Scan barcode
A review by afelice
The Shining by Stephen King
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
5.0
5 star read for sure! Loved this book and I’m so glad I read it and that I didn’t just go off of the movie to judge the story because Kubrick’s movie differs in so many places.
Mainly, we see the biggest difference in how Jack Torrence is portrayed. In the movie, Jack is portrayed as “crazy” pretty much from the jump. Right away, we are suspicious of Jack and don’t like him as a character and there isn’t as much evolution into insanity. In the book, Jack starts out as somewhat likable…he’s a father with some demons who is trying to do right by his family. He’s got a lot on his plate and he’s struggling to be a good husband and father and trying to deviate from his dark past and questionable behaviors stemming from his alcoholism.
Wendy is also much more likable in the book vs. the movie. Wendy is a strong, capable woman who stands up for herself and her son when she feels she needs to. She will talk firmly to Jack when he steps out of line. She’s not this perpetually sobbing and meek character like she was in the film.
Long story short, read this book over the movie - or read book then watch the movie…do not take the movie as the sole arbiter of this story. Now I need to watch the mini series since it’s supposed to follow the book more.
Mainly, we see the biggest difference in how Jack Torrence is portrayed. In the movie, Jack is portrayed as “crazy” pretty much from the jump. Right away, we are suspicious of Jack and don’t like him as a character and there isn’t as much evolution into insanity. In the book, Jack starts out as somewhat likable…he’s a father with some demons who is trying to do right by his family. He’s got a lot on his plate and he’s struggling to be a good husband and father and trying to deviate from his dark past and questionable behaviors stemming from his alcoholism.
Wendy is also much more likable in the book vs. the movie. Wendy is a strong, capable woman who stands up for herself and her son when she feels she needs to. She will talk firmly to Jack when he steps out of line. She’s not this perpetually sobbing and meek character like she was in the film.
Long story short, read this book over the movie - or read book then watch the movie…do not take the movie as the sole arbiter of this story. Now I need to watch the mini series since it’s supposed to follow the book more.