The Perks Of Being A Book Addict discussion
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The Shining
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The Shining by Stephen King - August 2021 (previously read May 2015)
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This is very different from the Kubrick film, in many interesting ways.
Yes. Interestingly, Stephen King never liked the movie version of The Shining.
Kristie wrote: "Yes. Interestingly, Stephen King never liked the movie version of The Shining."No indeed. It lacks warmth (well duh, it's Stanley Kubrick) and that's an important part of how Stephen King gets you behind his characters.
I've never read anything by Stephen King, this will be my first. I'm looking forward to it!
This will also be my first King novel! I've seen many of the movies based on his works, including this one several times. I always felt like there was a dimension missing from the film, so I hope this fills in all the nooks and crannies for me! ;)
Jennifer - I think his books are so much better than his movies. His character development doesn't carry over to film.
I think I may just join in on this at some point, 'bout time I've read this. ^-^
Although I've seen the movie so much, I just had to read the book, and it's a good one. Now I can read Dr. Sleep and can't wait. People who have never read a King novel may become a fan. I need to read some more of his classics including The Stand, The Dark Tower and his newer 11/22/63.
I read this many years ago and it was so well done. I did not like Dr. Sleep as much, but it was worth reading.
For me it was my second Stephen King novel I think (The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon was my first and I didn't like that one).I was alone when I read the last chapters and it was dark. I have to admit I was really scared at some points because I usually don't like Horror movies and books. I'm a little coward :D
Oh I just remembered that I read "Under the Dome" too. It was really boring. Shining is so good because it's short and doesn't waste any resources. i liked it.
The reason why I read Stephen King now, even if I'm a coward when it comes to horror is that I want to overcome my fear :D Testing my limits etc.
I read my first Stephen King novel in the 6th grade (The Tommyknockers). It scared me to death then, and it scares me to death now! I still like all his new releases, but I do find them less scary. Re-reading the oldies still terrifies me, so I'm pretty sure it's a change in writing style and not just me.The Shining is brilliantly scary and in my opinion, brilliantly written. It would have been so easy to screw up having such a young point-of-view character, but King really does it well.
David wrote: "I am personally having a good time reading this one and my wife has a big collection of his work so I may read more down the line. My lists keep growing and growing and I have a problem because I ..."I read Under the Dome before watching the TV show and couldn't keep watching the show. It was terrible after having just read the book.
Colleen wrote: "Although I've seen the movie so much, I just had to read the book, and it's a good one. Now I can read Dr. Sleep and can't wait. People who have never read a King novel may become a..."I hope you like Doctor Sleep too! I did, but his writing style has definitely changed since he wrote The Shining. I still love his work though. :)
Lisa wrote: "I was alone when I read the last chapters and it was dark. I have to admit I was really scared at some points[...]"Have to agree, it took me a few extra minutes to sleep that night.
The key aspect, for me, that makes the book so much better than the movie is how much personality Stephen King can put into the Overlook Hotel. That simply doesn't translate to the screen.
Overall a good book, classic horror and everyone should give it a try.
I'm not a horror fan and have never read a Stephen King book (well I remember skimming through a few pages of one of his books as a teenager), but I've heard such great thing about him I'd like to give it a shot properly. I got my copy a while back so I'll try to start the book soon. :)
I love to read Stephen King's books, so I am really happy this one was chosen as BOTM :) I have just started.
I've just started part 2 and honestly, I don't know if I'll make it through! I don't do well with horror and I'm already scared out of my pants!! I've never seen the movie, but plan on watching that after I finish the book... IF I finish the book!!!
I read this so long ago and loved it. i actually really like the movie too.I did buy the book again recently, because I wanted read it again. Maybe now is the time!
I read this last year. I am not a huge SK fan. I think his books are hyped up and not as scary as people say. This book was good but not scary imo. It was a little creepy when Danny went into his trances but not full on scary. I hated the movie, it was corny. There is another that SK made that is much closer to the book since he hated how the movie botched the book. You can get it on Netflix, Stephen King's The Shining.
I didn't think that book was that scary until I was reading one day and my phone made it's notification sound. I nearly jumped out of my skin. Hahaha.
I didn't like the movie, but I am enjoying a lot the book. When I finish it maybe I will give another opportunity to the movie, at least to check how different they are to each other :P
I read this book many many years ago and really liked it. Interesting fact - Stephen King hated the Movie. He thought they did a horrible job. He speaks about it in an interview somewhere.
