The Shining - Stephen King - A Short Summary and Review
The Shining - Stephen King - A Short Summary and Review
By: a.d. elliott | Take the Back Roads - Art and Other Odd Adventures
A Rite of Fancy Book Recommendation and Review
A short summary:
When the Torrance family takes on winter caretaker duties at the isolated Overlook Hotel, it seems like a fresh start. Instead, it becomes a slow descent into terror. Cut off by snow and surrounded by the hotel’s dark past, Jack Torrance’s fragility collides with a place that feeds on anger, addiction, and unresolved violence.
Through young Danny, whose psychic “shining” makes him especially vulnerable, the Overlook reveals its secrets. The question isn’t simply whether the hotel is haunted, but how much of its horror comes from what it amplifies inside the people trapped there.
My favorite quote from the book:
Questions to ponder while reading:
My review:
This book is scary, creepy, and, yes, fun.
Stephen King layers supernatural horror with a very real human breakdown, making the story work on multiple levels. The Overlook Hotel is terrifying, but Jack’s unraveling is just as frightening. Together, they create a claustrophobic, relentless sense of dread that builds page by page.
Danny’s story is the emotional core, and it’s the reason The Shining lingers long after the last chapter. King balances shocks with psychology, making the horror feel earned rather than gratuitous.
Two important notes for readers:
-
Finish Daniel’s story in Doctor Sleep—it adds depth and closure, reframing the original.
-
And if you ever find yourself in Colorado, stop by the Stanley Hotel on a Rocky Mountain road trip. You’ll never look at grand old hotels the same way again.
_____________________________________________________________________________
About the Author
a.d. elliott is a wanderer, photographer, and storyteller traveling through life
She shares her journeys at Take the Back Roads, explores new reads at Rite of Fancy, and highlights U.S. military biographies at Everyday Patriot.
You can also browse her online photography gallery at shop.takethebackroads.com.
✨ #TakeTheBackRoads
Enjoyed this post? Support the adventure by visiting my sponsors, shopping the gallery, or buying me a cup of coffee!
