Halcombe Norilsk
I have widely enjoyed The Shining by Stephen King. It is a long novel to say the truth but it is easy to read.
I am a big fan of Stanley Kubrick, I read recently Dream Story the novel that inspired Stanley Kubrick to make Eyes Wide Shut (read my Virily article about it) and now I have read The Shining.
As you may remember, Stanley Kubrick made a horror movie called The Shining as well. But there is a big difference. Whilst Dream Story may inspire Kubrick, he made a film adaptation of The Shining insofar as he changes things.
Albeit The Shining is a superb movie I really believe reading the novel is a superior experience inasmuch as there is a higher amount of richer details. For instance, the novel provides a deep explanation of the history of the hotel.
Something that does not change, horror scenes aside, is one of my favourite scenes ever in the history of cinema. I am talking (the picture of this post depicts it) about when the protagonist, Jack Torrance (actor Jack Nicholson) visits the bar of the hotel and he asks for alcohol to drink.
In the novel likewise, the protagonist goes to the bar in order to drink alcohol. Yet, in the novel this takes place twice. Another big scene that I have loved in the novel is when the protagonist hears the voice of his deceased father that demands him to kill his son and his wife.
As far as the plot is concerned (This movie and novel is so renowned that you probably know it in advance) The Shining tells of the story of a man who is hired to look after a hotel in a rural place of Colorado, United States. This hotel is called The Overlook and is only opened from May until October due to the weather that is harsh in autumn and winter. However, Jack Torrance accepts the job and his wife and his little son stay with him in the hotel.
The problem is that little by little strange things take place inside the hotel. At the same time, Jack Torrance, who wants to end a play, starts losing his mind and his son sees horrible happenings because he has a mental power (The Shining).
The Shining is one of the best horror movies ever and is one of the best novels I have ever read. The Shining was written in 1977 and the movie was released in 1980. A few years ago, Stephen King published the second part titled: Doctor Sleep. A movie adaptation is set to be released this November, the protagonist is played by Evan McGregor. Which is your favourite The Shining scene???
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Question of
Have you watched The Shining????
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Yes
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No
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Question of
Have you read The Shining???
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Yes
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No
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Question of
Have you read The Shining???
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Yes
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No
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I am not a huge fan of horror movies or novels, i skip both.
Thanks for your comment. Which novels do you like???
I have never been a fan of horror stories nor movies..
Perhaps your opinion changes once you read The Shining. Which books do you like????
I like books with happy endings but not boring ones books that get straight to the point quickly
The Shining is not really a horror book. Perhaps you like it.
Read book & watched film. Liked Stephen King’s story much more than film cause think that the character of Jack Torrance is more mysterious and difficult than that one Jack Nicholson played.
Yes, I understand you, Stanley Kubrick paid a lot of attention to Jack Torrance character.
To be honest, I would rather see ghosts or astral/paranormal phenomena than watch horror films. Well, it doesn’t mean I have never watched that kind of movie, but horror and thrillers are not the genres I like.
Thanks for your comment.
You are most welcome, Helcombe Norilsk
I haven’t read this book yet. At the moment I prefer to read something more light.
Do not be afraid dear friend. The Shining is a great experience. Thank you for the comment.
Unfortunately, I didn’t read the book and I didn’t watch the movie either, my friend
You should dear friend. You will have a great experience reading the novel and watching the movie. Remember the title: “The Shining”.
Thanks for the kind advice … I’ll remember and find the book
Yes!!!! I would love to read a Virily post with your thoughts about the book. You will enjoy it!!!!
I hope to find the time and read the book, my friend … otherwise the book is not my best friend
while there were good bits in the book that didn’t make the film, but there were also a bunch of things that should have been cut from the book which were cut from the film. also, the ending was better and Kubrick added some nice flourishes
ergo, my vote is for the film
Thanks a lot for your comment. Yes, Stanley Kubrick added nice flourishes. Although I do not really know why he changed the number of the room, in the book they talk about room 217 and in the film the room is 237
I know Lynch is deep into numerology, perhaps Kubrick attached some significance to the number 237
Yes, he does. There is a movie called Room 237 which explains the hidden meanings of the movie The Shining by Stanley Kubrick
is it any good? I’ve heard some really stupid theories about Kubrick
I love this movie and I have it on video. However, I don’t like the ending in the movie killing the black cook who came to help them but I like the ending in the book that the black cook remains alive and is the one who rescues mother and son from the hotel
Yes, I was reading the book and I was expecting the death of the cook and in the end, it changes things. You are right, the end of the book is great and perhaps better than the end of the movie.
I have watched this movie many times. I love the mysterious scenes, the paths they walk through outside, never knowing what the next corner holds, and so many more favorite scenes.
Thanks for your comment. I love The Shining too. And since you like the movie I recommend you the novel as well. You will see the movie from another perspective.
here’s johnny!
I read the book, and really wanted to go to the movie. Often books to movie fail miserably. But The Shining is a great example of one that was well done!
Thanks for your comment. In this case, both the movie and the book are good experiences. Which is your favorite scene?? What you love about The Shining???
hard to pick one, I think for me the part of the book/movie that I enjoyed the most was the slow build to madness. but that is many scenes worth!
Thanks again. Yes, how they construct madness is impressive. Now they are going to make a movie based on the second part, the child grows up and he is an alcoholic too like his father.
I hadn’t seen that, thanks for the heads up! I am a huge fan of Stephen King!