The Talisman

By: Stephen King, Peter Straub

Narrated by: Frank Muller

Length: 28 hrs

Publisher's summary

On a brisk autumn day, a 13-year-old boy stands on the shores of the gray Atlantic, near a silent amusement park and a fading ocean resort called the Alhambra. The past has driven Jack Sawyer here: His father is gone, his mother is dying, and the world no longer makes sense. But for Jack everything is about to change. For he has been chosen to make a journey back across America - and into another realm.

One of the most influential and heralded works of fantasy ever written, The Talisman is an extraordinary novel of loyalty, awakening, terror, and mystery. Jack Sawyer, on a desperate quest to save his mother's life, must search for a prize across an epic landscape of innocents and monsters, of incredible dangers and even more incredible truths. The prize is essential, but the journey means even more. Let the quest begin....

©2001 Simon & Schuster; 2001 Stephen King and Peter Straub

Critic reviews

Audie Award Winner, Fiction (unabridged), 2002

"A classic...rare and dazzling...a journey to rival the greatest adventure stories ever told." ( New York Daily News)

"Extraordinary...makes your hair stand on end." ( The Washington Post)

Need at least an hour at a time to listen to

What did you like best about The Talisman? What did you like least?

I could not get through much of the story. The story is complex. I listen in the car while driving to and from, in the kitchen while cooking, etc. I do not want to allocate an hour or two to sit an listen to an audiobook. Without that investment of time it would be hard for me to follow and/or appreciate.

Would you be willing to try another book from Stephen King and Peter Straub ? Why or why not?

Yes, shorter, 6 or 7 hours max, especially if it were as complex as this story.

Did Frank Muller do a good job differentiating all the characters? How?

He's a master storyteller. I love everything he presents.

Was The Talisman worth the listening time?

Not for me. Perhaps if I was laying in a hospital bed recovering from an accident and had nothing else in the world I wanted to do and could tolerate investing 27 hours for one book..it might be worth it...but I am not interested at this time.

Any additional comments?

Consider the time investment before you decide on this book.

Not my kind of reading

Totally desperate in this kind of Alice in the wonder land. Heard that was good but it was not my kind.

LOVED IT!

I struggled to read the book, but finished it. Audio version made it come alive!

Toned down King

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

I did enjoy this listen and it is obvious (to me at least) that this book is definitely a collaboration. Some of King's usual hard edges are chipped away a bit and there was a hint of softness spread throughout. The bad guys weren't as bad as they could of been and the good guys weren't as tough as some of the heroes we have seen in a number of King's other stories. A few of the characters are under developed especially Jack's "chum" and that is really my only complaint. I think if they would of spent 10 pages each on a few characters (Rich, Jack's father, Wolf) and established a stronger back story into their character it would of enhanced the overall story line.

What did you like best about this story?

Jack's travel across the country was filled with unexpected twists and situations.

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

I always end up enjoying Muller's performances after the first 1/2 hour. He has a real tendency to draw out the last word of every sentence. At first it is very annoying but after a while I get used to it and it seems to add to the overall enjoyment.

Who was the most memorable character of The Talisman and why?

I thought the Talisman itself was an interesting idea. Its self awareness and dependance on others was an approach I did not see coming

Any additional comments?

Their use of Mark Twain at the end of the book was perfect.

5 stars...

What a great story of love, fear ,loss, greed and spirit.
I can't say enough how much I enjoyed this story.. it is a wonderfully fun and exciting journey into a world of fantasy. If your looking for something to take you in and grab you then try this story.. just great.

Enjoy the journey.

I found the naration of this novel to be a bit breathy for the first hour or so. Every sentence ended with a whimper which I found to be very anoying and almost made me quit listening. Hang in there - the naration gets much better.

This is a great journey with wonderfuly diverse characters. Some are a bit stereotipical while others are fresh and original. I found Richard Sloat to be very anoying. Enjoy the journey because the ending leaves a little to be desired. Many of my questions went unanswered - once again - just enjoy the journey.

Frank Muller is the Man

Stephen King with Muller narrating is always an amazing combo. Check out the Dark Tower as well.

My first Stephen King novel

This was my first Stephen King novel and I enjoyed it very much. I look forward to starting his Dark Tower series.

Good, but not great

Would you listen to The Talisman again? Why?

As many other people have pointed out; the main drawback, at least for the initial duration of the book, is the narrator. The deep eerie voice and speedy narration is good for the dramatic parts, but what`s irritating is the fact that he seems to be using that same voice and pace regardless of the situation.

But as also others have pointed out; You do get used to his style of narration. And once you get past that, you`re in for a good story. Not King`s best, but definitely worth reading.

Wondrous enthralling story

This is my favorite book. Classic good versus evil. Makes you laugh, grin, ache and cry.
I have a hard time reading now and this was an excellent way to get to experience this wonderful story again. Thank you.