11-22-63

A Novel

By: Stephen King

Narrated by: Craig Wasson

Length: 30 hrs and 40 mins

Publisher's summary

On November 22, 1963, three shots rang out in Dallas, President Kennedy died, and the world changed. What if you could change it back?

In this brilliantly conceived tour de force, Stephen King - who has absorbed the social, political, and popular culture of his generation more imaginatively and thoroughly than any other writer - takes listeners on an incredible journey into the past and the possibility of altering it.

It begins with Jake Epping, a 35-year-old English teacher in Lisbon Falls, Maine, who makes extra money teaching GED classes. He asks his students to write about an event that changed their lives, and one essay blows him away: a gruesome, harrowing story about the night more than 50 years ago when Harry Dunning’s father came home and killed his mother, his sister, and his brother with a sledgehammer. Reading the essay is a watershed moment for Jake, his life - like Harry’s, like America’s in 1963 - turning on a dime.

Not much later his friend Al, who owns the local diner, divulges a secret: his storeroom is a portal to the past, a particular day in 1958. And Al enlists Jake to take over the mission that has become his obsession - to prevent the Kennedy assassination.

So begins Jake’s new life as George Amberson, in a different world - of Ike and JFK and Elvis, of big American cars and sock hops and cigarette smoke everywhere. From the dank little city of Derry, Maine (where there’s Dunning business to conduct), to the warmhearted small town of Jodie, Texas, where Jake falls dangerously in love, every turn is leading, eventually of course, to a troubled loner named Lee Harvey Oswald and to Dallas, where the past becomes heart-stoppingly suspenseful - and where history might not be history anymore. Time-travel has never been so believable. Or so terrifying.

©2011 Stephen King. All Rights Reserved. (P)2011 Simon & Schuster, Inc

Not as good as I hoped, but not bad either

I can't say that I loved this book nor can I say I hated it. I am in the middle. In my opinion it was not our typical King and that's not necessarily a bad thing. It was long like a lot of his books are and I love that. It had multiple stories which I also loved.

What I didn't love was that it took a long time to get to the 'real' story which was stopping Lee Harvey Oswald from assassinating Kennedy. There was a ton of stuff leading up to it, some of it added to the story, gave it background but other stuff could have been another book. I found it to be more of a love story between Jake/George and Sadie who he meets when he goes back to the 50's and 60's.

I am going to go against the majority as usual. I loved Jake/George, I cared about him and felt like he could be a great friend. I loved Al who got the ball rolling with the time travel stuff. BUT, I just did not like Sadie! I found her to be just a little more than annoying and whiny.

The narrator was awesome and made those long chapters of background so much more enjoyable. The book held my attention but just was not what I thought it would be. Again I say, not a bad book, but not my favorite either.

If you are a King fan give it a read. It was a nice step back in time.

My favorite Stephen King Novel

Dare I say...Stephen king has grown up? LOL The horror master creates a magical mind bending time traveling masterpiece. This book is entertaining, the reader becomes lost in it, and it is almost as addictive as repeated visits back in time. If you are looking for a fun read with some unexpected twists this is a perfect listen. It’s the sort of book you could recommend to almost anyone and they’d enjoy it.

If You Like A Good Story - This is it!

What made the experience of listening to 11-22-63 the most enjoyable?

I am not a huge horror fan, especially being a Christian. I have enjoyed other King works but this is totally different from his horror genre. He is a master story teller and Craig Wasson is the perfect narrator. He is brilliant at ebbing and flowing from a Savanah drawl to a Texas Twang to a New England accent as well. Normally I hate it when a man narrates a woman's role... but Craig is flawless.

The story itself is fiction based upon a ton of research and it really does take you back in time to the late 50s and early 60s. I live in the Metroplex and for me it is surreal to listen/read this story and imagine the area the way King does back in the 60s. Like the Book Depository.

I won't spoil anything, but I do know the ending was changed after Kings son suggested it. I am glad he listened to his son. If you have a Monster commute or time on your hands, this is a great story.

Interesting Plot, Kept me to the end

I've been a Stephen King fan for a long time but some of his more graphic novels had me wondering if I would enjoy hearing his work. This is not a blood and gore story, it is more mystery and sci-fi.

