The Shining, Great Horror Fiction Novel By Stephen King

The Shining is a grim and scary masterpiece of psychological horror authored by the best contemporary writer of fantasy - horror fiction and suspense genres, Stephen King. The protagonists are Danny Torrance, a five-year-old boy who has extraordinary telepathic abilities, and his father Jack, a former teacher who struggles with alcohol problems. Since Jack lost his job because of his outbursts of rage (mostly caused by drinking), he applies for a job of a caretaker in a remote hotel Overlook, in Colorado. As they arrive, Jack learns the previous caretaker murdered his wife and two little daughters.

Great Horror Fiction Master Stephen King - The Shining

Danny meets an old African-American cook, Dick, who recognises the boy’s skills, as he has some telepathic abilities himself. He secretly warns Danny to look out and do not visit some places of the hotel, especially a certain room, the playground, and the seedy attic, and he offers his help if Danny needs it. Soon the last members of the staff leave, and the family stay alone. Danny and his mother Wendy are worried to see the warning signs – Jack acts as though he started drinking again. Jack finds old documents about the Overlook’s history in the basement, and he finds out that several sinister incidents and deaths occurred in the hotel during the past decades. The whole place seems evil, however, he is strangely attracted to the hotel, and refuses to leave. At last the snow falls and separates them from the outside world. Jack ruins their last connection, a radio, and throws away some parts of the snowmobile. The three of them witnesses peculiar things and phenomena in certain places of the hotel, and Jack becomes more and more aggressive. Wendy is afraid of him.




The psychological horror film adaptation based on the novel was directed by Stanley Kubrick, Jack Torrance’s character was played by Jack Nicholson. Martin Scorscese called it one of the best horror films ever made. However, the original story, Stephen King’s novel is better and more enjoyable than the film adaptation.