The Shining

Rating:
Summary: A must read for all horror lovers...
Review: Before I switched to horror novels, I found myself looking for the most suspenseful parts in a book. Then it hit me. I needed a good, healthy dose of Stephen King, and I found it in the personalities of Jack, Wendy, and Daniel Torrance. Even though this twenty-something horror story is widely known, I only discovered it two years ago and made the mistake of watching the made-for-TV movie before I read the book. The stream of consciousness is enthralling and the messages that the novel reflects about the human mind is so intriguing, that I made myself read the "hotel receipts" that Jack discovered in the basement, by the fear that I might miss a single thought. Be it that of the abused memories about Jack's father, or the clips of horrid instructions from the hotel itself. The list of characters is perfect, in a simple, reader's sense. They are: The parents. Jack; a recovering alcoholic with past regrets of abusing his son in the actions like his father. Wendy; who in turn, fears for her child's ablities and symptoms in a desolate site, far from sanity and civilization, not to mention the paranormal obsticals if they choose to leave. And then there is Daniel Torrance, a "born-with-a-caul" intelligent son that specializes in auto-hypnosis and a curiousity that can kill a dozen cats in order to save his father from becoming a servant of evil. It's so gripping that I found myself talking to the pages like I would talk to the screen in a movie theatre. Readers that are devoted to the Stanley Kubrick film might just feel a different kind of jolt when they realize that the characters and events are more complex than a wild Jack Nicholson chopping down bathroom doors. This is no-doubt, in my mind, an advanced story that every scary novel lover should be required to read.

Rating:
Summary: Absolutely Horrifying
Review: I first read this book at age 10 and could hardly sleep for 3 days. I have re-read it many times since, and I am glad to report that it is still as frightening to the adult as it was for the child. This book teems with terrifying images and situations which I won't describe so as not to spoil the suspense. This was what scared me as a child. What scares the adult on top of this is the emotional collapse of Jack Torrance and his descent into madness. The relationships in the family triad are brilliantly depicted. This is a novel about the horrors of alcoholism, insanity, and child abuse, which are of course only compounded by the supernatural evil these characters become enmeshed in. This is my favorite King novel and I would really like to know what happened to Danny Torrance when he reached adulthood!

Rating:
Summary: THE STUFF NIGHTMARES ARE MADE OF!!!
Review: I read this book years ago, and it still haunts me. It is evil incarnate.Definitely the scariest book I ever read!I was working nights as an RN in CCU at the time,and remember being totally spooked being in an elevator,heading to the morgue with a corpse hidden under the sheets, terrified it would rise up if I turned my back on it, just like in Rm 217!!!

Rating:
Summary: Great book!
Review: I must admit I'm only on page 180 so far, but I just started reading it yesturday. I just can't put it down. It keeps you fascinated with the characters, and were the book is heading. I think the end will be as great as the pages I have read so far. The old 1980 The Shining movie was horrible, but the one done for T.V in 1997 was really good, and really followed the book almost completly.

Rating:
Summary: Great book
Review: I thought that the shining has got to be one of the best of king's books so far. When I read it I was pretty scared and I thought it was one of the greatest books that I have read and I do read a lot of books.

Rating:
Summary: A "must read"
Review: I believe that this is the story that put King at the top of the list of Horror writers. This book scared the living sh*t out of me. I first saw the movie and then read the book...the movie isn't even close. This story was way before it's time and even now is still one of his best ever books. Don't miss this piece...and don't forget to leave your light on at night...

Rating:
Summary: G-R-E-A-T
Review: This book was simply 'GENIUS' b/c who had the imagination to think up something this great?? Nobody but the 'THRILLER KING' himself. The only part I didn't like about this book was when Danny was in the maze-thingy and all those bush things came alive that was scary oh and also that part when Danny saw the word 'REDRUM' on his wall. Oh Then there was when Danny went into that room ( was it 207?) and there was that corpse looking thing that was the scariest!

Rating:
Summary: Terrifyingly plausible, yet creatively fantastic.
Review: When I finished reading this book, my first thought was, "Wow". A gripping page-turner from cover to cover, this masterpiece by Stephen King keeps you on the edge of your seat. The thing that makes this book stand out among others is the spectacular imagery. I could almost hear the crashes of crumbling plaster as Jack Torrance slammed the Roque mallet into the walls. The stunning complexity of this Tomé is mind-boggling, diving deep into the mind of various characters. Mr. King also exhibts the frighteningly real powers alcahol can hold over people, and the anger that it can bring about. Who, other than King, could create such a chillingly dark novel? His novel ranks even with the likes of classics, such as "The Exorcist". For a true dose of "horror" you must read this wonderful book.

Rating:
Summary: Great!
Review: This book is a must have if you want a good scare. King is the master at character build up, and the master at scaring you to death. This is by far one of his best works.

Rating:
Summary: Much Better Than The Movie
Review: This is one of Stephen King's better books. It follows the movie (the Jack Nicholson one) only roughly. There is a lot more meaning put into the 'shining' power itself. There is also no hedge maze in the book, but there are hedge animals that behave pretty strangely. It does get a bit windy at times about the hotel's history and Jack's past. An excellent book!