My Review

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Grant87

Well-Known Member
Jan 3, 2015
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To say The Shining was a tough act to follow would be putting it mildly. The Shining is a true classic of not just American horror, but of modern American fiction. I read Doctor Sleep immediately after The Shining, and had tempered my expectations going in. Shame on me for ever doubting Mr. King. Doctor Sleep was a fantastic read, and while it did not reach the lofty heights of its predecessor, it proved to be a very satisfying follow-up.

I loved the Danny Torrance character, and how can you not? The guy went to hell and back as a child, battled alcoholism as an adult, and somehow persevered.

I found the True Knot to be a creepy group of villains. I thought the term "empty devils" summed them up quite well. I'll probably never be able to look at an RV on the interstate again without thinking of the True Knot. I thought Rose was an exceptional villain. Something about female villains creeps me out even more.

The sub-plot of alcoholism was interesting, as well. As someone who works closely with individuals battling alcoholism and addiction, it's an issue I'm quite familiar with. It's inspiring to see people, even fictional characters, overcome their demons.

I thought Crow Daddy's death was very creepy. I also loved the cameos from Jack and especially Horace during the final battle.

Overall, Doctor Sleep surpassed the expectations I had going in and consider it a satisfying sequel to The Shining.

Rating: 8/10

Up Next: Revival
 

Neesy

#1 fan (Annie Wilkes cousin) 1st cousin Mom's side
May 24, 2012
61,289
239,271
Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
To say The Shining was a tough act to follow would be putting it mildly. The Shining is a true classic of not just American horror, but of modern American fiction. I read Doctor Sleep immediately after The Shining, and had tempered my expectations going in. Shame on me for ever doubting Mr. King. Doctor Sleep was a fantastic read, and while it did not reach the lofty heights of its predecessor, it proved to be a very satisfying follow-up.

I loved the Danny Torrance character, and how can you not? The guy went to hell and back as a child, battled alcoholism as an adult, and somehow persevered.

I found the True Knot to be a creepy group of villains. I thought the term "empty devils" summed them up quite well. I'll probably never be able to look at an RV on the interstate again without thinking of the True Knot. I thought Rose was an exceptional villain. Something about female villains creeps me out even more.

The sub-plot of alcoholism was interesting, as well. As someone who works closely with individuals battling alcoholism and addiction, it's an issue I'm quite familiar with. It's inspiring to see people, even fictional characters, overcome their demons.

I thought Crow Daddy's death was very creepy. I also loved the cameos from Jack and especially Horace during the final battle.

Overall, Doctor Sleep surpassed the expectations I had going in and consider it a satisfying sequel to The Shining.

Rating: 8/10

Up Next: Revival
Welcome to the SKMB - lots of books here to discuss! :emmersed::encouragement:
 

muskrat

Dis-Member
Nov 8, 2010
4,518
19,564
Under your bed
All right, lookit; I'm not saying I didn't enjoy this one, cause I did, but...dang it...it sure felt kinda phoned-in this time around. Don't nobody go and shoot ol' Muskie, but I'm giving this one three out o' five. The recovering addict/alcoholic has been rather played-out, don'tcha think? Dan's story was Father Callahan all over again; true-knot were interesting, but went down a little too easy if ye ask me. I never felt the characters were in any real danger; Steve seemed reluctant to let bad things happen to the good guys. Come on, man--sometimes 'killing yer darlings' doesn't just mean editing adverbs.

Just seems like King has a tendency to wrap things up too easily sometimes, like he gets bored with a book and hurries to the finish.
 

king family fan

Prolific member
Jul 19, 2010
33,133
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south
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taylor29

Well-Known Member
Mar 18, 2014
103
391
All right, lookit; I'm not saying I didn't enjoy this one, cause I did, but...dang it...it sure felt kinda phoned-in this time around. Don't nobody go and shoot ol' Muskie, but I'm giving this one three out o' five. The recovering addict/alcoholic has been rather played-out, don'tcha think? Dan's story was Father Callahan all over again; true-knot were interesting, but went down a little too easy if ye ask me. I never felt the characters were in any real danger; Steve seemed reluctant to let bad things happen to the good guys. Come on, man--sometimes 'killing yer darlings' doesn't just mean editing adverbs.

Just seems like King has a tendency to wrap things up too easily sometimes, like he gets bored with a book and hurries to the finish.

I liked this one okay, but forced is one of the words that comes to mind when I think about it. I think there were parts of the story that were thin to move the story along. The pediatrician (what's his name again?) is so apt to believe in psionic abilities...he's a fictional character but it just felt thin. Danny's past since The Shining wasn't very satisfying; I get that it doesn't have to be but I wanted something more.

spoiler

On the other hand, I could read forever about this weird Tony alter ego and that scene with the lady from the hotel in Danny's bathroom creeped me out sufficiently so that I had to sleep with the lights on. The True Knot were great villians, I agree.
 
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Waya

Member
May 6, 2015
6
27
Virginia
I really liked it, but I wasn't really frightened by Rose and her followers. In fact, I kinda liked some of them, which is a no-no in a horror story, and like someone else said, "they went down too easily", but overall I enjoyed spending more time with Dan Torrance and it was worth the read.
 

AchtungBaby

Well-Known Member
Dec 5, 2011
3,856
15,540
I really liked it, but I wasn't really frightened by Rose and her followers. In fact, I kinda liked some of them, which is a no-no in a horror story, and like someone else said, "they went down too easily", but overall I enjoyed spending more time with Dan Torrance and it was worth the read.
Liking the villain is a no-no?

King's villains are almost always likeable. Annie Wilkes, Randall Flagg, Pennywise, George Stark..... I love 'em.
 

chief4db

When it doubt, run!
Feb 11, 2015
733
2,676
whatsamatteru. usa
I read this one before the shining. I knew some bc I saw the movie but kings remarks on the movie let me know they were 2 different animal s.i really liked doctor sleep. True evil when their not just killing but torturing to get the purest steam. Scary stuff. I will definitely reread this one in the future. 8/10
 

bobledrew

Inveterate yammerer
May 13, 2010
2,782
1,924
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
I think what's worth speculating about coming out of Doctor Sleep is Abra's power and the potential of it to be turned to evil. In some ways she reminds me of Charly from Firestarter -- here's a young girl (and in Abra's case she has Uncle Dan to be a moral guide) with truly amazing power that could be turned to evil. I'd love to see a ruthless Mr. King take Abra and allow her power to make her selfish or vengeful. Think of the pleasure she takes in attacking when she catches Rose unawares.
 

César Hernández-Meraz

Wants to be Nick, ends up as Larry
May 19, 2015
605
4,416
44
Aguascalientes, Mexico
Totally agree with bobledrew. The real "monster" to battle was Abra's own capacity to go to the "dark side". We saw more and more of it, and her enjoyment when causing harm to these villains, that it was always a threat. It may still happen, but having a nice family should help her stay in the side of good.
 
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