# The Return of Danny Torrance

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-return-of-danny-torrance/669632>\
**Category:** Cafe Society\
**Created:** [September 25, 2013, 10:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-return-of-danny-torrance/669632 "2013-09-25T10:23:10Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 20\
**Page:** 2

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![gregorio](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/fbc32d/32.png) [@gregorio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gregorio)\
**Post date:** [September 27, 2013, 4:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-return-of-danny-torrance/669632/21 "2013-09-27T16:10:21Z")

</div>

Psssst! You can place holds on book that are on order but not in yet. If you go to the website and look it up you’ll see one hold on it. Guess who’s that is. 😃

> [@Cat\_Whisperer](#):
>
> I saw this in the bookstore tonight - my library doesn’t have it in yet for me to put a hold on it. ARRRRGHHHHH!
> 
> (I’ll most likely buy the book, but I prefer paperbacks.)

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Bricker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\
**Post date:** [September 27, 2013, 4:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-return-of-danny-torrance/669632/22 "2013-09-27T16:21:29Z")

</div>

> [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](#):
>
> You’ll just need to know that the move and book endings differed somewhat.
> 
> In the book, Halloran lived & stayed involved in Danny’s life. Also Danny’s dad had a moment of clarity at the end where he threw off the Overlook’s influence for a moment and refrained from killing Danny.

And:

The Overlook is destroyed by a boiler explosion, killing Jack; he doesn’t freeze to death in a hedge maze.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/qadgop_the_mercotan/32/83_2.png) [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\
**Post date:** [September 27, 2013, 4:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-return-of-danny-torrance/669632/23 "2013-09-27T16:58:43Z")

</div>

> [@Bricker](#):
>
> And:
> 
> The Overlook is destroyed by a boiler explosion, killing Jack; he doesn’t freeze to death in a hedge maze.

True, but that particular difference thus far doesn’t seem to affect one’s reading of **Dr. Sleep** , whereas IMHO, the ones cited by me did.

I’ll recant my pedantry if further reading of the sequel changes my mind. 😉

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\
**Post date:** [September 27, 2013, 5:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-return-of-danny-torrance/669632/24 "2013-09-27T17:01:38Z")

</div>

> [@gregorio](#):
>
> Psssst! You can place holds on book that are on order but not in yet. If you go to the website and look it up you’ll see one hold on it. Guess who’s that is. 😃

Okay, off to the website to put my own hold on it!

So when I get the book, I’ll know who got chocolate all over it? 🙂

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\
**Post date:** [September 27, 2013, 5:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-return-of-danny-torrance/669632/25 "2013-09-27T17:10:28Z")

</div>

Well, it’s in now - I must have searched for it a few hours before the library received their copies! There are 79 holds now, so you might not be the one smearing chocolate in my copy. 🙂

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![SpeedwayRyan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ce7236/32.png) [@SpeedwayRyan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SpeedwayRyan)\
**Post date:** [September 27, 2013, 5:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-return-of-danny-torrance/669632/26 "2013-09-27T17:30:30Z")

</div>

The Shining is one of my favorite books of all time…I read it many many times when I was 13 or 14 years old. My copy is signed by Mr. King, who used to sign and return books if you mailed them to him with a SASE (with plenty of postage). It says “To Ryan (Lastname), Best wishes…and shine on. Stephen King (date).”

So I guess I might have to check this one out. I do have to disagree that the film would be good prep for this book…admittedly I haven’t read the new one, but the book is SO different from the film, and not even in a cliche “the book is better” way that you hear about every adaptation…you’re talking about Kubrick here, and he REALLY took the film in his own direction. I’d say you definitely need to read The Shining first. The film is great, but it’s a different beast altogether vs. the novel.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![gregorio](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/fbc32d/32.png) [@gregorio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gregorio)\
**Post date:** [September 27, 2013, 5:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-return-of-danny-torrance/669632/27 "2013-09-27T17:32:34Z")

</div>

I’m zeroth in the queue!

> [@Cat\_Whisperer](#):
>
> Well, it’s in now - I must have searched for it a few hours before the library received their copies! There are 79 holds now, so you might not be the one smearing chocolate in my copy. 🙂

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![chiroptera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/df705f/32.png) [@chiroptera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chiroptera)\
**Post date:** [September 27, 2013, 11:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-return-of-danny-torrance/669632/28 "2013-09-27T23:13:49Z")

</div>

I have a crazy work schedule plus I’m a slow reader. I had this pre-ordered on amazon, paper hardback edition, and it came yesterday.

I only got to page 23 last night and am hooked…so far this reads like vintage sober Stephen King without the gratuitous gore. Scary stuff and I am glad my dogs are in the bedroom with me at night to protect me from the gibbous Mrs Massey and her ilk.

I think it is fine to rely on the movie for background as long as the reader understands the difference between the movie and the book. Actually there’s enough backstory provided in the first 23 pages of the book; I am not sure it’s even mandatory to read or watch the original  
although it would certainly be entertaining.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Poysyn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/f4b2a3/32.png) [@Poysyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Poysyn)\
**Post date:** [September 28, 2013, 3:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-return-of-danny-torrance/669632/29 "2013-09-28T03:19:03Z")

</div>

It is not,in my opinion, as scary as The Shining (I also think you need to read the book The Shining to really enjoy the sequel), but it’s very good, tight, entertaining. It’s miles above Under The Dome and the ending delivers.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\
**Post date:** [September 28, 2013, 3:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-return-of-danny-torrance/669632/30 "2013-09-28T03:34:03Z")

</div>

But seriously, do yourself a favour and read “The Shining.” So, so creepy.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Maserschmidt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/maserschmidt/32/18829_2.png) [@Maserschmidt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maserschmidt)\
**Post date:** [September 28, 2013, 4:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-return-of-danny-torrance/669632/31 "2013-09-28T04:00:49Z")

</div>

> [@SpeedwayRyan](#):
>
> The Shining is one of my favorite books of all time…I read it many many times when I was 13 or 14 years old. My copy is signed by Mr. King, who used to sign and return books if you mailed them to him with a SASE (with plenty of postage). It says “To Ryan (Lastname), Best wishes…and shine on. Stephen King (date).”

