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

Loved it.

Would you consider the audio edition of 11-22-63 to be better than the print version?

It so easy to get lost in the book with Mr. Wasson reading.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Deke Simmons reminds me of the teachers and administrators we all had when we were young.

Which scene was your favorite?

I can't say without giving away..... But let's just say the ending.

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

Can't give away the end of the book.

Any additional comments?

Great book to listen to. I love history and this book threw in enough of the past to grab me and enough make believe for me to get lost in. I wish King would write more books like this.

Amazing until right before the end.

I loved the story and it was a thrill to follow. I admit, it died a little before the end and didn't end as strongly as I would have liked, but then again I'm still pretty naive when it comes to Stephen King books. But even then, I would highly suggest it, the end isn't all that matters really.

A surprise gem

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

The concept of the book, the story was imaginative and a surprise as I don't normally care for Steven King.

What other book might you compare 11-22-63 to and why?

On just storyl ine, I'd compare it to Timeline by Michael Cramer. This book however had much more back story, depth, and history to it.

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

I didn't have a particular favorite, I thought all were done very well. It was easy to distinguish characters during the performance. That's a rare talent for most performers.

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

The Prom scene... don't want to spoil it.

Any additional comments?

I listened on a recommendation and found myself wrapped up in it. Was a great escape.

King is unmatched as a writer

Would you consider the audio edition of 11-22-63 to be better than the print version?

This audio version is as good as the written version. Wassen is spectacular.

Who was your favorite character and why?

The abdurant past is the most powerfully written character in the story. Only King could pull this off.

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

Wassen plays a number of voices, all famous actors from what I can tell. It makes listening fun and fits Kings sense of humor.

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

King makes 30 hours seem like....well 30 hours. That's King ya gotta love it.

I loved everything about this book.

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

Fantastic book. It really grabbed my attention from the beginning and kept it the whole way (which was over 30 hours of listening). Sci-fi mixed with history crossed with horror and a beautifully written love story, this book really had everything.

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

Excellent narrator. He made the story better.

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

Not possible to listen to this book in one sitting, but I consistently listened to it in my car and didn't miss listening to music because I was so invested in this story.

This story has compelled me to write my 1st review

Any additional comments?

Brilliant! One of my top 5 favorite books EVER! This is only my 2nd Stephen King novel. I haven't been a big fan of his primary genre. But 11-22-63 has me seeking out more non-horror SK books (I'm just starting The Stand). Stephen King's ability to write descriptively without the overuse of adjectives is what pulls you into the story. He makes it easy to not only imagine the unimaginable, but has you standing right there next to the protagonist, smelling the same air. In response to other comments of the story being slow at times... I did experience a few points when the story seemed to drag and I wasn't as engaged; however, I realize now that there were a lot of little details in those sections that are referenced later throughout the story. I wish I had paid closer attention during those 'slow' parts and I will... when I listen to it again.

One of Stephen King's Best

Well researched and well written, I believe King has outdone himself on this one. The plot line has elements of love, hate, hope, and despair, and enough intrigue to keep me listening when I would have put others aside. Being an avid Audible member since 2003, this is no minor accolade. I've always been a fan of time travel stories and "the butterfly effect," and this novel is a welcome addition to the sub genre. What makes the story even more compelling is an excellent narration by Craig Wasson. If you enjoy the likes of Stephen Webber, Ron McLarty, Frank Muller, and Scott Brick, add Craig to the list of those with an uncanny ability to enhance an already great story.

An unforgetable read....

I listen to a lot of books and this one still stands out as one of the best I've encountered. The story is fresh and unpredictable. It grabs your attention and doesn't let go. The narration is second to none - he has you visualizing the story inside your head. I believe that this is King's best work ever.

Historically Engaging

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

The realness of the time, the culture and the facts.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Jake - his struggle with altering reality and his love and care for those in history were palpable and real.

What about Craig Wasson’s performance did you like?

His voice seemed indicative of the time period when Jake/George exists 1958 - 1963. The tone and delivery were spot on for that time period contrasted with slang and expressions from the preset time.

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

The death of Sadie

Any additional comments?

Although the end in how drastic the changes are in 2011 after making these changes in history is predictable and expected - just wish altering the space time continuum wasn't always so dire.

Sorry it is over!

This book made cleaning the garage far less of a chore! I was so interested in the book, the cleaning was done before I knew it. Will keep you entertained from the first page until the last.