jesstheaudiobookworm
Written on Oct 21, 2016
An epic war between good and evil, a gory, glorious story that will thrill the millions of hyper-devoted readers of The Shining and wildly satisfy anyone new to the territory of this icon in the King canon.
King says he wanted to know what happened to Danny Torrance, the boy at the heart of The Shining, after his terrible experience in the Overlook Hotel. The instantly riveting Doctor Sleep picks up the story of the now middle-aged Dan, working at a hospice in rural New Hampshire, and the very special twelve-year old girl he must save from a tribe of murderous paranormals.
On highways across America, a tribe of people called The True Knot travel in search of sustenance. They look harmless - mostly old, lots of polyester, and married to their RVs. But as Dan Torrance knows, and tween Abra Stone learns, The True Knot are quasi-immortal, living off the 'steam' that children with the 'shining' produce when they are slowly tortured to death.
Haunted by the inhabitants of the Overlook Hotel where he spent one horrific childhood year, Dan has been drifting for decades, desperate to shed his father's legacy of despair, alcoholism, and violence. Finally, he settles in a New Hampshire town, an AA community that sustains him and a job at a nursing home where his remnant 'shining' power provides the crucial final comfort to the dying. Aided by a prescient cat, he becomes 'Doctor Sleep.'
Then Dan meets the evanescent Abra Stone, and it is her spectacular gift, the brightest shining ever seen, that reignites Dan's own demons and summons him to a battle for Abra's soul and survival . . .
(P)2013 Simon & Schuster Audio
- ISBN10 1451698860
- ISBN13 9781451698862
- Publish Date 26 July 2016 (first published 15 January 2013)
- Publish Status Out of Stock
- Out of Print 15 August 2024
- Publisher Simon & Schuster
- Imprint Pocket Books
- Format Paperback (US Tall Rack)
- Pages 672
- Language English
Reviews
Rinn
Written on Sep 18, 2014
Ever since I heard that Stephen King was writing a sequel to The Shining, I knew I would have to get my hands on a copy somehow. And then, lo and behold, the wonderful Hodder sent me a copy to review! I apologise for how long it took for me to finally get around to reading and reviewing it, but it was most definitely worth the wait.
If you’re not familiar with The Shining, I would definitely advise reading it before moving on to Doctor Sleep. Whilst it’s not necessary to have read it and I think you would have no issues following the story, it adds so much more depth. Echoes of moments in The Shining, similar scenes and lines come back to haunt the reader. Despite there being over thirty years between the events of the first book, and the final events of Doctor Sleep, the two books felt so interconnected in many ways.
This is definitely one of those books that’s difficult to review, in that you don’t want to stop and make notes – you want to just keep on reading. One of my best friends mentioned that it was one of those books she just couldn’t stop reading and there wasn’t a dull moment – when someone says something like that you know you have to check for yourself, and she was definitely right. Although I didn’t find it as creepy as The Shining (it was the topiary that got me last time), there was a constant eerie undertone and real sense of danger, to both Abra and Dan.
Speaking of Abra, she could have been a precocious and annoying little kid, with these strange talents to show off, but instead she was witty and mature, if a little naive at times. But that was good, it kept her grounded and reminded the reader that she was just a child. And as for Dan, I felt the book was a really interesting exploration into a character who was created over thirty years ago and not necessarily intended to have a sequel.
Considering that I haven’t been making much time for reading lately, this was definitely the right book to get me back into the swing of things. With a highly original concept, creepy undertones and some great characters, it definitely deserves five stars in my book – but could we expect anything less from Mr. Stephen King?
celinenyx
Written on Aug 7, 2014
It's impossible not to compare Doctor Sleep with its prequel, The Shining. It makes sense, but in many ways the comparison is unfair. Although The Shining is a static work, the author isn't. It has been over thirty years ago that The Shining has been published, yet it has only been a little over half a year ago since I read it. The Shining is fresh in my mind in the way it's probably not for older Stephen King fans.
