Book review

All three characters have incredible depth; Wendy is more than just Jack’s wife - she is a woman, who, in a declining relationship is torn between what is best for her and her son; she is a woman afraid of failing as parent, like her own mother believed she would; she is a woman who wholeheartedly loves her family but is still quietly jealous of the close bond between her husband and son. Wendy is real. King plays with your emotions, laying out characters with faults yet still managing to inspire pity, sorrow, and fondness as their roles evolve. Additionally, King has developed a sense of realism in the characters interactions with each other. One (of the many) scene(s) that makes me physically ache takes place in chapter 9; Danny asks “What’s R-O-Q-U-E, daddy?” To which Jack replies “A game...I’ll teach you to play it, if you want.” (68) Though the dialogue itself reveals little, this chapter is significant in its dedication to the Torrance family dynamic post-alcoholism, pre-hotel - a time in between; here, yet untainted by their stay in the Overlook, Wendy and Jack are young, innocent, and in love again, and Danny is elated. It doesn’t seem like a particularly large moment, but it, alongside many others, amount to much in developing the characters.

The Shining explores various forms of abuse. In one instance, abuse, of the physical variety, can be found in Jack’s father unto his mother, evolved into anger issues and eventual alcoholism - major plot points for the novel. Alcoholism in itself devolves into a dozen other issues - jealousy, anger, suspicion, distrust - all contributing to the rise and fall of the three main characters.