The Shining - Book 3

[Angie, Constant Reader]

Hello everyone. We are starting out with our chronological reading of King's books. This month is The Shining. Please mark all spoilers for those reading along. Have fun! I can't believe we are already on our third book!!

[joyce g]

It's my all time favorite hotel😐

[Marcus]

Loved this book. I always liked the movies (yes, both), but recently read this book and it was sooooo much better. Jack's inner conflict is really, really well-written.

[mrbooks]

I want to spend a week there.

[Femmy]

I'll be checking into the hotel in a couple of days :-)

[Nox]

Can somebody tell me or send reference link to other two that you've read this year?

[Chara]

Aw great! My favourite book :)

[Nancy]

Krystian wrote: "Can somebody tell me or send reference link to other two that you've read this year?"

Carrie was the December book and ‘Salem’s Lot the January book. Both threads are in the discussion thread below.

https://www.goodreads.com/topic/group...

[mrbooks]

Ben wrote: "mrbooks wrote: "I want to spend a week there."

On my tight budget, I can't afford to spend a week in that Hotel. So I'll just have to settle for using a Crayon to write
Room 217
on my bedroom ..."


I want to wander the whole place in particular the kitchens and the pantry.

[Jenny]

Only 2K for the week sure no problem I’ll book it...

[Michelle]

It's been a few years since I read The Shining. I'm tempted to join in though I had other books planned already.

[Summer]

I started this one early because there are so many group reads I want to get to this month, and I’d forgotten how well King paced this one. There’s such an eerie sense of (view spoiler)[advancing claustrophobia and the paralyzing fear that comes with realizing you’re out of options (hide spoiler)]. King did an excellent job writing those things.

Oh, and the spoiler tag reminded me. Since there’s often a question about it, here’s the spoiler code: <spoiler> Text here </spoiler>

[Femmy]

I just started last night and managed to squeeze in two chapters before I went to bed. It's a really nice start to the story, giving us just the right amount of information about the three members of the Torrance family and how they got into the unenviable situation that required them to accept the job at the hotel. It also tells us about the hotel and its history, foreshadowing dark things to come.

[Latasha]

I sooooo would love to join y'all for this. but I don't know if I can squeeze it in. I LOVE this one. and I love the way you think Ben LOL!

[Latasha]

Ben wrote: "I want to wander the whole place in particular the kitchens and the pantry...."

In both the novel and the movie, I always wondered if I was the only one who became hungry at the sight of all that ..."

I'm sure I'd do the exact same thing then have to sleep in the pantry cause I'd be too food lazy to climb to my room lol.

[JD]

Glad to join this month! Just started yesterday; read it for the first time 20+years ago. So happy to be back at the Overlook again, and looking forward to the discussion!

[Nicole]

Femmy wrote: "I'll be checking into the hotel in a couple of days :-)"

Oh my gosh, after reading this I was like, wait you can stay at this hotel? Duh, I know, but it never occurred to me, so naturally I Googled info on the hotel(s). That would definitely be an interesting place to stay, have fun!!!

Was debating skipping this one because I've seen the movie a few times and was afraid of not being able to get into it again like with Carrie, but there are so many good reviews about the book. Especially this one:

"Rachel: Hmm. (she opens the freezer) Umm, why do you have a copy of The Shining in your freezer?

Joey: Oh, I was reading it last night, and I got scared, so.

Rachel: But ah, you’re safe from it if it’s in the freezer?

Joey: Well, safer. Y'know, I mean I never start reading The Shining, without making sure we’ve got plenty of room in the freezer, y'know.

Rachel: How often do you read it?

Joey: Haven’t you ever read the same book over and over again?

Rachel: Well, umm, I guess I read Little Women more than once. But I mean that’s a classic, what’s so great about The Shining?

Joey: The question should be Rach, what is not so great about The Shining. Okay? And the answer would be: nothing. All right? This is like the scariest book ever. I bet it’s way better than that classic of yours."

[Jenny]

I remember watching that episode on friends and yea that’s a classic just like the shining... in friends the edition was 1978 PB... I have the 2001 edition which is the one that has an introduction by SK himself... the one that has the quote monsters are real ghosts are real too they live inside us and sometimes they win.... another classic line... made famous on criminal minds....

[mrbooks]

The smell of oranges always reminds me of this book.

[Latasha]

Aww! :*(

[Femmy]

Nicole wrote: "Femmy wrote: "I'll be checking into the hotel in a couple of days :-)"

Oh my gosh, after reading this I was like, wait you can stay at this hotel?"

I was speaking figuratively, checking into the hotel via reading the novel :-) Sorry I wasn't clear.

The Friends quote is great. I love the series! I'll have to rewatch that particular episode.

[Latasha]

Lol 😉

[Tim]

Started this one up yesterday. Been a few years since I read this one, if I remember right it was one f the first if not the first King book I ever read, and I had forgotten how good of a start it has. While it is a bit of a slow burn, it's building a nice foundation of dread and laying down a lot of the groundwork for the story already. Can't wait to keep going.

[Maria Hill]

Marcus wrote: "Loved this book. I always liked the movies (yes, both), but recently read this book and it was sooooo much better. Jack's inner conflict is really, really well-written."

I so agree. This is my fourth time reading this and I really appreciate the job that Stephen King did in creating Jack with all his flaws.

[mrbooks]

Stephen King is a master at creating flawed characters.

[Wally]

The Shining always makes me contemplate chasing my neighbor around the yard with a sickle....

