The Shining

Stephen Hawking

Supernatural Horror

4/5 stars

Jack Torrance gets the caretaker job at the Overlook Hotel. His son, Danny gets visions, which he finds out is called "The Shining" after a conversation with the Chef, Dick Halloran. When the winter storm causes them to be isolated, the hotel comes to life and causes chaos and destroys the family, as Danny and his mother Wendy fight to survive against the malevolent spirits of the hotel.

I was a bit biased because I have already watched the movie, which I love, but this book was very good and surprisingly different to the movie. The book's Jack Torrance is a man who loves his family and has his insecurities and shortcomings used against him as the hotel claims his soul. I liked Jack's character in the book way more than the movie. I also loved Wendy's character as she has alot more depth, and I love all Mother characters who are devoted to their children. Honestly, alll characters were well rounded and developed, I was rooting for all of them and was sad that Jack didn't make it out. Controversially, the hotel is a very good character in my opinion!! The book was alot more racist than I expected, it seemed like every time Dick was mentioned, it was through a slur. Don't really think that was necessary, but at least Halloran was a good character(?). Anyways, apart from that it was a very good book and I recomend for supernatural horror fans!

"But see that you get on. That's your job in this hard world, to keep your love alive and see that you get on, no matter what."

Dick Halloran/Wendy