Shining [Paperback]

Stephen King (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 1, 1982

Danny is only five years old, but he is a 'shiner', aglow with psychic voltage. When his father becomes caretaker of an old hotel, his visions grow out of control. Cut off by blizzards, the hotel seems to develop an evil force, and who are the mysterious guests in the supposedly empty hotel?

Editorial Reviews

Review

'Obviously a masterpiece, probably the best supernatural novel in a hundred years' -- Peter Straub 'You had better not read it alone' -- Mirror 'As a storyteller, he is up there in the Dickens class' -- The Times

About the Author

Stephen King is the bestselling author of more than thirty books of which the most recent are THE GIRL WHO LOVED TOM GORDON, HEARTS IN ATLANTIS and his non-fiction book ON WRITING. He lives with his wife, the novelist Tabitha King, in Bangor, Maine.

Product Details

• Paperback: 416 pages
• Publisher: New English Library (July 1, 1982)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0450040186
• ISBN-13: 978-0450040184
• Product Dimensions: 6.8 x 4.3 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.5 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #882,555 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Stephen King classic!, June 19, 2009

By 

D. Wayne Dworsky (New York City) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Shining (Paperback)

From the beginnings of the story, arriving at the hotel, assuring his wife of his stability and then, once the doors are locked and winter encroaches, things start to happen. King uses that element of the unknown to gradually work the environment on you and gradually bring in all sorts of fascinating apparitions. He leaves everything to the imagination, drawing in the reader further and further into the abyss, until you're so locked up in the King world that the only escape is to finish the book. It's this twist of reality that clenches it, that delivers a vague feeling of mistrust. You begin to wonder what the protagonist is up to. He is writing a book.... you expect details and then you're horrified at the repetitions it reveals, making you gasp at what's next. He is led into the ballroom where the 1930's atmosphere is re-established so that the protagonist can blend in, a prelude to the conclusion. There, he is given advise, advise that would change his nature and violate the newly formed relationship with his unsuspecting wife.

The cook knows what's wrong...just as the boy does--for they have the shine! And when he comes to investigate the situation to satisfy his curiosity, the gruesome welcoming takes him by surprise. And you sit there, reading, led deeper and deeper into the creepy world of King's tremendous imagination, only limited by the pages you turn.... but you keep turning, driven further in.... until you reach an angry point...which I won't spoil for you. Read it!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Psychological Thriller, February 13, 2009

By 

J. Blackhorse (TX, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Shining (Paperback)

This is the best book I have read by Stephen King and it should be considered as a modern masterpiece. As I said in the title, it is not so much a "horror story" as it is a psychological drama. King takes his time to set the mood and introduce us to the world Jack lives in. At the same time, strange things start happening in the hotel. As these bizarre events begin to unfold, Jack's mental state deteriorates. It doesn't have a lot of chainsaws and screaming women, but King convincingly pulls you into this vortex of madness that is absolutely chilling.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great movie-INCREDIBLE novel, June 27, 2007

By 

Diva Durr (Spring Hill, TN) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Shining (Paperback)

Though I think THE SHINING is one of the scariest movies made of Stephen King's books, the novel is even better! There's something very horrifying about watching a human being going crazy on his family...and this book brings it to life. Of course, there's a few ghosts to help along the way!It's a King classic.