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gloriazthompson's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
informative
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
What a unique read. This is my first Stephen King, and I must say that I am pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed my time with it. It's long and a commitment, but I was interested throughout it all. King is a masterful writer with all the details and how this ultimately connected. Loved this exploration of time travel and the butterfly effect. I can't say that I'll eagerly pick up more Stephen King as I'm still a wimp and don't want to read the scary stuff, but this was a fun one!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Murder
lianavalente's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Stalking, Suicide, Domestic abuse, and Violence
Moderate: Death, Blood, Death of parent, Medical content, Alcohol, Child abuse, and Alcoholism
boundforinfinity's review against another edition
dark
emotional
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Stephen King's "11.22.63" was just not my cup of tea, really. I plodded on through the chapters in a dozy fashion and at the end of three days of the book, I can proudly say I'm done.
I will give King credit, the Kennedy Assassination is a complex and long-winded network of errors in the US police force and special forces, including the FBI. The concept was interesting, but the story just felt drawn out and intercepting moments did not need to happen. Unlike other King stories, I wasn't sold on the relationships between the protagonist and his beau. The leading man Jake Epping/George Amberson and the bonny young lass sidekick Sadie Dunhill spend most of the novel together and yet I did not feel the chemistry.
I will argue, I prefer King's horrors to his other genre-branches, and thus I'm biased against King on this 740 page book that spent 500 pages setting up the actual "book" itself.
I apologise, Mr. King, for such a harsh critique. I commend the interesting take on a time-travel story, quite a classic in the genre of sci-fi, and bringing it to its unique selling factor: Jake Epping himself. If it were not for the main character's 'I'm just a simple man here to kill the president's assassin' persona, I would not be sold. But Jake is the average American male, a respected teacher, a citizen concerned with maintaining friendships with the elderly. Just off to kill Lee Harvey Oswald.
I will give King credit, the Kennedy Assassination is a complex and long-winded network of errors in the US police force and special forces, including the FBI. The concept was interesting, but the story just felt drawn out and intercepting moments did not need to happen. Unlike other King stories, I wasn't sold on the relationships between the protagonist and his beau. The leading man Jake Epping/George Amberson and the bonny young lass sidekick Sadie Dunhill spend most of the novel together and yet I did not feel the chemistry.
I will argue, I prefer King's horrors to his other genre-branches, and thus I'm biased against King on this 740 page book that spent 500 pages setting up the actual "book" itself.
I apologise, Mr. King, for such a harsh critique. I commend the interesting take on a time-travel story, quite a classic in the genre of sci-fi, and bringing it to its unique selling factor: Jake Epping himself. If it were not for the main character's 'I'm just a simple man here to kill the president's assassin' persona, I would not be sold. But Jake is the average American male, a respected teacher, a citizen concerned with maintaining friendships with the elderly. Just off to kill Lee Harvey Oswald.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Domestic abuse, Gun violence, Misogyny, Religious bigotry, Physical abuse, and Racial slurs
nichole_of_numenor's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
I could NOT put this book down!! I am a sucker for a good time travel story and this one was just phenomenal. It went beyond the usual time-travel butterfly effect thing and had some really good twists, which was really fun. (No spoilers here!)
What I loved
- I listed to the audiobook and the narration by Craig Wasson was just spectacular.
- I was really transported to another time and place and fully immersed in a bygone era.
- While many people see the lat 50s and 60s as a "better time," it really only was if you belonged to a certain race, class, and sexuality. These topics are addressed thoughtfully.
- I learned a lot about near American history! Yes, this is a work of fiction, but a great deal of the events told did occur and an enormous amout of research went into this work.
What I didn't like
- Really, I can't think of much I didn't like! Highly, highly recommend!
What I loved
- I listed to the audiobook and the narration by Craig Wasson was just spectacular.
- I was really transported to another time and place and fully immersed in a bygone era.
- While many people see the lat 50s and 60s as a "better time," it really only was if you belonged to a certain race, class, and sexuality. These topics are addressed thoughtfully.
- I learned a lot about near American history! Yes, this is a work of fiction, but a great deal of the events told did occur and an enormous amout of research went into this work.
