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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.

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What listeners say about Joyland

Average customer ratings
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The narrator really made this book come alive

The quality of a narrator will make or break an audio book for me.

This is a great book.

And Michael Kelly is a great narrator.

I felt like I Devin was really talking to me - it was a riveting book and I heard it all in only a few listens.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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King rules...always

What made the experience of listening to Joyland the most enjoyable?

This was a great book but I think the reader is really what took this over the top.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Joyland?

Enjoyed all the early 70s memory joggers

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

Michael Kelly did a fabulous job with this book!

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For the Non-King reader, This is One to Try

Would you listen to Joyland again? Why?

I might listen to "Joyland" in a few years. Just like I plan to listen to "It" again. It is easy to place yourself inside both novels. King writes about a time that feels so familiar. I have read a number of his novels and some are the very definition of creepy. This one isn't creepy in the same way that "Salem's Lot" or "Dreamcatcher" were, but it does have an edge, plus I am always game for a ghost or two in any story.

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

He has a voice that is easy to listen to--there was nothing about it that distracted this listener.

Any additional comments?

This was a sweet story and kept me listening when I ought not to.

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    4 out of 5 stars
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Not Stephen King

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

not really, Not even near Stephen King. Story itself was ok. Simple, but not very exciting. Loved Mike.

What about Michael Kelly’s performance did you like?

His performance was very good. Characters stood out as individuals and the story was easy to follow.

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Fabulous book! Not your "normal" Stephen King

While this book is not the "scary" Stephen King we have come to expect, it does has a ghost and a wonderful mystery. There is an amazing main character. What does it say about a writer when you strive in your life to be more like the main character in his book? I totally am trying to be more like Devin as he is a truly great guy!

This book spans friendships and life as a carnie and having worked at several theme parks, he is right on about a lot of it. This book took place when I was VERY young, and the detail is there, as we have come to expect with a King book.

Again I say it is not a typical King, but it is a very very good story and I was hooked quickly! It is really in touch with a coming into manhood teenaged boy in the 1970's. Bravo Mr. King, BRAVO! Loved it!

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    4 out of 5 stars

Easy to find yourself lost in expert storytelling.

You needn't have read most of King's contemporary tales to enjoy this yarn with enough youthful innocence combined with supernatural undertones to keep you listening the whole day through.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

King is the schlockmeister king.

A spooky summer read for a young adult and a return to college summers for those older.

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Awesome

What made the experience of listening to Joyland the most enjoyable?

Awesome story line

Any additional comments?

Glad I chose it. I found it to be more of a mystery than horror but still an excellent choice. I would highly recommend it. Narration was fantastic

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fantastic!!!

I loved everything about this book. I could listen/read this over and over. my imagine ran free with this one. as if it were a movie in my head

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Descriptive and well-written

Would you listen to Joyland again? Why?

Yes I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The twist at the end was appreciated but not entirely unexpected.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Joyland?

The special visit to the fair

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