The Shining by Stephen King

I was a little hesitant to read The Shining because I remember watching the movie in my early twenties and being disappointed. I attribute this to a few facts: it was late and I was tired; I had probably had a few drinks; and I knew that Stephen King was not thrilled with the final movie. I did not want to be disappointed in the book, was scared that I would be. The book not only did not disappoint, but also scared me, something that a book has not done since I was a child and read Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark by Alvin Schwartz. I was so pleased with the book that I plan on watching the movie again and hopefully debunking the first two facts (nothing can change Stephen King not liking it, so I will probably never love it).

(Source: Kelsey Darling)

Jack Torrance has been offered a position as caretaker of the Overlook Hotel during the off season. He does not want it, but it is his last chance at getting a job and not losing his wife and son after drinking and anger caused a rift in the family and the loss of his job. Jack and his wife, Wendy, hope this will be a time for the family to reconnect. However, the Overlook has other ideas. The Overlook has a seedy past full of murder, prostitution, and shady owners. It is also attracted to Jack's son, Danny, who has the shining, and a powerful shining at that. In just a few months, the Overlook works on the family, and what starts out as the Torrance's' against the Overlook turns into Wendy and Danny against Jack and the Overlook, and not everyone walks away from the final battle.

(Source: The Stanley Hotel
This is the hotel that inspired Stephen King to write The Shining.)

The biggest reason why I want to re-watch the movie is because I do not remember Danny being as psychic as he is in the book.

"'You got a knack,' Hallorann said, turning to him. 'Me, I've always called it shining. That's what my grandmother called it, too. She had it. We used to sit in the kitchen when I was a boy no older than you and have long talks without even openin our mouths...."

In the car Hallorann was saying: 'Ger you kinda lonely, thinkin you were the only one?'

Danny, who had been frightened as well as lonely sometimes, nodded. 'Am I the only one you ever met? he asked.'

Hallorann laughed and shook his head. 'No, child, no. But you shine the hardest.'" (pp. 114-115)

(Source: Giphy)

Even before Hallorann explains the shining to Danny, he already has tendencies that he has not fully understood before this conversation. He can focus on his parents, even if they are far away, and know where they are and what they are thinking. He also has an imaginary friend, of sorts, who is a part of him, whose name is Tony. Tony shows Danny things, but not all of them happen. Before moving to the hotel, Tony tries to show Danny what could happen there. But the longer the Torrance's are at the Overlook, the harder it is for Tony to reach Danny and warn him. I found this whole aspect of how special Danny is extremely interesting, but do not remember it in the film (if it is, remember, I was tired and had a few drinks).

I also liked watching the downfall of Jack. I felt the struggle between the real Jack and Overlook Jack. It felt like a gradual progression, and a true battle between the two sides of Jack. Even in the end, after Jack is technically dead and the hotel is just using his body, Danny is able to get into Jack's mind, and this saves him, Wendy, and Hallorann.

"'Go on and hit me. But you'll never get what you want from me.'

The face in front of him changed. It was hard to say how; there was no melting or merging of the features. The body trembled slightly, and then the bloody hands opened like broken claws. The mallet fell from them and thumped to the run. That was all. But suddenly his daddy was there, looking at him in mortal agony, and a sorrow so great that Danny's heart flamed within his chest. The mouth drew down in a quivering bow.

'Doc,' Jack Torrance said. 'Run away. Quick. And remember how much I love you.'" (p. 632)

(Source: Giphy)

Out of all of the touching father-son moments there were in the book, and there are a lot (enough that Wendy is jealous of their relationship), this is the one that really got me choked up. These are the last words Danny will ever exchange with his father (technically there are two more sentences, but these are the ones that got me).

But Jack's break down was not what scared me. I knew that was coming. It was not even the scene in the Colorado Lounge/Ballroom with all of the ghosts from the past and Jack's conversations about joining them and how he will teach Wendy and Danny a lesson. No, it was the elevator scene that terrified me out of my wits. 

"Jack awoke from a thin and uneasy sleep where huge and ill-defined shapes chased him through endless snowfields to what he first thought was another dream: darkness, and in it, a sudden mechanical humble of noises-clicks and clanks, hummings, rattlings, snaps and whooshes.

Then Wendy sat up beside him and he knew it was no dream.

'What's that?' He hand, cold marble, gripped his wrist...

The humming sounded again. Loud and steady, varying the slightest bit. Followed by a clank as the humming ceased. A rattling bang. A thump. Then the humming resumed.

It was the elevator.

Danny was sitting up. 'Daddy? Daddy?' His voice was sleepy and scared.

'Right here, doc,' Jack said. 'Come on over and jump in. Your mom's awake, too.

The bedclothes rustles as Danny got on the bed between them. 'It's the elevator,' he whispered.

'That's right,' Jack said. 'Just the elevator.'

'What do you mean, just?' Wendy demanded. There was an ice-skim of hysteria on her voice. 'It's the middle of the night. Who's running it?" (pp.436-437)

Jack's explanation of it being a short is ridiculous. The elevator has only been used on one other occasion since they moved in because Wendy did not trust that it could hold them. I knew it was the hotel, but the thought of something/someone being in the hotel is enough to chill my bones. 

(Source: Giphy)

Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed the book. I never wanted it put it down, and was reading/listening to it every chance I got. I cannot wait to read Doctor Sleep now and see what Danny is up to in adulthood.

Rating: 9/10

Author: Stephen King

Book in series: 1 of 2 (The Shining)

Genres: Horror, Thriller

Dates Read: July 2-4, 2018