Doctor Sleep

A Novel

By: Stephen King

Narrated by: Will Patton

Length: 18 hrs and 34 mins

Publisher's summary

Audie Award Winner, Fiction, 2014

Audie Award Nominee, Solo Narration - Male, 2014

Stephen King returns to the characters and territory of one of his most popular novels ever, The Shining, in this instantly riveting novel about the now middle-aged Dan Torrance (the boy protagonist of The Shining) and the very special 12-year-old girl he must save from a tribe of murderous paranormals.

On highways across America, a tribe of people called The True Knot travel in search of sustenance. They look harmless - mostly old, lots of polyester, and married to their RVs. But as Dan Torrance knows, and spunky 12-year-old Abra Stone learns, The True Knot are quasi-immortal, living off the "steam" that children with the "shining" produce when they are slowly tortured to death.

Haunted by the inhabitants of the Overlook Hotel where he spent one horrific childhood year, Dan has been drifting for decades, desperate to shed his father's legacy of despair, alcoholism, and violence. Finally, he settles in a New Hampshire town, an AA community that sustains him, and a job at a nursing home where his remnant "shining" power provides the crucial final comfort to the dying. Aided by a prescient cat, he becomes "Doctor Sleep."

Then Dan meets the evanescent Abra Stone, and it is her spectacular gift, the brightest shining ever seen, that reignites Dan's own demons and summons him to a battle for Abra's soul and survival. This is an epic war between good and evil, a gory, glorious story that will thrill the millions of hyper-devoted fans of The Shining and wildly satisfy anyone new to the territory of this icon in the King canon.

©2013 Stephen King (P)2013 Simon & Schuster

Critic reviews

"Will Patton's delivery enhances King's prose in ways that make King's work so much more enjoyable in audio than just reading it…Patton's narrative voice captures the rhythm of King's words. His character voices, filled with a variety of regional American accents, remain consistent. Most importantly, the sinister aspects that embody characters and moments of this novel are superbly executed and will certainly leave listeners on edge." ( AudioFile)

"King, not one given to sequels, throws fans a big, bloody bone with this long-drooled-for follow-up to The Shining." ( Booklist)

"…a gripping, taut read that provides a satisfying conclusion to Danny Torrance's story." ( Publisher’s Weekly)

Best Work Yet!!

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I would very much recommend this book! The action is fast and the narration is the best I've ever heard.

What other book might you compare Doctor Sleep to and why?

The Shining by this same author is a prequel from which this story resumes 40-odd years later.

Which character – as performed by Will Patton – was your favorite?

Danny, of course, the grown boy from The Shining who is now battling the same deamons as his father.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Just great pleasure!

Any additional comments?

The narrator is really superb! The emotion he puts into the story, the inflection and voice tones are second to none!

Awesome!

It was a great sequel to the Shining. I might have to listen again.

I realized how much I miss Stephen King.

What did you love best about Doctor Sleep?

I haven't listened to King in awhile but loved The Shining and so listened to Doctor Sleep which I loved. Now I want to go back and re-listen to all of King's books. King is a great character writer and I love that he uses senior citizens in this book to help the main character get out of trouble. Nobody has more character than seniors, gotta love them. The characters seem so real you feel like you've lost a group of friends when the story ends.

What did you like best about this story?

The seniors involvement in the story. I work in Long term care and the dying process can make total strangers become intimate. Dying is scary and we help them go into that great unknown as gracefully as possible. This book captures that act and the feelings attached to it.

Have you listened to any of Will Patton’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

Will Patton's voice can at times sound like the possessed Reagan in The Exorcist (the scariest movie of all time) so this adds to the fear factor.

If you could take any character from Doctor Sleep out to dinner, who would it be and why?

Dan, as long as he didn't read my mind. I'd want to know more about the dying process and what happens after death.

Any additional comments?

Loved this book. You won't be disappointed.

He did it..

It's not what you'd call a sequel but as close as it could be considering. I considered it fabulous. As a huge fan of The Shining it paid great tribute. My first time listening to Will Patton who at first had me worried soon made me love his performance.

Loved it.

It was great to see Dan grow. Interesting new struggles and a good ending, enjoyed it a lot.

Stephen King at his best

Where does Doctor Sleep rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

I don't often rank books but I thoroughly enjoyed Doctor Sleep which is why I gave it 5 stars on all levels.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Doctor Sleep?

I wouldn't want to give away the most memorable moments to spoil them for those who haven't listened.

Which character – as performed by Will Patton – was your favorite?

I felt that I was really hearing Danny though Will Patton's narration. He did an outstanding job with all of the characters.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Again, I wouldn't want to reveal the particular moments but there are several happenings in the story that moved me.

Any additional comments?

I am a true Stephen King fan having read or listened to if not all at least 99% of his books; I can honestly say that there only a couple that I didn't enjoy. I anxiously awaited this book when I first heard about it over a year ago and it was worth the wait. I hope everyone who listens to Doctor Sleep experiences that same enjoyment I had.

Loved it!!!

I was very pleased with this book. always wanted to know what would have happened to Danny.

Great story that ties things together.

Loved it! Will Patton as a narrator was amazing. I love how the story ties up loose ends from "The Shining."

Good book, not a great ending

Good follow on for the character but not much tying in the original. Minor changes would've made this a standalone story.

Worthy sequel to The Shining!

Excellent follow up to the classic. Bravo Mr. Stephen King! Very well read as well. Highly recommended.