Book Review: Doctor Sleep

The Shining is regarded as one of the greatest horror stories of all time. Its author, Stephen King, is known as the king of horror stories, and rightly so.

 

Carrie, It, Pet Sematary… They have scared the bejeezus out of millions of people over the past four decades. But The Shining was the one that people would always ask King about.

 

“What happened to Danny from The Shining?!” is a question King has said he has been asked frequently since the books release in 1977. The author has admitted himself that the issue never really left him.

 

It has only taken 36 years, but King has finally gone and done it. Avid fans of The Shining will be hoping King has finally answered those all important questions: what happened to Danny, Wendy and Dick Hallorann, and do the ghosts of the Overlook Hotel still haunt the talented little boy who shined?

 

The answer: Yes.

 

To reach The Shining’s quality was going to be a tough ask, even for someone as qualified as King. But it was important that any follow-up did two things: answer the right questions, and retain the spirit of the original. King manages to do both.

 

Firstly: all the main players of The Shining are involved, or mentioned, someway or another, so there whereabouts are dealt with. You can all breathe now!

 

Danny ‘Doc’ Torrance is now an adult. We catch Dan in a real rough patch to begin with, but then we are taken on a journey with him that continues into his forties and happier times.

The plot of Doctor Sleep revolves around Dan, a young girl and some Vampire-esq creatures, who are not exactly Vampires, but are not human… You will get the picture if you read it. They are the bad guys – that is all you need to know at this stage.

 

King encapsulates the past (The Overlook Hotel) with the present perfectly. Although it lacks the scare-factor of The Shining and other King classics, Doctor Sleep still has the potential to make people squirm in their seats.

 

It is a real journey we undertake with Dan; one which goes full circle. He is a troubled man, but as the book goes on, your feelings for the little boy we read about being tormented in The Overlook Hotel all those years ago will grow to a position of respect and admiration.

 

It may take you some time to get fully engrossed into King's latest novel, but stick with it. Slowly but surely you will get gripped, with an excellent twist heading your way in the latter stages.

 

Doctor Sleep is a very enjoyable follow-up to a classic. King has done a very good job in tying up the loose ends of The Shining in a way no one would have expected.

 

7/10