Joyland

By: Stephen King

Narrated by: Michael Kelly

Length: 7 hrs and 33 mins

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.

Horror, as beauty, is everywhere

I won't be able to provide a fitting summation of the story... but, those are plentiful online...
instead, i will say that Mr. King started his career by showing us what was lurking in the Dark... at some point, perhaps after an extended stay in hospital, he became the greatest of our time at showing us all that there is darkness in the daylight and light in the darkness...
Don't read this title if you are hoping for a horror novel... but, you must read this story if you are seeking a rewarding and powerful tale of life, love and... yes, magic... the magic of life and the human spirit...
May we all find more darkness than light... and, may we all use our own version of the Sight to touch others...
Read, enjoy... live well

Perfect Summer Read

Joyland is not the hard-boiled thriller that the (beautiful) cover suggests, but rather a character-driven yarn, more comparable to Bag of Bones or Hearts of Atlantis. I listened to it compulsively, and yes, completed it by the pool at the beach. Michael Kelly subtle narration is perfectly in-character and right for the book.

King steps out of his element with a great mystery

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

Yes. I already have.
I have many friends that enjoy Stephen King's work and this is one of the best stories he has written in a while. I have read many of King's stories and I have noticed a few common formulas that he uses in many of them. However, this story does not follow that formula. He has broken out of the mold and created a fantastic mystery novel.

Who was your favorite character and why?

I've never been much for picking one favorite character. A good story should not be supported by merely one character.
As with many of King's stories, the characters are well developed and you find yourself connecting with them as if you have known them your whole life.
The relationship between the sick boy and his mother is touching. The mother's interaction with her dying son makes me think of my own mother and how she might behave in the same circumstance. She is the classic protective mother that would fight to her death to protect her son. She tries to remain strong, to hide her emotions, to pretend that life is normal and good. However, her son knows the truth and proves to be even stronger than his mother.

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

That was the first time I have heard a story read by Michael Kelly. He did a good job but his inability to alter his voice very well for the different characters, was a little off-putting for me.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

I was particularly moved by the boy's efforts to be strong for his mother when she could not. Even though the boy was the one who was sick, he looked after his mother as if it were her that were battling death.
This story combines love, mystery, human kindness, and a reminder of how fragile life really is.

Any additional comments?

I would highly recommend this book to anyone. It is not just another Stephen King horror story. This book is good for anyone looking for suspense, drama, mystery, or just a feel-good story about humanity and our love for one another.

Good Story and Characters

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

No - I would think they would be equal

What was one of the most memorable moments of Joyland?

Finding out about why the ghost was in the funhouse.

If you could rename Joyland, what would you call it?

I think the title is perfect!

Any additional comments?

Good story of the "permanent" type of carnivals and fairs before the huge amusement parks came into existence. Good mix of noble and sinister characters.

Great story

The narrator was wonderful what a story teller. Of course with a Stephen King book he had a lot to work with. this story held my attention from beginning to end.

Warm and Authentic

Stephen King can run the gambit from The Shining's truly scary supernatural to a psychotic murderer in Mr. Mercedes--and I love em all. But not since his novella, 'The Body' has he so expertly told a touching coming of age tale with just a touch of the stuff that haunts us.
This Audible version delivers the story well, with believable narration.
I recommend this book as a mystery, a look at our past and a slice of one young man's life.

Great book even though Not a Stephen King fan

My friend is a HUGE Stephen King fan. He recommended this book. Typical Stephen King is too long winded for me, but this book was GREAT. Great speed, great story, great characters. A little ghosts and a little magic, but mostly a murder mystery. A twist like Sixth Sense. Shorter than most Stephen King, but s very rich story.

Performance

Although the story was not what I thought it would be when I think of Stephen King, the performance was one of the best I have heard. I will be looking for more audible stories narrated by Michael Kelly

Another Stephen King Success

Like all Stephen King stories, this is more psychological than horror, and perhaps a little predictable, but still an enjoyable listen. I like the way he paints an actual picture with his words, as if you can see the characters, the weather, the surroundings. All in all a great listen.

Great summer listen, fantastic narrator.

Really enjoyed this, especially the minutiae of 70’s theme park day-to-day life. Great characters, and the narrator was probably the best I’ve heard on audible. The kind of story where you miss the characters when it’s over.