Stephen King to release 'The Shining' sequel

The sequel is titled 'Doctor Sleep' and hits the stands on September 24 next year.

Published in 1977, 'The Shining' formed the basis for Kubrick's horror classic, starring Jack Nicholson.

The actor played a struggling writer, who takes a job as an off-season caretaker at an isolated hotel, which has supernatural powers. Jack's son Danny Torrance possesses psychic abilities and can sense the evil powers but he and his mother are trapped as his father descends into madness and attempts to murder his family.

According to a synopsis on Stephen King's website, the new book will revolve around a grown up Danny, who has survived the haunted hotel. After years of drifting, he settles in a New Hampshire town and works at a nursing home where he uses his power to provide comfort to the dying.

However, Danny's peaceful existence is threatened as he encounters a tribe of people called The True Knot travel in search of sustenance. As quasi-immortals, they live off the 'steam' that children with the 'shining' produce when they are slowly tortured to death. Dan must save the life of a young girl Abra Stone who is the brightest shining ever seen.

'The Shining' remains one of the most popular books by King and its movie adaptation is counted among the best horror stories told on the big screen.

Ironically, King was not very happy with Kubrick's interpretation of his novel and said it was the only adaptation of his book that he hated. He had also opposed Nicolson's casting as Jack.

The film has been open to many interpretations, even inspiring a subjective documentary 'Room 237' which explores the numerous theories about the hidden meanings within Kubrick's film.