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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

Average customer ratings
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Jack Sawyer and Flipping (out)!!

I thought I had read all the Dark Tower books, was found that I had not! This story was riveting and filled with wonder and suspense! Jack Sawyer was a very realistic character and very endearing as was Wolf! I will miss them. I always end up driving the end of any Stephen King books because his characters are very three-dimensional and I miss them when the book is over. This was no different.

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Great boom bad reader

The story was great but the dude reading it was trash. it was particularly awful the first half of the book but much better the second half.

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Good listen but

Overall I liked the book but the first half seemed to be pointless “detours” too slow him down I didn’t mind so much but for other people I could push them away from the book.
The very end also seem to drag in the final 30-40min.
Overall I’m pleased with the book and I will be listening to the sequel.

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This is my favorite Stephen King book

The audiobook does not disappoint. The narration is done wonderfully. I've listened to it several times.

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Wonderful journey

A wonderful journey for any sci-fi lover. This story was hard to pause because I didn’t want to stop.

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Amazing story. Not a fan of narrator.

I really enjoyed this story. My only complaint is the narrator. He wasn’t bad, I just didn’t enjoy his style of narration and voice. By midway through the book, I was used to his voice. I am just not a fan of Frank Miller’s voice. However, that will not dissuade me from listening to any other books he has narrated.

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A Srory Bizarre And Extrodinary In Scope

I loved every bit of The Talisman and I am looking forward to continuing the tale with its sequel, Black House. Stephen King is a creative genius! What a story!!

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Another Dark Tower Extended Series Book

I'm listening to the Dark Tower: Extended Series list. On the surface, this has nothing to do with the DT, but was really enjoyable once it started. The story was excellent. It was very much like The Shining spooky. I know King went through a lot in those early days, but I think the stories that came out of that time are his scariest and I am still fascinated by them. This story might be one of my all time favorites, and I am excited to get through a few more books to the sequel: Black House.

I was also very pleased that this was ready by Frank Muller.

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Great Read

I really enjoyed this book. I'm looking forward to The Black House. Thank you for your time and energy.

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Frank Muller is the best

a story that is strikingly similar to that of The Dark Tower, this novel was a bit flat at the start but often King sets his stage and let's you get to know his characters. great story and it's all brought to life by the best in the business. Frank Muller.

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