The Shining
Like so many Stephen King fans, The Shining was one of his books I enjoyed thoroughly. I read it after I saw the Stanley Kubrick film version and the book is by far creepier. I loved how Stephen King imbued the hotel with a preternatural malevolence. So it was with great expectations that I picked up the sequel.
Danny’s All Grown Up
One of the most intriguing aspects of this book for me was seeing the evolution of Danny Torrance from gifted child to middle aged adult. It was fascinating to see how his gift burdened him for years and how, despite the experiences he had with his father, he turned to alcohol to drown out the voices he did not want to hear and the sights he did not want to see. I enjoyed seeing how Danny’s life played out, how he coped and how he didn’t.
The Story Continues
Equally fascinating was the new aspect to this story: they mysterious True Knot, their strange way of life and it’s intersection with Dan Torrance and Abra Stone, a girl who is very much Danny’s foil. This portion of the story was more suspenseful and mysterious than scary. There are not monsters waiting under the bed or fingernails tapping at a window, but there is a sense of tension that runs through the story and a great fight at the climax of the book!
Bottom Line
Not the raw, intense horror story I would have expected from him once upon a time, but Doctor Sleep by Stephen King is definitely a gripping, fascinating read!
I loved listening to this book! Will Patton did a marvelous job and really brought a theatrical quality to the narration. Definitely check it out!
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Stephen King is one of my faves, and I can’t wait to read this book! I love “raw, intense horror” so I hope I won’t be too disappointed if it’s a little lacking there. Great review! 🙂
Lexa Cain recently posted..Celebrate & Change
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This one’s definitely on my TBR list! Stephen King freaks me the heck out and The Shining was one of the worst/best. Love the original movie, too. Those two dead girls…Jack being a dull boy…the maze…and that malevolent Overlook Hotel. Pure awesome.
Mary @ BookSwarm recently posted..Speed Date with Nick: HARD AS IT GETS by Laura Kaye
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I think I’d have to read The Shining again before I read this one (not that that’s a bad thing.) The audio book sounds like a great idea! Thanks!
Annette recently posted..Feature & Follow Friday: Tag! You’re It!
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I also listened to the audio book and I agree, Will Patton was great! Unfortunately I did not enjoy the story so much. I think I unconsciously compared it with my feelings and memories when I read THE SHINING. I also reviewed it on my blog if you want to see what I said about it.
Just Reading for Fun
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