The Shining

By: Stephen King

Narrated by: Campbell Scott

Length: 15 hrs and 50 mins

Publisher's summary

Before Doctor Sleep, there was The Shining, a classic of modern American horror from the undisputed master, Stephen King.

Jack Torrance's new job at the Overlook Hotel is the perfect chance for a fresh start. As the off-season caretaker at the atmospheric old hotel, he'll have plenty of time to spend reconnecting with his family and working on his writing. But as the harsh winter weather sets in, the idyllic location feels ever more remote...and more sinister. And the only one to notice the strange and terrible forces gathering around the Overlook is Danny Torrance, a uniquely gifted five-year-old.

©1977 Stephen King (P)2005 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

"A master storyteller." ( Los Angeles Times)

"He's the author who can always make the improbable so scary you'll feel compelled to check the locks on the front door." ( The Boston Globe)

"Scary!... Serves up horrors at a brisk, unflagging pace." ( The New York Times)

A classic horror leaving your chilled and wanting

Nothing beats a good horror particularly while doing security alone in an industrial park with the only safe haven to hide from the world being the little warmth of your car on a midwestern January night.

Better than I expected!!!

I was worried that listening to, instead of reading, the book might take something away from the experience. it is definitely better to create character voices I'm my head, but Campbell Scott did a fine job! if I had to pick on him for something, I think he held back a little, like he was trying not to wake the neighbors when the characters were yelling.

Much better than Movie

Now I know why Stephen King really doesn't understand why the movie gets so much attention! His book is way scarier, and a great tee up for Doctor Sleep. First time I've listened to a book narrated by Campbell Scott (Boris in Royal Pains), but he does a great job on this one.

Amazing

One of my all time favorites but the performance was amazing!!! Always a classic!!! Extremely well performed!

Scariest book ever

Which scene was your favorite?

The scenes regarding room 217 were creepy as creepy can be. And Campbell Scott's voice was spot on for the mood.

Any additional comments?

This is one of those horror stories that pass the test of time. Do not be discouraged by the fact that Stephen King is a very popular/mainstream writer, he is a FANTASTIC storyteller. And this audiobook edition will send shivers down your spine.

A bit different story line than the movie.

I enjoyed it. Then again, I am trying to make it through the winter in an isolated farm house in Missouri. Fortunately, we don't croquet.

this was a re-read for me

What made the experience of listening to The Shining the most enjoyable?

I love this book! I read The Shining over 15yrs ago and re-read to freshen my memory in anticipation for Doctor Sleep (I am about half way through & <3 it!) .

What did you like best about this story?

I love that the book is different from the movie. <3 <3

What about Campbell Scott’s performance did you like?

I don't know if there was any one thing about the performance that stood out, good or bad. No complaints! :)

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

laugh or cry??? no.... but scare the hell out of me yes!

Any additional comments?

very much worth the credit!

No room for comparison.

What made the experience of listening to The Shining the most enjoyable?

Having seen the movie one hundred times since I was a kid, reading this book was a blast. The story was haunting and engaging from beginning to end and significantly better than the movie. I completely understand why fans of the book prefer the story over the movie. This was one of the first books to every make me feel a sense of fear or anxiety while reading, which took me by surprise. A lot of this book took me by surprise. You feel like you are just as isolated from the world while listening.

What did you like best about this story?

I loved the history that you get about the Overlook Hotel and the small changes in each character as the story progresses. You feel like you're locked in the hotel with the Torrance's.

Did the narration match the pace of the story?

The narration was a bit slow and boring for my taste. Some parts of the story could have been made more engaging or exciting if the inflection matched the scene a little better.

I look at the movie differently now!

After listening to this book, I realize the movie wasn't really that good. Scott is an excellent reader, and his "Jack" voice startled me a time or two! I would recommend this book to any Stephen King fan and any horror movie fan.

Rare case movie is better than the (great) book

First, out of three main characters, if after a line, I can't tell who is speaking, the son, the father, or the wife, then the narrator could be better. Good natural voice for horror. I'd check the sample if you're concerned.
Several moments that made the movie a classic aren't here. The ghost twins telling Danny to play, "All work and no play make Jack a dull boy.", and the hedge maze worked better than the topiary in my opinion, since the topiary never amounted to much. The book has more heart, and some great moments and character development as well. Jack telling Danny to run at the end, realizing the hotel had got to him was great, and the book's bar scene with Wendy and Jack was better than the movie's famous baseball bat scene that both resulted in Jack being knocked out. Close contest between the book and movie.
I have more than 10 King audio books in my library, and I have read even more, but I would leave it just outside of my top 3 or 5. Narrator sucks though.