UR

By: Stephen King

Narrated by: Holter Graham

Length: 2 hrs and 20 mins

Publisher's summary

Tapping into our primal fears of modern technology, which made Cell a number-one best seller, Stephen King sets his sights on the latest high-tech gadget in UR, in which a mysterious e-book reader opens a disturbing window into other worlds.

Reeling from a painful break-up, English instructor and avid book lover Wesley Smith is haunted by his ex-girlfriend's parting shot: "Why can't you just read off the computer like everyone else?" He buys an e-book reader out of spite, but soon finds he can use the device to glimpse realities he had never before imagined, discovering literary riches beyond his wildest dreams...and all-too-human tragedies that surpass his most terrible nightmares.

From vintage cars (Christine and From a Buick 8) to household appliances (Maximum Overdrive) to exercise equipment (Stationary Bike), Stephen King has mesmerized us with tales of apparently ordinary machines that take on lives of their own. UR gives this classic theme an up-to-the-minute spin, resulting in a horror masterpiece for our time and for the ages.

©2010 Stephen King (P)2010 Simon & Schuster

Critic reviews

"Firm, gripping, and deftly written by a craftsman at the top of his game, this is King at his crisp, clear, page-turning best." (Amazon.com review)

Not what I was expecting

I’m a constant reader and I was surprisingly disappointed in the actual story. I always thought SK could publish his Thursday to do list and I’d still be enthralled. His ability to take me along on any journey was assured. That being said, I kept waiting for the parts where I gasped in surprise or disgust or awe but they never came. I did smile a few times, feeling that old kindred spirit holding my hand but in the end it was not good. As in, the end was not good. It’s like a suitable SK ending wasn’t found so a flat, plausible, unremarkable let down was put in its place. I’ll remain a constant reader but I won’t re read this story.

This One Feels Like a Transition

I like S. King's work and writing. Some of his books appear to be transitional pieces between other larger works and to me, UR is one of those. Interesting as a story but if I had it to do over, I wouldn't buy this one.

Good, I enjoyed it all the way to the ending!

Is there anything you would change about this book?

The storyline is quick moving and suspenseful building to climax in typical Stephen King style though in my judgment is not among his best efforts, it’s still a worthwhile purchase and an enjoyable listening experience.

What was your reaction to the ending? (No spoilers please!)

I was listening with a friend and fellow Stephen King fan and when the story ended we just looked at each other and said

What does Holter Graham bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Pacing, and suspense and the dimension that's added by hearing a story read.

Was UR worth the listening time?

Yes, unless you like an ending all wrapped up and not leaving you to finish the story in your imagination.

Excellent Short Story

This is an excellent short story that will appeal to many sci-fi fans and Dark Tower fans. I have listened to this many times and enjoy it each time. There are a few people who make the ridiculous statement that this is an advertisement for the Kindle. It is true that the main character uses a kindle in the story, but that hardly makes it an ad. Just like having a Buick in a story doesn't make that book an ad for Buicks and having a character drink a Coke doesn't mean it's an ad for Coca Cola. Kindles and other e-readers are a part of everyday life and this story has to do with a special kindle and the multi-verse.

mediocre

Slow start, it picks up but isn't mind blowing at all. Might be one of those, had to be in the year to appreciate it.

Love Stephen King

This book is fantastic! I love anything Stephen King!!! I thought I had all of his books but I see I don't. I gotta go book shopping ... right now!!!

short and sweet

I am a huge King fan. enjoyed this story. But by the time he built the characters it was over.

good narration. good story.

the narration was good. it was a good story. I would recommend it to a friend.

Intriguing

Was a great little story, but one I feel I have “heard” or maybe read somewhere before. Nevertheless, it was still very pleasing, and well performed by the narrator.

The multiverse courtesy of Amazon.com

There are worlds without number with variables without number out there. Worlds where your favorite author, now passed in our world, didn't die yet. They wrote more books. For the book lover, this would be like a kind of heaven. Imagine ordering a Kindle, when they were a new thing, and finding out you could download THOSE books too? Wonderful! But they just couldn't leave it as a simple book reader. Those guys in R&D had to add more features... and that's when the trouble really started.

This is a novella, published only electronically, as appropriate considering the story. The argument moves from traditional print versus electronic print to fate and destiny versus free will. Plus a visit by some low men in yellow coats. All in all, this is a story of hope and quite entertaining in it's telling. I am sorry I waited so long before checking this story out... it's well worth the time and money. And it will probably never be in traditional print. So grab it now.