I have recently started a Film BA, after years of anxiety and depression, so am stressed but proud o...
I have recently started a Film BA, after years of anxiety and depression, so am stressed but proud of myself! Unfortunately, it leaves me with less time for reading, writing reviews and generally hanging about on Ciao...
Member since:11.08.2005
Reviews:187
Members who trust:36
I didn't really know what to expect when I picked up my copy of The Shining and began reading it. I've only recently started reading horror/Stephen King, so this is all unfamiliar territory to me - my previous experience of horror writing has been several Point Horror books about ten years ago and a few short stories. I thought that having seen the film a couple of times, I wouldn't come across anything too unexpected: I was wrong. So what had I expected? Put simply, I expected the film just written out in book-form. I didn't get it - thank goodness!
The major difference is that the book actually concentrates on The Shining (psychic ability) rather than just trying to be frightening. It also offers a lot more in the way of background story, which makes it even more frightening. Jack Torrance is a mostly-unsuccessful writer whose sole achievement is having a story published in Esquire. He is forced to leave his teaching job after beating up a student and his friend, Al Shockley, finds him a post as winter caretaker at the Overlook hotel, which Al owns. This post
requires him to spend months snowbound in the hotel, with his wife Wendy and their son, Danny, heating parts of the hotel and generally looking after it.
The job is doomed from the start. Jack is a recovering alcoholic who once broke his son's arm in temper, Wendy only gives him second chances because she has nowhere else to go and both have issues stemming from their childhoods. We learn that a few years ago, the winter caretaker went insane with cabin fever and killed his wife, two daughters and himself - and that's only the tip of the iceberg of the strange things that have happened at the Overlook hotel.
Danny is tormented by disturbing dreams and premonitions - which the Overlook's cook Mr. Hallorann, explains is 'The Shining', something that he also possesses. He realises that Something Bad is going to happen and wants to get away, but agrees with Wendy that it is best for Jack to stick with the job and for them to support him. It doesn't take a genius to work out that this is a big mistake.
The hotel is certainly strange... There are voices, the elevator goes on its own and a lot of odd people show up. Jack becomes immersed in the mysteries of the Overlook, helped by a scrapbook he finds which details every dubious event that has happened in the hotel's history. Jack becomes more and more alienated from his family and tormented by memories of his abusive father. Eventually, the hotel manages to get to him, but it's Danny they want...
I don't want to spoil the ending for those who haven't seen the film - though the ending in the book is different and far better in my opinion - but it's my favourite part. King manages to write such suspense that I was literally sitting on the edge of my seat and couldn't put down the book once I started the last 100 pages until I'd finished. Despite basically knowing what happens (whether X dies or survives), I found myself with my heart in my mouth feeling genuinely concerned for all the characters - the detail of the book and it's ability to let the reader slip into the minds of all the characters makes you care more about them, thus making it scarier.
I skimmed over the overviews of other reviews for this book and noticed that some people regard the detail as a disadvantage: I strongly disagree. Who made a rule that horror fiction can't be more than just a basic plot? It's the background which explains a lot of the story and makes it even scarier - especially as Jack changes his mind about the domestic violence his mother suffered, changing from disbelief that his mother denied it to the conclusion that she deserved it, during the course of the story. I love the way that King explores psychological reasons for behaviour whilst combining this with the supernatural - it's something which film adaptions sadly miss out.
The book stresses the supernatural aspect more than simply dismissing events as Jack's descent into insanity and hallucinations. The supernatural aspect is far more explicit than in the film, though I can appreciate that it would be harder to portray in a believable way in film. If you're sceptical about the supernatural, you may find The Shining too far-fetched for your liking. Personally, I love all that stuff and I loved this book.
How helpful would this review be to a person making a buying decision? Rating guidelines
Advantages: Chilling- suspense gradually builds up to utter horror- perfect! Disadvantages: A few long 'factual' sections which get slightly boring. Film fans beware- this is different to what you've seen!
Advantages: The mix of claustrophobia, remoteness, the supernatural, and the compelling personalites of the characters and hotel is potent. Disadvantages: I really, really mean - leave this alone unless you WANT to be scared. Really.
Advantages: Stephen King's claim to fame ; Superb atmosphere ; Sublime plot ; A vivid imagination that stretches all supernatural boundaries ; Probably responsible for some of the best horror films of the 70's and 80's Disadvantages: Some unessesary background in the first half ; Kubrik mucked up the story too much ; Could have been much more
Advantages: Stephen king's first and one of his best novels,a sweet and sad tale of pain and sweet vengeance,clever twists and dialogue,excellent Disadvantages: NONE
darkangelwing 30.08.2005 ·
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful
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Sep 27th, 2005
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