Reading The Shining By: Stephen King pgs 164-208

SUMMARY:
    On page 164, the reader is introduced to Halloran. Halloran is a tall black man who has an afro that is turning gray. Halloran informs the family that they should have enough food to last them about a year at the Hotel. Halloran proceeds on informing the Torrances on their quarters and then the kitchen, and then he asks Danny if her remembers his name. Danny tells Halloran that his name is Mr. Halloran, but Dick to those that know him personally. Danny's speech is peculiar because Mr. Halloran never told the family that his nickname is Dick. Mr. Halloran explains to the family the history of the hotel, and tells them that it was built by a Mr. Watson, but his son was killed in an accident and Mr. Watson accidently electrocuted himself. Mr. Halloran finishes up his conversation and asks Danny if he would like to go to Florida with him. Danny declines, but Mr. Halloran asks if he can speak to Danny personally in his car.
    Danny goes into Mr. Halloran's car and Mr. Halloran looks at Danny curiously. He tells Danny that he is 60 years old, and in that 60 years he has never seen anyone shine more brightly than Danny. Halloran explains that to shine is what Danny can do with his mind, and that he can do it himself as well. He also tells Danny that his shining is the greatest amount that he has ever encountered before. Danny then telepathically sends a message to Mr. Halloran and ends up hurting Mr. Halloran a little bit. However, when Danny tells Mr. Halloran about Tony Mr Halloran becomes worried about Danny. He tells Danny that these visions are the same thing as biblical visions and may fortell the future. but these visions are not always true. Mr. Halloran informs Danny that he too has visions but of bad things that are going on at the hotel and tells Danny to stay out of room 217. After his words of advice Mr. Halloran tells Danny to shine to him if anything bad happens, but says that his visions shouldn't be able to hurt him. Then Mr. Halloway drives away uneasily hoping that he was right about all he said.
    Next, Danny goes back inside and rejoins his family but doesn't tell them about what Mr. Halloran and him talked about. Mr. Ullman takes the family in the elevator which is very old and scary, and Wendy thinks again of the family that had to retort to eting each other for survival. They reach their floor and Wendy says that they will never take the elevator again for as long as they stay here. Mr. Ullman shows them the presidential suite, and Danny sees a blood stain on the wall, but when he looks back the stain is gone. Mr. Ullman takes them down to the first floor and quickly moves past room 217 to show the Torrances where they will be staying. Then he brings them back down to the basement where Watson is waiting once agiain to inform Jack about the boiler. He tells Danny to take care of his parents and Danny agrees.
RESPONSE:
    There was a lot explained in this section of reading. I think it was pretty cool when Mr. Halloran explained to Danny about his Shining abilities because it helped me understand the concept of the whole plot. Which was the reason for his character in the book I'm sure. Also, I am excited to see if there are more visions in Danny's mind than what appeared in the film, and I want to see how they are depicted. This is the first Stephen King novel I have ever read, and I'm not saying that I will jump on the Stephen King Bandwagon, but as far as a good writer I would say Stephen King is a very good author.