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)

A great adventure!

If you could sum up The Talisman in three words, what would they be?

My favorite story.

What about Frank Muller’s performance did you like?

I liked the way he did the different characters, especially Wolf.

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

The stay in the Sunlight Home.

Any additional comments?

I have read this book several times, it was great to have it read to me. This is a fantastic coming-of-age story and an awesome adventure.

Great loved it. the naration was great. loved the

loved it was great. great naration. I could feel the story

I liked the tone and feeling

What storytellers, King & Straub!

Loved this story full of twists and turns! Every character added to the story which completely transfixed me. Narration was amazing and brought the words alive! what an adventure!

Steven King's on O.G.

being my first autable book I loved it. Addicting, couldn't wait to listen. King's amazing

Edge of my seat

Once again Stephen King doesn't disappoint, I have listen to this book many tines always keeps me entertained.

Self Indulgent

Seemed this book would never end! It could have been a really good story that didn’t need having 100’s of battles to make its point - instead it was very tedious to say the least!

Couldn't take another minute of the narrator...

...So disappointed. I LOVE Stephen King and was looking forward to listening to this book. The narrator is unbearable. He puts on some kind of performance, making it impossible to follow the story. He speeds up each sentence to the point that you lose track of what's being read, then ends with a dramatic slow pause.

My favorite novel!

I would suggest this book to anyone. it is a feel good story that reminds you of what adventure felt like as a child. I first read this when I was 13.

Good book....

I have not quite finished listening to this book, but feel obligated to comment on the narration. I did not have the issues some have written about with this reader - his style is quite appropriate, in my opinion, giving the reading a bit of "creepiness" which fits in with the book. However, the narrator needs to have some dental work done because the whistle of his "S" nearly drives me crazy. Had to turn the volume down quite a bit to keep it from hurting my ears, and when it is necessary to turn it up because of outside noise, I can hardly wait to get it turned down again.
But listen anyway, if you can. Worth your time.

Graphic and full of emotion

Although the story did not grab my attention immediately it did gain momentum and I remained engage throughout. I feel in love and hated many of the characters which reminded me of real life. The narrators was good and his breadth of character voices made the story come alive.