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

Exciting

I really like how King made the past his own. I liked his interpretation of the past and the changes of the future. This book had slow moments but it was well paced. The narrator did a very good job and kept me entertained.

Great Book, Even Better than Most Stephen King

Many years ago, I was a follower of Stephen King. When he started getting into too much paranormal and too much unusual violence, I stopped reading his books. Recently, however, I have returned to Stephen King and I found this is one of his best books ever. I really enjoyed the main character as he moved in and out of the past and present. I found myself remembering some of the historical references related to JFK's assassination. In some ways, it addresses the question of should we try to change the past, even if we can? This book is laid out in a totally believable manner, making you think that time travel might be possible. It also delves into the question of whether we ever would have the right to change the past, even if we had the opportunity. The resolution between the characters is handled in a really satisfactory way, like icing on the cake. I highly recommend this book to everyone, regardless of whether they are prior King fans and certainly recommend it to anyone who likes to read about what America was like when Kennedy was assassinated.

Stephen King story is his best work

My hats of
to the narrator, he did a great job telling the story. Peace

My favorite book. Ever.

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

Intense. Painful. Thought-provoking.

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

In terms of length and depth of story, I'd compare it to other King books like The Stand and the Talisman.

Which scene was your favorite?

I have a favorite, but don't want to give away any spoilers.

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

Yes. It was a very long book and took a couple of weeks, but I never WANTED to put it down.

Any additional comments?

It's been a couple of years since I read this one and it's still with me. I've never been so affected by fictional characters! I still feel their joys and pain, and my favorite scene still makes my heart hurt. I didn't want it to end.

I will give it another year, then listen again. The Stand was my favorite book ever since it first came out--until 11-22-63, so it dethroned a masterpiece.

Best book ever!

I was so holy captured by this book, I would excuse myself from people just to go continue reading it! I would suggest this book to anyone who likes reading any type of novel!

Goosebumps, laughs and tears.

There is noting I can add that hasn't been said already. I love this book. It moved me. The story and vocal performance are incredible.

other than

other than is anti gun spill in the afterward it was a fun and entertaining book

WOW JFK

I lovedit! !!!. Good reasons why you can't change the past. You will stop saying if only I could go back

Cannot Put Done

Great book for those that enjoy history with a twist. Suspense and romance that keeps you on the edge of your seat.
Highly recommend

Classic King

Typical King read and well performed. As an avid King reader, I would rate this right up there with Bag of Bones, The Talisman and the Stand.