The Shining, by Stephen King is a classic horror story and a staple of the horror genre. Even if you have not read the book or seen the movie you have probably heard about The Shining. The novel follows a typical 1970’s family; A husband, wife, and a child. An alcoholic father struggles to maintain his sanity while caretaking for a hotel atop a snowy mountain. The suspense will have you on the edge of your seat, unwilling to put the book down.

Stephen King's interpretation of the three main characters is what  drives the novel. Put Jack, Wendy, and Danny Torrence in any environment and a great story is sure to arise. Danny, an introverted and strange child, challenges the relationship between his parents. Wendy, a submissive and agreeable wife, fears her husband holds an overpowering grip on her life. And our main character, Jack Torrence. He’s that ordinary family man, the one who works a 9-5 and comes home to a wife, kid, and house that looks the same as all the others on the block. That one you would never suspect to be capable of such horror. It begs the question “what are people really feeling?” Are they really as ok as they seem, or is there a fire inside of them waiting to be ignited?

The setting of this story ,The Overlook Hotel, is eerie, adding to the horrifying suspense of the novel. Super fans of the novel and movie even debate about the presence and influence of the hotel on Jack Torrance's psychotic break. The hotel has over 200 rooms and only the Torrences to occupy them. So much time away from home in a place that big would make anyone go crazy. From the hotel cook, to the garden, to the lobby. King’s description of this fictional hotel puts a perfect picture in your head of what the Torrances are experiencing.

I read this novel because I was a big fan of the movie—and I was not disappointed. I have never been someone who has particularly loved or had an interest in books, but I couldn't put this book down; it was that suspenseful and entertaining. I would obviously recommend this book to fans of horror and suspenseful books. But if you are not a fan of horror, I would still recommend this book to you. Although The Shining is a staple in the horror genre, horror is just a small part in the genius that is this novel.