My journey into the world of Stephen King continues. This time it takes place at the Overlook Hotel, a grand but isolated resort in the Colorado Rockies. But the hotel is only an accelerator for the deeply troubled family. Or the parents anyway.
Jack Torrance arrives with his family to work as a caretaker for the winter. He hopes to work on his writing. A recovering alcoholic, he's trying to control his violent temper while rebuilding the family's trust and becoming a better husband and father. His relationship with Danny is particularly strong (the boy needs some discipline, real discipline). Wendy, on the other hand, wants to believe in Jack's recovery and tries to support him, while constantly watching for signs that he's going to snap or drink again (she never trusted you, never will, make her sorry).
And then there's The Hotel. The Overlook is not just a setting. It's a force with its own agenda. Feeding the family's weaknesses. Projecting thoughts to multiply their fears, feeding the inner demons. Jack's deeply damaged personality is full and waiting to be unleashed (they all deserve what's coming).
Reading The Shining is a fascinating experience. It's not horror in the true sense of the word. While Room 217 offers some horrific experiences, it's Jack's inner transformation - from a man seeking redemption to a monster from his own past.