Doctor Sleep continues the story of Danny, now Dan. It mainly concentrates on his adult life, and how the happenings in the Overlook hotel have shaped him as a person.
There are two reasons I didn't enjoy Doctor Sleep as much as I hoped to. First of all, I felt like there just wasn't enough of it. Although this book has between 500 and 600 pages, depending on your edition, I wanted more. I wanted more insights into Danny's life as a kid after, and more about his struggles in adult life, and more about him working as a hospice. I wanted to get to know Abra better, to really get to understand her. I wouldn't have minded another hundred pages if they were used to extend our knowledge of our characters.
The second is one that has been mentioned by other reviewers, and that is that the big thread in the book isn't very threatening. There is a club of people called the True Knot that kill kids with the shining to suck it out of them, and they want Abra, a girl with plenty of shining. This part of the book didn't sit well with me - sure, she has a lot of shining, of course you want her - but it didn't click for me. There was no reason why the True would want Abra SO BADLY. On top of that, we as a reader never truly fear for Abra.
In a way, I was disappointed by Doctor Sleep it wasn't what I was expecting or hoping for. On the other hand, it's still a great book, and it doesn't taint the memory of The Shining in any way. I respect that Doctor Sleep cannot be the same as The Shining, because there is no way to top that book. The direction Mr King took is a smart one, and I still enjoyed this book.
clq
Written on Apr 24, 2014
And, who would have known, that King guy is really good at writing a story.
Fortunately Doctor Sleep isn't "Danny, part 2", and plenty of new characters are introduced, and much of the story plays out without Danny being a part of it at all.
The story seems perfectly paced, gets just complex enough to be interesting without getting annoying, never becomes predictable, and ends just on time. The book has some thrilling moments, but also some really beautiful ones. The characters are established well, and easy to care about.
No, Doctor Sleep is not a book that will transform anyone's life, and it is not a book that sets out to make any deep points or statements. It is just a story, but an extremely well told and entertaining story, and, in my opinion, a better one than The Shining.
kimbacaffeinate
Written on Sep 30, 2013
King weaves several threads together as we meet up with Dan Torrance as a child, and then fast forward to him as a struggling adult. We also meet a group known as the “True Knot.” They travel as a group across America in RV’s as they search of substance. We also dip into the life of Abra Stone, growing with her from an infant to snarky twelve year old. The True Knot feed on the “steam” of children or as Dick Halloran referred to it in The Shining the “shining.” The tale that unfolds was weaves these stories together keeping the reader on the edge of their seat.
I have said this before, but it is worth mentioning again; King is the master of flawed, quirky characters that draw the reader in. Dan is all grown up, struggling and still struggling with the shine. I still see the little boy in this complicated man and loved watching him transform throughout the novel. My feelings for him were like those of a parent; sometimes I wanted to hug him and other times send him to his room. Abra Stone is a brave little warrior whom I adored her. For all of Dan’s darkness, she is light. I loved watching them interact and felt their connection. Rose the leader of the True Knot was a perfect villain and King described her perfectly bringing her to life before my eyes. Even the secondary characters impressed me in this tale and added depth to the story.
Doctor Sleep was brilliant, and I am so glad King chose to listen to that inner voice that kept asking “what if.” I am not going to share any details as I fear spoilers. The world was fleshed out, and my understanding of the “shine” clearer. All of the different POV’s and their interaction to one another made this tale incredible and suspenseful. While I was not scared, after all I am no longer a twelve year old, reading this in bed with a flashlight, but I got the shivers once or twice. The tale unfolds at an incredible pace, with moments of tension, and then a slowing as we gained insight. All of the voices and threads came together to propel us towards the climatic ending. I loved King’s descriptive voice as he brought both the characters and the world to life. The tale unfolding like a movie in my head and I achieved that book high I crave, losing myself within its pages.
For fans of King and the Shining, Doctor Sleep is not to be missed.
Before picking this up, clear your schedule as I can assure you, you will not be able to put it down. A thrilling page turner, King, has done it again.
Copy received in exchange for unbiased review and originally published @ Caffeinated Book Reviewer