The Shining in Read the Movie

Feb 11, 2013 Abigail rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: kill-kill, 2013-goodreads-book-challenge, 2013-book-to-movie-challenge, books2movies-club-2013-challenge, the-king, james-books, audiobooks

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. Just finished this, book #7 in my 2013 Goodreads annual challenge, and #2 in my Kubrick book-to-film marathon. My 5th King book. [Spoilers] I came to this book with a deep familiarity with the Kubrick film, having seen it many, many times over the years. But I was also knowing full well the book would be quite different from Kubrick's movie. I have to say that I was very pleased with the book and embraced the many differences. There were times when the terror really got to me in a heavy way, and Just finished this, book #7 in my 2013 Goodreads annual challenge, and #2 in my Kubrick book-to-film marathon. My 5th King book. [Spoilers] I came to this book with a deep familiarity with the Kubrick film, having seen it many, many times over the years. But I was also knowing full well the book would be quite different from Kubrick's movie. I have to say that I was very pleased with the book and embraced the many differences. There were times when the terror really got to me in a heavy way, and the abusiveness of Jack throughout the book was jarring and intensely disturbing in many parts. I guess for me having a son around Danny's age, the parts referring to Danny's abuse were hard to think about!

I have seen the 4 hour mini-series of the Shining and don't recall too much from it but I really want to see that one again as I realize now that mini-series is probably a lot closer to the novel. As far as the book itself though I absolutely loved it, probably my most favorite Stephen King book now. While the Kubrick film will always be special to me, I see now after reading the book that the movie is more of the "Jack Nicholson show" or "Jack Torrance show" and you don't really get the sense of the "life" of the hotel as it comes across quite vividly in the book. Also I realize now after reading the book how disappointing it is that Danny barely speaks in the film as hearing him talk a lot more in the book and hearing his thoughts, he is actually a very smart and wonderfully special boy. I felt not having him say much in the film takes that away from such a rich and fascinating character. The same goes for both Wendy and Hallorann. Wendy as portrayed by Shelly Duvall really comes across as whimpering, weak and homely in the film version but not as much in the book. Also I came to love Hallorann a LOT more in the King story as his role in the novel is bigger and more exciting. This is not in any way to take away from my love for the Kubrick film which I suppose has to just stand on its own really to appreciate it as simply Kubrick's vision. Being one of my most favorite directors of all time, I stand aside and give him his artistic license to do as he so chooses with his own film, as I've always stood firm in the belief that it is the director's right to do so. But I can say now that after I have read the book, to be honest I do prefer Stephen King's story.
On a side note: the Audible audio book was narrated by actor Campbell Scott who did a brilliant performance of the reading! ...more

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Oct 22, 2011 W rated it really liked it · review of another edition

I am obviously a huge Stephen King fan, is am very biased when it comes to his work. I adore this book, it is scary, creepy and weird. The characters are not very complex, but they are great. The main character, Jack, an alcoholic ( if I was his wife, I would have kicked him to the curb along time ago) has some major issues, and not the best dad, like breaking his son's arm is an example. He accepts a winter job at the Overlook hotel, which already sounds creepy, and loses his mind by the dark f ...more

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