Review: Doctor Sleep by Stephen King

Stephen King's Doctor Sleep is a sequel to the masterpiece The Shining.  The story continues with the adult life of Danny (Dan/Doc) Torrence.  At the beginning of the story, King refreshes our memories about the end of his Shining (not Stanley Kubrick's version).  Danny and his mother, Wendy, drift around throughout his childhood and she dies of lung cancer. Danny is very troubled by the ghosts that still visit him and turns to booze as a means of drowning them out.

Danny lives a transient lifestyle up and down the east coast.  He always finds work at old folks' homes and settlements that take in hospice patients.  Because he has the shining, he knows the moment when one will die. Eventually, he lands in a town called Frazier.  His boss instantly recognizes him as an alcoholic and takes the young man under his wing.  The two attend AA meetings and Danny's life begins to change for the better.  Again, he finds work in a hospice, but this time he gains respect from his patients and co-workers as he leads the almost dead towards their afterlife.

Danny's life is finally somewhat normal until Abra, a girl in the next town over with the same kind of power he has, contacts him telepathically.  The two form a friendship despite never meeting virtually or face-to face.  An evil outside group of monsters called the True Knot want Abra.  Her power can be changed into valuable steam and even cure them of a disease.
Without spoiling the rest of the story, Abra and Dan Torrence eventually meet and take on the True Knot.  Their headquarters are none other than the Overlook Hotel!

The real Overlook Hotel (Stanley Hotel)

My Review:  I love Stephen King, so anything he writes will always entertain me.  This wasn't his most scary or complex story, but I read it quickly and loved every page.  The story was solid and at times predictable, but there were plenty of twists and turns to keep my interest.  I loved the characters more than the story.  They were rich with problems, humor, and raw emotion.  Alcoholism is clearly a theme.  Lots of AA speak and AA scenarios were written into the story.  I've read a lot about King's personal life, and know he is in recovery.  Forgiveness is another theme, but I won't tell you why.  I recommend this tale to anyone who loved The Shining and loves King.  5/5 Stars
On a personal note, I got to go to the real Overlook (Stanley Hotel) last summer and see what inspired King's The Shining.  Great experience and I give the Stanley 5 stars as well!