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

great

this is a wonderful story. I truly felt transported in time. I will say that if you don't have an interest in jfk then you would not like this book. there are chapters that focus solely on oswald.

Fantastoc

I absolutely love this story. Stephen King did not disappoint.. it was full of twists and turns I didn't predict. new spin on time travel stories.

My Favorite King!

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

It would be at the top of the list. The story line was complex, included a little bit of history, and completely had me hooked! I could have listened to another 30 hours!

What was one of the most memorable moments of 11-22-63?

I loved the Sadie/George romance, but I was most taken by the Jake/George character. He was likeable, thoughtful, sincere and resourceful.

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

Not sure if I've heard Craig before, but he was spectacular.

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

I don't think that would be possible given the length, but I certainly found myself looking forward to my commutes to and from work just so I could listen!

Any additional comments?

Wonderfully written with explicit detail. I felt as if I was right there with George/Jake through the entire adventure!

And I was worried I'd be bored!

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

I would assume great either way. But I love when it's performed.

What did you like best about this story?

I would have said I don't like time travel stories, but I loved when he went back in time. I loved thinking about all the details the main character had to pay attention to to fit in "back then."

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

Great performance!

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

If you could save JFK would you...should you?

Any additional comments?

I LOVED this book!

What a great book!

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

“On November 22, 1963, three shots rang out in Dallas, President Kennedy died, and the world changed. What if you could change it back?
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, likes 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.”

“Murder, the Past, Romance, Friendship, Time Travel"

Let me preface this by saying I am neither the one who seeks out Stephen King books, nor the one who reads much fiction, but this is the best book I have read in years from any genre.
The story is compelling and keeps you mesmerized from the first word and won’t let you go. Stephen King is a great author and knows how to tell story. And he really tells this one very well. The likable main character and his group of “besties” all live in the past. You feel like you know them.

The main character could be the guy from the next door. Jake/George is a lovable all around guy. The reader is taken in as we follow him and his special friend Sadie, who is as clumsy as she is beautiful. The story drew me in and, held me and delivered me right to the front door of WOW. I though it was also interesting to Google Map some of the addresses mentioned in the book just to connect more with Jake/George and his folks.

What would I do if I had given that chance? Would I take the risk? Above all, this is a brilliantly well written, carefully crafted, and well researched novel.

Best book I have ever listened to!

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

Very good read!

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

This is the only one of Craig Wasson's Books I have ever listened to.

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

I didn't want to lay it down

Any additional comments?

This is a favorite of mine. I have listened to it twice in the last month! I spend most of my day driving, so this book really helped pass the time. I am not very good at writing convincing reviews but this book is really worth the money!

The Master - Again

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

Not a fair question. In my library of Stephen King audio - in the top 10 - and we own MANY.
In overall audio, again, I would say close to the top 10.

What did you like best about this story?

The touch of story line that only Stephen can accomplish, you can walk down the hallway with the lights on and still not know where you are going.

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

When the reality of "what could be" truly hit home with ME.....

Any additional comments?

Anyone that does not take the time to enjoy this book as they have ( like so many I have met ) judged Stephen as Horror & SciFi only - will be missing one of the best books written in their lifetimes.
Where it poses lots of questions & "what if's" in a readers mind, it also answers a great deal of "what is", and that is why Stephen is such a master of written words.
He tells the truth in the reality of a human life, the real scary story!

A Time Capsule Visit

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

This was an excellent book and I enjoyed it very much. Stephen King avoided the controversey as to whether Oswald killed Kennedy or not and instead focused on relationships and time. I really enjoyed going back in time and King's excellent describtion of what people are like in the late 50s and early 60s as well as the the environment. I thing the strongest thing you learn and think about is what happens if you could past events......what is the effect today, You get a good taste of that in this book.

This is not a trip back in time by some space ship so it's not that type of sci-fi book. I do not think this book will appeal to people under 30 but the action is good and I strongly recommend this book to someone who was to know what would happen if you could change time.

One final thing that was surprising was this book also becomes a love story so that was not expected. That helps a great deal and adds and interest twist because a trip back in time could change an effect that affects someone you love and not just history.

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

I really cannot think of one.

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

He helped you feel what was happening as though you were there.

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

When he came back to the future after he changed Kennedy being killed.

Any additional comments?

This had a concurrent love story and that needs to be empasized.

Kudos for the author and narrator!

Would you listen to 11-22-63 again? Why?

I probably would after a while. I knew the ending before I started so that isn't a factor. It is such a gut wrenching story but, because of superb character development - not only people but places and situations - I hated for it to end. I was totally immersed in the story.

What was one of the most memorable moments of 11-22-63?

The simple moments - aren't those the best in real life? The big events, the reasons for his journey, were amazing but I was so pleasantly touched by the back stories that they became the awe moments!

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

no but I will be looking for him. I cannot give him enough praise!

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

Reality sets in, it's far too long, of course, but I listen to books in my car while commuting and I have remained in my car - in the driveway - and I have gone driving over the back roads to get a little more....and a little more...and...

Any additional comments?

I stopped listening to Stephen King years ago, I just couldn't stand being scared anymore! Because of my age and connection to the 50's-60's and the assassination this book piqued my interest and I put it on my wish list. When a friend gave it a high recommendation I did a bit if research on line and I was sold! I think the number one reason I love this book is the character development; not only the people but the places. I don't recall reading a book where the locations are so vividly and compellingly detailed. And the day to day dealings with the people Jake/George meets are the same way. It has been like I was standing right there beside him while it all happened! What an astonishing experience! And I have felt strongly that it is not only the words of Stephen King that put me there but the superb narration of Craig Wasson, too.

King is the "King"

What a unique story. I'm always amazed by Mr. King's imagination and his stories are so wonderful that they stay with you well after they're finished.