Crime, Mysteries & Thrillers discussion

Welcome to the discussion thread for The Shining, by Stephen King.

I have been wanting to re-read this, and now is the perfect time. I went to find the Kindle version, and discovered someone bought it some time ago on our Amazon account. Hooray!
We will see if it lives up to my memory of one of the most eerie, frightening books I have ever read.

Hi Beth! It's such a great book. I'm excited to read and discuss.

Guess I'm a little lazy lately. I have the Shining paperback and started to read a few pages just the other day, but since I saw the movie several times, I have no enthusiasm to do so. Stephen King is such a "great" writer. His words just flow and flow and at times it's hard to stop reading once you start.

Cam wrote: "Guess I'm a little lazy lately. I have the Shining paperback and started to read a few pages just the other day, but since I saw the movie several times, I have no enthusiasm to do so. Stephen King..."

I love the movie. I may actually prefer it slightly to the book. Or, let me say it this way - what Kubrick did with the movie made it a better movie than if he would have adhered strictly to the book plot. That's the thing with King novels - some of them, particularly the ones dealing with the supernatural, work better in a reader's imagination than they do when depicted onscreen. Certain images/events just don't translate well (I'm talking to you, topiary animals).

How’s everyone doing with this one? It’s a long book - do we need an extra week for The Shining before starting Gorky Park? Or keep schedule as is?

An extra week would be ok with me.

I pushed the "start date" of our next read, Gorky Park, back to Jan 22. Not like any of this is hard and fast, of course.

Any thoughts on the Shining, as we're reading? I have always considered this book sort of autobiographical for King, as Jack Torrence wrestles with his substance abuse and domestic issues. Although Jack is troubled, the depiction in the book of his descent to madness is largely due to external forces, those of the hotel. King writes him as a basically good guy, fighting for his family and himself. I think this is a large part of why King dislikes the movie so much - that depiction of Jack Torrence is much less sympathetic.

Lisa wrote: "I pushed the "start date" of our next read, Gorky Park, back to Jan 22. Not like any of this is hard and fast, of course.

Any thoughts on the Shining, as we're reading? I have always considered t..."

I recall hearing that too. I have never seen The Shining (either adaption) , so I can’t really comment on Mr. King’s reaction to the movie. The description of Jack’s battles to overcome his failings and be a better family man do seem resonate rather truthfully. The character of Wendy is interesting. The internal battle to try and help/save the man you love verses fleeing with Danny to save yourself is written well.

I wonder how many places exist that just give off a sense of foreboding?

I did see the film more than once and read the book more than once... Once can picture the actors faces on the personas in the book.. I once read that King loved this kind of stories when little so when he sees the film that doesn't entirely coincide with his imagination... I know very little films were the film is as good as the book. Normally the book always wins...

Nancy wrote: "Lisa wrote: "I pushed the "start date" of our next read, Gorky Park, back to Jan 22. Not like any of this is hard and fast, of course.

Any thoughts on the Shining, as we're reading? I have always..."

Agreed about Wendy’s character. I think the way she’s written is perfect for the book, and that Shelley Duvall’s portrayal is perfect on screen. The movie Wendy is a much more subservient and desperate character, and she adds a lot to the feeling of fear and isolation. She’s a character that seems utterly dependent on her husband and ready to accept nearly anything from him, but is ultimately tough and resourceful enough to save herself and her son. It’s a terrific performance. Interesting stories about how Kubrick tormented her to elicit it, too. One of the most underrated performances ever, IMHO.

Nadine wrote: "I did see the film more than once and read the book more than once... Once can picture the actors faces on the personas in the book.. I once read that King loved this kind of stories when little so..."
I agree Nadine! One of the only book and movie pairs I really loved was Anne Tyler's The Accidental Tourist. I thought the movie really did a wonderful job. The Shining is a good movie, but it was really it's own work since it departed some from the book.

Lisa wrote: "Nancy wrote: "Lisa wrote: "I pushed the "start date" of our next read, Gorky Park, back to Jan 22. Not like any of this is hard and fast, of course.

Any thoughts on the Shining, as we're reading?..."

I love reading about movies. Kubrick was very careful with the boy who played Danny, to shield him from violent and scary elements of the story. And sadly how Shellet Duvall was really traumatized by Kubrick.

Beth Buning wrote: "Lisa wrote: "Nancy wrote: "Lisa wrote: "I pushed the "start date" of our next read, Gorky Park, back to Jan 22. Not like any of this is hard and fast, of course.

Any thoughts on the Shining, as w..."

Yes! I also read that he made Scatman Crothers cry. Now, that’s just unconscionable. Every main actor in this film deserved an award, down to Danny.

