william-mcnulty

[william-mcnulty]

Reflection

I gained a new perspective on the nature of cycles. Dan is in a similar dilemma to his father, but solves it differently.

I would give this book a four, because it is a great book full of twists and horror, it goes on for a bit too long.

[william-mcnulty]

Theme

A person can find the best and worst of their parents inside of them.

Jack Torrance’s alcoholism is passed down to Dan, but so is his remorse.

Abra gets her courage from her mother and her intelligence/temper from her father.

[william-mcnulty]

Characters

Dan Torrance- Dan goes from a traumatized kid, to an alcoholic who’s constantly winding up in the drunk tank. After an incident with a woman and her kid, he moves and starts to recover.

Rose the Hat- Rose is the leader of the True Knot. She goes from being confident and manipulative, to being fearful and addicted.

[william-mcnulty]

Summary

Decades after the events of ‘The Shining’, Dan Torrance has taken after his father. He drinks and fights, constantly waking up in jail. It takes the death of a woman and her child to force him to get better. He settles in this little town in New Hampshire, where he begins to attend AA meetings. At the same time, a young girl named Abra begins to develop powers exactly like Dan’s. During this period, The True Knot become aware of Abra’s power, which has become so strong that they can sense it from the other side of the country. This cannibalistic cult searches for her, and Abra is forced to contact Dan so he can help her. The situation escalates, and with the increasing aggression of the Knot’s leader, Abra and Dan are forced to make terrible choices.

[william-mcnulty]

Setting

The novel takes place over the course of 36 years and is set all over America. Locations include Frazier, New Hampshire; Estes Park, Colorado; and Bankerton, Iowa. The story follows psychics Dan Torrance and Abra Stone, as well as the True Knot, a nomadic cult that feeds on their powers. The time period allows us to look at Dan’s struggle with alcoholism and his recovery, and the development of Abra’s abilities as she reaches her teen years. The novel also explores the desperation of the True Knot, who are close to starving and need to find the two protagonists.