I had quite the little internal struggle in deciding what I was going to talk about today, as this last week brought a few new things into my life, all of which I have greatly enjoyed. However! I have made a decision- my initial one- and am going to be making known unto thee, and thy people, my latest, literary love. That's right! Today's FF is a book! If you're especially clever, you may have been able to figure out exactly what written work I'm currently obsessing over; it is in the title of the post, after all. That's right! I'm throwin' us back to the year 1977, the year in which Stephen King penned one of the most notoriously terrifying novels ever written: The Shining.
I was contemplating not writing about this book, due to the fact that it's not really new- and especially not unheard of. The novel, and especially the accompanying major motion picture, are nothing short of legendary! However, having never seen Jack Nicholas's famous, petrifying portrayal of Jack Torrance in the film adaptation, and having never really been sure of all the details of the thriller, The Shining was honestly uncharted territory for me. And, since this blog is all about discovery and pursuing our interests and passions, and I love me a good, horror anything, I decided it was completely appropriate for me to share this, my newest discovery, with you.
I will tell you that, while this particular story is new to me, I am no stranger to the works of Stephen King. I have read several of his newer works, and a few of his timeless classics, which are easily my favorite. His most notable novel, to me, at least, is Carrie. Until The Shining, I had never been more entrancingly horrified by a book. In reading books like Carrie and The Shining, I am reminded of the reasons why King continues to be one of the most noted novelists of our time. The man can weave stories into intricate and beautiful tapestries of terror like almost no-one else I've ever read. The Shining is an exceptional example of this.
I don't want to go into the story too much- I feel like so much of it is common knowledge already that it would be disrespectful of me to reveal anymore; I don't want to take any mystery out of it for anyone who hasn't read the book or seen the movie (although, the writing is solid enough that I could probably give you a straight-up play-by-play and you would still, upon reading about Jack Torrance and the Overlook Hotel, feel your heart race against your ribs as you draw closer and closer- yet somehow also as far away as possible- from the pages of the book in sheer, fascinated horror). Therefore, I will only say the following: King knows how to develop a setting, and, especially, very complex characters. His careful disclosure of detail makes his fictional, supernatural world real. He states some elements of the paranormal as accepted fact- there's no question that certain things (a child being psychic, for one) are just the way they are. King doesn't waste time explaining the rationality of the situation, it just is. I LOVE this, as it disallows one to argue the point and stumble into contemptuous disbelief (of course the kid is precognitive- there's no need to defend the truth). This realism is what makes the scary parts of the tale all the more breathtaking. These are real people in this very real- even if it's purely mental- situation!
King is also gifted in building suspense! In his earlier work he dishes out just the right amount of foreshadowing in the form of vaguely ominous anecdotes, metaphors, and symbolism. This sense of foreboding is mixed with straight up telling you, the reader, within the first thirty pages of the book, almost exactly what is going to be happening during the climax of the story, leaving out just enough detail to get you hooked and lusting to know how the characters (to whom you've already started to become attached) end up in the truly frightening situation King has shown you would come. In The Shining, this cocktail of of revelation and mystery keeps one reading until, three hundred pages in, something actually happens (is that a spoiler? It might not actually be 300 pages- you'll have to read to find out!), and you're quietly crying out in anguish and disbelief.
I haven't yet finished the book- I may be up very late tonight, with my breath coming in short, anxious bursts, knees knocking together involuntarily- but most definitely recommend it to mature readers everywhere who can appreciate solid, creative, and chilling storytelling. You may only read it once, but you won't regret it. I promise.
I'll have to tell you guys about my other fave things another Friday- hopefully there will be plenty more to come! Enjoy this one!
Much Love,
Adam