The Shining by Stephen King
Identifying First Edition Points of Issue

First Trade Edition Cover

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The Shining by Stephen King - First edition points of issue.

Year Published: 1977

ISBN: 0385121679

Publisher: Doubleday

Pages: 447

Price: $8.95

Copyright page: First edition is specifically stated on the copyright page

First Edition Total Publication: Estimated to be 25,000

First Edition Points of Issue: On the inner margin of page 447 the code R49 is visible.

Size: 5.75" x 8.5"

Bound: Quarter bound in black cloth with tan boards

Dedication: This is for Joe Hill King, who shines on.

My editor on this book, as on the previous two, was
Mr. William G. Thompson, a man of wit and good
sense. His contribution to this book has been large,
and for it, my thanks.

Description: Stephen King's third published novel. Inferior quality dust jacket makes this book difficult to find in fine condition.

Danny is only five years old but in the words of old Mr. Hallorann he is a `shiner´, aglow with psychic voltage. When his father becomes caretaker of the Overlook Hotel his visions grow frighteningly out of control.

As winter closes in and blizzards cut them off, the hotel seems to develop a life of its own. It is meant to be empty, but who is the lady in Room 217, and who are the masked guests going up and down in the elevator? And why do the hedges shaped like animals seem so alive? Somewhere, somehow there is an evil force in the hotel - and that too is beginning to shine...

"YOU'RE THE CARETAKER, SIR. YOU'VE ALWAYS BEEN THE CARETAKER. I SHOULD KNOW, SIR. I'VE ALWAYS BEEN HERE....

-- DELBERT GRADY OF THE OVERLOOK HOTEL

First published in 1977, The Shining quickly became a benchmark in the literary career of Stephen King. This tale of a troubled man hired to care for a remote mountain resort over the winter, his loyal wife, and their uniquely gifted son slowly but steadily unfolds as secrets from the Overlook Hotel's past are revealed, and the hotel itself attempts to claim the very souls of the Torrence family. Adapted into a cinematic masterpiece of horror by legendary Stanley Kubrick -- featuring an unforgettable performance by a demonic Jack Nicholson --The Shining stands as a cultural icon of modern horror, a searing study of a family torn apart, and a nightmarish glimpse into the dark recesses of human weakness and dementia.

The Movie

This book was made into a very fine horror movie in 1980. Directed by Stanley Kubrick and starring Jack Nicholson ("Heeeeere's Johnny!") Shelley Duvall, Danny Lloyd and Scatman Crothers.

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