The Shining

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Summary: The only book that's ever put the "shine" of fear on me!
Review: I tried reading this book about 12 years ago as a teenager and was unable to finish -- I was completely freaked out by it! Being normally stoic and fearless when it comes to ghost stories, this is the only book that has ever made me shiver. After those twelve years of being impressed by a story that could have that effect, I finally went back and completed it. For those of you that have never read it, I won't give a thing away. All I have to say is this: if King can scare me as thoroughly as he did on my second read (and believe me he did!) -- and immerse me in the terror of the story and characters -- I believe this book can do that to anyone. It's the only book I had to balance out with reading from another, more benign book every night before I went to bed -- to avoid nightmares! Read it! It's the most excellent ghost story I've ever seen.

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Summary: Definitely not one of my favorites
Review: I've read many of Stephen King's books, but this is one of the ones that I disliked. The book had a slow pace until like page 300. I mean the book is more about Jack's Alcoholism than the hotel. Also it didn't have that Spephen King feel. The entire book is boring. The kid has nothing to do with the book. So the hotel wants him so what whats the point of that? Anyway this is the worst Stephen King novel I've read.

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Summary: Veeeery shaky
Review: Untill this book I had never been afraid of what I read. But Stephen King made it. "The shining" is thrilling since the beginning to the very last page. It's the story of an ex-teacher thrown out of his job for beating up a student. But the life of Jack Torrance is a complete mess. Not only he's unemployed, he's also a drunk. And in between he's got to take care of his wife and his enigmatic son, Danny. Ah, almost forgot: he has a dream of writing this masterpiece script, a book that will reach the top of the bestselling list. How he can do all this? His companion in booze and master offers him a job as a caretaker of a famous hotel in Colorado during the winter season. The Overlook Hotel is famous not only because of its great view of the country, but for his shaky story. Built early in the century, it has passed through various owners, all faded with bankruptcy, Mafia murders and scandals. The present time of the story is the first year in many that the account books aren't closed in read ink. And Jake has to keep the integrity of the place during the long winter. It's the oportunity he asked for. Now he's got time for his family and his script. But... His son Danny has some special gifts, discovered when he arrives at the Overlook and meets the old black cooker and is told that he has "The shining". A power to view what other people can't normally see. That usually is something very nice, if you know how to use it in your favor. But that's something hard for a five-year old. And when the powerful forces that hide in the shadows of the Overlook decide to play with your gift, the long and easy winter may turn into a white-snow nightmare. Stephen King was able to create some very complex characters. Jake is a booze addict with a very hard past relationship with his folks, and his tendence is to loose it with his family. His behavior gets worse when he discovers the history of the Hotel in some newspapers at the basement, and what happened to the last winter caretaker. ! Danny is the central point of the plot. The Overlook uses him to "comunnicate" with the Torrance family, using his shine against him. Danny can see with his eyes all the terrible things that took place in the hotel. Wendy is the powerless wife, sees his husband loose his mind, take it over her son, and has her hands stoped with fear. Her construction is also very complex, even if it's hard to see. She has ger own family problems and loves her husband too much to do something against him. But when it comes to Danny... She transforms into the main character and her actions give road to the continuity of the story. But the most vivid and terrible part of the book is played by the Hotel Overlook... HIMself! Yes, I think that we can make it into a person, for he thinks, decides what to do, has a past background, everything that a real person would have. Because, in fact, he's the personality and the will of Stephen King. He overlooks his entire work, his imaginary Boulder, his characters and his plots. Only a writer like him could imagine the scenes with the grass animals. "The shining" is a unique piece of writing. Among King's works, it's only compared with the grandeur of "The stand".

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Summary: Another great by THE KING!
Review: EERIE. It hits a nerve and keeps right on going... not for the faint at heart or the over-imiginative.

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Summary: Stelios Charalampakis opinion about "The Shining"
Review: First of all i want to tell everyone reading this text that i am a Steven King obssesed fan and so my opinion may not be the same with yours."The Shining" is a book that every horror fan should read again and again.It has a genique way of presenting things,pictures,situetions etc,through a wonderful way of writing.I read almost all Steven King's books but this one stays deep in my heart. Steven King rules!!!!!!!

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Summary: Hell Raising
Review: Definatly my favorties Stephen King book yet. The description is great, and even the parts when nothing is happening, are well written and interesting to read. King managed to write a book with a great plot, and no loose stings hanging when it was done. Everything fit together like a great big jigsaw puzzle straight out of hell. Oh, and for all those King fans, skip over the movie, and see the six hour mini series instead. It stays true to the book. One things for sure, if you don't LOVE this book, you're loopy!!

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Summary: Excellent!!
Review: I knew I'd love this book before I started reading it, and I was right. Everything in the book works so well! I also loved the movie. It wasn't as good as the book, though (although I don't think that anyone can play Jack Torrance but Jack Nicholson!) If you like suspence,Stephen King, or you just like excellent books, then this is the book to read! Job well done, Mr. King.

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Summary: Wonderful, with lots os suspense
Review: Is a great book with lots of mystery. It's outrageously great when Danny is in his bed and in the walls it start to appear the words "Ratam" written with blood. I loved also the part when the boy enters the room 217. Stephen King is a real genius writting this high quality books.

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Summary: VERY COOL BOOK
Review: I really liked this book. If you like this book, you will love another King book "The Stand". Its alot longer, but it is an excellent book that has the same sort of character development as "The Shining". Read both books!! Danny...its time to take your medicine...

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Summary: My King favorite
Review: My son asks me what's the scariest book I've ever read and I reply "The Shining." Every summer or so I like to re-read it and it STILL scares me. What fun!