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

Best book-Stephen King- Best Naraton - Craig Wasso

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

top 5

Who was your favorite character and why?

My favorite character can not be summed up as one. Stephen King has away of creating characters which intertwine so that they all are dramatic

What about Craig Wasson’s performance did you like?

Craig Wasson's performance was spot on. He was able to deliver this book in a fashion you could see and live each moment

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

This book will make everyone not only laugh, cry but also think

captivating!

Both the story and the narrator had me thinking about this book even when I wasn't listening to it. I doubt there will be another audible book I will listen to that will hold my attention like this one did. I have a feeling this was the wrong one to choose as my first one because I think all the others will be disappointment! I guess I shall see.

Twists, turns and consequences are worth it

I am so glad I listened to this book, I couldn't stop listening and I told everyone around me about it.

Great all around

What a great story, creatively twisted and excellently presented. A lot of painful memories attached to the events at the heart of the story... but a fresh presentation of it with the fictional stories added on made it a very enjoyable listen.

Intriguing

I usually get bored with books this long, but this one was one of those you cannot put down. It was exciting intriguing and bittersweet with endless twists and turns. Enjoyed every minute of it.

Excellent Telling!

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

The narrator - Craig Wasson is OUTSTANDING in his ability to create different character voices! The story is typical Stephen King which means good, but that goes without saying. For those who think all King writes is "horror" be warned this is not that kind of novel. I love to see Craig Wasson go back and narrate ALL of King's work because he truly makes the listening something to eagerly look forward too!

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

To me the Stand and The Tommyknockers are very similar in that neither was particularly "horrific" (nor intended that way I suspect), but contained a LOT of detail and character development.

Which scene was your favorite?

The part where Jake and Sade are on that final mission to stop Oswald is absolutely filled with suspense yet also encompasses events which one cannot help but find amusing - if not hilarious.

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

Yes...I even held my iPhone as I stood outside watering my lawn so I could keep going....this is hard to put down.

Any additional comments?

I would encourage anyone on the fence based on other reviews to do as I did and take the plunge. Stephen King has NEVER written a disappointing book and this one is superb!

Concept intriguing

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

The difference between audio and print is only in the physical aspects of holding a book and reading to yourself, but your time must be dedicated. Whereas an audio version allows you to do other things at the same time.

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

Many of Stephen King's other novels have unusual and sometimes far-fetched concepts, made plausible by the writer. The most recent might be The Dome.

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

No

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

If you could alter one event that changed your life, what would it be?

Any additional comments?

I always like the unabridged because I don't want to miss out on anything a favorite author might say.

Engaging, and thank heavens, not gruesome

At one point, I forgot this was a Stephen King novel and began to get worried that I would have to skip over some gory parts. There is a bit of supernatural hocus-pocus time travel that the reader must accept with an open mind, and most of the novel deals with the conundrums posed by the possibility of changing the past. Occasionally the voice of the 30-something year old narrator slips into King's 65 year old voice, displaying a degree of familiarity with 1960s era music and cars that seems out of place. As for gore, there were a few gruesome moments that I skipped over with no apparent harm. It's entertaining for the most part (the first part was too slow for my partner's taste), but not something that dazzled me with insight or occupied my thoughts for any time afterward. But not bad.

Incredibly entertaining!

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

This is my favorite audiobook so far.

Who was your favorite character and why?

The main character for what he tried to achieve and the courage it would take to pursue such endeavor.

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

I think Craig Wasson did an amazing job narrating the story, gave life to characters with his voices and different inflections, it was much like listening to a play. In other readings, the narrator doesn't always seem to become the character(s), but he certainly made me believe in the different people through his interpretation. Very enjoyable.

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

"The past is obdurate."

Any additional comments?

I highly recommend this book. The story was so intruiging that I could not stop listening. I spent many a sleepless night staying up listening to the story, fully engrossed in the details and possibilities it presented.

Great incentive to run!

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

The descriptions are so vivid & the story keeps you coming back.

What did you like best about this story?

The overall story line is engaging.

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

He brings the characters to life. Male, female, northern, southern, old, young...he covers them all.

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

Yes, but it's not possible. It's very long and I only listen to audio books when I run. Its my incentive to run in the winter.

Any additional comments?

I highly recommend this book. I was never a huge Stephen King fan, but the storyline was intriguing and it has turned out to be one of the best books I've heard in a longtime.