confinement, Death, Drug abuse, Fatphobia, Genocide, Sexual violence, Stalking, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Cancer, Child death, Injury/Injury detail, Kidnapping, Fire/Fire injury, Gun violence, Physical abuse, Car accident, Death of parent, Drug use, Medical content, Pandemic/Epidemic, Sexual harassment, Terminal illness, Bullying, Ableism, Alcohol, Gore, Grief, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Addiction, Blood, Cursing, Domestic abuse, Racism, Rape, Self harm, Infidelity, and Murder

finn_vibing's review

dark emotional funny mysterious reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcoholism, Child death, Death of parent, Cancer, Drug abuse, and Death

kreglow's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional funny hopeful mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced

• 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

4.0

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Cursing, Drug use, Terminal illness, Addiction, Grief, Incest, Blood, Child death, Confinement, Dementia, Sexual content, Suicide attempt, Medical content, Racial slurs, Genocide, Gore, Injury/Injury detail, Kidnapping, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Death of parent, Gun violence, Medical trauma, Racism, Rape, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Suicide, Alcoholism, Child abuse, Death, Alcohol, Adult/minor relationship, Cancer, Drug abuse, Murder, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Stalking, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic friendship, and Vomit

bomenvernietiger's review against another edition

dark emotional hopeful reflective sad tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Domestic abuse, Murder, Drug use, Drug abuse, Alcoholism, Stalking, Injury/Injury detail, Death, Child abuse, Child death, Kidnapping, Gun violence, Addiction, Alcohol, Violence, and Torture

Moderate: Sexual assault, Racial slurs, Pedophilia, Misogyny, Medical trauma, Death of parent, Body horror, Cancer, Injury/Injury detail, Sexual violence, Car accident, Sexual content, Adult/minor relationship, Terminal illness, Blood, Sexism, Rape, and Gore

Minor: Pedophilia and Adult/minor relationship

zakcebulski's review

challenging dark emotional mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

I can absolutely understand why people were disappointed with this book. But, in comparing a book to its predecessor there will always be hurdles- especially if you are expected to follow one of the cultural watermarks of the 20th century- The Shining.
Regardless, I thought that Doctor Sleep for what it is, was a very interesting read that I felt built on the foundation which King laid down in The Shining very well.
The story follows Dan (Danny) Torrance- a man plagued by the traumatic events of his time in the Overlook Hotel. Dan finds himself an alcoholic who is not above stealing money from single mothers solely to pay for his next drink.
As time progresses Dan eventually starts in AA and becomes sober with the help of Billy the fucking MAN Freeman, and Dr. John. He becomes employed as a worker at a hospice center where he helps people pass through the veil of death. He is gifted the nickname of "Doctor Sleep", as he phrases passing away as "going to sleep".
While working here he comes in contact with Abra Stone- a young girl who not only has the shining, but, who has a shit your pants strong version of it. Dan and Abra are in contact for a little while before it becomes evident that her shine is being targeted by... a group of bumbling goons.
The True Knot are the central antagonists of this story and quite honestly, they were a fucking disappointment to me. I have not recently read a book where the villains were so so so outclassed by the protagonists to the point where I was certain that none of the protagonists would perish at their hands. And, you know what? I was right. These characters had such an easy time dismantling the enemies in this book that I truly didn't feel like there were any stakes at risk, which is a bit disappointing, especially when compared to things like Salem's Lot, The Stand, Duma Key, Needful Things... every fucking book by King. Even the ending of the Shining had the main characters battered and bruised, but, the villains in this book were so fucking nonthreatening. I thought that more background to these characters would have been really appreciated as well. I mean, they are people who are in some cases centuries old, and all we know is that they have been around for a while. 
I was not cheering for any of the good guys to win, but, there was scarce a moment where I thought someone could even die. 

In comparison to the movie, I felt that the book versions of the True Knot were much less interesting. I did appreciate, however, how we could see and understand the desperation which each of them faced. I thought that the characters themselves were interesting as they were all archaic by standard human lifespans, but, they were still just psychic vampires who prey upon the "steam" released when a person with the Shine is killed. 
I thought that these were some of the most doofus ass characters, because they were continually outmatched by the tag team of Dan and Abra. 
I got such fucking satisfaction from these characters dying, because they are child predators who have a god complex due to their chronological invincibility (perceived). 

I thought that the final showdown was.... kinda boring to be honest. However, I did like the feeling of catharsis that follow when Dan utilized the "ghostie people" who he had locked away for 30 years to kill members of the TK. I thought that this was a symbolic release of the trauma that Dan had been carrying. And, reading about him getting his 15 year chip from AA? I was like a proud son. Hell yeah. I read this book and got the feeling that Dan had become the man that Jack had aspired and ultimately failed to become, as he fell victim to his demons of addiction. Ultimately, Dan broke the chains of generational trauma and addiction. 

I felt that this book was a strong follow up to one of the greats in terms of horror fiction. The pacing, however, was wonky to me, and there were sections wherein I felt that the book could have hurried the fuck up, but, all in all I appreciated getting a bit of closure regarding Dan Torrence. 

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Murder, Child death, Death, Death of parent, and Cursing

eliasiexil's review against another edition

adventurous dark mysterious sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Violence, Injury/Injury detail, Death, Alcohol, and Alcoholism

Moderate: Death of parent, Body horror, Vomit, Murder, Blood, and Child death

Minor: Drug use and Torture