Under the Dome

A Novel

By: Stephen King

Narrated by: Raul Esparza

Length: 34 hrs and 24 mins

Publisher's summary

On an entirely normal, beautiful fall day in Chester's Mill, Maine, the town is inexplicably and suddenly sealed off from the rest of the world by an invisible force field. Planes crash into it and fall from the sky in flaming wreckage, a gardener's hand is severed as "the dome" comes down on it, people running errands in the neighboring town are divided from their families, and cars explode on impact. No one can fathom what this barrier is, where it came from, and when - or if - it will go away.

Dale Barbara, Iraq vet and now a short-order cook, finds himself teamed with a few intrepid citizens - town newspaper owner Julia Shumway, a physician's assistant at the hospital, a select-woman, and three brave kids. Against them stands Big Jim Rennie, a politician who will stop at nothing - even murder - to hold the reins of power, and his son, who is keeping a horrible secret in a dark pantry. But their main adversary is the Dome itself. Because time isn't just short. It's running out.

©2009 Stephen King (P)2009 Simon & Schuster

Jack Reacher References!?

I have to know why Mr. King threw in the Reacher references! I've read quite a few Lee Child books too, and it's sparking my interest. If you liked The Stand, you'll like this too.

The book starts off slow

but you also have to keep in mind the story takes place over the span of a week. as the story progresses it get better and heats up, literally! I could not stop listening until the end. You won't regret it. Great lesson to us all about life, and needless suffering! Really changes your heart! I would definately recommend this book!

Great Book!

A great book. Classic King. I'm my opinion, the darkest of them all. I had to stop the book for a few days at a time to restore my faith in humanity.

Great Story, Bad Ending

What did you like best about Under the Dome? What did you like least?

The narration was the best part of the story.

Would you recommend Under the Dome to your friends? Why or why not?

I would not recommend this book to someone unless they are a diehard fan of King's. This was an interesting story, but a rushed trite ending.My 20 y.o. son read the book and came to the same conclusion. However, he also noted that the Simpsons; movie had the exact same plot and a more believable ending.

What about Raul Esparza’s performance did you like?

What can I say, an outstanding performance.

Did Under the Dome inspire you to do anything?

No, and it almost stopped me from reading 11-23-63 (One of his best)

Any additional comments?

If you bought it listen to it. It has likable characters and the standard King 2 dimensional bully-turned killers. But for the most part not totally formulaic. The ending isn't that aweful to waste a credit, but you may be shaking you head thinking is this the same guy that wrote the Stand, Cujo, Pet Semetary, and Misery? This book reminds me of IT. A great story until I got to the end. I reread the end thinking really, a spider. That's the best he could do.

his politics. his book. his perogative. Love it!

King has been spinning yarns for years. He's never hidden who he is or what kind of politics he espouses or how comfortable he is with colorful language. It's simply not a secret. So I have to wonder about all of hurmphing, finger wagging and tongue clucking at his "preaching" and "foul language". If you're even a moderate Stephen King fan who has read more than four of five novels over the course of his prolific career, you know what I'm saying is true. If you have given up on King in recent years because you feel his writing has become a bit lack luster, then this book will definitely get you excited about picking up another King novel. The book was looooong but never, I MEAN NEVER, boring. I was fully engaged in the characters and invested in each one of them. I cared what happened to them, even the ones I hated. I couldn't wait to find an excuse to drive long distances so that I could listen and enjoy. I think I even hooked a teenage kid onto King for the first time because of this book.

Congratulations King! This is destined to be a classic. I only hope they don't try to make it into a movie, which is what usually happens with your more interesting reads.

Under the Dome

Loved it. I tried reading this on the paper back copy that I own but I was never able to finish it. I enjoyed the TV show series however, the series does not do the book justice. awesome read. thank you for 40+ hours of greatness. hats off to the reader of this book. very pleasant to listen to for 40+ hours. thank you.

Dont get all the Raul hate????????????????????????

What about Raul Esparza’s performance did you like?

I thought he nailed it, I dunno what Maine sounds like but I am glad he didn't go NE accent on it. That is nails on a chalkboard.

Under the Dome

Raul Esparza is an excellent reader!!! He made this book even better than I could have imagined in my mind!

Loved it

Approximately 35 hours and wished it was longer! The story and characters captivated me. I agree with some that the narrator did not do women and kids well though. I actually liked the way the story completed alot. I'm going to find another King epic to do next!

Great Story

Stephen King does not disappoint in this story of human beings at their worst and best. Love the way the story builds and pulls the reader in.