As much as I enjoyed Doctor Sleep, I have to say I was disappointed with the ending. I understand King is a fan of AA, but by the denouement, Doctor Sleep had turned into an instructional manual for it. It just doesn't ring true to me, and King says clearly in On Writing that writers always need to tell the truth.
I know how presumptuous this is, but hey, it's a message board. So here's what I think the truth was. Instead of finally admitting the incident with Deenie at his anniversary AA meeting, Dan remains quiet. Later, the teenaged Abra is punished for getting drunk (not just "sipping" alcohol) at a party and breaks the plates. Dan meets with her and shows her his memories of his father's decline at the Overlook. Then he shares the ending and aftermath of The Shining and explains why he began drinking in the first place. Finally he shows her the memory of Deenie's baby and the "canny." She tells him to forgive himself and tearfully vows never to drink again.
OK, so let me have it for second-guessing the master!!
I know how presumptuous this is, but hey, it's a message board. So here's what I think the truth was. Instead of finally admitting the incident with Deenie at his anniversary AA meeting, Dan remains quiet. Later, the teenaged Abra is punished for getting drunk (not just "sipping" alcohol) at a party and breaks the plates. Dan meets with her and shows her his memories of his father's decline at the Overlook. Then he shares the ending and aftermath of The Shining and explains why he began drinking in the first place. Finally he shows her the memory of Deenie's baby and the "canny." She tells him to forgive himself and tearfully vows never to drink again.
OK, so let me have it for second-guessing the master!!