Cell

A Novel

By: Stephen King

Narrated by: Campbell Scott

Length: 12 hrs and 36 mins

Publisher's summary

On October 1st, God is in His heaven, the stock market stands at 10,140, most of the planes are on time, and Clayton Riddell, an artist from Maine, is almost bouncing up Boylston Street in Boston. He's just landed a comic book deal that might finally enable him to support his family by making art instead of teaching it. He's already picked up a gift for his long-suffering wife, and he knows just what he'll get for his boy Johnny. Why not a little treat for himself? Clay's feeling good about the future.

That changes in a hurry. The cause of the devastation is a phenomenon that will come to be known as The Pulse, and the delivery method is a cell phone. Everyone's cell phone. Clay and the few desperate survivors who join him suddenly find themselves in the pitch-black night of civilization's darkest age, surrounded by chaos, carnage, and a human horde that has been reduced to its basest nature...and then begins to evolve.

There are 193 million cell phones in the United States alone. Who doesn't have one? Stephen King's utterly gripping, gory, and fascinating novel doesn't just ask the question "Can you hear me now?" It answers it with a vengeance.

©2006 Stephen King (P)2006 Simon & Schuster

Critic reviews

"King's imagining of what is more or less post-Armageddon Boston is rich, and the sociological asides made by his characters along the way...are jaunty and witty." (Publishers Weekly)

Ok. Weird narration

The story was ok. The narration was spoken like the narrator had a sleeping baby in the same room. That’s the best I can describe it. Like trying to whisper a yell.

Great story and narration

Stephen King never fails to tell a great story and Campbell Scott’s narration was excellent.

change in voice

the quality of the narrator's recording was inconsistent and not always of excellent quality.

Excellent story but needs closure

I really liked this story. Stephen King has once again spun a tale of bizarre expanses with believable characters and circumstance. This is well worth your time but I do have to say that I was disappointed in the ending....there is so much that is left undone I can only hope that King plans another entry into this saga that will take us to the next level.

Throw away your cell phone!

This was a masterful story! I couldn't stop listening to it. I walked around in a daze wearing headphones not wanting to miss what was to come next. Would make a terrific Movie! A must listen to story. But, throw away your cell phone! The story makes you think twice before making another call.

I think this is a great Stephen King Novel

I had seen this book for years and for some reason never read it. It is very similar to his other books, but with a unique premise. Once you give up on some basic reality (the cellphone being able to turn you into a zombie), it's really quite entreating. It's very similar to earlier books such as The Stand, but different enough to be a good listen. I suppose I liked it even more because it starts off in Boston where I live so I could better imagine the scenes. Stephen King has better books, but if your are a King addict this will work quite fine. Ringing off now.

A Familiar Story Well Told

In many ways this is a retelling of Stephen King’s epic, “The Stand.” Following a sudden and devastating viral epidemic, a plucky group sets off on a dangerous journey to defeat the forces of evil, culminating in a big explosion. Except this time the virus is of a digital nature. If someone else had written it, King could probably sue for plagiarism.

On the other hand, it is a gripping story, with diverse characters and surprising twists of plot at every turn. With an excellent narration, the action starts immediately and keeps you on the edge of your seat to the very end.

not his best but still very good

I have to start this with I have been a King fan since the seventh grade or for 20 years. I have never read anything that I disliked that he has written. I did thourghly enjoy this book but I was shocked I guess, by the ending. I was hoping for just a bit more and felt like it ended too abrubtly. The narrator, Campbell scott was wonderful and I was able to get lost in his voice.

Nice Read of a Fast Paced King

Cell is a well read version of another high quality Steven King. The narrator has the knack of reading King - just the right twist of irony to make the listen come to life in a way I imaging King intended. This one is worth the credit and was a fun listen.

awesome book, but the ending?!?

what the heck kind of ending was that!?! excellent book but way to leave us hanging!