Finished The Shining. I did enjoy reading it again, but I didn't find it as suspenseful as the first time I read it many years ago. At certain points I couldn't put it down though!
Interesting how the hotel itself seemed to be pulling at the characters. I don't remember that from my previous read.

Beth Buning wrote: "Finished The Shining. I did enjoy reading it again, but I didn't find it as suspenseful as the first time I read it many years ago. At certain points I couldn't put it down though!
Interesting how..."

I agree. I consider it a very good book, but it's not my favorite King.

I view The Shining film and book a bit differently than many of you here do. First, I'm not a horror fan and I don't recall why I got the book when it first came out but it was one of my beach books for a summer. And, although it scared me to death, I loved it. I especially loved the relationship between the older black man and the young boy. But my favorite part was the topiary and the fact that, as the weather got colder, only the little boy noticed that the animals were getting closer to the hotel.

So when I read Kubrick tell the New York Times that "he'd solved all the books problems" I was intrigued. Kubrick was one of the best filmmakers of his generation but I don't believe he solved anything in this movie.

Yes, there are some fantastic set pieces in the film and Shelley Duval gives an incredible performance, but why turn the topiary into a maze? What did that solve, other than keeping the budget lower? And can someone please explain to me how Scatman Cruther's powers of ESP are strong enough to alert him in Florida that the boy's in danger, yet he doesn't seem to notice that Jack Nicholson is on the other side of a door holding a knife?

Thanks for letting me let off steam. If you're a Stephen King fan I highly recommend November 22, 1963, especially if, as I do, you love time travel stories.

Nick wrote: "I view The Shining film and book a bit differently than many of you here do. First, I'm not a horror fan and I don't recall why I got the book when it first came out but it was one of my beach book..."

Nick, here are my thoughts - the topiary animals work well in the book, but, when depicted on screen, when the image is conjured for the viewer rather than by the reader, they look comical. In my opinion, at least. I found them to look comical in the SK TV miniseries released in 1997. And that was with 17 more years of technology than was available to Kubrick. I love the maze and think that it is beautiful and terrifying, embodying the hotel, and its inescapability. It also provides for the ending, which I think works better, than the destruction of the hotel. It's scarier if the Overlook is allowed to live.

Regarding Dick Hallorann and his powers, he communicates with Danny, because he shines. The hotel was working against Danny and Hallorann, and working with Jack Torrence. In the book, Dick is assailed by the "shine" of the hotel, as he's approaching on snowmobile. So, it's deliberately interfering with him, and his shine, and likely also making Jack less "readable". I feel silly laying this out because it's not like this is a real thing that I can defend :) Just my interpretation, and it works for me logically.

No need to feel silly, Lisa. How we respond to books and movies is very subjective and there are no wrong opinions. I didn't see the series so I can't comment on the topiary, which remains my favorite part of the book. You're right about budgets and technology but Kubrick made 2001: A Space Odyssey more than a decade before and he could have commanded whatever money he wanted. That said, I see your point about the maze and I have to admit I'd forgotten the part about the hotel's shining, which was obviously critical to the story. Thanks for your insights.

Nick wrote: "No need to feel silly, Lisa. How we respond to books and movies is very subjective and there are no wrong opinions. I didn't see the series so I can't comment on the topiary, which remains my favor..."

And thank you! It's so much fun to discuss this stuff.

You're welcome and, yes it is.

Hi, Lisa - I'm writing you in your role as a Moderator. Is there a limit to the number of posts I can place in the Author's Study? I posted three or four things but now I keep getting blocked. The last thing I want to do is break a rule because I'm already starting to like this Group. - Nick

Nick wrote: "Hi, Lisa - I'm writing you in your role as a Moderator. Is there a limit to the number of posts I can place in the Author's Study? I posted three or four things but now I keep getting blocked. The ..."

Nick, I'm unsure - let me find out and I'll get back to you.

Thank you.

Nick wrote: "Hi, Lisa - I'm writing you in your role as a Moderator. Is there a limit to the number of posts I can place in the Author's Study? I posted three or four things but now I keep getting blocked. The ..."

Nick, Goodreads instituted a new rule that limits the amount of new discussions that can be posted. It's 3 per hour. They are trying to cut down on spam. So, it's not a group rule, it's a Goodreads rule.

Thanks, Lisa. The rule makes sense and I appreciate you checking for me. Take care. Talk soon.

I can’t believe I hadn’t read The Shining before!!! One of my favorite movies!! Loving the book!!!!

Wow! Better than both of the movies! I was worried since the movie is one of my favorites!

I read The Shining In college before I became parent. Rereading this book has me thinking about an entirely different perspective since I am now a parent. It makes me wonder how many other books I enjoyed BC or before children might be viewed differently. I enjoyed the reading and then had to go watch the film again. I enjoyed both.