This is a book which, had I not had it bought for me as an early Christmas present, I probably wouldn't have read at this point in my life. However, as a certain friend wanted me to read it and therefore bought it for me, I did. And oh how glad I am that this happened.
The Shining is the story of a hotel caretaker who, while spending the winter in a hotel, doing his job, with his wife and son, slowly has an extreme change of character. His son also happens to be a 'Shiner'. In other words, he can read minds. That's all I can say without truly ruining the book.
Having seen the film version of The Shining only once many years ago, I'd forgotten pretty much everything that happens. This didn't matter though, as the original book version is A LOT different to the film which means if you have seen the film, you haven't read the book.
I can safely say that I thoroughly enjoyed yet another of Stephen King's masterful works and found myself sitting until the early hours reading away. However, I did find that it was a bit slow to start with, but after around 100-150 pages, things started heating up and the book became a very worthy read.
Normally I don't find myself being moved or unnerved by books or films, but some certain scenes in The Shining left me feeling a little "on edge". The reason for this, I think, is likely to be the psychological aspects of it when Jack becomes somewhat possessed and mindfucked (not an actual description in the book, but I find it to be suitably descriptive).
There were also some parts which I found to be incredibly similar to the film Ghost Ship, most notably the ballroom/disco scenes in which the protagonist discovers a large party going on when it should be empty.
I've recently had a number of discussions about this book and its contents and we've always come to the conclusion that Jack Torrance is very likely modelled after Stephen King - he writes, is a recovered alcoholic and talks of places like Maine and New England.
Unfortunately, the version I had was badly edited in parts causing some confusion to what was happening. I'd therefore not recommend you buy the Hodder version of this book and if possible, get an older one which is likely to be a bit better edited. Other than that, I have no complaints about this piece of literary genius.
I'm going to give this a rating of 4/5.
Showing posts with label Stephen King. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Stephen King. Show all posts
Wednesday, 14 November 2012
Sunday, 17 July 2011
Carrie by Stephen King
Yep, it's another Stephen King novel. This time it's his very first (published) one which was released in 1974 and made into a film two years later.
The book focuses on an outcast school girl called Carrie who possesses telekinetic powers. She also possesses a hugely religious mother and is a scapegoat for the school bullies. However, after accepting an invitation to the school prom from one of the most popular boys in the year, things start to look up. Until the bloody finale, of course.
I'd seen the film loads of times before reading the book so I kind of knew what to expect but I also knew the book would be different. However, I didn't expect it to be this different.
The book is written in the style of a collection of newspaper cuttings, interviews, biographical book sections and telephone recordings which is a style I've not experienced/read before.
Most of the film content leading up to the prom is almost the same as the book, once the prom has started, however, the book is much different with a lot more death, destruction and horror. As Carrie strolls through the streets in the book, there is more action than just the flipping of a car. The deaths of certain characters are also very different to the film version.
This was a book which would have been a lot more shocking if I didn't know what was coming but still had a creepy factor to it
Carrie was another one of those books which I found hard to put down and was finished in three or four days (it could have been less but I'm a busy man these days) and was worth the £2 I paid for it in a charity shop (although I recently found that I actually happen to already own the book).
If there's anyone out there wanting to read some Stephen King I'd say start with Carrie as it's fairly short at 270-odd pages and nowhere near as intimidating as It.
Total rating 4/5
The book focuses on an outcast school girl called Carrie who possesses telekinetic powers. She also possesses a hugely religious mother and is a scapegoat for the school bullies. However, after accepting an invitation to the school prom from one of the most popular boys in the year, things start to look up. Until the bloody finale, of course.
I'd seen the film loads of times before reading the book so I kind of knew what to expect but I also knew the book would be different. However, I didn't expect it to be this different.
The book is written in the style of a collection of newspaper cuttings, interviews, biographical book sections and telephone recordings which is a style I've not experienced/read before.
Most of the film content leading up to the prom is almost the same as the book, once the prom has started, however, the book is much different with a lot more death, destruction and horror. As Carrie strolls through the streets in the book, there is more action than just the flipping of a car. The deaths of certain characters are also very different to the film version.
This was a book which would have been a lot more shocking if I didn't know what was coming but still had a creepy factor to it
Carrie was another one of those books which I found hard to put down and was finished in three or four days (it could have been less but I'm a busy man these days) and was worth the £2 I paid for it in a charity shop (although I recently found that I actually happen to already own the book).
If there's anyone out there wanting to read some Stephen King I'd say start with Carrie as it's fairly short at 270-odd pages and nowhere near as intimidating as It.
Total rating 4/5
Monday, 4 July 2011
The Green Mile by Stephen King
So, I said I need to start reading books again and reading I have done. This time it was Stephen King's 1996 drama/fantasy/thriller the Green Mile, and what a book it was.
WARNING: Spoilers follow
The story tells of a giant who is convicted for killing two children who, the guards soon find out, has some sort of God-like healing power. Throughout the book the man displays this healing power which causes some characters to have second thoughts about who committed the crime which John Coffey the giant is on death row for.
The book is written from the memory of Paul Edgecombe (played by Tom Hanks in the film of the same name) from the old peoples' home in which he now lives/d. It tells the story of Paul in the death row block in 1932 but is written by him in the year of publication: 1996.
Reading through the story you/the reader feel/s sort of emotional towards the characters as King manages to write with description and in a way that makes them seem real, like the story really happened. Sort of in a biographical way, if you will.
This is definitely one of Stephen King's better books out of the seemingly hundreds he's written and the few I've read and definitely one people who are into fantasy and thriller mixed should pick up. It's a thick book at almost 500 pages but not that hard a read. A good one for a first-time reader of Stephen King.
I don't know if I'll be reading this again any time soon (I have a HUGE pile to read yet, including more Stephen King) but I might pick it up in a year or so as I tend to do with Simon Kernick books. We'll see but in the meantime I'll give this book a rare 5 out of 5 and a BIG recommendation to anyone who reads.
Coming next: I have no idea, need to select something out of 1000+ books.
WARNING: Spoilers follow
The story tells of a giant who is convicted for killing two children who, the guards soon find out, has some sort of God-like healing power. Throughout the book the man displays this healing power which causes some characters to have second thoughts about who committed the crime which John Coffey the giant is on death row for.
The book is written from the memory of Paul Edgecombe (played by Tom Hanks in the film of the same name) from the old peoples' home in which he now lives/d. It tells the story of Paul in the death row block in 1932 but is written by him in the year of publication: 1996.
Reading through the story you/the reader feel/s sort of emotional towards the characters as King manages to write with description and in a way that makes them seem real, like the story really happened. Sort of in a biographical way, if you will.
This is definitely one of Stephen King's better books out of the seemingly hundreds he's written and the few I've read and definitely one people who are into fantasy and thriller mixed should pick up. It's a thick book at almost 500 pages but not that hard a read. A good one for a first-time reader of Stephen King.
I don't know if I'll be reading this again any time soon (I have a HUGE pile to read yet, including more Stephen King) but I might pick it up in a year or so as I tend to do with Simon Kernick books. We'll see but in the meantime I'll give this book a rare 5 out of 5 and a BIG recommendation to anyone who reads.
Coming next: I have no idea, need to select something out of 1000+ books.
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