The Shining

Who it's for

King wrote this as a sober-minded study of a man sliding back toward drink, and has linked it to his own drinking and to frightening feelings of anger toward his children.

Feelings it meets

• Addiction
• Parenting Under Stress
• Childhood Trauma
• Feeling Stuck
• Work–Family Conflict
• Family Roles

What it is

Stephen King's 1977 novel follows Jack Torrance, a struggling writer and recovering alcoholic with a history of violence, who takes a job as winter caretaker of the isolated Overlook Hotel in Colorado. He brings his wife Wendy and young son Danny, who has psychic abilities called 'the shining' that let him sense the hotel's supernatural nature.

Where to find it

In print; widely available from libraries (Libby/Hoopla), and as an audiobook. Still in copyright.

Before you start

Heads up: Child abuse and domestic violence.

Age: Adult (18+)