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)

all in all good

loved it was pleasant to listen to love stephen king books. its nice to be able to listen to them

I finally read it

I finally read The Shining. I watched the movie many times, but felt that's all I needed. I was mistaken. Although much of the book is in the movie, I feel Kubrick and King had two different ideas of the basis of The Shining. Kubrick seems to focus on a Haunted Hotel. By Jack freezing to death the hotel continues living, when in fact The Shining is what is important. I believe Stephen King wrote it more as a poltergeist sort of environment. I mostly know this because I have listened to Doctor Sleep. I absolutely loved it! It urged me to listen to The Shining. I believe it is a necessity because you have to know Stephen King's basis of "The Shining" powers. Then, in Dr. Sleep you find out what his son Danny does with his adult life.I can still appreciate Kubrick's movie, even if I think it is arrogant to base a movie on a book and then change the ending.

Phenomenal Book

I always liked the movie but the book is better by far. The characters are much more complex. They also do way more explaining about the shining, what it is, and how the hotel uses Danny's to become more powerful. I understand why King hates the movie now after reading this. Prepare for a much more likeable, interesting, and capable Wendy.

Great, creepy, dark story...

A lot of people gave the narrator unfavorable reviews but I thought his voice fit the mood of the story. He was creepy and dark when needed and given the fact that Jack Torrence had somewhat of a "I'm better than you attitude" he did a great job depicting it. I thoroughly enjoyed the story. Danny's voice was soft, sweet and innocent. This was definitely worth listening to.

loved

like most people, I've seen the movie. after listening to the book, that movie does not do it justice. to hear the backstory of certain characters made me understand the movie more.

Great book/palatable narrator

The only way I could deal with the narrator was to listen to the book at twice normal speed. At normal speed it literally sounded like he was intentionally trying to talk as slow as possible.

Great story telling!

Very different from the movie. The movie is scarier and has so much more blood and disturbing imagery than the book. No hedge maze, no blood river from elevator, no big wheeling, the manuscript plays a much smaller role and the fun black guy from the beginning has a much larger role. Love both tellings!

So much better than the movie!

So much more to these characters then the film would let you believe! A Must Listen!

NIGGER?

love the books but could do without the "nigger" this and "nigger" that, Stephen king

I expected more

Just as a note: I have not seen the film. I've read only two Stephen King books and some of the short stories. I all loved them but this book seemed to be a little boring with not much happening. The narraror does a great job.