To Be Read

Stephen King Has Written a Sequel to his Classic Novel The Shining – Doctor Sleep

by Bryan Thomas Schmidt

Stephen King’s fourth novel, The Shining, released in 1977 is as famous for Stanley Kubrick’s 1980 film adaptation starring Jack Nicholson and Shelley Duvall as for the book itself. With the release of Brian DePalma’s “Carrie” movie, however, the book’s arrival was highly anticipated but not the degree a King book is now. King was not yet the literary giant he’s become, and yet, 35 years later, that giant has returned to The Shining and written a sequel titled Doctor Sleep.

Arriving in January 2013, Doctor Sleep focuses on the now adult Danny, the child who saw ghosts in the first book. Troubled by his past (to no readers’ surprise, I’m sure), he’s spent his life drinking and searching for peace. Still gifted with his “shining” abilities, he’s in New Hampshire where he uses the gift as an employee at a nursing home.

In an interview with Neil Gaiman in April 2012, King said he saw revisiting the popular story as a challenge to do something as good but different. So the book includes quasi-vampiric immortals who walk among us, drive RVs, wear polyester and appear as harmless retirees, except that their lifeblood is something Danny possesses.

A film prequel has been fast tracked as well.

For further details, check out this L.A. Times article:

http://www.latimes.com/features/books/jacketcopy/la-jc-stephen-king-sequel-to-the-shining-is-coming-20120803,0,53006.story

Bryan Thomas Schmidt is an author and editor of adult and children’s science fiction, fantasy and humor books, short stories and articles. A frequent contributor to blogs like SFSignal, Adventures In SF Publishing, Grasping For The Wind and To Be Read, he also hosts Science Fiction and Fantasy Writer’s Chat under the hashtag #sffwrtcht on Twitter and blogs about writing and creativity on his own blog at www.bryanthomasschmidt.net/blog. Connect With Bryan On Google+

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