Stephen King's Doctor Sleep delivers a gripping continuation of The Shining, praised for its intricate character development and sustained suspense. However, some critics feel it falls into familiar horror tropes and features a slower pace. Overall, it's lauded for its exploration of trauma and redemption, resonating well with fans of the original.

A reader who enjoys Doctor Sleep by Stephen King will likely appreciate psychological thrillers laced with supernatural elements and deep character development. Fans of The Shining or Gillian Flynn's Gone Girl will find its exploration of past traumas and dark suspense particularly captivating.

Doctor Sleep by Stephen King is a sequel to The Shining, following an adult Dan Torrance, who struggles with alcoholism and works in a hospice while trying to recover through AA. He becomes involved with a powerful young girl named Abra Stone and must protect her from the True Knot, a cult that feeds on children's psychic energy. Their battle culminates at the former site of the Overlook Hotel. This book includes depictions of alcohol use disorder, violence, and murder, as well as the death of a child and violence towards children.

Mysterious / Dark / Suspenseful / Emotional / Challenging

Stephen King

Adult

Novel

The Shining

Fiction

Guide

Study Guide

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content

Overview

Get ready to explore Doctor Sleep and its meaning. Our full analysis and study guide provides an even deeper dive with character analysis and quotes explained to help you discover the complexity and beauty of this book.

Doctor Sleep Summary

Background

Doctor Sleep Background

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Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Prologues 1-3

Doctor Sleep Prologues 1-3 Summary & Analysis

Part 1: “Abra”

Part 1, Chapters 1-3

Doctor Sleep Part 1, Chapters 1-3 Summary & Analysis

Part 1, Chapters 4-6

Doctor Sleep Part 1, Chapters 4-6 Summary & Analysis

Part 2: “Empty Devils”

Part 2, Chapters 7-9

Doctor Sleep Part 2, Chapters 7-9 Summary & Analysis

Part 2, Chapters 10-12

Doctor Sleep Part 2, Chapters 10-12 Summary & Analysis

Part 3: “Matters of Life and Death”

Part 3, Chapters 13-17

Doctor Sleep Part 3, Chapters 13-17 Summary & Analysis

Part 4: “Roof O’ The World”

Part 4, Chapter 18-Epilogue

Doctor Sleep Part 4, Chapter 18-Epilogue Summary & Analysis

character

Character Analysis

Doctor Sleep Character Analysis

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Themes

Doctor Sleep Themes

Symbols & Motifs

Doctor Sleep Symbols & Motifs

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Important Quotes

Doctor Sleep Important Quotes

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Essay Topics

Doctor Sleep Essay Topics

Doctor Sleep

Before You Read

Reviews & Readership

Review Roundup

Who Should Read Doctor Sleep?

Reading Age

Book Details