The Shining – Stephen King

Title: The Shining
Author: Stephen King
Edition: Paperback
Publication: July 1, 1980 by New English Library (Hodder & Stoughton)
Genre: Horror, Fiction, Thriller, Classics, Fantasy, Paranormal, Mystery, Audiobook, Suspense, Adult

More books by Stephen King

My Review

The book gives you more chills than the movie.

Read more: The Shining – Stephen King

About the Author

One of the best mystery and horror story writer Stephen King. Stephen King was born in Portland, Maine in 1947, the second son of Donald and Nellie Ruth Pillsbury King. He made his first professional short story sale in 1967 to Startling Mystery Stories. In the fall of 1971, he began teaching high school English classes at Hampden Academy, the public high school in Hampden, Maine. Writing in the evenings and on the weekends, he continued to produce short stories and to work on novels. In the spring of 1973, Doubleday & Co., accepted the novel Carrie for publication, providing him the means to leave teaching and write full-time. He has since published over 50 books and has become one of the world’s most successful writers. King is the recipient of the 2003 National Book Foundation Medal for Distinguished Contribution to the American Letters and the 2014 National Medal of Arts.

The Stanley Hotel which is named as Overlook Hotel in the novel “The Shining”

My Thoughts

About the Stanley Hotel

Much of The Shining took place inside the ominous Overlook Hotel, a location that has become an iconic landmark in pop culture from the Grady twins down the hall to the carpeting on the floor. Many elements of the story, as well as the hotel itself, were inspired by the Stanley Hotel.

In 1974, King and his wife spent time at the isolated resort hotel which was located in Estes Park, Colorado. King and his wife checked in just before the hotel was shutting down for the winter, and they were the only guests there. King noted the eerie feeling of being in an empty hotel. While roaming the building, King felt inspired by the long corridors and the isolation from the world. His experience instantly gave him the idea for the horror novel.

The Stanley Hotel was built in 1909 by Freelan Oscar Stanley of the Stanley Steamer fame. The 142-room resort is meant for wealthy vacationers and also serves as a health retreat for those suffering from tuberculosis. The Stanley Hotel is still in operation and remains a tourist destination due to its panoramic views of the Rockies.

The hotel also has a very haunted history which has helped attract viewers and paranormal investigators.

What inspired Stephen King to write “The Shining”

When King stayed at the Stanley Hotel in the mid-’70s, he resided with his wife in room 217. That specific room has a haunted history involving the chief housekeeper, Elizabeth Wilson. In 1911, Wilson was injured in an explosion caused by lighting a lantern. Though she survived the event, it’s said that she still wanders around the room, moving luggage and folding clothes.

King claims to have seen a young boy while going to his room which wasn’t possible considering that his wife is the confirmed guest. There were several other events like unexplained noises heard, figures seen, and personal objects stolen or broken.

Due to The Shining’s popularity, the Stanley Hotel has embraced the connection by hosting tours and events related to the novel and film. In 2015, the hotel decided to add the iconic hedge maze to the open area in the front of the property, which has been a hit with visitors.

About the Novel

Jack Torrance, his wife Wendy, and their young son Danny move into the Overlook Hotel, where Jack has been hired as the winter caretaker. Cut off from civilization for months, Jack hopes to battle alcoholism and uncontrolled rage while writing a play.

Jack saw the Overlook as an opportunity, a desperate way back from failure and despair; Wendy saw this lonely sanctuary as a frail chance to preserve their family; and Danny?

Danny, who was blessed or cursed with a shining, precognitive gift, saw visions hideously beyond the comprehension of a small boy. He sensed the evil coiled within the Overlook’s one hundred and ten empty rooms; an evil that was waiting just for them. Evil forces residing in the Overlook – which has a long and violent history – covet young Danny for his precognitive powers and exploit Jack’s weaknesses to try to claim the boy.

Heartful Thanks

Thank you Kuldeep my childhood friend who gifting me this book as a birthday gift. I had the chills while reading the book. The book is the better version than the movie

Happy Reading!!!

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