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

Very excellently written sequel to The Shining that is sure to satisfy fans of that book.

excellent!

Great story and captivating narration, I could not stop listening. I would highly recommend this book.

Cant stop listening!

If you could sum up Doctor Sleep in three words, what would they be?

The Shining continues.

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

The Shining

What about Will Patton’s performance did you like?

I loved Will Patton's performance. He gives life to all the different characters and his theatrical nuances make the story all the more intriguing. I will look for him as a narrator in the future,

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

I thought it was touching that Dan used his ability to help people move on from life to death more easily.

Any additional comments?

I had just finished a Stephen King Novel recently that Stephen had read himself. I was little disappointed in his performance. Although one of my favorite authors Stephen's performance doesn't compare to the performance that Will Patton gives on this novel. I loved it.

Great Story! Outstanding Narration!

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

I've been a lover of Stephen King all my life. The shining is one of his best, and Doctor Sleep does it justice. It fulfills so many questions and possibilities that the reader was left with in The Shining.

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

Will Patton's performance was outstanding. He did a fantastic job of conveying different characters by changing his voice, pitch, and timber. The characters were easily identifiable. The husky quality of his voice contributes well to the depths of Dan's alcoholism and the terrifying strength of Rose's anger. Really a wonderful narration, I will be looking to listen to more of his work.

Amazing story and Performance

Will Patton killed it! Great follow up to The Shining while Stephen King himself continues to age like a fine wine.

Voice really suits the story

Would you consider the audio edition of Doctor Sleep to be better than the print version?

No. I always prefer reading over listening.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Dan. That is why I read the book and why I got the audio book. Everyone wants to know what happened to him.

What about Will Patton’s performance did you like?

Everything. His voice really suits the story and his voice changes enough to know its a different character but not over done. He also changes his voice slightly to fit the feel of the chapter.

Good, really good.

So what happened to little fire starter?
Should middle aged Dan and she meet to do battle with??? Hum... Maybe the guys in yellow coats, or the three little meddlers Antropos, Curly, and Shimp?

Best Sequel I've Ever Read!

Holy shit! Stephan King knocked it out of the park with that one! I was on the edge of my seat the whole time. The performance was also excellent as well as King's follow up at the end. BRAVO!

woah!

I can't give this book enough points. King at his finest. King in full form.

Mo

Anything Steven is great. This was a read well too. I love that he finished the shining. Now I have to listen to it again.