Finally read it ...

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Waldo66

New Member
Feb 15, 2014
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New York, New York
Well I am about 35 years late, but I finally read the book. Man, amazing. Now I am in the middle of Dr. Sleep. I have lots of weird associations to the material. I was Danny's age in the early 70's. My dad was an English teacher who lost his job in a small town. And I share certain pathology with Jack and Danny. Wild, whacky stuff. Also fascinating that SK wrote the Shining while still "active" as we say, and yet was painfully honest about Jack's inner torment with the *isms. That damn empty bar and it's ghosts.
 

Neesy

#1 fan (Annie Wilkes cousin) 1st cousin Mom's side
May 24, 2012
61,289
239,271
Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
Well I am about 35 years late, but I finally read the book. Man, amazing. Now I am in the middle of Dr. Sleep. I have lots of weird associations to the material. I was Danny's age in the early 70's. My dad was an English teacher who lost his job in a small town. And I share certain pathology with Jack and Danny. Wild, whacky stuff. Also fascinating that SK wrote the Shining while still "active" as we say, and yet was painfully honest about Jack's inner torment with the *isms. That damn empty bar and it's ghosts.
Welcome to the SKMB @Waldo66!

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WesleyGman

Well-Known Member
Jan 2, 2013
57
207
34
KY, deep in the country
Welcome! Never too late. I just read the Shining back in the summer and then Dr. Sleep in the fall. The story is so flawless.

The Shining is not only the best SK book I have read, but probably the best book I have ever read(withholding the entire Dark Tower Series). The way SK describes Jack getting on the wagon, and then his falling off of the wagon is... IDK if you can drop F bombs on here, but it is bleeping brilliant. The entire story is just so captivating. I found myself full of sympathy for Jack, because he loved his son and his wife but could not shake certain vices to remain with them.

Dr. Sleep is not as good as the Shining but it is a great book that is a nice addition to the story. And really, what book can compete with The Shining? Dr. Sleep was awesome though, and tons of things that are super creative combined with villains that are just... I feel like I could meet one of them on the street tomorrow.

After I read a SK novel, I find myself wondering, "Is this one of the best books I have ever read?" I thought that after I read Lisey's Story, The Green Mile, Pet Sematary, and 11/22/63. But with The Shining, when I closed it, I wasn't asking; I was saying to myself, "That might be the best book I have ever opened.
 
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Winter

Well-Known Member
Apr 12, 2013
999
3,191
I have picked this one up for the 1st time, I made myself a deal. No Dr Sleep until I read it and to be honest, I wasnt too enthused about it. I have been told the story...yes a movie is not a book...but still I always want a 'fresh' story but here I am, half way through it and its sooo good isnt it? I knew it would be (thats always a pretty safe bet, right?). I think I might pop back to The Overlook now....
 
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Sunlight Gardener

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Jul 22, 2013
375
1,273
I am reading the Shining again now for the first time in probably 15 years. I have seen the movie so many times I am enjoying finding the differences in the original compared to the movie. It is painfully obvious how different of a character Jack Torrance is in the book. Jack Nicholson looked like he was ready to murder everyone in the first 5 minutes of the movie. The book portrays him as a flawed individual who is tortured by the bad choices he has made and how they are affecting his family until the hotel takes him over and causes him to become evil. Nicholson didn't need any help to become a psychopath lol.

I always think of the ride up the mountain in the movie. I could swear he's already considering the idea of pulling over and chopping his wife and kid up just because he hates them lol.

Fantastic book. I've missed it over all these years and it's nice to rediscover it.
 
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Yankees fan 27

Active Member
Mar 9, 2018
33
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Boise, ID
The Shining is by far King's best work, imo. King afficionados love to tear the Kubrick film apart, but it is a great film, no matter how far it deviates from the book. (The ABC mini series was awful).
 
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