What I didn't like
- Really, I can't think of much I didn't like! Highly, highly recommend!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Child death, Murder, Toxic relationship, Domestic abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Death, Cursing, Gore, and Racial slurs
purpleshamrock's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Cancer, Death, Child abuse, Violence, Injury/Injury detail, Cursing, Murder, Death of parent, and Domestic abuse
kelly_e's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
informative
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
Title: 11/22/63
Author: Stephen King
Genre: Fiction
Rating: 4.75
Pub Date: November 8, 2011
T H R E E • W O R D S
Imaginative • Reflective • Gripping
📖 S Y N O P S I S
On November 22, 1963, three shots rang out in Dallas, President Kennedy died, and the world change. What if you could change it back?
💭 T H O U G H T S
I picked 11/22/63 up at a secondhand book sale awhile ago, and it had sat neglected on my shelf ever since. Why you might ask? Mostly because of it's immense size, but also because I was apprehensive of it being Stephen King (no horror books for me). When the opportunity to buddy read it arose, I knew now was the time, or it would continue to sit untouched on my shelf for years. All that to say, I am so glad I finally picked it up!
King has a gift for telling a story. His believable dialogue and signature quirky pop-culture references were a welcome addition to one of the most unique and fascinating stories I've ever read. It was certainly one of those books that made me stop mid-sentence to re-read what I'd just read and then to reflect on what was happening or what I would do in Jake/George's place.
As an avid Montreal Canadiens fan, I'd be remiss if I didn't mention one of my favourite scenes when King pokes a little fun at the expense of the Toronto Maple Leafs. "I also bet four hundred on the Canadiens to beat the Maple Leafs in the Stanley Cup Series, and won... but that was even money. Chump change, cuz, my pal Chaz Frati would have said." I'll admit that definitely brought a smile to my face and earned King some definite bonus points in my books.
11/22/63 intertwines fact and fiction to create a fascinating look into time travel and the consequences of our choices or how life would be different if certain things didn't happen. It made me question whether if given the chance I'd alter the past knowing it could have devastating consequences on the future. It's really quite something to stop and contemplate, and I always applaud when an author is able to do so.
And then there are the characters. Jake/George is tasked with the impossible and I particularly enjoyed his thought process and journey. He also came across as being selfless in wanting to help change Harry Dunning's future rather than changing his own. Oh how my heart broke for Harry. Then there is Al who plays such a short, but important role. And of course, Sadie. She easily became my favourite character and I wanted everything to work out for her.
It is certainly evident that the time and research put into constructing this book must have been thorough and extensive. I never once expected to get a beautiful love story, and that is honestly what make this book an absolute gem!
The sole reason this isn't a five-star read is because of the length. It is extremely detailed, lagging around the midway point. I felt there were big chucks I could have skimmed and still came out the other side with the same experience and takeaway.
To anyone looking to test out Stephen King 11/22/63 is the perfect place to start. There are still some gruesome, violent, and stomach churning scenes, but they are not the focus here. Additionally, I highly recommend tandem reading a physical/digital copy along with the audio for an enhanced experience. I can definitely see myself picking this up for a re-read at some point in the future, which isn't something I can say too often.
📚 R E C O M M E N D • T O
• history buffs
• Stephen King fans
• readers wanting to test the Stephen King waters
🔖 F A V O U R I T E • Q U O T E S
"We never know which lives we influence, or when, or why."
"Life turns on a dime."
"Sometimes the things presented to us as choices aren't choices at all."
Author: Stephen King
Genre: Fiction
Rating: 4.75
Pub Date: November 8, 2011
T H R E E • W O R D S
Imaginative • Reflective • Gripping
📖 S Y N O P S I S
On November 22, 1963, three shots rang out in Dallas, President Kennedy died, and the world change. What if you could change it back?
💭 T H O U G H T S
I picked 11/22/63 up at a secondhand book sale awhile ago, and it had sat neglected on my shelf ever since. Why you might ask? Mostly because of it's immense size, but also because I was apprehensive of it being Stephen King (no horror books for me). When the opportunity to buddy read it arose, I knew now was the time, or it would continue to sit untouched on my shelf for years. All that to say, I am so glad I finally picked it up!
King has a gift for telling a story. His believable dialogue and signature quirky pop-culture references were a welcome addition to one of the most unique and fascinating stories I've ever read. It was certainly one of those books that made me stop mid-sentence to re-read what I'd just read and then to reflect on what was happening or what I would do in Jake/George's place.
