The Shining

Listening to The Shining by Stephen King, narrated by Campbell Scott, was an incredible experience. From the very beginning, Scott’s narration captivated me. His voice range was impressive, and he skillfully differentiated between characters, making it easy to follow who was speaking at any given time. The way he captured each character's emotions made the story even more immersive. I tend to prefer narrators with a conversational pace, and Scott hit the mark perfectly, delivering the story in a way that felt natural and fluid. His performance helped me visualize the eerie atmosphere and fit the characters to a tee.

As for the story itself, it was absolutely gripping. I haven’t seen the movie, so diving into The Shining from this raw, unfiltered perspective was a rare treat. At the start, I found myself really liking Jack. He seemed like a great dad who was genuinely trying to turn his life around, and about 20% into the book, I was rooting for him to keep the upward momentum. But just as I started to feel that way, things took a dark turn. The hotel’s manipulative presence slowly took over Jack's mind, and it was fascinating to listen as he began to unravel. At the same time, watching how Danny and Wendy became more aware of what was happening added layers of tension that kept me hooked. Of the handful of Stephen King books I’ve listened to, this one might be my favorite, and it has definitely motivated me to listen to Doctor Sleep soon to see how Danny's story continues.

The production quality was great, with no distracting background noises or technical hiccups. Scott’s voice came through clearly, which really helped enhance the sinister mood of the story. The pacing of the audiobook felt just right, keeping me engaged without dragging or rushing through important moments. Scott’s conversational delivery made the experience flow naturally.

Overall, this has easily become one of my favorite books this year. The combination of King’s chilling plot and Scott’s captivating narration created a listening experience that I found even more enjoyable than It. Whether you’re a seasoned fan of The Shining or new to the story, this audiobook is well worth your time—especially if you love psychological horror with a touch of supernatural suspense.