Classics Without All the Class discussion

This is not my area of expertise here, but I figured I'd get a folder up and running.
For those of you who don't know, I hate scary stories and horror movies. Very rarely does one come up that I enjoy.
I think all of my spooky habits were worn out when my friends and I had annual Halloween parties when I was younger, and all of my scary story nerves are still repairing themselves. Ha.


So how do you guys plan on going about picking up the book? Did you buy or borrow it? Is it a physical copy, ebook, audio version?
I think a lot of people have probably seen the movie version of this book, if you have how does that affect your approach to reading it?

I picked up an old second hand copy and loved reading and comparing it to the creepy movie, which was on TV a lot back in the day. I think they complement each other fairly well. Can't wait to read Doctor Sleep now, finally, this month and see what happens to Danny.

I read The Shining before Doctor Sleep release and read it basically couple chapters from book and then watched how Kubric made it in the movie. Not probably the best way to re-read it but this has never been among my favorite Kings. I remember to watch also King's own tv-movie version of this, not sure how different it was. (Somehow I have always felt that movie/tv serie of this stuff sucks more of less. I might be wrong)

(view spoiler)[ Doctor sleep was good writing but it felt more like the second part of trilogy, not too much the end for my taste (hide spoiler)]

I have never read any Stephen King novels and normally don't really enjoy these kind of books (love scary/horrormovies though!). I have seen the first 30 minutes of the movie years ago, but never finished it. I have been looking for a cheap secondhand copy of the book for weeks (ever since I knew this would be the October-read), but haven't found it yet. I will keep on searching, to be continued!

I got the ebook from the library on my Kindle. Haven't started reading it yet but watched part of the movie on TV today.

I got a copy of the audiobook from my county library 2 or 3 weeks ago and am about 40% through. It's due Friday and I can't renew it because all 5 copies are out and there are "holds" now. I will probably switch to a paper copy for the 2nd half- there are a couple of those available from the library. I've done that before. I do about 1/3 of my reading in audiobook and 2/3 in paper books. Usually I can get what I want from the library, if not I buy a used copy through Internet order.
I watched the old movie once long ago, but find myself thinking about young Jack Nicholson as Jack Torrance. In reading the novel I don't think he really fit the part that well. Jake Gyllenhall would be a good fit in my opinion!

After I download something to my Kindle from the library I make sure the WI-FI is turned off until I finish reading it. That way even if the lending period expires it will remain on my Kindle until I connect to WI-FI again.

Since I'm older (a few months younger than Stephen King) I read The Shining when it first came out in paperback (back then they were pretty much all mass market paperbacks). Also saw the movie when it came out. Right now I'm reading Doctor Sleep.

I read this book for the first time a few months ago and I really enjoyed it. I also read Doctor Sleep right after, and I enjoyed it too...as long as I didn't connect the books. They are written in a very different style - I think everyone's style evolves over time. I liked both, but I preferred The Shining.

Donna wrote: "Since I'm older (a few months younger than Stephen King) I read The Shining when it first came out in paperback (back then they were pretty much all mass market paperbacks). Also saw the movie when..."

Donna - let me know what you think!

I just finished The Shining on kindle. I was late for work this morning because i had to know how it ended!

I've bought The Shining for the Kindle, but I haven't started reading it yet. I've read, and been pleasurably scared by, other King novels (most notably, It), but I've never read this one. I did see the movie, but I wasn't particularly impressed or scared.

I'm curious to see how I respond to the book.

Doris, I think you will like the book. I enjoyed the movie but now that I have read it, I realize how many liberties Stanley Kubrik took with the story. The story has so much more depth to it and the ending is WOW!

Liked the book and even though when I read it I pictured the movie cast in the book, I felt the film was a bit of a snooze fest

I have never read Stephen King or seen a horror movie. I have a copy from the library. This will be interesting.

Leah wrote: "I have never read Stephen King or seen a horror movie. I have a copy from the library. This will be interesting."

I'd never read Stephen King until reading this a few months ago, and never seen a strong horror film. My biggest surprise with the book was how unscary it was!

Honestly most horror isn't scary. You want scary read a thriller about serial killers

I read this book years ago, and I loved it. The movie definitely didn't do it justice.

Travis of NNY wrote: "Honestly most horror isn't scary. You want scary read a thriller about serial killers"<

I agree. The kind of Horror I read is scary in an entertaining way but if it hits too close to home, something that truly gets under my skin in real life, I don't have any desire to read or watch it. I think everyone is different though in where they draw the line between entertainment and terrifying torment. The Shining is lurid and grotesque at times but overall I see it as a tale of ghosts and possession with vulnerable characters and in very ominous setting.

