Dr. Sleep is King's best example of my father's advice.

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Christine62

Well-Known Member
Nov 7, 2013
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Oklahoma City
Show....don't tell. Or as my father used to say, "Keep it simple, stupid." The description of the adult Danny is not a pleasant one and you don't like him in the beginning--well, I didn't and I was very disappointed because I LOVED little Danny in the Shining.
And then I read, "Canny..." and then I read "Mama..." ZOOMMMM POW! Other writers would have spent pages and pages trying to convince us that Dan was a decent human being as his head was hanging in the toilet---but nothing is more powerful than reading "Canny" and reading "Mama" it hits you strong, at gut level every time he takes you there and you start emotionally slobbering like Pavlov's dogs.
Less is so much more. Bravo! Mr. King! BRAVO!
 

Neesy

#1 fan (Annie Wilkes cousin) 1st cousin Mom's side
May 24, 2012
61,289
239,271
Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
This is a book I waited for and was so thrilled when I finally got a chance to buy one of my own. I never would have done this in the past. I treasure this book and enjoyed it very much. I actually empathized with adult Dan right from the beginning and I liked how strong the character Abra was as well.
 

Dana Jean

Dirty Pirate Hooker, The Return
Moderator
Apr 11, 2006
53,634
236,697
The High Seas
This is a book I waited for and was so thrilled when I finally got a chance to buy one of my own. I never would have done this in the past. I treasure this book and enjoyed it very much. I actually empathized with adult Dan right from the beginning and I liked how strong the character Abra was as well.
First cousin? Lololololol!
 

Christine62

Well-Known Member
Nov 7, 2013
493
3,127
62
Oklahoma City
I liked watching Dan develop and grow into a fine man. It's hard to throw off your upbringing. His must have been very hard. It doesn't happen all at once and it's full of sidesteps and backwards moves. So I liked that we didn't meet him all perfect from the beginning

Throwing off your upbringing is a monumental effort of being aware and making different choices over and over--you can't live on auto-pilot that's for sure.
 

OpenSesame

New Member
Jan 11, 2014
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SPOILER ALERT

I have a son the same age who has just started talking, so yes, that scene sure did hit me at gut level!!

However, as I've just posted on another thread,
I felt Dan's failure to do anything to help or protect the poor neglected and abused kid (other than move the cocaine out of his reach - well, at least he did that!) was his most reprehensible act we were shown, and I don't think he ever is shown to have grasped that or owned up to it.

I would have thought him a much more decent human being if he'd acted back then or, later at the final AA meeting, owned up to his failure to act.
 
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