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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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Epic Tale

This has always been one of my favorites. What a treat to hear it anew.

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greatest fantasy story ever

love this book. just a great fantasy read. Stephen King is the best. thank yo

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    3 out of 5 stars
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Not My Type

My coworker loved this book and suggested it to me. It was hard for me to get into. The narrator was pretty dry, IMO.

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An excellent story and Narrator

The Talisman is definitely in my top 5 Stephen King books. Love the story, details, and just everything.

Frank Muller gave the characters depth and brought them to life. My only grievance was that I had to play the book at 90% speed, as Frank was a very quick actor. I can definitely read that fast, but I guess my eyes are faster than my ears.

Excellent work, excellent book. A coming of age story for all.

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Excellent as always

Haven’t found a King book yet that hasn’t been A+. Only mini complaint on this one was Wolf!! 😫

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Great Fantasy!

After years of prodding from my mother, not an SK fan, I finally listened to The Talisman and was not let down. Wonderful book with a sense of duality about where the true danger lies for a young teenager on an epic journey.

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Ugh, that voice

The reader sounds like he's trying to seduce you into buying bootleg condoms and/or a questionable jazz album. Hard to get past. Stop whispering guy, save it for actual whispering in the story.

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Talisman

narrator was wonderful. Great story. Will look for him again.
Love this story and Stephen King

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Want more of the hero!

Loved it. Sorry it ended. Want another Jack/Jason book. Enjoyed listening to this audio book. After listening for a couple minutes, it grabbed me very quickly. Looked forward to listening every night.

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Excellent book

This is a classic. Audio and text are amazing. Check out the sequel too.

Great story, action, humor, horror, coming of age..

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