Book info

• Title The Shining
• Author Stephen King
• Year 1977
• Genre Horror

Danny is only five years old, but in the words of old Mr Hallorann he is a 'shiner', aglow with psychic voltage. When his father becomes caretaker of the Overlook Hotel, Danny's visions grow out of control. As winter closes in and blizzards cut them off, the hotel seems to develop a life of its own. It is meant to be empty. So who is the lady in Room 217 and who are the masked guests going up and down in the elevator? And why do the hedges shaped like animals seem so alive? Somewhere, somehow, there is an evil force in the hotel - and that, too, is beginning to shine...

Thoughts

I love this book. I’ve read it several times, and snapped it up for my Kindle bookshelf too. As it’s Halloween-ish time, I started reading it, but at this point I don’t find it that scary anymore. I just love how it’s written - the build up, the anticipation, the way things slowly unravel.

I’m not a massive horror fan anyway, and in book form I’ve always found it slightly odd, but for whatever reason, this book is one of my favourites. It always baffles me that a five year old could deal with the things he does - I don’t remember being five, but I certainly don’t think I would have coped!

I particularly noticed this time that a lot of the things that happen initially do seem like they are part of the imagination, and it’s not until you get deep into the book that things take a turn for the supernatural. That’s what makes it so good, though, because I’m sure everyone can relate to seeing things that aren’t really there… or that horrible feeling when you think something is behind you and it isn’t… or that moment when you’re frozen and it takes a superhuman effort to reach out and snap the light on. Brilliant.

Rating: 5 / 5