Title: Doctor Sleep
Author: Stephen King
First published September 24, 2013
531 pages, Hardcover
ISBN: 9781476727653 (ISBN10: 1476727651)
Rating: 4.12
Overview
Stephen King is a master of horror whose writing captivates millions of fans with its unique and powerful narrative drive. In this chilling volume, three of King’s classic tales are brought together in their complete and unabridged form.
Readers will be ensnared in a web of everyday surroundings, believable situations, and recognizable characters who are eventually caught up in unimaginable terror. Experience the explosive adolescent powers of Carrie, the slow and insidious corruption of a small American town by a terrorizing vampire in ‘Salem’s Lot, and the malicious machinations of the Overlook Hotel and the gift of the “shine” in The Shining.
This collection is a must-have for any horror fan looking for a truly chilling read.
About the Author
Stephen Edwin King was born into a family of four, with his father Donald and mother Nellie Ruth Pillsbury King. However, his father left the family when he was only two years old.
Stephen and his brother David were raised by their mother, who moved around to different places with them. They lived in Fort Wayne, Indiana for a while, where his father’s family was, as well as Stratford, Connecticut.
Eventually, they settled in Durham, Maine when Stephen was eleven, where they took care of his grandparents who were too old to take care of themselves.
Stephen went to grammar school in Durham and then Lisbon Falls High School before graduating in 1966. While at the University of Maine at Orono, he wrote a weekly column for the school newspaper, THE MAINE CAMPUS, and was involved in student politics.
He became an advocate for the anti-war movement, believing that the war in Vietnam was unconstitutional. After graduating in 1970 with a degree in English, he was deemed unfit for military service due to various health conditions.
Stephen met Tabitha Spruce while working at the Fogler Library at the University of Maine, and they got married in January of 1971. However, Stephen was unable to find a job as a teacher right away, so they lived off his earnings as a laborer and Tabitha’s savings and student loans.
He sold his first short story, “The Glass Floor” in 1967, and continued to sell stories to men’s magazines throughout the early years of his marriage. Many of these stories were later published in collections or anthologies.
In 1971, Stephen began teaching English at Hampden Academy while continuing to work on his writing during his free time.
Editoral Review
Doctor Sleep is a thrilling and emotionally charged masterpiece that leaves readers on the edge of their seats. Stephen King, one of the greatest writers of the horror genre, published this book on September 24, 2013, and it serves as a sequel to his widely-read novel The Shining.
Doctor Sleep explores the conflicts and struggles of Dan Torrance, who is still dealing with his traumatic past at the Overlook Hotel. The novel delves into themes of addiction, family relationships, and self-discovery, and is an impressive display of King’s genius writing abilities.
Doctor Sleep follows the life of Dan Torrance, a man who is dealing with his past traumas and the demons that haunt him. After leaving the Overlook Hotel, Dan spends years dealing with addiction and trying to find a new purpose in life.
Dan discovers that he has telepathic abilities, known as “The Shining”, which allow him to communicate with a young girl named Abra. Abra, who also has “The Shining”, becomes the target of a group of psychic vampires known as The True Knot, who torture and kill children with similar abilities in order to extend their life force.
Dan sets out to protect Abra from this group of evil beings, and in doing so, confronts his demons in a cathartic and emotional climax. King’s writing is incredibly compelling and creates a vivid and immersive world that readers won’t be able to put down.
The characters in the book are beautifully developed, with Dan and Abra’s relationship being a particular highlight. The novel is also very well-paced, with the tension building seamlessly and the action scenes being both thrilling and heart-stopping.
One aspect of Doctor Sleep that sets it apart from other horror novels is how it explores addiction and trauma in a way that feels authentic and real. King’s writing doesn’t shy away from the harsh realities of addiction and the long journey to recovery.
It’s a testament to King’s skill as a writer that he can weave such difficult themes into a horror novel without detracting from the horror elements. This combination of themes makes Doctor Sleep an unforgettable read.
One of the few criticisms of Doctor Sleep is that it may not be as scary as some of King’s other works. However, this is a minor issue, as the novel still delivers plenty of spooks and thrills.
Additionally, readers who are unfamiliar with The Shining may find some points of the book confusing, but this is easily remedied by reading the first novel. Overall, Doctor Sleep is a remarkable book that highlights King’s exceptional writing abilities.
It’s a chilling and emotionally resonant novel that explores complex themes in a unique and thrilling way. Fans of King’s work will not be disappointed, and readers who are new to his writing would be wise to start with this incredible book.
With that said, we at the Washington Post give Doctor Sleep a resounding 4.5 out of 5 stars rating.
