description The Shining by Stephen King Overview
"The Shining," published in 1977, is Stephen King's third published novel and established him as a master of modern horror. The story follows Jack Torrance, a struggling writer and recovering alcoholic who accepts a position as winter caretaker at the isolated Overlook Hotel in Colorado, bringing his wife Wendy and son Danny, who possesses psychic abilities called "the shining." As supernatural forces prey upon Jack's vulnerabilities, he descends into violence against his family, creating a narrative that explores themes of alcoholism, domestic abuse, isolation, and the ghosts of America's past that distinguished King's approach to horror from genre contemporaries.
help The Shining by Stephen King FAQ
What is the name of the hotel in Stephen King's "The Shining"?
The story takes place at the isolated Overlook Hotel, located high in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado. Jack Torrance accepts a position as the winter caretaker for the hotel, bringing his family into terrifying isolation.
Is the Overlook Hotel in "The Shining" based on a real place?
Yes, Stephen King was largely inspired by the Stanley Hotel in Estes Park, Colorado, where he and his family stayed shortly before it closed for the winter season. He reportedly had a terrifying nightmare about his young son running screaming through the halls while they stayed there.
Why does Stephen King dislike Stanley Kubrick's movie adaptation of "The Shining"?
Stephen King famously disliked Kubrick's 1980 film because he felt it stripped away Jack Torrance's underlying tragedy by making him crazy from the start. King also felt the movie minimized the supernatural elements and the theme of alcoholism present in his 1977 novel.
What exactly is "the shining" in Stephen King's novel?
In the novel, "the shining" refers to psychic abilities, primarily possessed by Jack's young son, Danny. Danny can see past and future events, read minds, and communicate telepathically, which allows him to see the horrific history of the Overlook Hotel.
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