The Shining by Stephan King
The Shining by Stephen King
King, Stephan (1993). The Shinging. New York: Anchor Books 672 p. $7.99
Genre: Horror
Summary: When Jack Torrance decides to take a job and move his family as the caretaker of a hotel out in the middle of the Colorado wilderness during the dead of winter he initially thinks that he is the one that is lucking out. However his failure to read between the lines and pay attention to the hesitation within his superior’s voice will lead not only to his downfall but put his family in great danger from the person he least expects…himself.
Reader’s Annotation: A fast pace horror story that dabbles in the supernatural and is compelling as disgusting in some parts, the curse of the hotel is waiting for the family and only Jack’s youngest son can see it.
Evaluation: I finally understand why Stephen King is the master of the horror novel genre, I was pulled into the story immediately upon picking it up. King’s descriptions of interpersonal behavior were so spot on, I had to put the book down at parts because I felt like I was actually there for instance when Jack broke his son’s arm.
Rating: 5!! This is a perfect model for a frightening horror story, sleeping with the lights on is a must after reading this and it will make you think twice about those exotic ski mountain getaways.
Awards:
N/A
Links to Reviews:
Good Reads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/11588.The_Shining
Favorite Quotes:
“The tears which had threatened all day now came in a cloudburst and she leaned into the fragrant, curling steam of the tea and wept. In grief and loss for the past, and terror of the future” (21).
“He shifted uneasily in his bed, his eyes searching out the comforting glow of the night light. Things were worse here. He knew that much for sure. At first they hadn’t been so bad, but little by little…his daddy thought about drinking a lot more” (285).
“Without Danny it was not much more than an amusement park haunted house, where a guest or two might hear rappings or the phantom sounds of a masquerade party, or see an occasional disturbing thing. But if it absorbed Danny…Danny’s shine or life force or spirit…whatever you wanted to call it…into itself –what would it be then? The thought made her cold all over” (550).
Readalikes:
The turn of the Screw by Henry James
Odd Apocalypse by Dean Koontz
What the night knows by Dean Koontz
Booktalking Approach: Because there was a very well done and quite popular movie made of the Shining back in the 80s. I would probably begin the book talking discussion by showing clips of that movie and then showing clips of parodies based upon that film. There are a ton of popular culture references to that movie and they all point back to this book. I would also find an interview with Stephen King about his writing process (he wrote a book not too long ago) about why he writes and talks about how great writers need to be great readers.
Discussion Questions:
What were you first impressions of Jack Torrance?
Did Danny’s gift surprise you?
What was the most disturbing thing about the story to you? Or was there anything in it that prompted a visceral reaction?
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