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)

Excellent sequel. Thank you Mr. King

Not a scary story but very well written. I think I may quit drinking now.. :)

Brilliant sequel!

This book not only keeps everything connected through itself...but seamlessly connects The Shining all through the story. It was impressive. I also enjoyed how completely different and yet totally connected this story is from The Shining.

My only "complaint" is not about the book or about the narrator but the choice of which one to use for this book. They didn't get the same guy to read this who read The Shining...and I personally wish they would have.

I listened to Mr. Mercedes (read by this narrator) and then wanted to listen to Doctor Sleep. I realized then that it was a sequel to The Shining (which I'd never read) so I listened to that first. Then, starting Doctor Sleep I was hoping/expecting the same narrator because that would make sense, right?

But instead...it was primarily (in my mind) the voice of Jerome who started reading Doctor Sleep to me and it took probably two hours till my mind started to "hear" and accept that voice as Dan Torrance.

Now, I'm planning to soon listen to the sequel to Mr. Mercedes when it's released and I'm wondering how long it will take my mind to accept "Dan's" voice now as the characters in the new book again.

What happened next

This story picks up right after Danny and his mom escape the Lookout Hotel. What happens to a kid who has been through that? How do you not continue in your father's footsteps? Do you have a choice? And to top if off, Danny has a gift that may just be a curse.

I'm afraid Will Patton, though excellent, suffered in comparison to Campbell Scott (who I'd just heard read The Shining). The characters are all really well defined and distinctive. But the sense that he's *reading*you*a*scary*story* is just a little too pronounced for my taste.

Stays with you

I never thought I could love Danny any more than I did when I finished reading The Shining well, listening to The Shining. I also didn't think that there could be a better reader until I heard Will Patton take on all the characters of Doctor Sleep. This book was fantastic and I will listen to it repeatedly because it is so captivating and alive. It's a book that stays with you. between the characters, the memories, and the descriptive details, I find myself in day-to-day life referring back to the book. It helps me put the things that don't always make sense in the world in a box and gives it more meaning. I can't say enough great things about this book! 10 stars.

Brilliant

Along with the brilliance that is Stephen King, Will Patton delivers a truly delightful performance and is possibly my favorite narrator for King's books. The story itself is one of my favorites as is its prequel and I adore the way King brings all the details together and doesn't leave loose ends....."or what"....

Welcome back Danny

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

Dr. Sleep ranks #1 to date.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Danny, of course. His character took you from the depths of despare, to the height of joy.

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

Danny

Who was the most memorable character of Doctor Sleep and why?

Rose, because she was powerful/vulnerable, sexy/revolting, enjoyable/loathsome.

Any additional comments?

This book is traditional Stephen King. I enjoyed revisiting a character from one of my favorite books, Danny from the Shining. I hated to have the book end, so much so, that I continued to listen through the credits, etc., which is something I rarely do. I just wanted to linger in the world of Danny, Abra, Billy, Casey, Rose, and all the rest of the crew.

Excellent narration and classic Stephen King

I can't say enough good things about this sequel to The Shining. King really brings It by showing us grown up Danny!!! I will always look for Will Patton as a narrator from now on.

LOVE it

I grew up in Mr. King's home town, and grew up too terrified to read his books. What a mistake that was! This book was a great sequel; I was lucky enough to be able to read The Shining, and Dr. Sleep back to back. This has enough information that it is a great stand-alone. I love the character development and believability of the supernatural. Thanks Stephen King! Only sorry it took so long for me to begin a fan!

New to King...

I loved the story, even though I usually don't like scary books. I'm new to King and didn't realize this was an extension of The Shining. Even without that set up, I was into the plot by the first couple chapters. Highly recommend.

What's up Doc?

Closure is something we all need, Dan Torrance understands this now. Funny what forty years can do i
with our lives and the stuff we carry.