The Shining by Stephen King

Product Description

First published in 1977, The Shining quickly became a benchmark in the literary career of Stephen King. This tale of a troubled man hired to care for a remote mountain resort over the winter, his loyal wife, and their uniquely gifted son slowly but steadily unfolds as secrets from the Overlook Hotel's past are revealed, and the hotel itself attempts to claim the very souls of the Torrance family. Adapted into a cinematic masterpiece of horror by legendary director Stanley Kubrick -- featuring an unforgettable performance by a demonic Jack Nicholson -- The Shining stands as a cultural icon of modern horror, a searing study of a family torn apart, and a nightmarish glimpse into the dark recesses of human weakness and dementia.

Product Details
Amazon Sales Rank: #173189 in Books
Published on: 2005-08-02
Formats: Audiobook, Unabridged
Number of items: 14
Binding: Audio CD
Editorial Reviews

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From AudioFile
Little Danny Torrence can read thoughts, and the stories in his father's mind scare him nearly to death. Stephen King's 1977 classic follows Danny's family through a terrifying winter as they care for a deserted Colorado hotel whose history is anything but bucolic. Campbell Scott brings a refreshing perspective to the spooky story. Understated, yet fully engaged, he changes point of view between Danny and his parents, leading the listener effortlessly. Scott colors the secondary characters with slight shades of regional accents, bringing them to life without overperforming them. His detached, choppy rendering of horrors from the hotel's past contrasts with his effusive illustration of its present, wringing every drop of terror from both. R.L.L. 2006 Audie Award Finalist © AudioFile 2006, Portland, Maine-- Copyright © AudioFile, Portland, Maine

Review
Cosmopolitain Guaranteed to frighten you into fits....freezing terror....with a climax tha is literally explosive.
Customer Reviews

HAUNTING
This was my first King novel, I read it over 15 years ago, and I can still remember it. Very good read.

Still "Shining" After 30 Years
2007 is the 30th anniversary of King's undisputed masterpiece "The Shining" (originally titled "The Shine"). While most of King's novels are masterpieces, this one stands above and beyond as a frightening portrait of a man isolated in a Colorado hotel with his wife, son, and, of course, that ominous ax. This was King's first hardcover bestseller, and it still stands up after all these years as one of his best. If you've seen the movie, forget everything you know before embarking down the deserted road with this novel.

Still Shining
I first read this book two decades ago. In the intervening years, I spent most of my time reading reading wonderful fiction and non-fiction, and most ofte the "classics" which, as an adult, I felt I couldn't live without.

Still, through all the years, Stephen King's thrilling masterpiece, evoked with language so pristine and evocative, is absolutely brilliant. There is a point beyond which you cannot stop reading (roughly midway) and a plethora of subplots and cinematic descriptions that far excel the Stabley Kubrick film of the same name.

As one who has taught and represented writing for many years, I would even recommend this to teenagers who are reluctant to read -- because it is so magnetic and irresisitable. True, there is a bit of raw language and imagery, but we live in an era in which life is far more raw and threatening.

This IS King's masterpiece. He took the mantle from Poe and created from it a modern genre. Whatever your reading preferences, you won't be disappointed. This is one rollercoaster of novel with imagery and characters that will remain with you long after you close the book.