I'm halfway through, right before the first big snowfall occurs (I assume). Please no spoilers! (if there is anything to spoil given what I'm about to say)
Maybe it's just because the book/movie has been out for so long that everyone is generally aware of what the story is about, but it feels like overall the book is literally just 90% foreshadowing. Jack with anger issues and a drinking problem and danny seeing violent visions and the overlook being the site of a handful of grisly deaths and it being cursed, etc. etc. Hmm I wonder what's going to happen here?? Feels a bit odd like there's supposed to be a "twist" (and maybe there will be?) but all in all I feel like I generally know the direction it goes in. Still a really good read though.
But my main question is: is "REDRUM" supposed to be a mystery? Obviously Danny doesn't know what it means and is intrigued by what this word means, but it's pretty clear that it's murder backwards, which goes in line with the stuff about the very obvious foreshadowing. Is the audience supposed to be mystified as to what REDRUM refers to? Or is it supposed to be this strange dynamic where the audience knows exactly what it means but we're supposed to watch as Danny ponders it and tries to figure it out?
by Missing_Back
1 Comment
The redrum thing is supposed to be a surprise reveal, just like in the movie. I will say that I agree that if you know what will happen, the story feels a bit predictable, but I’ve found the fun of it is watching hoping that what you think will happen won’t happen. It’s like watching a slow moving car crash, hoping one of the cars swerves out of the way. That being said, it’s not my favorite for the reasons you listed.