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

Favorite audible book

Any additional comments?

This is my favorite audible book. Just relistened to it again and was struck again by how incredible the narrator is. It is the only audible book to bring me to tears multiple times from happiness and sadness. The story is very engaging and I can't give it enough stars. I'm usually pretty stingy with my stars, too.

the best 40 hours I've invested in years!!

I have "read" some truly excellent books in last two years on audible, but this is a masterpiece. the story is genius and was obviously extensively researched, the characters are richly developed and the end is king through and through. the performance is by far the best I've ever heard. craig wasson is brilliant! a must listen!!

Loved it

Narration is the best I have heard yet. This is, in my opinion, the best book S.K. has ever written. There is a mini-series coming in 2016 so if you like reading books before seeing the movies, get this Audiobook now!

impressive!

loved this book, the narrator did it for me. Every depiction of a character was believable. i didn't want it to end.

At last.....he's back!

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

The narrator is great! At first I thought he read a little too slowly, but by the end of the book I was thinking how much I would like to have him read my next many books.

Any additional comments?

This book is like the "old" Stephen King. More creepy, goosebumpy, and ironic, rather than blood and guts gorey. In fact, at times it was almost goody, goody two shoes. I really liked this book. Seemed like all the loose ends were tied up, and the ending had just the right amount of satisfaction. I didn't experience a draggy moment in it. Five stars, Stephen King and Craig Wasson!

Rather a thought provoking book

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

As a book that ponders upon the idea of changing the past and what the cost could be, I would recommend it to any reader. If you do not have an open mind and a sense of wonder at the world, you may not get it, or like it. If your mind is open to the mind blowing possibilities of traveling to another era and changing the world outcome, then this book is for you. From an abusive father to the President, every step is worth the listen.

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

This is the first book I have had the pleasure of hearing Mr. Wasson's voice. I look forward to the next experience.

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

I listen to books while driving, and at hourly breaks. If I had the time, this would be one of the best for a listening marathon.

Maybe the best audiobook I have ever listened too.

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

The story just grabs you and keeps you wanting more.

What about Craig Wasson’s performance did you like?

He did the accents perfect and made you think he WAS george/jacob.

AMAZING!! One of my favorites!

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

It's better for the only reason that I can drive and "read" at the same time!

What about Craig Wasson’s performance did you like?

All of it! He was great. Using the perfect amount of inflection in his voice and changing it up for the characters. Wonderful!

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

Absolutely! There were many times I spoke outloud as a reaction to something in the book, just to have my children look at me like I'm crazy.

Any additional comments?

Living in Lisbon Falls, Maine has made the experience of this book even more exhilarating!
We have recommended it to all our friends and family. The story grips you and we become very disappointed when the end of our drive has come and we have to pause it. (My husband and I listen on our way to work in the morning.)

Great storytelling and wonderful narration

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

I've never read Stephen King and wasn't sure I would like this, but he certainly tells a story well and kept me fascinated. The detail in his description of "the land of long ago" (1958-1963) was superb. The narrator was totally convincing in his portrayal.

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

The Doomsday Book by Connie Willis which also involves time travel to a dangerous moment and great period detail.

Which scene was your favorite?

I really enjoyed Jake's early forays into the past, when everything seems like fun and he is discovering how things smell and taste different, and learning how to behave in that world.

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

"He changed history - or did he?"

Any additional comments?

I found some elements of the book creepy and unnecessarily violent. I suppose this is Stephen King's usual style, but I didn't think they needed to be there. The whole book could have been edited to be shorter without losing focus. Unfortunately the part I found least interesting was the section with Lee Harvey Oswald and other real people, which was central to the plot. But in spite of these issues, it was spellbinding and the narration was outstanding.

Time Travel always interesting

I will preface this review with the fact that I usually enjoy time-travel stories and the dilemmas/paradoxes that go with them. I initially wondered how such a long story would drag on, but the story was quite engaging. Despite a few awkward poundcake issues, the book kept me guessing throughout.