For me also the level of scariness in any horror novel depends a lot on time and setting. Generally if you are home reading it alone at midnight you will be spooked much more than reading in broad daylight. There definitely are a few scenes coming to mind in The Shining that should send shivers up your spine though.

Colleen wrote: "Donna wrote: "Since I'm older (a few months younger than Stephen King) I read The Shining when it first came out in paperback (back then they were pretty much all mass market paperbacks). Also saw ..."

So far I'm enjoying Doctor Sleep and am just over half-way though. We went away for the weekend or I'd be done with it by now. It gets creepier and creepier as it goes along. It's different from The Shining, but obviously very connected. There's a dose of AA in this book, but it's all part of the story and isn't preachy. King knows of what he speaks. He says in the afterward that "the man who wrote Doctor Sleep is very different from the well-meaning alcoholic who wrote The Shining, but both remain interested in the same thing: telling a kickass story." He is still telling kickass stories as far as I'm concerned, and I'll read anything he writes, although I've never read any of The Dark Tower books for some reason.

A friend of mine bought the book and I just borrowed it. I will start reading tonight, it will be my first Stephen King novel, so don't know what to expect ;)

@Donna - I jut finished Dr. Sleep and I thought it was brilliant. I thought King did a really nice job of it and it came full circle, tying up some ends. I definitely have to get to some more of his work, including The Dark Towers.

Does this book have a similar pace as other thrillers? I am amazed how much everyday-ish content and backstory flashbacks there are. I'm half way through the novel and there has been only a few slithers hinting of potential supernatural threats or plot development.

I have never think King very horror, like you said, there are many everyday stuff here and I especially like his writing. I guess his reputation as horror writer comes subject he has choosen and of course, earlier stuff feeling maybe quite intense and while placing story very ordinary scenery makes it more believeable, for me at least. More like, this could happen..

I finished the book last night and liked it (rated it 4 stars). In the first half of the book there were some scary/eerie moments. I was reading it at night while I was home alone, so that helps. For me, books (and movies for that matter) are scary when you don't know what's going on. So in the beginning when (view spoiler)[ Danny sees the women in the tub or when Jack thinks he saw the hedges move, you don't really know what's going on or how the story is going to evolve. Those parts were scary for me. But in the end, when the whole hotel comes to life with ghosts, the big party, the attack of the hedges etc., that was a bit too much and therefore not so scary anymore. (hide spoiler)]

It was my first Stephen King novel. I never read his books, I guess because of the popularity of the books. But I liked the writing and the setting, so I think I will read more of his work. I can choose between Christine, Carrie and Misery, which do you recommend?

Carrie and Christine were early works. Of the two, I liked Carrie. Misery was later on and really scared me. Another one about being stick in a snow storm! Great movie too. I have not been interested in a lot of King's more recent novels (I do plan to read Dr Sleep) but I read a lot of the earlier ones. My favorites were The Dead Zone and The Green Mile. Neither of these are particularly scary but I loved the characters. Both books made me cry which doesn't often happen.

Carrie is really good. Misery is really good, the audio for misery as well. Chtistine is really good but a slow burn. A lot of story without always a lot happening.

Cujo is an awful book in my opinion. 11/22/63 is really good if you enjoy a sci fi time travel / historical fiction

I finally got another copy of The Shining from the library after having to turn in my audiobook when halfway. Amazing how popular it still is; or do we have a bunch of "Classics..." members in Salt Lake City? Now 60% through so I can finish ok by Halloween.
I like how King used an interaction between Jack's alcoholism-in-recovery and the evil spirit of The Overlook- more creative writing than you'd normally see in the horror genre, so I understand a little better why it was and still is so popular.

I loved Carrie too. I haven't ready Misery, but I definitely would like to.

Doris wrote: "I've bought The Shining for the Kindle, but I haven't started reading it yet. I've read, and been pleasurably scared by, other King novels (most notably, It), but I've never read this one. I did se..."

Well, this was disappointing. As with the movie, I didn't find any of the main characters particularly likeable. I only really liked Dick Halloran (whom I don't remember as having all that prominent a role in the movie). And it wasn't even scary.

As far as King's works go, I'd say It, 'Salems Lot, or Carrie are much scarier and more satisfying.

I agree I don't find The Shining that scary. It had moments, but it was not a hide the book in the freezer scary. I'd like some good suggestions on that scary! I love Dick Halloran and yes I don't like that he was hardly in the movie as he was one of my favorites.