The shining has everything a great novel could need: interesting plot, action, tension, thrilling character development, ect, etc.. I purchased the audio version on audible and it was a long and dusty road (15 hours total) which was undoubtably a great use of my time. I delved right into the world of the overlook and wanted to speed through right on till the end just to find out what happens. It pulled at my heart strings, it filled me with anticipation and sheer terror.