The King is Back… Again: The Shining Sequel

Right, so Stephen King has got to be one of the most prolific writers on the planet, and barely a meal time goes by without him releasing a novel, novella, Kindle book, online miniseries, short story, Chappies packert, TV script, cereal box or some insightful, bathroom graffiti. Getting excited every time King releases something is like making eye contact across a devil’s three-way; after a while, everyone’s feeling awkward except the person doing all the work.

“So… how was your day?”

But his last announcement has certainly pricked some ears. It seems that the master of horror has decided to return to one of his classics (as well as one of my personal favourites) and has begun work on a sequel to The Shining!

It’s called Dr. Sleep. In King’s words, “Dr. Sleep takes place 40 years after The Shining, and stars a grown-up Danny Torrance, now working with end-of-life patients in a hospice facility. Danny uses his powers to help his patients pass on to the other side … and also to bet on horse races.” (The Daily What)

“You owe me twenty large, kid, and I’m counting in fingers.”

But all is not sunshine and gummibears for Danny, as a group of energy vampires (called the Tribe – a hat-tip to Lost Boys, perhaps?) with a taste for psychics sets him in their sites.

I’m currently trying to imagine a 50 year old Danny Torrence (Lloyd) but I can’t get past the piss-pot haircut.

Here’s a vid of King’s announcement, and a reading from the upcoming book.

So excited.