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The Talisman

By: Stephen King, Peter Straub
Narrated by: Frank Muller
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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)

Featured Article: We're Your #1 Fans—A Stephen King Character Guide


With a mind-boggling portfolio of 62 novels and more than 200 short stories (and counting!), Stephen King undeniably reigns supreme over literary horror. From Danny Torrance to the dreaded Pennywise, check out some of his most iconic characters with this comprehensive look. (But beware: there are spoilers ahead! So, much like when you press play on a Stephen King audiobook, you should proceed with caution.)

What listeners say about The Talisman

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A boy on a quest

Like a cross between Homer and Jack and the bean stock. Nice to revisit after 15 years. Stands up and above.

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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Interesting Sci-fi Fantasy

I am not much of a fantasy person and I hope that doesn't cause this review to be too tainted. Multidimensional, this story follows a12 year old who, through "imagination" can travel between territories to travel faster, avoid threats, or meet certain people. The boy, trying to save his mother must avoid his power hungry uncle and his minions.
I think that my favorite part was the blastedlands trek. Overall, I thought the story was a little dull, painfully slow for the first half, and possessed of too many whiny, obnoxious people for me to truly enjoy.

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    4 out of 5 stars
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A little slow to start, pretty epic by the end.

This didn't hook me right away, but by the end I couldn't wait for my breaks at work to finish this. Some truly horrifying moments, and I really enjoy Frank Mullers' reading.

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Great book. King and Straub really gel well!

Would you listen to The Talisman again? Why?

I would definitely listen to this book again the narrator Frank Muller is an awesome interpreter of the story. King and Straub tap into your imagination that takes you on a great journey with Jack Sawyer a young man on a quest to save his mother.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Talisman?

I loved when Jack (the herd) meets Wolf

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another excellent read!

loved this selection from King . had never heard of it before. Great read !

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Do not like narrator

This story is incredible. But this narrator kind of kills it for me. I should’ve paid attention to who was narrating because I listened to a couple Dark Tower and did not like him. Do yourself a favor and read this book instead of listen!

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Love The Authors Collaboration

Loved all of the different characters especially traveling Jack. The story was full of action it would be a great movie adaptation.

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Great Story!

I had read this years ago and it was like going home - edge of your seat King.

Enjoy!

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Almost as I saw it in my head.

I first read this book as a high school freshman. Loved it. I didn't think anyone could make my brain imagine these things again. The narrator totally nailed it. The only thing definitely recommend, especially if you read the book.

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The Talisman

loved it...
love to hear frank too
great book, great listen, love love love it.
would recommend this book to EVERYONE!!

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