I have a signed and dated copy as well, though I got it back in '78 at a convention in Fort Worth. But mine’s not personalized!

I just finished it and really enjoyed it. He didn’t fuck up the ending, I liked the characters, and it had some good callbacks to the original, plus one of his son’s books.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Locrian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/locrian/32/14146_2.png) [@Locrian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Locrian)\
**Post date:** [September 28, 2013, 10:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-return-of-danny-torrance/669632/32 "2013-09-28T10:01:04Z")

</div>

The first time I read “The Shining”, it was 1985, I was 14 years old. I was with my family visiting Italy-- from Rome to Milan, then to England for a few days. Reading a novel about a haunted hotel in seven different hotels where no one spoke English (at first), then did speak English (but not the English I was used to), not to mention being in places where if there were ghosts of any kind, they’d be there, in old places, much older than anything in the states. Heck, ghost of lions that choked on Christians might be inhabiting the hotel in Rome for all I knew. 😃

It wasn’t a “novel” idea (Heh) to read that novel then. But those scary feelings are welcome now. I have to turn on the TV, shut out the lights and make sure the closet door isn’t open “just a crack”, because I don’t need “The Boogeyman” visiting me while I’m trying to read. 😃 No spoilers, but page three has already got to me. Hope I don’t need to visit the bathroom tonight.

I’m hoping the ending isn’t so damn supernatural where I can’t feel it. Worst endings I’ve read by King go to “The Stand” (so boring) and “The Tommyknockers”.

“It” is my favorite novel of his, and I’m glad to say I won three costumes contests of my portrayal of Bob Gray, aka, Pennywise the Clown. You tell me. Can I post a pic of that?

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\
**Post date:** [September 28, 2013, 5:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-return-of-danny-torrance/669632/33 "2013-09-28T17:09:38Z")

</div>

> [@Locrian](#):
>
> \<snip\>  
> “It” is my favorite novel of his, and I’m glad to say I won three costumes contests of my portrayal of Bob Gray, aka, Pennywise the Clown. You tell me. Can I post a pic of that?

I really wish you would. 🙂

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Locrian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/locrian/32/14146_2.png) [@Locrian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Locrian)\
**Post date:** [October 6, 2013, 1:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-return-of-danny-torrance/669632/34 "2013-10-06T01:34:04Z")

</div>

OKAY!! FINISHED!!! Shall we start a new discussion thread w/ spoilers??

Overall, I loved it. Quite the shock that:

Dan(ny) has a sibling, and shining runs in the family.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![TreacherousCretin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/treacherouscretin/32/476_2.png) [@TreacherousCretin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TreacherousCretin)\
**Post date:** [October 6, 2013, 2:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-return-of-danny-torrance/669632/35 "2013-10-06T02:07:55Z")

</div>

> [@Locrian](#):
>
> OKAY!! FINISHED!!! Shall we start a new discussion thread w/ spoilers??
> 
> Overall, I loved it. Quite the shock that:
> 
> [spoiler]

I thought the second part of your spoiler was established in the book. King’s masterpiece, IMO; never bothered to see the movie.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Locrian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/locrian/32/14146_2.png) [@Locrian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Locrian)\
**Post date:** [October 6, 2013, 2:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-return-of-danny-torrance/669632/36 "2013-10-06T02:33:48Z")

</div>

Yes, Wendy Torrance shone, as most mother’s do, but not the first part!

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/qadgop_the_mercotan/32/83_2.png) [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\
**Post date:** [October 6, 2013, 1:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-return-of-danny-torrance/669632/37 "2013-10-06T13:48:51Z")

</div>

I finished it two days ago, and thoroughly enjoyed it. It was not as scary as The Shining, but it was a more nuanced read.

I especially enjoyed the AA parts, having been a member of that group for well over two decades myself. SK takes his recovery seriously, for certain. I love how Dan’s AA group responded to his big reveal.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\
**Post date:** [October 6, 2013, 9:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-return-of-danny-torrance/669632/38 "2013-10-06T21:42:54Z")

</div>

I’m in the final few pages and enjoyed the book. That’s two in a row, the first being _11/22/63_, which I thought was a cracking read. Next up is _NOS4A2_, by his son.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/qadgop_the_mercotan/32/83_2.png) [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\
**Post date:** [October 6, 2013, 11:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-return-of-danny-torrance/669632/39 "2013-10-06T23:13:08Z")

</div>

> [@Chefguy](#):
>
> I’m in the final few pages and enjoyed the book. That’s two in a row, the first being _11/22/63_, which I thought was a cracking read. Next up is _NOS4A2_, by his son.

Have you read **Wind Through the Keyhole**? That, along with **Joyland** , **11/22/63** and this latest one make 4 winners in a row for me.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Poysyn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/f4b2a3/32.png) [@Poysyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Poysyn)\
**Post date:** [October 7, 2013, 8:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-return-of-danny-torrance/669632/40 "2013-10-07T20:30:38Z")

</div>

> [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](#):
>
> Have you read **Wind Through the Keyhole**? That, along with **Joyland** , **11/22/63** and this latest one make 4 winners in a row for me.

I am going to pick up Joyland and 11/23/63, but dropped Dark Tower after Wizard…just couldn’t get into it…

[Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-return-of-danny-torrance/669632.md?page=1)

[Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-return-of-danny-torrance/669632.md?page=3)
