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keywork1331 's review for:
The Shining
by Stephen King
dark
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I haven’t seen the film. I had a friend recommend the book after she recently got into King. She previously also persuaded me to read “It” in the last 12 months or so. I’m not sure this one tops that, though she thought so. The exposition in “It” can be a little exhausting, but I felt like there was more mystery and genuine terror at certain points in that book. The Shining I found to be somewhat more predictable and, while there was less exposition on the setting or other background, it also fel a little lacking rather than wholly a relief.
I did rather enjoy the way King wove wasps into multiple facets of the book. The instance of them, whether literally or figuratively, was an interesting device thematically.
In fairness, the characters are complex and nuanced, especially Jack. It is an enjoyable read if only for the well-crafted experience of his journey and the evolution of your perception of him over time. At times, he’s nearly likable. At others, you truly hate the man. By the end, it’s hard not to feel a little sorry for him. It raises a great question about the trust we place in others, and how tenuous such trust is after it’s been broken. Without one event in the backstory, would Jack have been less vulnerable? Would he have had the fortitude to resist the powers of evil at work?
I did rather enjoy the way King wove wasps into multiple facets of the book. The instance of them, whether literally or figuratively, was an interesting device thematically.
In fairness, the characters are complex and nuanced, especially Jack. It is an enjoyable read if only for the well-crafted experience of his journey and the evolution of your perception of him over time. At times, he’s nearly likable. At others, you truly hate the man. By the end, it’s hard not to feel a little sorry for him. It raises a great question about the trust we place in others, and how tenuous such trust is after it’s been broken. Without one event in the backstory, would Jack have been less vulnerable? Would he have had the fortitude to resist the powers of evil at work?
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence
Moderate: Alcoholism, Sexual content