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)

Good Story

I've read all of King' s books & enjoyed this one very much. The story kept me interested & the narrator was good. If you're a Stephen King fan, I'd definitely recommend this book.

Much more than I expected

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

Absolutely!! Stephen King does not disappoint in his follow up on little Danny Torrence's life. Amazing story, with a perfect ending!

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

Will Patton did a truly superb job with this narration. I loved all of his characters, but especially Rose. Amazing!

Any additional comments?

This was my first experience with Audible books, and I am hooked. LOVED every minute of it.

Excellent Return

Loved this one, Stephen King at his best, excellent narrator. Reminiscent of Joyland, not quite as terrifying as The Shining.

gripping!

classic King. extremely detailed, well thought out. great (close?) to this story. absolutely recommend to horror fans. for adult readers

Wow! Intense! Great Listen!

Great narration by Will Patton! I love his voice, he is an excellent actor and he brings those talents to this story! The story is absolutely as creepy both in implication and overtly as The Shining! Bit of a spoiler alert!! The scene involving the small child got me, for hours after I stopped listening I was thinking about that scene wondering if the child was dead or if he was alive but would soon be dead, and I couldn’t decide if that wasn’t the point. How it haunted Danny, I haven’t gotten through the whole book (I have to listen in small chunks). This type of lingering thought both in the mind of the character and in my mind is a sign of a great book. IT did me much the same way, to the point I could smell the popcorn when Ben stumbled upon Pennywise (as a mummy). I had to close it and walk away for a bit lol. This book has the same qualities, I hope you enjoy it as I am!

Great story

I read "the shining" first. Sure I had seen the movie, but never read the book. Now when I found out about the sequel I didn't want to miss out and read it first. Then I listened to "Doctor sleep." I was almost sure I would be in for a disappointment: WRONG!
It was in my opinion one of the best novels of Stephen King. Okay I have to be honest that it didn't make it to the level of "the Stand" and "It" But for everybody out there, This is typically King and he is "the King" I loved the story. Only I would hope that next time they will pick somebody with a not so obvious southern accent. Nevertheless I got used to it and thoroughly enjoyed it, Even those who didn't read "the Shining" can read it, but a lot of beautiful connections you will miss.

Loved It!

Not only was the story great, but the narrating was awesome too! I really enjoyed how Will Patton portrayed the different characters' voices and how he put the perfect amount of emotion into them. I'll be able to listen to this one over and over again.

Will Patton's narration brought the story to life

i love to read Steven King but this listen was infinitely better. My commute from Burbank to Torrance was actually enjoyable .

Will Patton made this book.

Great job of incorporating the old with the new. It did drag at times, but not enough to make me want it to be over. Lots of focus on Danny/DAN and really understanding how his childhood was really traumatic. Without giving too much away, the story has a satisfying ending. If you enjoyed THE SHINING book, then you will most likely enjoy this. New characters, more shining and interesting villians.

Dare I say as good, if not better than The Shining

For me, it felt like The Shining was just the setup for this story. Couldn’t stop listening!