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

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.

Overall, a good listen

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

I liked the premise and the plot was interesting. It usually takes me a month to listen to a book and I listened to this in just four days.

Any additional comments?

I enjoyed the narration, but... Most of the book was read by one narrator, then about halfway through, it switched to another reader and they switch back and forth willy-nilly. I liked both of them, but it was annoying to adjust and re-adjust to the New England accents that are very different from each other.

great book

I live in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. I wish the audio matched local pronunciation. it's easy to check and distracting for those who know.

fantastic listen

truly could not be happier. Stephen king at his finest, and the performance was top notch!

enthralling!

Can't stop listening! The narrator is great, story line very interesting...never had to work to stay engaged with the story. I am not typically a King fan, but I am enjoying this book very much.

Long but worth it!

I was leery of the books length but i never lost interest. A great book