When thinking about what book to pick up right before Halloween, there is nothing better than going back to a classic. The Shining, by Stephen King, is one of the most famous horror stories of all time, and deservedly so. This is the haunted house story, and everyone knows it, but it is so worth the read. It is a paranormal horror story. The story has a very self-contained cast of characters, and it follows the main character, Jack, his wife, Wendy, and his son, Danny, as they move into an isolated, empty hotel for Jack’s new job as the hotel’s new caretaker. During his stay in the Overlook Hotel, an intense storm comes through and isolates them even more in the empty hotel. Jack starts to experience weird and sinister things around the hotel he is supposed to be taking care of. Throughout this story, we learn about Danny’s mystical gift, “the shining.”
This story is effective in many ways. It evokes such a feeling of dread and anxiety, especially if you already know what happens. Because of its small cast, King is able to focus on the progression of the character’s mental states and get them inside their heads. The characters are honestly a highlight of The Shining. Even if you are nervous about the horror aspect, the book is worth it just to witness the intricate dynamics between each of the characters and how they interact with characters outside of their little family. We get to see their perspectives throughout the book, especially Danny, who has the mysterious “shining” ability. The book is very cryptic in explaining what shining actually is, which I actually think is a positive thing. I am a fan of ambiguity when it comes to supernatural aspects in novels like this. I think if done well, which it was in this case, it allows the reader to be more imaginative about the fantastical side of horror novels. The actual horror aspect is done really well, especially if you are not a horror pro. The writing is incredibly immersive and will keep you anticipating the next turn.
This is a great book to pick up if you want to get in the spooky Halloween mood. It’s a horror classic, and there’s even a movie to watch if you end up loving the book. The tone of the book hooks you in quickly, and as the horrors of the house come out, you fall for it just like the characters do. This book is perfect for both horror fans and those who want to dip their toe into the genre. One thing to note is that the book was written in the 70s, and you can tell. If that is something you can overlook, this book is definitely worth a read. I haven’t read a lot of King novels, but this book definitely inspired me to do so, and if you enjoy The Shining, you might pick up his other novels as well.
