Dolores Claiborne

By: Stephen King

Narrated by: Frances Sternhagen

Length: 9 hrs and 15 mins

Publisher's summary

"An unforgettable, unflinching glimpse into a mind driven to murder" (San Francisco Chronicle) - the number-one national best seller from Stephen King about a housekeeper with a long-hidden secret from her past...one that tests her own will to survive.

Dolores Claiborne is suspected of killing Vera Donovan, her wealthy employer, and when the police question her, she tells the story of her life, harkening back to her disintegrating marriage and the suspicious death of her violent husband 30 years earlier. Dolores also tells of Vera's physical and mental decline and how she became emotionally demanding in recent years.

Given a voice as compelling as any in contemporary fiction, the strange intimacy between Dolores and Vera - and the link that binds them - unfolds in Dolores' account. Dolores Claiborne is "a literary triumph. The finest of King novels...a plot of enormous energy.... Read this book." (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)

©1993 Stephen King (P)1992 Penguin Highbridge Audio

Absolutely Fantastic!

This is a perfect audible. The story is compelling and nail biting at times. The performance by Francis Sternhagen is stunning. She is Dolores Claiborne. The Audio quality and small sound effects are great. You could hear a pin drop in the room.
You truly feel like one of the people in the room with her.
I highly recommend this book.

Frances Sternhagen was made for this book

This one made me have to admit- Stephen King is a good writer. The story was engaging, humorous, scary at times, with a nice little twist at the end.
What really made it a great experience was the narrator. Her delivery- and accent- made me forget I was listening to a book- more like I was sitting across from her, listening to her story.
I was looking for a "light read" and got much more.

One of King's Hidden Gems, Performed Masterfully

Stephen King's Dolores Claiborne is unique among his works, a novel told as an elderly woman's lengthy confession. It's funny, gripping, moving, and utterly spellbinding in its depiction of a working wife and mother. In this book, Stephen King creates one of his most memorable characters, and her voice elevates this book from good to great.

That voice is perfectly captured by Frances Sternhagen. She embodies everything Dolores is over the course of the novel, and gives her a kind of nobility through her struggles. She's incredible from the first minute to the last. I simply could not stop listening. If you're looking for a good use of your credit, look no further.

Beyond Amazing

Would you listen to Dolores Claiborne again? Why?

Ok, I've seen Delores Claiborne the movie so many times I can't even count. It's one of my favorite movies. I finally decided to listen to the book and it was brilliant.

What did you like best about this story?

I love that it was different from the movie and I love that they took really great elements from the book to create the movie. I think they did a great job on the movie's interpretation of the book. The book's performance was just so riveting and fun and haunting.

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

Frances Sternhagen performance is the best, she really made the story come alive. I've never listened to her before (I don't think) but her performance really held your attention and she really does an amazing job.

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

I'm not the same as the book but I'm just as brilliant.

Any additional comments?

LISTEN TO THIS BOOK!

An underappreciated King gem!

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

Yes! I have always gone straight for King's horror, but this novel is so unique that it deserves to be applauded as one of King's best. More known for his horror novels, this is a self-contained, restrained novel about the lengths a woman will go to to protect her family. Although not a typical King book, it is still amazingly well-written and one of the best books I've listened to/read.

What did you like best about this story?

The entire book is told from Dolores's perspective as told as part of a police interview. This is a unique narrative device but it serves the story incredibly well.

Which character – as performed by Frances Sternhagen – was your favorite?

Well, she only serves as Dolores, as the story is a police interview. Sternhagen was impeccable in her portrayal, especially with her Maine inflection.

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

Dolores is an interesting character. The entire time, you're not necessarily sure whether she is guilty or not. She is a character for whom you feel sympathy, and all of a sudden you are defending her for some of her actions in the book...all while questioning her motives. She is complex. This book made me think and I found myself cheering for a woman who had had a hard life.

Any additional comments?

This is one of King's best, elevated by Frances Sternhagen's narration. Also, catch the movie immediately after. It's as faithful as it can be (it wouldn't have been a good movie if it took place in an interrogation room) with stellar performances by Kathy Bates and Christopher Plummer.

best performance!

the narrator was simply amazing and brought the book to life. 5 stars for sure!

EXCELLENT!!!

This book is excellent! Oh, how I enjoyed it! The performance was excellent! You'll enjoy it!

Just WOW!

This was one audiobook that kept me curled up on the couch until it was finished. The story keeps you going until the very end. But the Narrator!!!! For certain genres she is worth seeking out. Perfect for this story.
Highly recommended!

😍😍 crossover!!

Wonderful read, best narrorating I've heard in months! Different story style for stephen but I thought it was a great change! Enjoyed the crossover between this and Gerald's game!

One of King's underated classics!

I can remember watching the movie before the novel in the 90s and had never gotten around to finishing the books some years later. Now in my very busy adulthood I can say that this book is one of King's underated classics! If you had seen the film before reading the book like I did then you'll notice the differences in certain characters and chapters to film scenes, but all the while still enjoying it nontheless. The narrator was excellent and had me engaged the entire book. A must listen for any King fan!