Doctor Sleep

By: Stephen King

Narrated by: Will Patton

Length: 18 hrs and 33 mins

Publisher's summary

An epic war between good and evil, a gory, glorious story that will thrill the millions of hyper-devoted readers of The Shining and wildly satisfy anyone new to the territory of this icon in the King canon.

King says he wanted to know what happened to Danny Torrance, the boy at the heart of The Shining, after his terrible experience in the Overlook Hotel. The instantly riveting Doctor Sleep picks up the story of the now middle-aged Dan, working at a hospice in rural New Hampshire, 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 tween 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....

©2013 Stephen King (P)2013 Simon & Schuster Audio

this would be great if I could play it

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

I might if I could hear it

Who was your favorite character and why?

.

What didn’t you like about Will Patton’s performance?

performance was great in part one, part two and three, who knows? They won't download!

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

audible sucks

Any additional comments?

sort out your crappy software.

Gripping story. Awesome narration by Will Paton

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

Only know the audio version but the narrator was outstanding. Really brought the atmosphere to the story (and delivered great character differentiation)

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

It was a continuously gripping story. Beautifully constructed.

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

No. Regrettably not.

A fun listen but not King at his best

I listened to Dr Sleep right after listening to The Shining. Which I recommend you also do because 1. The Shining is amazing and 2. Dr Sleep relies heavily on context from The Shining in order to make it more compelling.

While this sequel tells a captivating and heartfelt story in comparison to the prequel it is a little lacklustre in the scare department. That is if you are looking to be scared.

Dr Sleep is a different kind of story from The Shining and has it’s own merits and shortcomings. I’m glad I listened to it and I would recommend it IF you are a King fan but not if it your first time reading King.

My main gripe with this book is that the villain/villains just weren’t threatening enough. They get built up throughout the course of the book but by the end they fall a little flat and come across as cartoony, ridiculous and weak.

I did appreciate the ending though. All in all a worth while listen. No regrets.

A roaring good listen!!!

Would you listen to Doctor Sleep again? Why?

Will Patton turns this book into something more than special!!! I cannot describe the range and qualities he gives to King's characters. His voice brought chills at the right moments and expressed the vulnerability of Abra and all who were concerned for her.

What did you like best about this story?

King manages to construct such a believable history behind the man that is Dan Torrance. I couldn't help but see in my mind's eye and really be convinced of what Danny had become. Brilliant

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

This being my first listening of Will Patton I will certainly pick up more

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

I absolutely wanted to spend a full 18 hrs listening to nothing but this book. ... but y'know,...life gets in the way.

Any additional comments?

If anything, this story has reawakened the love I have of Stephen King's writing.

Really enjoyed this

kept me interested the whole book. might have to go back and read the shining now

Fantastic!

A fantastic sequel to a beloved story. The narrator did an excellent job in bringing this book to life. Definitely worth the purchase.

Complicated story but quite possible. I enjoyed t

Struggle to remember the names and places. The little girl developed during the story, but little info on her mother.

Loved this book.

What made the experience of listening to Doctor Sleep the most enjoyable?

I listen to a lot of Stephen King, and his books always entertain. However, this one is exceptionally good. I will be revisiting The Shining to catch up with Danny as a child.
What adds to the pleasure this audio book gives, is the narration. Will Patton does an amazing job, and I felt myself being sucked in to the story. Only one other narrator has done Stephen King's tales such justice, and that was the late, great Frank Muller.
I'm a massive fan of both audio books and Stephen King alike, but the narrator can make or break it for me. Will Patton made this book a joy to listen to.
Bravo to Stephen for another great book, and bravo to Will for a great performance.

Revisit The Shining if it's been a while

Seriously, I liked this book but I did feel that I wish I had re-read/listened to The Shining before listening to this one.

The Narrator - Will Patton does OK. His accents are alright but I got the feeling that there was no great love of Stephen King. Maybe I am wrong but I always felt that if I were to listen to one of these stories it would be read in a New England accent. "Heya" etc. Having said that the narrator does not impose himself and lets the story tell itself. So that is good.

The Story - The story was alright. You really expect something extraordinary from Stephen King. Even though he has written nothing extraordinary for a long time, you still expect it. It's kind of like going out with a friend who you used to laugh with a lot. Then the friend got old and bitter. You still go out with them because you remember that you used to laugh a lot and there is always a chance that things have improved. This book is like that. I bought it because Mr King entertained me all those years ago. This book only just did that. It's not great but it's still better than most.

There are other worlds than these

Would you listen to Doctor Sleep again? Why?

maybe, but then I hardly ever read anything twice

What did you like best about this story?

I liked this more than I did the Shining, it expands the world more. It also has some good links from the Dark Tower series

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

I haven't heard any of Will Patton's performances before but he is really good. I haven't been able to put this Audiobook down

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

not yet