The Shining- (or how I scared myself to death)

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The Shining

by Stephen King

published by

Anchor Books

1977

Summary

Danny was only five years old but in the words of old Mr Halloran he was a ‘shiner’, aglow with psychic voltage. When his father became caretaker of the Overlook Hotel his visions grew frighteningly out of control.

As winter closed in and blizzards cut them off, the hotel seemed to develop a life of its own. It was meant to be empty, but who was the lady in Room 217, and who were the masked guests going up and down in the elevator? And why did the hedges shaped like animals seem so alive?

Somewhere, somehow there was an evil force in the hotel – and that too had begun to shine.. (from Goodreads)

My Review

I have previously admitted on this blog that I am the World’s Biggest Wimp!  I am.  This began when I was about 6-7 years old.  My two older (read evil) sisters and lots of cousins had gone to see The Amityville Horror. 165px-Amityville_poster When they came home, we had a big sleepover in the living room, where my sister -the middle, and more evil of the two- proceeded to describe the entire movie to my young self.  From that point on, I have tried to watch horror movies, but wind up scaring myself so badly that I can’t sleep.  This has continued on into adulthood, and is the reason I don’t read horror novels, and have never read Stephen King.

I have seen movies based on his books, which I honestly found creepy, but not terrifying.  I watched Carrie, Cujo (I actually felt bad for the dog), and Christine- meh.  I LOVED LOVED LOVED Misery, Stand by Me, and The Shawshank Redemption.  So I was familiar with his work-sort of.  And I will admit-I saw The Shining numerous times, always a little creeped out, but very amused with Jack Nicholson’s acting.

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So, after turning the corner in age, I decided to try new things, and reading a King novel was one of them.  I was going to read The Stand, since it was highly recommended to me, but when I saw the size of it, I got real nervous and put it back.  I figured I would start with The Shining, since I knew the story and might not get that scared.  WRONG.

I admit it did help a bit, but I was pretty scared.  As I have said, I wouldn’t read it when I was home alone- or late at night.  All of the sudden, I kept all the lights on, and made my chocolate lab lay in the bathroom while I showered.  Because I was scared.

But what an amazing book!

I would have put it down (wimp) if the writing wasn’t so wonderful, and the story so compelling.

And I thought I knew the story from the film. No, no, no I did not.  There was so much more background and foreshadowing.  And the end!!  I looked at my husband, very pleased with myself and said “It ends differently than the movie.”  When he asked how, I told him to read it (he has voluntarily read maybe 3 books in the 20+ years I have known him).

So, I am not going to sum up the book- most people have either read it, saw the movie, or think they know what it is about.  All I can say is it is if you haven’t read it, it is so much better than you think it is.  Go out and get it and read it!  But not alone.  Or in the dark.  If I can do it, you certainly can.

So, what King book should I read next???

24 thoughts on “The Shining- (or how I scared myself to death)”

  3. Sooo ….this is where I told you so. I mean this is where I congratulate you for being a brave soul. I love that book. I don’t walk down long hallways without expecting to see two little girls.

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  10. Misery is a great choice, and I love Under the Dome. If you want some early, really scary King, try Pet Semetary or Salem’s Lot! Or to see where it all began, read Carrie!! So glad you loved The Shining — I agree, the book is so much better than the movie. Enjoy Doctor Sleep!

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