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Blink 3 of 8 - The 5 AM Club
by Robin Sharma
The Shining summary
Stephen King
Brief summary
The Shining is a gripping psychological horror novel by Stephen King. It tells the story of the Torrance family, who become the winter caretakers of the isolated Overlook Hotel. As the hotel's dark past haunts them, they struggle to survive the malevolent forces within.
Table of Contents
The Shining
Summary of key ideas
The Haunting of the Overlook Hotel
In The Shining by Stephen King, we are introduced to the Torrance family: Jack, Wendy, and their five-year-old son, Danny. Jack, a recovering alcoholic and aspiring writer, takes a job as the off-season caretaker of the Overlook Hotel, a remote and grand hotel in the Colorado Rockies. The family moves into the hotel, unaware of its dark history and the supernatural forces that reside within its walls.
Danny, who possesses psychic abilities he calls 'the shining', is able to see the hotel's horrific past and its malevolent spirits. He befriends the hotel's cook, Dick Hallorann, who also shares this gift. Hallorann warns Danny about the hotel's dangerous nature and advises him to stay away from Room 217, a room with a particularly sinister history.
The Hotel's Dark Influence
As the winter sets in, the hotel becomes snowbound, cutting off the Torrance family from the outside world. Jack, who is supposed to be working on his writing, becomes increasingly frustrated and aggressive. The hotel's malevolent influence begins to take hold of him, exploiting his weaknesses and driving him to madness. Meanwhile, Danny's psychic abilities continue to grow, and he becomes more aware of the hotel's sinister nature.
As the days pass, the hotel's ghosts become more active, tormenting the family. Danny is particularly targeted by the ghost of a woman who died in Room 217. Jack, on the other hand, is influenced by the hotel's malevolent forces, which prey on his weaknesses and past failures, pushing him further into insanity.
The Final Showdown
As the hotel's influence over Jack grows stronger, he becomes increasingly violent and dangerous. Wendy, fearing for her and Danny's safety, tries to escape with her son, but Jack, now fully under the hotel's control, becomes their greatest threat. In a terrifying climax, Jack, armed with a roque mallet, hunts Danny through the hotel's hedge maze, while Wendy and Hallorann try to find and save him.
In a thrilling showdown, Danny outsmarts his father, leading him into the maze and covering his tracks. Meanwhile, Wendy and Hallorann arrive in time to save Danny from the freezing cold. Jack, lost and disoriented in the maze, succumbs to the elements and dies. The Torrance family survives, but the Overlook Hotel, with its malevolent spirits, remains standing.
The Aftermath
In the aftermath, Wendy, Danny, and Hallorann escape the hotel, leaving its dark history behind. The hotel, now fully under the control of its malevolent spirits, consumes Jack's soul, turning him into one of its permanent residents. The novel ends with a chilling image of a vintage photograph in the hotel's hallway, showing a smiling Jack Torrance, now a part of the hotel's sinister history.
In conclusion, The Shining is a gripping and terrifying tale of a family's descent into madness and the malevolent forces that drive them there. Stephen King's masterful storytelling and vivid descriptions make the Overlook Hotel a character in its own right, a place where the line between reality and the supernatural blurs, and the darkest corners of the human psyche are laid bare.
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What is The Shining about?
The Shining is a gripping novel by Stephen King that tells the story of the Torrance family, who move into the isolated Overlook Hotel for the winter. As the hotel becomes snowbound, terrifying supernatural forces start to take hold, driving the father, Jack, to madness and putting his wife and son in grave danger. This chilling tale explores themes of isolation, addiction, and the power of the supernatural.
The Shining Review
The Shining (1977) is a captivating horror novel that will keep you on the edge of your seat. Here's why this book is worth reading:
- With its exquisite suspense and supernatural elements, it provides an eerie and thrilling reading experience.
- The book explores complex psychological themes such as isolation, madness, and the dark secrets of the human mind.
- Stephen King's masterful storytelling creates vivid and memorable characters, making the book an unforgettable journey into the depths of terror.
Who should read The Shining?
- Readers who enjoy psychological horror and supernatural phenomena
- Fans of Stephen King's writing style and storytelling ability
- Those interested in exploring themes of family dysfunction and the human psyche
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The Shining FAQs
What is the main message of The Shining?
The main message of The Shining is a chilling exploration of isolation and the dark forces that lurk within us.
How long does it take to read The Shining?
The reading time for The Shining varies depending on the reader, but it typically takes several hours. The Blinkist summary can be read in just a few minutes.
Is The Shining a good book? Is it worth reading?
The Shining is a must-read for any fan of psychological horror. It's a captivating and suspenseful story that will keep you on the edge of your seat.
Who is the author of The Shining?
The author of The Shining is Stephen King.
How many chapters are in The Shining?
The Shining is divided into chapters, but they don't have titles.
How many pages are in The Shining?
The Shining contains approximately 447 pages.
When was The Shining published?
The Shining was published in 1977.
What to read after The Shining?
If you're wondering what to read next after The Shining, here are some recommendations we suggest:
- Where Good Ideas Come From by Steven Johnson
- The Art Of Non-Conformity by Chris Guillebeau
- A Whole New Mind by Daniel H. Pink
- Theory U by C. Otto Scharmer
- The Design of Everyday Things by Donald A. Norman
- The Innovator ’s Dilemma# by Clayton M. Christensen
- The War of Art by Steven Pressfield
- Creativity, Inc. by Ed Catmull with Amy Wallace
- Think Like a Freak by Steven D. Levitt and Stephen J. Dubner
- The Laws of Simplicity by John Maeda