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trickytim11's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
4.5
This book was very close to being a 5 star read. It had great elements of horror and thriller and kept me on edge since the start. The concept was simple enough, yet still exciting enough to keep me engaged for almost 500 pages. What leaves me to not give it a 5 star review was a bit of ambiguity in some of the descriptions. I was a bit confused about the entire hotel and how it manifested in the MCs lives. Was it a monster, illusion, ghost, or other supernatural. It seemed to take as a mix of anomalies which attributed to my confusion - but also offered a unique approach to a horror tale.
sarahcoookie's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
nastia_che's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? N/A
4.0
sdgoldsmith2048's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-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
5.0
mansikwatra's review against another edition
4.0
A couple of years ago, I watched the great Stanley Kubrick's "The Shining". It was supposed to be a masterpiece but despite Jack Nicholson's remarkable acting, I did not like the movie. I had never read any Stephen King book and it further deterred me. However, luckily, I picked up "On Writing", King's gospel for aspiring writers and I fell in love with the easy way his words flew off the pages.
I immediately started reading "The Shining" once I finished " On Writing". And I thank the book heavens that this happened.
I know readers are always more partial towards books than their cinematic adaptations, but in this case, it holds absolutely true.
So, the story starts with Jack Torrance, who heads up to the Overlook Hotel in Colorado mountains, with his wife Wendy and five-year-old son Danny, to act as the caretaker during the off season. Danny has psychic capability to see the future and once they start living in the hotel, he starts getting horrible premonitions and sees ghosts everywhere. The hotel has a gruesome history that starts affecting this family's life, with no escape as they get snowed in.
As compared to the movie, the Overlook hotel was more sinister; Jack, Wendy and Danny developed beautifully as the story progressed; the climax was edgy and I actually cared about the story. The book definitely gives the reader a wholesome story, building up on the flaws and desires of these characters, who seemed well-rounded than their movie counterparts.
Stephen King said that he never intended Jack Torrance's character to be the usual boogeyman and it shows in the book.
This was my first proper horror novel and I'm glad I started here. I'll pick more of King's books in years to come.
I immediately started reading "The Shining" once I finished " On Writing". And I thank the book heavens that this happened.
I know readers are always more partial towards books than their cinematic adaptations, but in this case, it holds absolutely true.
So, the story starts with Jack Torrance, who heads up to the Overlook Hotel in Colorado mountains, with his wife Wendy and five-year-old son Danny, to act as the caretaker during the off season. Danny has psychic capability to see the future and once they start living in the hotel, he starts getting horrible premonitions and sees ghosts everywhere. The hotel has a gruesome history that starts affecting this family's life, with no escape as they get snowed in.
As compared to the movie, the Overlook hotel was more sinister; Jack, Wendy and Danny developed beautifully as the story progressed; the climax was edgy and I actually cared about the story. The book definitely gives the reader a wholesome story, building up on the flaws and desires of these characters, who seemed well-rounded than their movie counterparts.
Stephen King said that he never intended Jack Torrance's character to be the usual boogeyman and it shows in the book.
This was my first proper horror novel and I'm glad I started here. I'll pick more of King's books in years to come.
mcwiseman97's review against another edition
3.0
Fun read
Loved the read. It was fast in some places and dreadfully slow in others. Maybe it's just me haha. Either way, good read.
Loved the read. It was fast in some places and dreadfully slow in others. Maybe it's just me haha. Either way, good read.
kylesafgt's review against another edition
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0