Doctor Sleep

A Novel

By: Stephen King

Narrated by: Will Patton

Length: 18 hrs and 34 mins

Publisher's summary

Audie Award Winner, Fiction, 2014

Audie Award Nominee, Solo Narration - Male, 2014

Stephen King returns to the characters and territory of one of his most popular novels ever, The Shining, in this instantly riveting novel about the now middle-aged Dan Torrance (the boy protagonist of The Shining) and the very special 12-year-old girl he must save from a tribe of murderous paranormals.

On highways across America, a tribe of people called The True Knot travel in search of sustenance. They look harmless - mostly old, lots of polyester, and married to their RVs. But as Dan Torrance knows, and spunky 12-year-old Abra Stone learns, The True Knot are quasi-immortal, living off the "steam" that children with the "shining" produce when they are slowly tortured to death.

Haunted by the inhabitants of the Overlook Hotel where he spent one horrific childhood year, Dan has been drifting for decades, desperate to shed his father's legacy of despair, alcoholism, and violence. Finally, he settles in a New Hampshire town, an AA community that sustains him, and a job at a nursing home where his remnant "shining" power provides the crucial final comfort to the dying. Aided by a prescient cat, he becomes "Doctor Sleep."

Then Dan meets the evanescent Abra Stone, and it is her spectacular gift, the brightest shining ever seen, that reignites Dan's own demons and summons him to a battle for Abra's soul and survival. This is an epic war between good and evil, a gory, glorious story that will thrill the millions of hyper-devoted fans of The Shining and wildly satisfy anyone new to the territory of this icon in the King canon.

©2013 Stephen King (P)2013 Simon & Schuster

Critic reviews

"Will Patton's delivery enhances King's prose in ways that make King's work so much more enjoyable in audio than just reading it…Patton's narrative voice captures the rhythm of King's words. His character voices, filled with a variety of regional American accents, remain consistent. Most importantly, the sinister aspects that embody characters and moments of this novel are superbly executed and will certainly leave listeners on edge." ( AudioFile)

"King, not one given to sequels, throws fans a big, bloody bone with this long-drooled-for follow-up to The Shining." ( Booklist)

"…a gripping, taut read that provides a satisfying conclusion to Danny Torrance's story." ( Publisher’s Weekly)

Redrum

I read the Shining in high school. This was a great sequel! Steven King keeps the great stories coming.

Another great Stepnen King Book!

Would you listen to Doctor Sleep again? Why?

Yes, but then I listen/read Stephen Kings books over and over again!

Any additional comments?

I liked re-visiting the characters from the Overlook. He did a wonderful job bringing it all back :) and continuing the story.

Here's Dan

Danny Torrence from The Shining returns in this sequel to the all time classic. The book starts off a little slow as King seems to be finding his way back into Danny's world but once he gets there, it is non-stop Awesomeness. A definite listen for fans who enjoyed the first book as well as newcomers who need not worry because the book stands alone as well. This time the Shining has guided Danny to help a young girl who has powers like him except stronger, but will the two of them together be enough to stop a pack of soul stealing vampires.

Awesome

One of the best I have read. Blends perfect with original. Hope there will be a 3rd novel

how do you top your most terrifying book?

This is not The Shining II, this is Danny's story.
Danny, now Dan, has grown up, finding a kind of life working in a Hospice where he is known as Dr. Sleep for helping the dying die peacefully; finding real friends in AA; and finding another with The Shining. With a new twist on vampires, King weaves a compelling tale of family, redemption and as always, good vs evil.
A word about the reader- I have loved Will Patton for decades...as Dave Robicheaux, but for this book, he made me cringe. His reading felt excessively dramatic and emotional, reminding me of Scott Brick, who frequently seems deliberately affected in his readings. I got used to it.

Great Sequel!!!

Along with many others, I loved The Shining and this sequel lives up to it! It is so interesting to hear what happened to Danny, and the story is terrifying!

Absolutely LOVED this book

Where does Doctor Sleep rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Wow hard question but I'd say definitely top 5. Misery is my #1, I loved Gerald's Game, Deloris Claiborne, 14 by Peter Clines and now Doctor Sleep. Not in that order.

What did you like best about this story?

It kept me interested and I loved how he brought all the characters to life I never forgot about any of them. In some books that involve a lot of characters I get a little lost and he did so well in writing this the characters became people to me not just names easily mixed up or forgotten.

Which scene was your favorite?

Another hard one but I'd say when abra set the trap for rose. I won't be a spoiler here.

Who was the most memorable character of Doctor Sleep and why?

Danny of course. He was thee main character in the shining and seeing him grown up this is his story and wow has he grown! He is so humble and lovable!

Any additional comments?

I love king and even though The Shining is one of my least favorites of movies and books I absolutely adored this one as I do MANY of his others. I hope you will too! And I love when he talks about his books it's lovely to hear his voice and inspirations about his stories, it gives me tingle lol.

Nice follow up

As usual brilliantly written. He brought the characters to life.
Found myself going back to the shining which I hadn't read in years.
Narration was perfect!

Stephen king is awesome

amazing to revisit the shining. I always wondered what happened after the overlook exploded. very sarisfying!!

OUTSTANDING!!!

What did you love best about Doctor Sleep?

The true purpose for Danny's ability.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Definitely Danny! He had this incredible but scary gift and yet his character stayed real as an everyday person going through life with ups and downs. Through it all, he was courageous and a true hero. He didn't let the dark in!!

Which scene was your favorite?

I really enjoyed all of it so with that being said, one of my favorites would have to be the set up battle at Cloud Gap.

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

Sleep deeper, as deep as you can. The pain you feel will only be a dream!

Any additional comments?

Excellent read by the narrator. I could not put it down. Stephen King is truly the best!!!