Doctor Sleep... Wow

Submitted by choppamandown t3_119k893 in books

After reading The Shining about a year ago I finally got round to reading the sequel and I was blown away at how good it is, I didn't expect much because I remember watching the film and I don't remember a thing about it.

Saying that, the book will definitely stuck with me. I loved it.

I loved how King built a whole new story off of an already existing one and made it feel completely fresh, I loved how he kept me intrigued throughout and even threw in some intense moments that even had me wide eyed and holding my breath.

It was also interesting to see how much King evolved as a writer throughout the 36 year gap between the books, I obviously should read some more of his work between the timeline before making that comparison though lol.

Anyway thanks to all who recommended it to me, now I have to show my mum it as she's a huge Stephen King fan.

Onto some Shirley Jackson next I think.

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FalselyOptimistic t1_j9mpoh4 wrote

I loved both books and managed to enjoy both films (because I watxhed it long after I read the sequel). What is most interesting is the change in the endings because of the change in The Shining's film ending.

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Peachy_Witchy_Witch t1_j9ny5sr wrote

I thought the Dr Sleep movie did a great job of melding the book to the Shining movie ending without being untrue to the book.

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BlueHero45 t1_j9nrh3e wrote

Doctor Sleep is wonderful. It really feels like two books that merge together at the end. Danny and Abra both have their own plots at first. Dannys journey to sobriety alone is an amazing read.

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acidphosphate69 t1_j9o5p6j wrote

I thought it was okay. I kind of fell out of love with King after Under The Dome and Mr. Mercedes and I read Dr. Sleep around that time and was unimpressed. I find a lot of his newer books are kind of just...meh.

The last King book I really enjoyed was Lisey's Story and The Revivalist but I will admit I haven't read much of anything he's released since.

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choppamandown OP t1_j9pvu5s wrote

I've only read the shinning and doctor sleep but my mum used to read his other stories to me when I was little and from what I can remember they were pretty good

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acidphosphate69 t1_j9qskf5 wrote

My Ma and my aunt were really into his books so I wound up reading almost everything he wrote. I remember she had the Dark Tower books with the illustrations and I was fascinated with them. I actually still have those very books.

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BuckyD1000 t1_j9oeiof wrote

For me it missed the mark. Danny Torrance as a down and out alcoholic trying to navigate life as a broken man who can't come to terms with his weird affliction and the horrific events of his childhood was a great premise. It didn't need the vampire storyline at all.

Unpopular opinion on a King novel I suppose.

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iso_lotus71 t1_j9ofcg2 wrote

I’m of the opinion that most of King’s best work is from his pre-sobriety days. Since then only Gerald’s Game stands out for me but I’ve yet to read a lot of his recent work. The Shining was the first King book I read, I think I was 12. Re-read many times. Not a big fan of the film and Dr. Sleep even less so. Kubrick’s film is great if you divorce any notion that it’s based on the book. This thread has sparked my interest in reading Dr. Sleep. Any other standouts in King’s post-alcoholic period?

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Fest_mkiv t1_j9n9ccw wrote

Really enjoyed this book as well - the stakes felt really high throughout.

I can't watch the film, the murder scene would be too much.

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lawstandaloan t1_j9ofsb2 wrote

> I can't watch the film, the murder scene would be too much.

It was disturbing, for sure

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choppamandown OP t1_j9pvzdt wrote

I'm definitely going to watch the film again to compare them now I know what happens in the book

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D-Spornak t1_j9ork83 wrote

Agreed! Great book!

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foslr t1_j9p3suc wrote

It is a great example of how Stephen King continues to captivate readers with his storytelling abilities and his ability to take classic themes and turn them into something new and exciting.

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choppamandown OP t1_j9pwaf6 wrote

I love the way he builds the characters in his stories, it might just be me getting sucked into the book but it feels as though I actually know them

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oryoznmilk t1_j9moufx wrote

i really hope it's nothing like the film, because that film was a snooze fest for me... no offense

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felonius_thunk t1_j9nhbgi wrote

I just read Fairytale, which is the first new thing I've read by him in 20 years and enjoyed it immensely. Getting sober did wonders for his endings.

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choppamandown OP t1_j9pw3ju wrote

I actually picked that up on release, haven't started it yet though but it's on my 2023 read list

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jonmuller t1_j9pzy21 wrote

I disliked it quite a bit actually. Glad you enjoyed it more than I did, but it's the only King book I've read that I didn't enjoy out of the 9 I've read

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Wilforks t1_j9q4mrr wrote

It was a fun read, it lacked a little dramatic tension as the ending never really seemed in doubt or ever uncertain. The journey was entertaining though.

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Flatpillow_ t1_j9qazn2 wrote

That book was extremely boring, DNF for me

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Darktyde t1_j9qbfmf wrote

Try rewatching the Dr. Sleep movie now. In my opinion it’s actually one of the more well done King movie adaptations, while also still being a sequel to the film version of the Shining, rather than the book.

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TheAres1999 t1_j9qe9l1 wrote

I read that book in college, and really liked it. I need to actually get around to watching the movie though. I think I prefer Dr Sleep to The Shining, but part of that is the movie hadn't been announced yet, so it felt like a hidden gem

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