Gina’s Review: The Shining by Stephen King

The Shining
written by Stephen King
published by Hodder & Stoughton, 1977

find it here: (affiliate links) Barnes & Noble, Amazon, iBooks, Book Depository, Goodreads

Did I enjoy this book: All I could think about when I started this novel was “Here’s Johnny!” This is one of the rare cases that I’ve watched the movie before reading the novel. The novel did win out once again. Stephen King is an author that I’ve never read before but I am so glad that I chose this novel to start the love affair. I loved how scared I got just reading about topiaries attacking people. However, I don’t think I’ll ever be comfortable around them again and will be grasping a hacksaw if I do. I also have to say that a mother’s love is strong in this book. I think if you aren’t a fan of Wendy in the beginning, you will be in the end. She’s a mom protecting her baby from a possessed hotel. I know I’d do some of the same things she did if it meant my kids were safe. I would also be just as terrified.

GOLDEN LINE

“Sometimes human places, create inhuman monsters.”

 

 

Would I recommend it: YES! This is what nightmares are made of.

About the book – from Goodreads: 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…