The Shining

“The Shining” is a gripping horror novel penned by the acclaimed author Stephen King. Published in 1977, the narrative unfolds around the Torrance family: Jack, his wife Wendy, and their young son, Danny. Jack Torrance, an aspiring writer and recovering alcoholic, accepts a position as the off-season caretaker of the isolated Overlook Hotel in the Colorado Rockies. Jack sees the solitude of the hotel as an opportunity to focus on his writing and mend his relationship with his family. Their son, Danny, is a unique child with an extraordinary gift known as “the shining”. This ability allows him to read minds, communicate telepathically, and witness past and potential future events. Danny’s gift unveils the malevolent nature of the hotel. Unbeknownst to the family, the Overlook Hotel has a dark past filled with illicit affairs, brutal murders, and mob- related violence. As a winter storm traps the family within the hotel, the sinister forces residing in the hotel start to erode Jack’s sanity, putting his wife and son in peril. “The Shining” is a haunting tale of isolation, addiction, and familial bonds, all wrapped in a suspenseful and psychologically terrifying plot. King’s storytelling prowess shines through, creating an eerie atmosphere that keeps readers captivated. The novel’s popularity led to its adaptation into a film in 1980 and a miniseries in 1997. A sequel, “Doctor Sleep”, was published in 2013 and adapted into a film in 2019.