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The Shining

By: Stephen King
Narrated by: Campbell Scott
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Publisher's summary

Before Doctor Sleep, there was The Shining, a classic of modern American horror from the undisputed master, Stephen King.

Jack Torrance's new job at the Overlook Hotel is the perfect chance for a fresh start. As the off-season caretaker at the atmospheric old hotel, he'll have plenty of time to spend reconnecting with his family and working on his writing. But as the harsh winter weather sets in, the idyllic location feels ever more remote...and more sinister. And the only one to notice the strange and terrible forces gathering around the Overlook is Danny Torrance, a uniquely gifted five-year-old.

©1977 Stephen King (P)2005 Random House Audio
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Critic reviews

"A master storyteller." ( Los Angeles Times)
"He's the author who can always make the improbable so scary you'll feel compelled to check the locks on the front door." ( The Boston Globe)
"Scary!... Serves up horrors at a brisk, unflagging pace." ( The New York Times)

Featured Article: Audible Essentials—The Top 100 Screen Adaptations of All Time


As the category of great page-to-screen storytelling continues to grow, we scoured our libraries, grilled audiophiles and cinephiles, and vetted the entire Audible catalog for the 100 greatest screen adaptations for watchers and listeners alike. These are the stories that inspired some of the greatest on-screen stories of all time, from Academy Award winners and cult classics to must-see TV. They're well worth the price of admission.

What listeners say about The Shining

Average customer ratings
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Read before you see (if it's possible >40 yrs)

Before you see the movie (if that's even possible), its remake, or the sequel, you MUST read/listen to this version. Much like any SK novel, your imagination and his words can take you places a silver screen cannot. Additionally, Doctor Sleep, while not completely detached from The Shining's movie version, pairs so much better with the novel's original ending. I could picture Jack, Shelley, and Scatman in the book which was an interesting feature, but with King's character development, it's not even necessary. My goal is to only read/listen to SK novels before ever watching the movie version. Since I was a young girl, KING is the master of the horror/thriller in my world - I was happy to find this little nugget after so many years of only knowing the move.

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4 people found this helpful

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Classic. Makes the movie look silly

What a great book. Well written, exciting and very well narrated!

I watched the movie after finishing and was utterly disappointed by it

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3 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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perfect narration

Campbell Scott is the perfect choice for narrating, he takes you in the story, he is what a masterpiece like this deserves.

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2 people found this helpful

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One of My Favorite King Stories

I really, really enjoyed this story. It is an excellent, truly unsettling horror story, filled with some of my favorite character development of any of King's stories. I particularly enjoyed the character development of Jack Torrence. It made me understand why Stephen King was critical of Stanley Kubrick's film adaptation.

Even knowing what was going to happen, I was regularly on edge listening to this. I listened to it in the weeks leading up to Halloween, and it was the perfect spooky story to set the mood for the upcoming holiday.

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One of the best books ever!

Hands down one of Stephen King's best novels ever written. Keeps you on the edge of your seat throughout the book. I enjoy it just as much every time I read it.

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wonderful reading of a classic novel

Campbell Scott really captured Stephen King's characters in a praiseworthy performance and reading. Excellent interpretation

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Better than I thought

The begining did drag, but it quickly picked up. I loved the movie, but the book of course fleshed it out even more. This is how it should have been.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars
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didn't like the narrator

The narrator had the same monotone droning voice throughout the entire book. The books tone is dark and somber but that doesn't excuse him from sounding bored

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    5 out of 5 stars
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King at his best.

I read this many years ago but decided to listen this time. Glad I did. Great story, great writing, as usual. King's earlier works are his best. In conclusion, Campbell Scott's narration is excellent. Highly recommended. This is one of his best books, not the best but top 3 for certain.

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Powerful and thought provoking

Don't waste your time with the movie it doesn't hold a candle to the book. You get to know and understand the characters here. It answers so many questions.

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