As an avid Montreal Canadiens fan, I'd be remiss if I didn't mention one of my favourite scenes when King pokes a little fun at the expense of the Toronto Maple Leafs. "I also bet four hundred on the Canadiens to beat the Maple Leafs in the Stanley Cup Series, and won... but that was even money. Chump change, cuz, my pal Chaz Frati would have said." I'll admit that definitely brought a smile to my face and earned King some definite bonus points in my books.
11/22/63 intertwines fact and fiction to create a fascinating look into time travel and the consequences of our choices or how life would be different if certain things didn't happen. It made me question whether if given the chance I'd alter the past knowing it could have devastating consequences on the future. It's really quite something to stop and contemplate, and I always applaud when an author is able to do so.
And then there are the characters. Jake/George is tasked with the impossible and I particularly enjoyed his thought process and journey. He also came across as being selfless in wanting to help change Harry Dunning's future rather than changing his own. Oh how my heart broke for Harry. Then there is Al who plays such a short, but important role. And of course, Sadie. She easily became my favourite character and I wanted everything to work out for her.
It is certainly evident that the time and research put into constructing this book must have been thorough and extensive. I never once expected to get a beautiful love story, and that is honestly what make this book an absolute gem!
The sole reason this isn't a five-star read is because of the length. It is extremely detailed, lagging around the midway point. I felt there were big chucks I could have skimmed and still came out the other side with the same experience and takeaway.
To anyone looking to test out Stephen King 11/22/63 is the perfect place to start. There are still some gruesome, violent, and stomach churning scenes, but they are not the focus here. Additionally, I highly recommend tandem reading a physical/digital copy along with the audio for an enhanced experience. I can definitely see myself picking this up for a re-read at some point in the future, which isn't something I can say too often.
📚 R E C O M M E N D • T O
• history buffs
• Stephen King fans
• readers wanting to test the Stephen King waters
🔖 F A V O U R I T E • Q U O T E S
"We never know which lives we influence, or when, or why."
"Life turns on a dime."
"Sometimes the things presented to us as choices aren't choices at all."
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship, Murder, Violence, Blood, Gore, Torture, Domestic abuse, and Death
Moderate: Alcoholism, Gun violence, Racial slurs, and Racism
Minor: Sexual content, Cancer, Death of parent, and Cursing
sibling deathaus10england's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
A new King favorite??? This was one of my most daunting reads of the year, but I’m go glad I picked it up. Even for as long as it was, I was invested. I think I got lost a bit in the middle, but I was able to get back into it. And of course, the ending was…. interesting. But, overall it was an enjoyable read!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Torture and Murder
Moderate: Body horror, Alcohol, Cursing, and Death
lanaaa21's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death
jourdanicus's review against another edition
challenging
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
Not my fave King so far... I struggled to successfully suspend my disbelief enough to buy in to the idea of a guy time traveling with very little preparation or good reason to do so besides that his diner-owning buddy said it had to be done. I think I would have liked this more as a love story if the parts that involved the love weren't so repetitive (I mean really? THREE fund-raising variety shows in three years in ONE small town? That seemed less realistic than time travel) and weren't left until the back half of the book.
I'm sure this is a good read for many out there, if you like a slower plot or you just wanna read anything and anything by Stephen King (there are definitely a LOT of King-isms, many I'm sure I didn't pick up on).
Oh yeah also I really could have done without the antiquated language regarding race. Too much of the context in which it was used was quite a stretch when it comes to justifying that kind of language in such a recent publication.
I'm sure this is a good read for many out there, if you like a slower plot or you just wanna read anything and anything by Stephen King (there are definitely a LOT of King-isms, many I'm sure I didn't pick up on).
Oh yeah also I really could have done without the antiquated language regarding race. Too much of the context in which it was used was quite a stretch when it comes to justifying that kind of language in such a recent publication.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Vomit
Moderate: Violence, Alcoholism, Death, Gun violence, Injury/Injury detail, Toxic relationship, Sexual content, and Alcohol
Minor: Medical content, Panic attacks/disorders, War, Racism, and Car accident
annaledbetter's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
hopeful
informative
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Wonderful! A little long but that’s Stephen King for ya. I loved Jake and Sadie’s storyline. Couldn’t put the audiobook down! Great job, Mr King!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Gun violence, Emotional abuse, Violence, Blood, Death, Death of parent, Medical trauma, Murder, and Physical abuse
Moderate: Torture and Sexual content