• 11-22-63

  • A Novel
  • By: Stephen King
  • Narrated by: Craig Wasson
  • Length: 30 hrs and 40 mins
  • 4.7 out of 5 stars (68,194 ratings)

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11-22-63  By  cover art

11-22-63

By: Stephen King
Narrated by: Craig Wasson
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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

Featured Article: The Shining—Book vs. Movie


Set in the claustrophobia-inducing snow-covered peaks of an isolated hotel in the middle of the Rockies, The Shining is a classic work of psychological horror that’s just about as chilling as it gets. But it’s so, so much more than your classic story of spirits and a man’s descent into madness—it’s also a tender yet deeply painful meditation on addiction, family, abuse, and redemption. Stanley Kubrick rejected Stephen King's initial treatment of the screenplay, and the author was largely dissatisfied with his novel’s jump to the big screen. So what exactly are the differences between The Shining movie and the novel?

Editor's Pick: Best of the Decade

A nostalgic trip
"Stephen King’s 11.22.63 is a technicolor romp to the past where the root beer tastes better, cars have more class, and listeners are warned to beware the yellow card man. I was not alive in 1963, but after spending 30+ hours listening to narrator Craig Wasson bring these fictional (and real) characters brilliantly to life, I feel like while I didn’t live there, I’ve at least visited for a long weekend. Blending time travel, history, a little romance, and political intrigue, this is an oddly feel-good tale—odd because it's about assassination and comes from the king of horror. The thing is that King also just happens to be a masterful storyteller whose best work of the decade will warm your heart more than scare the hell out of you." — Tricia F., Audible Editor

What listeners say about 11-22-63

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  • 11-28-11

Really a love story

And pretty damn good love story at that. Stephen King has written a wonderful novel that will leave you full of nostalgia for America in the early '60's and for Sadie Dunhill. Wasson's performance is spectacular. He really brings the characters to life. I fell hard for George/Jake and Sadie.
I could't put this one down, so to speak. And I was very sad when it was over. Highly recommended.

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geart book geart story

love the book cant wait to watch the show but idk if the show will be as good

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I believe his very best!

Stephen King has written a beautiful story. One that makes you smile and also makes you sad. He has woven a wonderful love story into one of his classic Sci-Fi stories. A very good feature was the narration of the book. It added so much to listening to the story.

I am sure that I will listen to it again.

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OUTSTANDING!

[saint] Stephen King is at the peak of his writing career. This book has it all: mystery, suspense, horror, action, romance, love, science fiction, history/alternative reality (viz Harry Turtledove). I've never been a fan of Stephen King because I don't like his typical Horror genre, but I've become a fan with this book. It's the best $45 I've ever spent on an audible book and provided me with hours of entertainment.

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An Exciting Trip Down a Rabbit Hole

This was my first King novel in many years--a fantastic welcome back! The allusions to literature and King's own novels were welcome delights. It is a story that makes you think about actions and reactions.

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I NEVER Write Reviews...thats changed!

Where does 11-22-63 rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Before 11-22-63, Duma Key was at the top of my list, now replaced by another Steven King! I travel a great deal with my job and all I listen to in my car is books. I must say Steven King is not my first choice in authors, however the reviews were so good on this book I decided to give it a try. After purchase of this title it sat in my iphone for a couple of months, until this week. I became so engrossed in this novel I experienced a couple of what I now refer to as Steven King moments. The first, as I pulled into the motel of choice for the night, I sat in the parking lot before checking in trying to get to a point where I could stop the book, I watched the last room being let for the night from my car. No big deal, but the second SKM, was at the end where the action is building,,,,I ran out of gas...5:00 pm, Dallas,Tx on the biggest traffic jam highway in the city, (The Linden Banes Johnson loop 635 LBJ). I am 58 and I have never run out of gas, anywhere. As my daughter would say OMG! This ended up turing out ok but like George in the book, be looking for the unexpected to happen when you listen to 11-22-63. It's not just good, it's truly GREAT!

What was one of the most memorable moments of 11-22-63?

The most memorable moment, I don't really know there were quite a few, but if I have to pick one it would be when George finally makes it to the 6th floor.

What does Craig Wasson bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

I have listened to Craig Wasson before and like before he is truly a master reader. I believe he can make any book better.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Once again there were many moving moments, but just one, It again is the 6th floor with George and Sadie in the aftermath. I don't want to say more! Listen, you'll know when I mean.

Any additional comments?

The only additional comment, If you like audio books 11-22-63 is not a must get, it's like knowing the outcome of a future bet, You Can't Lose!

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I'm a King fan, and this one is by FAR my favorite

Would you consider the audio edition of 11-22-63 to be better than the print version?

Yes, because the story was so compelling, and at times so filled with tension, that I might have turned pages faster than I was actually able to absorb the words. The audible version, which was perfectly narrated by Craig Wasson, allowed me to recieve the full effect of the work.

What was one of the most memorable moments of 11-22-63?

I can't even say the most memorable moment, because that would be a spoiler for anyone who hasn't yet had the pleasure of reading this book.

What about Craig Wasson’s performance did you like?

In particular, I felt he conveyed crucial emotions - you could hear happiness, horror, sadness - he made an amazing story even better.

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

I laughed during this book, I shamelessly admit to crying at the end - it moved me and it was JUST THAT GOOD!

Any additional comments?

The way SK avoided common time-travel pitfalls was satisfying. The way he dealt with the whole alternate reality issue was (dare I say it?) - actually plausible! This man could tell a story about eating cornflakes and it would be interesting - with this wealth of story, reasearch and possiblity, combined with his trademark (and effortless) weaving of other stories into his works, makes this truly one of, if not THE, best book I have ever had the pleasure to read. Technically listen to, but there you have it. I would recommed this for absolutely anyone - it's not horror, it's simply amazing!

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Fascinating pseudo-fiction!

Stephen King does it again with another story that captures his audience with creative spin on one of the most talked about historical events of all time.

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The best audio book I'm my experience.

Great story, performance and life experience. Every time I refer someone to read this and they do, I have a great sense of achievement. So good!

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Review

I would have like it more if it had less profanity or smut in it

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