The book was fantastic, and I loved it. The movie was just awful. They left out one of the scariest scenes, and the ending was totally changed. I hate it when they do that.
I was thinking about revisiting this one. I read Doctor Sleep and want to see the movie when it comes out in November. I recently saw The Shining movie as a sort of preparation, but I remembered that it really was very different from the book, so I would like to do a reread. I saw somewhere that the new Doctor Sleep movie will bridge the gap between The Shining book & movie and Stephen King gave it his stamp of approval this time.
New discussion begins here! We had two winning themes this month! Our winning "horror" themed group read for August 2021 is The Shining by Stephen King. Please discuss here and remember to use spoiler tags as needed, as everyone may start at different times and reads at different speeds.
Jack Torrance's new job at the Overlook Hotel is the perfect chance for a fresh start. As the off-season caretaker at the atmospheric old hotel, he'll have plenty of time to spend reconnecting with his family and working on his writing. But as the harsh winter weather sets in, the idyllic location feels ever more remote...and more sinister. And the only one to notice the strange and terrible forces gathering around the Overlook is Danny Torrance, a uniquely gifted five-year-old.
I read this one forever ago and really enjoyed it. I also read the second book, Doctor Sleep, and watched both movies. I'd love to do a reread, but it is too long for me to fit in next month. I look forward to seeing everyone's thoughts on it.
Cant wait to reread one of my fav books and movie!!
looking forward to rereading this one!
Hey all, this will be my first time reading The Shining! I was so happy to see it on the list as I’d recently bought the Halloween edition from Waterstones and was looking for a reason to pick it up! This will also be my first time reading with this group! Cannot wait!
I can’t believe I’ve owned this quintessential King book for a year and have never picked it up! I can’t wait to read it in August!
Just finished Stephen Kings new book Billy Summers. Loved it! 5 stars!Very excited!!
Now im starting The Shinning again 🤗
I also read this one a long (long, long...) time ago. I am due for a re-read, I'm sure, but I am currently reading his newest release, Billy Summers. Glad to see you loved it, Kimber. I'm only about 10% in and having anxiety for Billy already. lol Just curious... do you think it is in the horror genre or is this more mystery/thriller based? I feel like all of his work gets tagged as horror even when it isn't.
Kristie wrote: "I also read this one a long (long, long...) time ago. I am due for a re-read, I'm sure, but I am currently reading his newest release, Billy Summers. Glad to see you loved it, Kimber. I'm only abou..."Its definitely not horror. More mystery .
I agree idk why they put all his books in horror. He has maybe 5 horror books, most of his books to me r mystery/thriller.
I love SK. He can basically write about nothing or anything and I would love it. Lol✌
This and IT & The Stand are my all time fav books of SK. I reread this all the time.Kristie wrote: "Yes. Interestingly, Stephen King never liked the movie version of The Shining."
Yep the 1980 verison of the movie SK hated it because they didnt follow the book and he hated that they made Wendy a whimp thats why in the 90's he redid the movie as a minseries and I am with SK I didnt like the 1980 movie either but I love the minseries he did
Le Petit wrote: "I've finished the book, it was a 4/5 star read for me. I would be curious to see how others found it."I totally agree with your rating, for me it was 4/5 star read too there was just something lacking in it. I will admit it was my first foray into King's writing style and will need to try his work again maybe closer to halloween.
One of the better scary book I have read!
Usually, I don't like the genre Horror.But this was still a worthwhile book.
I really enjoyed the different perspectives and how you can now tell the story from so many different angles and they all look differently! Also, the build-up was awesome!
There was one thing that confused me and it felt like a logic error.
Is this the correct section to ask if it really is one?
If yes, here's the question:
(view spoiler)
Rebecca wrote: "Usually, I don't like the genre Horror.But this was still a worthwhile book.
I really enjoyed the different perspectives and how you can now tell the story from so many different angles and they..."
It's been a really long time since I read this one, so I can't answer your spoiler question.
Trying to jog my memory - (view spoiler)
The Perks Of Being A Book Addict
Books mentioned in this topic
The Shining (other topics)Doctor Sleep (other topics)
Dr. Sleep (other topics)
Dr. Sleep (other topics)
The Stand (other topics)
More...
Authors mentioned in this topic
Stephen King (other topics)Stephen King (other topics)
Book 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...