the shining (concerns)

[Tgratehouse]

I have a daughter who is very interested in all things horror. she is 13. she wants to read the shining and I need to know if this is age appropriate. I am not as concerned with the scary aspects of the book. I don't want her to read through a lot of vulgar language and descriptions of sex. I was hoping someone in this group could offer some advice on this book to a concerned dad.
thanks

[Lori]

There are two other sites on this topic, The Shining. One more in this site,click on Books and scroll down, and one under movies, click on Movies and scroll down. That might help in your decision, having more then 2 opinions. She's 13 and she ask you first, sounds like a good kid. I'd say yes, it's really not bad on the sex stuff, but the language is rather colorful.

[Tgratehouse]

she is a good kid. all reading, music, and video material requires a nod from me. sounds oppressive when i say it out loud but it's not. I give my kids a great deal of freedom and I'm not as concerned with the language, I know they hear it at school and while i would rather they weren't using it, I was in middle school once myself, so, I'm not deluded. I do know that sex on the written page is much more descriptive, by nature of the printed medium, than it is on tv, so, I do want to be careful about that.

anyhow, thanks for the advice. I'll check out those other areas as well.

[Rachel]

i don't even remember all that much sex in The Shining. The woman in the bathtub in 217 is naked but since we're talking about a 13 year old GIRL is that a problem?

[Dung Beetle]

There’s some boob play, and I think one quick line, something like, “Even as he entered her, he was listening to the wind screeching around the hotel”. I hope you do let her read it, as it’s my favorite one.

[Tgratehouse]

if that's all there is to the sex descriptions, I'd be ok with it. I have had "the talk" with her and, again, I was in middle school once, so, I'm sure the kids talk about it. that description wouldn't be a deal breaker. thanks folks, you've been very helpful. Looks like I'll once again have to come to the realization that she's not my 5yr old little girl. It will be in her stocking.

todd

[[deleted user]]

Rob wrote: "One last comment: the sex in The Shining is not descriptive at all. It's barely even there. "

There's a sex scene in The Shining?... I just re-read that thing like a year & musta missed it again...Or my mind has blocked it out again.....hummmm?

[Jodi]

Agree with the others, there is not much to it. Maybe you could read it first if time allows? I myself was a precocious reader and my mom started giving me Steven King books when I was 10. I don't think they messed me up too much ;)

I don't think you're "oppressive" at all; more parents should be concerned with the values in their children's entertainment.

Edited to add: She might like The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon, which is about a girl about that age who gets lost in the woods. There's no sex in that one!

[Tgratehouse]

she is enjoying this book. I really appreciate all your feedback. I am a very finicky fiction reader myself and as heretical as it may sound within the context of this thread, I am not a huge fan of horror books. More of a science fiction guy. Dune is the best book every written, if that gives you any idea.

[Jodi]

I saw on some documentary how bothered King was by the fact that they left out Jack's alcoholism when they did the movie. He really felt that was the key component to the protagonist's personality.

I still think that movie was one of the best though. Along with Shawshank and Green Mile.

[Jodi]

I guess he just meant the extent of it? It's been so long since I saw it, I can't recall exact quotes, just that he felt it was the main driving force in the central character in the novel, but not in the film.