The story revolves around a man who goes back in time to prevent the death of JFK. The concept itself was fascinating to me. What would it be like? King does a great job illustrating the differences, in dress, in slang, in expectations, between our modern world and the late 50s and 60s. He captures the small things I would not have thought about but truly make the story feel real.

I really liked hearing the echos of his other works in this novel. We visit places and people in his other books which weaves a more complex story.

Give this one a try. The narration is excellent, pace is good and the story is captivating.

Better Than I Expected

In the past, I have not been a big fan of Stephen King's work. He was always a master storyteller, and able to tap into many base human emotions, but I never thought he was a really great writer. I'm glad to say that I am starting to change my opinion, specifically with much of his newer work.

I like the way he handles the time travel in this book. It is done very well and has consequences, unlike in most books. The story is a very human story and does a good job of taking you to a place in time.

Normally, Stephen King does not write books that are this long, and in this case I don't think he should have either. There is a good bit of stuff in the middle of the book that kind of feels like filler. He could have shaved a lot of that part down and not lost anything in the telling. But, when you are Stephen King, I guess not too many people are telling you to shave down parts of your book :) Another slight case of my pet peeve about missing editors in most books today, but not overly egregious, and still told very well.

Overall, you will like this book, even if you (gasp) don't normally like Stephen King.

Be careful what you wish for…

11/22/63 is my favorite book by Stephen King. It’s not his scariest, but there are horrifying moments - King has a way of presenting the horrifying “normal” of the past (domestic violence & racism to name two) through the 21st century eyes of protagonist Jake Epping.
The descriptions of the warmly remembered ‘60’s are lovely and nostalgic - from the taste of the root beer to the descriptions of automobiles and kindness of strangers… though just around the corner lurks the poison ivy lined path to the “Blacks” outhouse & the “drunk-a-daddys” who beat their wives & kids.
The time travel element is well thought out (of course, it’s Stephen King…) and it’s rules are consistently followed. How vast is that Butterfly Effect… Jake initially has no idea.
The interweaving of fact & fiction is wonderful. King brings the characters of Lee & Marina to life. Lee’s mother is a classic King monster.
My favorite part of the book is the relationship between Jake and Sadie and their life in Jody, Texas. How Jake is torn between his “mission” and his love for Sadie.
The past is obdurate.
Small decisions send waves out into the universe and result in consequences we couldn’t imagine.

I have listened to this performance by Craig Wasson several times. The ending makes me cry every time. I love this book.

Love, love, love this book

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes. I think this book appeals to a wide spectrum of readers. Very well read!

What was one of the most memorable moments of 11-22-63?

I absolutely love the love story between the main character and Sadie.

Have you listened to any of Craig Wasson’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

No

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

No

Any additional comments?

Excellent book even if you are not a Stephen King fan!

A fresh angle on a classic conspiracy story.

What did you love best about 11-22-63?

The abundant content never got boring.

What was one of the most memorable moments of 11-22-63?

When our hero finally turns dark and starts making decisions for himself rather than history.

Which character – as performed by Craig Wasson – was your favorite?

I enjoyed them all.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

If you could go back and change just one thing....would you?

Any additional comments?

Great book. I'm so glad I chose Stephen King to be my first audible audiobook, as Skeleton Crew was my first true recreational read almost 30 years ago.

Great Story

This book pulled me in from he start. I really enjoyed the historical nature of the story combined with science fiction. The detailed description of the scenes and people had me visualizing the characters and the environment. I didn't think he could outdo Under the Dome... I actually applauded at the end.... Thanx for the entertainment

Enjoyed Immensely

Where does 11-22-63 rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Definitely in top 5

Who was your favorite character and why?

Jake a.k.a George Amberson

Have you listened to any of Craig Wasson’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

Unsure, I enjoyed the narrator EXCEPT when it came to the female character Sadie. He made her sound extremely old & very unattractive. It was hard to see Sadie as pretty. Desirable enough to have as much sex she had - not even almost. I picture Sadie as dull, awkward, plain, ugly, man looking with big feet. His narration for Sadie was just plain ol atrocious.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

When football player followed his heart and acted in a play & did a super job.