[Nicole]

Femmy wrote: "Nicole wrote: "Femmy wrote: "I'll be checking into the hotel in a couple of days :-)"

Oh my gosh, after reading this I was like, wait you can stay at this hotel?"

I was speaking figuratively, che..."

Haha I always take things so literally! But it did get me looking into the background of the hotel and the story, which I think is always interesting.

[Marcus]

Does anyone else read it as Groundskeeper Willie (the shinnin') whenever they see the title?

[Femmy]

I watched Friends yesterday and Joey spoiled the ending for me! Haha...

[Calvin Tower]

No, but I read it with Jack Nicholas voice.

[Nicole]

I was a little hesitant to read this book but I am about 250 pages in and very glad I decided to. The book goes so much more in-depth with character development, I love it! (view spoiler)[ I really feel for Danny and his abilities - it's a lot of feelings and emotions that he doesn't fully understand and it seems like a lot for a 5-year-old to deal with, especially when you throw horror scenes in there. Wendy seems overly worried about absolutely everything, but then again she is a mom and I am not one of those yet so perhaps I don't fully understand her worry. I love how much Jack cares for his family and it's almost difficult to read about him losing his temper and putting everything he has in jeopardy. I understand now what King said before about the movie The Shining not getting into the psychological stuff as much as he had wanted. I can tell this character development in the beginning is really going to set the rest of the story. (hide spoiler)]

[mrbooks]

Nicole, Wendy has so much to worry about it will become clear later in the book. don't want to ruin anything.

[Monique]

Hello everyone

[mrbooks]

Hello Monique

how are you doing.

[Femmy]

Nicole wrote: "I love how much Jack cares for his family and it's almost difficult to read about him (view spoiler)[losing his temper and putting everything he has in jeopardy." (hide spoiler)]

I feel the same way. The whole family was so cautiously hopeful in the beginning with this new job and it's hard to read because we know they will face difficult times down the line.

[Monique]

I’m on part 2 chapter 7 and it’s awesome right I love it my favorite is John Coffey and the mice

[Marcus]

Femmy wrote: "Nicole wrote: "I love how much Jack cares for his family and it's almost difficult to read about him [spoilers removed]

I feel the same way. The whole family was so cautiously hopeful in the begin..."

So true!

[Monique]

I finished green mile just now wow it was fantastic oh my god loved it ty guys

[Linda]

I just started rereading and I forgot how good it is.

[Aditya]

This is one of those rare cases where the movie ruined the book for me. I watched the movie first and found it tepid and slow, I read the book a couple of years later but it never grabbed me. I didn't find it bad, it was just middle of the road stuff for me. Nothing truly gripping happens and the high points have already been spoiled by an inferior version of the story.

Funnily enough I actually think King is more a master of suspense than of outright horror. Misery is one of my favorites and The Shining had a similar vibe where I could feel tension ratcheting up and something truly terrible brewing under the surface. But in spite of all that, this book remains a forgettable one for me, the movie was really that bad and I never got over it.

[Marlise]

Aditya wrote: "This is one of those rare cases where the movie ruined the book for me. I watched the movie first and found it tepid and slow, I read the book a couple of years later but it never grabbed me. I did..."

Wow not really sure what to say except to each their own? I saw The Shining as a preteen and it terrified me and is one of my favorites to this day, although it can be slow at times. The book I think is one of King's best crafted works and one I will always reread. I think one can truly put oneself into each of these main characters' shoes and that's what I love about this novel.

[Monique]

I didn’t see the movie I just read the book bc I think the books are better then the movies always is my vice

[Aditya]

You were watching The Shining as preeteen, no wonder it terrified you! My main problem with the movie was the same as that of King. Jack Nicholson looked crazy way before he came to the hotel. It did not feel like a gradual decline into insanity more of a detour into a crazy slasher slick.

And when it comes to great film directors called Stanley, I would always chose Stanley Kramer over Stanley Kubrick; The Shining also made sure of that.

[Femmy]

There's a nod to 'salem's Lot in Chapter 17 :-)

(view spoiler)["When an adult sees things that aren't there, we consider him ready for the rubber room. When a child says he's seen a troll in his bedroom or a vampire outside the window, we smile indulgently." (hide spoiler)]

[Monique]

femmy Salem lot is a great book i love vampires i hope u enjoy it girl :)

[Femmy]

I read it for the group read last month. It was awesome. I loved it.

[Monique]

femmy i loved it too :)

[Nancy]

I’m trying to stray away and not read any posts since I won’t be getting to this book until next week.

[Monique]

Nancy u r in for a treat it is fantastic and amazing I couldn’t put it down like this book I’m reading now rose madder I haven’t put it down I started at 730pm yesterday evening it’s fantastic too and sad but I know it will be great at the end I hope

[Marlise]

Aditya wrote: "You were watching The Shining as preeteen, no wonder it terrified you! My main problem with the movie was the same as that of King. Jack Nicholson looked crazy way before he came to the hotel. It d..."


To me, that was just it. He did have the capacity for violence, both sober and while drinking, which was shown in Part One. It was always just seething under the surface, since childhood. It just needed the evil of the Overlook to bring it raging out. So in that regard, I think Jack Nicholson was great. Just when you thought he couldn't look much crazier. Lol

I have to disagree on Kubrick. He directed a few of my favorite films. Lolita. Full Metal Jacket. The Shining.

Nice to meet you Aditya, I'm curious to hear your opinion of other King novels.