Et cetera : What We're Reading: The Shining

One of my favorite films to watch every Autumn is 'The Shining' directed by Stanley Kubrick, so I finally decided it was time to read the Stephen King novel it was adapted from.

Jack Torrance is an alcoholic, struggling author and teacher supporting his wife and young son when he’s fired from his teaching position after physically attacking a student. An old, wealthy friend (also an alcoholic) pulls some strings and lands Jack a job as the winter caretaker of a remote mountain hotel, closed off each year due to heavy snow. As the season drags on, Jack slowly unravels while his young son’s mysterious sixth sense reveals a chilling otherworldly presence in the hotel.

Stephen King powerfully explores the destructive nature of addiction—especially alcoholism—in a way that the film, limited to 144 minutes, just didn't have the time to develop fully enough to make the watcher feel empathy for Jack.

Still, I personally prefer Kubrick’s masterpiece on screen. Could Kubrick have created such an iconic film without the foundation of King’s novel? Absolutely not. Will I reread 'The Shining' again and again? Probably not—but I’ll continue to revisit Kubrick’s haunting film every Autumn.

Happy reading (and watching), friends!

~Heather