Amazon.co.uk:Customer Reviews: The Shining

Top positive review

My favourite King book.

ByMr Benon 31 May 2017

I read this book, years ago, whilst in my teens, and I remember enjoying it, but not to the extent where I ever thought I would pick it up again. However, the years have passed, and coming across the book on offer at a local book store, whilst looking for my next read, I thought I'd give it another go. I remembered the premise (most will know of it already from the movie) and a few random details (Jack crunching Aspirin in a phone booth has always stayed with me for some reason!), but, as is the case with time, most of the book was forgotten.
On second reading, I flew through it, and wanted to start it again upon completion. It is now one of my favourite books, and easily my favourite King books (I've not read them all though, maybe 10 or 12 tops).
The main difference from the movie, for those who have seen it, was, not an event in the book, but the way in which the characters were portrayed. For me, Jack was not the villain; without wanting to go into "spoiler" territory, Jack is a more empathetic character, struggling with guilt and addiction, as well of constantly struggling to re-earn the trust of Wendy (his wife/Danny's mother) following events laid out in the book. Wendy herself, is not quite the pleasant quiet character from the movie. Wendy is very untrusting, quite judgemental, and resentful, not just of Jack, but of the relationship between Jack and Danny. In short the characters in the book are far more human, and it makes for a very compelling read, being able to relate, on occasion, to all of the main characters within.
Some of King's works are on a grand scale, and can feature tens (if not hundreds) of characters, but for me, his best works feature a smaller cast, building on a few characters, allowing the reader to develop more of an attachment to everyone in the book. If you've never read a Stephen King book, I highly recommend this as a place to start, it is gripping, tense, funny, scary and emotional all in one.

Top critical review

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2 people found this helpful

No TV and no beer make Homer something, something

ByInspector Gadgeton 24 January 2015

Oh deary me, how dreadful this novel is. Classic? You've got to be kidding! It's so overwritten it could easily have been half the length. King repeats himself over and over (“Jack rubbed his mouth” appears almost on every page – okay...I get it...he's a recovering alcoholic!) and lets the story wander all over the place before FINALLY finding a semi-workable groove towards the last act.

If you are a fan of the movie I would suggest that you do not read this book. While Kubrick's movie was spare and alienated the novel is s-l-o-w and heavy and takes ages and ages to go anywhere. How anyone can find this trash scary is beyond me. Killer hedge animals? Really? KILLER HEDGE ANIMALS???

If this is classic King then count me out for reading anything else in his bibliography. The only thing this brick of a book is good for is straightening-out a table with a short leg. Biggest waste of 50p I ever spent.

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