Sample
  • 11-22-63

  • A Novel
  • By: Stephen King
  • Narrated by: Craig Wasson
  • Length: 30 hrs and 40 mins
  • 4.7 out of 5 stars (69,213 ratings)

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11-22-63

By: Stephen King
Narrated by: Craig Wasson
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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

Featured Article: The definitive guide to the very best Stephen King adaptations


If you’re a Stephen King fanatic, or are interested in learning about the movies and shows made from his books, this round-up will provide you with a comprehensive list of the very best Stephen King screen adaptations. Watch the adaptation and then listen to the audiobook, or vice versa—this choice is yours. Either way, you can see how the adaptation stacks up against the source material and experience these legendary frights over and over again.

Editor's Pick: Best of the Decade

A nostalgic trip
"Stephen King’s 11.22.63 is a technicolor romp to the past where the root beer tastes better, cars have more class, and listeners are warned to beware the yellow card man. I was not alive in 1963, but after spending 30+ hours listening to narrator Craig Wasson bring these fictional (and real) characters brilliantly to life, I feel like while I didn’t live there, I’ve at least visited for a long weekend. Blending time travel, history, a little romance, and political intrigue, this is an oddly feel-good tale—odd because it's about assassination and comes from the king of horror. The thing is that King also just happens to be a masterful storyteller whose best work of the decade will warm your heart more than scare the hell out of you." — Tricia F., Audible Editor

What listeners say about 11-22-63

Average customer ratings
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  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
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    51,610
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  • 3 Stars
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  • 2 Stars
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Superb!

Great story, and great narration. This isn't usual horror from the author but a little on the science fiction side. Very good.

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    4 out of 5 stars

Great, but too a drags in the middle

It's a long. Sometimes you want to savor the story, and you don't mind. Other times it gets dull. The initial part of the book, taking place in Maine, is really interesting. Then the years before Oswald is around get pretty slow. Craig Wasson has a great voice for the narrator. Other voices are kind of comical or distracting. For FBI agent Hosty he uses a WC Fields voice. The Russian accents are off, and the Russian language is impenetrable. That;s nitpicking in such a long book, but I wonder why authors and readers don't take a bit more care with the foreign languages. Oh well, enjoy the story.

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Another great one!!

Really great book! If anyone was going to write this I was glad it was Stephen King! Also about halfway through you realize this isn't just a story about time travel it's a lovely beautifully written love story.... If you have the chance watch the series on Hulu..

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    5 out of 5 stars
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I consumed this book

I couldn’t stop listening. I felt like I was in the story as another character on the sidelines. Left me wanting for more but in a good way.

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great story

This is a wonderful story with a very interesting twist on time travel.
The narrator is excellent, and made me enjoy every single second of this journey.

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Best Book Ever!

I’ve listened to many many audiobooks but this one was truly the best one I’ve ever listened to! The character development is so deep and interesting and the story line is so compelling - Loved ever minute of it!

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King's Most Mature Work -- Couldn't Put it Down!

This may be the best...most mature...and most beautiful novel King has ever written. It's long -- yet it reads like a suspense novel. The characters and story grabbed me, and Craig Wasson's AMAZING reading took my breath away. I didn't want it to end, yet I couldn't stop listening.

There's no good-vs-evil, no black-and-white thinking here. It's much more complex...much more believable. King must have done meticulous historical research and contemplated hundreds of "what if" scenarios. I love history, and have always been fascinated by counterfactual history. This novel is the ultimate example of that.

Most importantly, I really cared about these characters -- and that's what makes a book unforgettable for me. I'll be thinking about this one for a long time.

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Speechless

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

All I can say is go read it now! one of my absolute favorite books of all time!

Who was your favorite character and why?

Jake/George of course! Such a complex character, such a good man who gave up so much!

What about Craig Wasson’s performance did you like?

His voice was engaging and his ability to portray the different characters' voices was unbelievable.

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

The ending ;)

Any additional comments?

keep some tissues handy for this one!

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Couldn't Stop Listening

I listen to books during my commute, but this was sooo good...I took it to the gym and listened to it before I went to sleep...I couldn't stop listening! This was my first Steven King novel, but it won't be my last!

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    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Great Ending

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

A bit long, but kept me involved for the full 30 hours. Strong and thought provoking finish.

What about Craig Wasson’s performance did you like?

The narrator did an excellent job with the voices of different characters. I never tired of hearing his voice and the pacing was right on.

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

I doubt it is possible to listen to this book in one sitting, but I was always anxious to get back to it. I tried to stretch it out till my next credit was available, but ended up a week early.

Any additional comments?

Stephen King has quite an imagination.

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