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Joyland  By  cover art

Joyland

By: Stephen King
Narrated by: Michael Kelly
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Publisher's summary

"Joyland is a breathtaking, beautiful, heartbreaking book.... Even the most hardboiled readers will find themselves moved."
—Charles Ardai, Edgar- and Shamus Award-winning editor of Hard Case Crime.

Set in a small-town North Carolina amusement park in 1973, Joyland tells the story of the summer in which college student Devin Jones comes to work as a carny and confronts the legacy of a vicious murder, the fate of a dying child, and the ways both will change his life forever. Joyland is a brand-new novel and has never previously been published.

©2013 Stephen King. All rights reserved. (P)2013 Simon & Schuster, Inc. All rights reserved.

Featured Article: Stephen King’s 20 Best Audiobooks—The Definitive List


Stephen King is one of the most prolific American authors of all time. He has published 61 novels, more than 200 short stories, and six nonfiction books—and he shows no sign of stopping. His most recent novel, The Institute, was published in September of 2019, and we’ve already pre-ordered his novella anthology If It Bleeds, which is set to be released in 2020. With such a large portfolio, choosing one listen to start with can be daunting.

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What listeners say about Joyland

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Two books in one

Any additional comments?

College student comes of age while working a summer job at a third-rate carnival. Told from the grown man's point of view looking back 40 years to that fateful summer, King's story masterfully blends youthful awkwardness and aspirations into 1970s carnival life. However, the murder of a young girl suddenly pops up well into the book. Solving the murder emerges as the apparent point of the book, but is in fact a distraction from the easygoing pace of the nostalgia-drenched coming-of-age story.

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Enjoyable Listen from Start to End

This isn't your typical suspense driven horror story - it's more of a character piece about a somewhat confused college student who manages to find direction from a job at a Carolina-Coast amusement park. Of course, it wouldn't be a King novel without a murder mystery to tie it all together. Perfect narration, with a story that never looses its steam.

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Don't pass this up!!

this is one of the BEST Stephen King books I have ever enjoyed. if you like how King talks about "the old days" of growing up or coming of age in the 70s this is a must read! It's not a typical horror story but scary and enchanting just the same. If you pass this up because you think horror is all you want from SK, you will have passed on a truly great story. Take a chance, like I did. I guarantee you won't be disappointed!

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He's really back

Would you listen to Joyland again? Why?

No, I rarely listen to/read books a second time, usually by accident!

What other book might you compare Joyland to and why?

I liked this better than the 11/23/63 Stephen King book, which I also really enjoyed. I had been turned off Stephen King for a decade or so, but I really liked these books.

Who was the most memorable character of Joyland and why?

Dev, the joy conveyed from of interacting with the children, was very touching

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Wonderful

Loved every minute. Drove the long way home a lot just to listen buy it

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Best. Narrator. Ever.

I love Stephen King and I love this novel. But the narrator makes it soooo much better. I’ve recommended this audiobook to all my friends and
family. My husband hates audiobooks and has a hard time paying attention, but even he loved this audiobook. Highly recommend.

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Enjoyed this story so much!

I didn’t expect to enjoy this story nearly as much as I did! It’s a great place to start if you’re new to Stephen King, and an absolute pleasure for seasoned King fans. Fine storytelling!

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Amazing Story

I am wiping a tear or two....just wonderful.
I was there with them, all.

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Beautiful

This one broke my heart, but I couldn’t stop listening. It’s a beautiful story that sneaks up on you.

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Really enjoyed it, but

So, the narrator is believable and fitting for the character. It was almost wholesome in a way. I really wished it was longer. I assumed the end was going to be just the beginning of the crescendo towards the finale. Very enjoyable nonetheless

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