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

Amazing narrator with excellent book

This has become my favorite audible book. The narration is excellent! He is so versatile with his accents and dialogue. I found myself going on walks just so I had more time to find out about the escapades of George Amberson/Jake Epping.

Sensational

If you could sum up 11-22-63 in three words, what would they be?

Suspenseful; Interesting; Emotional.

Any additional comments?

The best narration that I have yet heard. Craig Wasson's performance truly made the story come alive. He gave the characters a personality and a depth that was nearly three dimensional. The story was brilliantly written and held my captive attention throughout.

A. Maze. Ing. and WOW!

I'm a fan of time travel books, but it also has to be a very good story. For instance, I'm a huge fan of Gabaldon. Also, I haven't read a King book in years, so I wasn't aware of his non-horror writing. Very pleasant surprise: I didn't want this book to end. I think the last King book I listened to was 'From The Back of A Buick 8' in about 2003 or 4, and that was really good also, but this was better.

The performance was really good. I'm a fan of old movies, too, so when I heard the performer imitate (the sincerest form of flattery!) The Duke, Jimmy Stewart, and others, it helped me picture the characters in my head. It was like hearing all of my favorite actors in my head in the best possible manner. For me, this added to the experience, instead of being a distraction. I may get this in text, just for a varied experience of the same material

**Don't skip the Afterward**

I'm guessing this will be my top read of the year.

Fall in love with the past

I thoroughly enjoyed this thought provoking book. Sure it's meant to be fiction, but the past does seem to repeat. There are plenty of relevant issues that still apply today. The characters are rich, full and believable. I did enjoy reading this more than listening to it; as I did both. The narration was ok...I have been spoiled listening to Will Patton narrating other King books.

My first read with Stephen King!

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

Believable, and don't I wish you could save history.

What did you like best about this story?

I cried about the paper written by the janitor, and then I was hooked.

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

Who wants to ride an emotional roller coaster by themselves? Not me.

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

Yes...and I accepted the out come...

Any additional comments?

Have you ever wondered, what if JFK lived?

Will be on my "repeat listen" list

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

Suitable for those who like almost any genre.

What did you like best about this story?

Characters are real, time-traveling details are as realistic as the topic can get, of course King's writing is awesome.

What about Craig Wasson’s performance did you like?

I can't think of a better narrator for this book.

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

YES

Any additional comments?

I usually buy new Stephen King novels the minute they're put on the shelf. I waited a few weeks on this one. It didn't really seem like my kind of story, and I didn't know how Stephen King could possible write his signature horror as a historical novel. I couldn't have been more wrong. This is certainly one of SK's best stories to date, even though it's NOT his signature horror. I loved it all. I always get lost in a King novel---they are ultimate escapes for me--but this one moved me to tears a couple of times. This one has something for everyone, I think. I believe that even those who don't like Stephen King will really enjoy this book. If you're thinking about it, go ahead and use your credit here. I can't think of a better use for it.

Stephen King hits on an original idea, agian

phenomenal story, even with all the detail, you're hooked on every word. Outstanding story, thrilling.

Thoroughly enjoyed

An entertaining story. Very few slow parts and a satisfying ending. I liked it a lot

King needs a bit of editing to make this one good.

I really like the idea of this story and the beginning of it was pretty awesome. I loved the explanation of how the time travel worked and the first trips the fry cook made. The story of the main character and what happens to him when he goes back to the past is very enjoyable but when he starts working on his "mission" in earnest the book gets a bit schizophrenic. It almost was like King was writing a nice, but a bit weird, love story and then remembered he is a horror writer. I have been an avid King reader for a long time but this one felt a bit contrived and several chapters too long. I had to force myself to listen to the end and it seemed as if it could have ended quite a while before and been a better story. I gave this one a 4 star rating because of the beginning and then narration, without that it was probably a 3 for the story. The bits of historical content surrounding the Kennedy shooting were pretty interesting as well.

Superb!

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

I haven't read the book, just listened to it & I'll tell you Craig Wasson the narrator nails this.

Who was your favorite character and why?

The guy that takes over the mission, forget his name, listened to this book a while back :)

What about Craig Wasson’s performance did you like?

The way he changes the tone & difference in his voice at the right time & for different characters. After I listened to Craig narrate this book he had me hooked as a book you don't want to stop listening to take a break.

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

Yes, most definitely!

Any additional comments?

One of my favorite listens to date, I love the story line & the way Craig Wasson narrates this book makes you not want to stop for a break.