Dolores Claiborne

By: Stephen King

Narrated by: Frances Sternhagen

Length: 9 hrs and 15 mins

Publisher's summary

"An unforgettable, unflinching glimpse into a mind driven to murder" (San Francisco Chronicle) - the number-one national best seller from Stephen King about a housekeeper with a long-hidden secret from her past...one that tests her own will to survive.

Dolores Claiborne is suspected of killing Vera Donovan, her wealthy employer, and when the police question her, she tells the story of her life, harkening back to her disintegrating marriage and the suspicious death of her violent husband 30 years earlier. Dolores also tells of Vera's physical and mental decline and how she became emotionally demanding in recent years.

Given a voice as compelling as any in contemporary fiction, the strange intimacy between Dolores and Vera - and the link that binds them - unfolds in Dolores' account. Dolores Claiborne is "a literary triumph. The finest of King novels...a plot of enormous energy.... Read this book." (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)

©1993 Stephen King (P)1992 Penguin Highbridge Audio

Beyond Amazing

Would you listen to Dolores Claiborne again? Why?

Ok, I've seen Delores Claiborne the movie so many times I can't even count. It's one of my favorite movies. I finally decided to listen to the book and it was brilliant.

What did you like best about this story?

I love that it was different from the movie and I love that they took really great elements from the book to create the movie. I think they did a great job on the movie's interpretation of the book. The book's performance was just so riveting and fun and haunting.

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

Frances Sternhagen performance is the best, she really made the story come alive. I've never listened to her before (I don't think) but her performance really held your attention and she really does an amazing job.

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

I'm not the same as the book but I'm just as brilliant.

Any additional comments?

LISTEN TO THIS BOOK!

EXCELLENT!!!

This book is excellent! Oh, how I enjoyed it! The performance was excellent! You'll enjoy it!

😍😍 crossover!!

Wonderful read, best narrorating I've heard in months! Different story style for stephen but I thought it was a great change! Enjoyed the crossover between this and Gerald's game!

A Better Listen than Read

Would you listen to Dolores Claiborne again? Why?

Yes. The narrator is absolutely wonderful. I got lost in her heavy New England accent. Combine that with the hypnotic way Stephen King paints a picture of a small New England town the way he has done so many times and it is truly a joy. The story itself is very good, but, truly, the real bones of the production is in the performance.

What other book might you compare Dolores Claiborne to and why?

Audible fans of Stephen King will recognize a bit of Salem's Lot and Tommyknockers in the way the small New England town is manifested before you is such wonderful detail. The plot isn't as complex as the others, but the style is satisfyingly familiar.

What does Frances Sternhagen bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

She is perfect! The book was good when I read it years ago, but her performance has lifted my appreciation for the book 100 fold. I cannot praise her work enough.

If you could rename Dolores Claiborne, what would you call it?

"A Well of Guilt"

Any additional comments?

I think all Audible fans have a few selections that they keep in their library as fallbacks. Books that you listen to when you are between books. This is one for me. I will listen to this book countless times in the future; and I believe that most King fans would do the same if they give it a try.

Maybe the BEST Audiobook I've ever listened to!

I’ve been an Audible member since 2014, and have been through a lot of authors and narrators. This one really nailed it for me because of:

Stephen King - I’ve read/listened to a lot of his stuff, and what I’ve always enjoyed most are his tales about ‘ordinary folk’, short on the supernatural and heavy on the observations of life. There’s not a ghost or monster to be had in this yarn, and it is set on a remote island in Maine. Classic King storytelling.

Frances Sternhagen – Just an AMAZING voice actor. She was a perfect fit for this role, right down to her ‘Ayuh’ when it was needed (Native Mainers might have an issue with it, but it worked for me).

Completely engrossing tale and performance. Can’t recommend it enough! You need to download this. Now!

Amazing!!

The narrator really brought this to life! I laughed at the funny parts and empathized with the character. Love this!!

Great performance

Best narration I've heard in years. Perfect casting, I found it hard to put down.

BRILLIANT READER MAKES BOOK EVEN BETTER!

Great Maine accent! She’s as good as Frank Muller at S King audio. EXCELLENT, OUTSTANDING

You really feel this one...

Amazing story. Wonderful narration, except she mispronounced Machias as "Mackias", which, apart from her amazingly on-point Maine accent, grated a bit. So well done! Brava.

Fantastic book, awesome performance

Delores Claiborne ranks among Stephen King’s best works. Frances Sternhagen’s performance is pitch perfect. This was an audio book I hated to pause and will certainly listen to again and again.