• The Road Virus Heads North

  • By: Stephen King
  • Narrated by: Jay O. Sanders
  • Length: 1 hr and 3 mins
  • 4.1 out of 5 stars (149 ratings)

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The Road Virus Heads North  By  cover art

The Road Virus Heads North

By: Stephen King
Narrated by: Jay O. Sanders
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Publisher's summary

The Road Virus Heads North tracks an author who buys a creepy painting at a yard sale which was painted by a metal-head neighbor just before he committed suicide.
This story is also available in Everything's Eventual.
©2002 Stephen King (P)2002 Simon & Schuster Inc. All rights reserved.

What listeners say about The Road Virus Heads North

Average customer ratings
Overall
  • 4 out of 5 stars
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Story
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars

Classic King

I like this, this is classic short Story King all the way. Quick and dirty, that is the way a short story should read and this one hits the mark. Well Done Master!

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4 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

The New Earth

This is not just a book to read but a workbook for those who what to grow. Each chapter he explains the human condition and human beings allowing you to find your inside self. The final chapter will allow you to flower to grow to help save this earth.

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4 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Nice Stephen King appetizer.

I enjoyed this short story by Stephen King. The performance was good and the story kept moving pretty good. I think this would have made a great Twilight Zone episode.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

second hand creeps

I love tag sales, garage sales, estate sales, no matter what you call them, they can be fun but, sometimes the glimpse into someone else's life is a little creepy. This story, as usual, carries the creep further than anyone wants to go! Great read/listen! Thank you again SK.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Great read

I wished it was longer, Kings short stories are amazing! Cant wait for the tv movie adaptation.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

A King Fan

Love this book! Wished it was a longer story. The painting gives me chills. Excellent in King fashion.

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  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    1 out of 5 stars

It was OK

This was listenable, typical Stephen King. More like his early stuff, which I prefer. Would be nice to see him go back to this genre, perhaps even to this story which could be expanded on.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars

Tried Old Plot

Would you listen to The Road Virus Heads North again? Why?

I would listen again because it was a good listen until the end.

What was the most interesting aspect of this story? The least interesting?

The beginning was intriguing - at the yard sale. The end was just a letdown. The 'creature' coming for him - the end.

What does Jay O. Sanders bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

I liked the reader's style and his voice. He is easy to listen to and I wanted to hear more.

If you could rename The Road Virus Heads North, what would you call it?

Yard Sale - Caveat Emptor.

Any additional comments?

This could have been a really great story. It started off so well with the suicide of the artist and the fact that he was on drugs. It just floundered at the end. It could have almost been the story of the Monkey's Paw in a skewed way.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Loved It

Would you listen to The Road Virus Heads North again? Why?

Yes, I have already listened like three times and would listen agian.

Who was your favorite character and why?

My favorite character was the main character, because I could identify with him.

What about Jay O. Sanders’s performance did you like?

Joy O. Sander's voice is very pleasing to listen to. I usually listen at night and don't want any high pitched annoying readings. He also has very good voice dynamics.

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

Film tag line...One man's treasure is another's misfortune.

Any additional comments?

This is a nice quick read/listen book to enjoy. The story is intriguing and the reading is exciting. I definately recommend this book.

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