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The Shining (1977)

by Stephen King

Other authors: See the other authors section.

Series: The Shining (1)

MembersReviewsPopularityAverage ratingConversations / Mentions
22,995453158 (4.13)3 / 961
Welcome to the Overlook Hotel. You'll never want to leave . . . Danny is only five years old, but in the words of old Mr Hallorann he is a 'shiner', aglow with psychic voltage. When his father becomes caretaker of the Overlook Hotel, Danny's visions grow out of control. As winter closes in and blizzards cut them off, the hotel seems to develop a life of its own. It is meant to be empty. So who is the lady in Room 217 and who are the masked guests going up and down in the elevator? And why do the hedges shaped like animals seem so alive? Somewhere, somehow, there is an evil force in the hotel - and that, too, is beginning to shine . . .… (more)
1970s (15)
Ghosts (11)
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» See also 961 mentions

English (430)  Italian (5)  Spanish (4)  French (3)  Dutch (3)  Danish (2)  German (1)  Portuguese (Portugal) (1)  All languages (449)
Showing 1-5 of 430 (next | show all)
All his early books are killer, but the "The Shining" by Stephen King is a masterpiece of horror literature. Set in the ominous Overlook Hotel of the Colorado Rockies, the story follows Jack Torrance, a struggling writer and recovering alcoholic, who takes a job as the winter caretaker of the hotel with his wife Wendy and their young son Danny. No thank you. The setting alone is ripe for terrible adventures. A palpable sense of dread and isolation seeps from the pages. King's descriptive prose is vivid and immersive, drawing the reader into the chilling atmosphere of the hotel and its haunted corridors. It is a complex story of addiction, family dynamics, and the nature of evil, and a must-read for fans of suspenseful and unsettling fiction. ( )
  Andrew.Lafleche | Mar 6, 2024 |
Reading this without continually comparing it to the film is a challenge. In general, I lean towards the film's interpretation; I believe many of Kubrick's alterations, even those seemingly necessary, enhanced the overall experience – like the topiary animals. Danny's unnaturally advanced intelligence felt awkward to me, bordering on poorly written.

Nevertheless, I appreciated the nuanced portrayal of Jack Torrance in the book. I wonder how the film might have differed with a less intense actor than Nicholson.

Despite these comparisons, the book is still enjoyable and atmospheric – a diverting experience. ( )
  GusWoltmann | Feb 4, 2024 |
Awesome! One of my favorite King books. I had to wait a long time for the memory of the movie to fade enough that my imagination could take over.
I really liked the narration from the 4 different points of view. ( )
  wvlibrarydude | Jan 14, 2024 |
The first Stephen king Novel I actually read was IT, shocking because I hate clowns. I have decided to sprinkle a few more of his novels into my year. I hated The Cell but am willing to give Dr. Sleep a chance that is My next read! ( )
  b00kdarling87 | Jan 7, 2024 |
I originally read this years ago but wanted to re-read it after Dr. Sleep. I love the claustrophobic genius of this book. I do prefer The Shining to its sequel. ( )
  devilhoo | Jan 3, 2024 |
Showing 1-5 of 430 (next | show all)

» Add other authors (100 possible)

Author nameRoleType of authorWork?Status
King, Stephenprimary authorall editionsconfirmed
Østlyngen, TanjaCover designersecondary authorsome editionsconfirmed
Christensen, HarroTranslatorsecondary authorsome editionsconfirmed
Dell'Orto, AdrianaTranslatorsecondary authorsome editionsconfirmed
Follett, KenIntroductionsecondary authorsome editionsconfirmed
Isomursu, PenttiTranslatorsecondary authorsome editionsconfirmed
Scott, CampbellNarratorsecondary authorsome editionsconfirmed
Stuart, NeilCover designersecondary authorsome editionsconfirmed
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Epigraph
It was in this apartment, also, that there stood against the western wall, a gigantic clock of ebony. Its pendulum swung to and fro with a dull, heavy, monotonous clang; and when the minute-hand made the circuit of the face, and the hour was to be stricken, there came from the brazen lungs of the clock a sound which was clear and loud and deep and exceedingly musical, but of so peculiar a note and emphasis that, at each lapse of an hour, the musicians of the orchestra were constrained to pause, momentarily, in their performance, to harken to the sound; and thus the waltzers perforce ceased their evolutions; and there was a brief disconcert of the whole gay company; and, while the chimes of the clock yet rang, it was observed that the giddiest grew pale, and the more aged and sedate passed their hands over their brows as if in confused revery or meditation. But when the echoes had fully ceased, a light laughter at once pervaded the assembly; the musicians looked at each other and smiled as if at their own nervousness and folly, and made whispering vows, each to the other, that the next chiming of the clock should produce in them no similar emotion; and then, after the lapse of sixty minutes, (which embrace three thousand and six hundred seconds of the Time that flies,) there came yet another chiming of the clock, and then were the same disconcert and tremulousness and meditation as before.
But, in spite of these things, it was a gay and magnificent revel.
E. A. Poe
'The Masque of the Red Death'

The sleep of reason breeds monsters.
Goya

It'll shine when it shines.
Folk saying.
Dedication
This is for Joe Hill King, who shines on.
My editor on this book, as on the previous two, was M. William G. Thompson, a man of wit and good sense. His contribution to this book has been large, and for it, my thanks.
First words
Jack Torrance thought: Officious little prick.
Quotations
Hallorann’s testicles turned into two small wrinkled sacs filled with shaved ice.
Last words
(Click to show. Warning: May contain spoilers.)
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References to this work on external resources.

Wikipedia in English (1)

Welcome to the Overlook Hotel. You'll never want to leave . . . Danny is only five years old, but in the words of old Mr Hallorann he is a 'shiner', aglow with psychic voltage. When his father becomes caretaker of the Overlook Hotel, Danny's visions grow out of control. As winter closes in and blizzards cut them off, the hotel seems to develop a life of its own. It is meant to be empty. So who is the lady in Room 217 and who are the masked guests going up and down in the elevator? And why do the hedges shaped like animals seem so alive? Somewhere, somehow, there is an evil force in the hotel - and that, too, is beginning to shine . . .

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