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The Talisman  By  cover art

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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Stick with it!

The narrator’s cadence is hard to get used to but after a little while it seems like the only way this story can be read.

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Great listen!

Amazing story . It kept me on the edge of my seat. Great characters. Very interesting plot loved it.

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Wow.

Started a little slow, as many of SK's books do, but definitely kicked up quick. This book might be one of my new favorites by SK. If youre looking for a great SK book without being too scary, this one is it. Its more adventure then horror in my opinion, but absolutely fantastic!

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Can't Quite Get Into the Book

Any additional comments?

I have a hard time getting into the book due to the narrators tone of voice. His voice does not due this book justice.

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A Stephen King Classic

This is classic King. Something I've been missing for a long time. A well constructed story of 2 worlds with many unforgettable characters! I read this many years ago and was hungry for a good novel so I revisited this one the "Audible" way. Kind of worth it with many of Kings novels. BUT, I just couldn't get used to this narrator. I liked his many different and distinct characterizations, but as the normal narrator he was a bit of an over-actor, and so "breathy" in his speech it irritated my every nerve and I couldn't get used to it as the story progressed. UGH!
That said, The Talisman IS a novel well worth revisiting or reading for the 1st time!

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One of my favorite King Novels

This book hits a lot of marks for what I look for in a novel. Fun, adventure, fantasy and bizarre stuff that only King can deliver! Wasn’t expecting to like this book as much as I did, since it doesn’t get the attention as some of Kings other novels. Highly recommend

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Great listen.

I would ignore all the negative comments being directed at the narrator Frank Muller. His performance is always great. If you're going down the King audio book journey Frank is there and it's a comfort to hear him bring these stories to life. Those "Constant Listeners" I don't believe have spent enough time with the King catalog to know what they're talking about.

The story itself was a really fun and immersive. It went by faster than expected. Now I'm off to start Black House. Enjoy your time with Jack.

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Love this book

I first read this book when I was around 20 and just listening to it again at 57 it was wonderful. It is one of my favorite stories

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I CAN LISTEN TO THIS TITLE OVER AND OVER.

loved it. my favorite King book.
I love that it has each chapter title so I can go back and play over if I missed something. I can add notes at my favorite part.

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Great Book

I loved it. Didn't want it to end, and I loved how the narrator did the voices!

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