Doctor Sleep by Stephen King
2013/532 pages

The sequel to The Shining, this bad boy is about the son, Danny, and how did he turn out after the events in the Overlook Hotel. This is Stephen Kings answer to many questions that fans have asked in the many years since the first book was published. To say it didn’t disappoint would be an understatement.

King has a pulse on the human condition that is very unique and the fact that he loves to get under the readers skin and make them shiver makes his stories much more juicer.

In The Shining, the main ethos evolved around alcoholism and the battle Jack Torrence had with it throughout the book.

In Doctor Sleep, Danny is also dealing with the same challenge that many son’s and daughter’s say they will not do, “turn into my parents”. Danny, himself an alcoholic, is dealing with the consequences that he put himself into during his days of heavy drinking. Stephen King, also an recovering addict, naturally tapped deeper into his inner demons during his indulgent times to really hit you in the nerves with the demon that is addiction.

While Danny is facing this challenge head on, the rest of the story deals with the shining and the impacts this gift or curse has had on others.

A very wonderful horror story that deals less with blood and guts and more with inner demons that we all struggle with every day.

I would recommend it. However, read The Shining first, because you get the lovely Easter eggs that King put into Doctor Sleep.

Happy Reading,

Lopaka