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adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Stephen King is most known for his horror writing and, like many readers, because I don't tend to gravitate to that genre so I have always automaticallg dismissed reading Stephen King. Which I now feel is a mistake because he am incrediblely good author. This was a good introduction for me to Stephen King as this is not a horror story, but more of a speculative fiction/time travel story. I really enjoyed it. I found the time travel mechanic quite confusing as reading it - it gets explained at the end, but maybe that's the point because time travel is theoretically confusing. If you like these types of themes then you may well enjoy this book. I do think it's a bit long and meandering sometimes though, but never felt particularly like it dragged. I'd definitely consider reading more (non horror) Stephen King.
I edited my rating to 5* a few months after finishing because I heard someone talk about it and remembered how great this book was, so I feel that is worthy of a 5* rating. Few books can evoke that kind of reaction from me.
Also check the content warnings - there are a few.
I edited my rating to 5* a few months after finishing because I heard someone talk about it and remembered how great this book was, so I feel that is worthy of a 5* rating. Few books can evoke that kind of reaction from me.
Also check the content warnings - there are a few.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Cancer, Death, Domestic abuse, Gore, Gun violence, Infidelity, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexual content, Terminal illness, Toxic relationship, Violence, Grief, Toxic friendship, Injury/Injury detail, Classism
adventurous
dark
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Child death, Domestic abuse, Murder
Minor: Animal cruelty, Cancer, Car accident
adventurous
dark
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I started really liking this book, but the longer I read (and it's a long, long, long book), the more I was bothered by some problems with this book:
- (Unnecessary) use of racial slurs and sexist language and the clearly white male perspective on those issues (in the past and present)
- There is too much happening with the characters, making the plot that the book is supposedly about, almost seem like an afterthought
- I really didn't like the protagonist..
- The ending.. (but that's to be expected I guess when you pick up a Stephen King novel)
But, I did finish it and there were parts that I was really enjoying it, but that doesn't make up for the story overall being underwhelming in the and, on top of the problems listed above..
Also, I read some positive reviews about the narrator of the audiobook, but I really cringed the way he portrayed the speech patterns and accents of certain characters, especially foreign, black and mentally challenged people.
- (Unnecessary) use of racial slurs and sexist language and the clearly white male perspective on those issues (in the past and present)
- There is too much happening with the characters, making the plot that the book is supposedly about, almost seem like an afterthought
- I really didn't like the protagonist..
- The ending.. (but that's to be expected I guess when you pick up a Stephen King novel)
But, I did finish it and there were parts that I was really enjoying it, but that doesn't make up for the story overall being underwhelming in the and, on top of the problems listed above..
Also, I read some positive reviews about the narrator of the audiobook, but I really cringed the way he portrayed the speech patterns and accents of certain characters, especially foreign, black and mentally challenged people.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Suicide, Murder
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Racism, Sexism, Stalking
Minor: Cancer, War
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, Blood, Murder
Moderate: Child death, Death, Car accident
Minor: Cancer, War
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
It wavers between being hard to put down and hard to keep reading often enough to feel like I'm getting whiplash, and the time traveling aspect could have been fleshed out a LOT more. Not his best but not his worst.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer, Domestic abuse, Gun violence, Suicide, Violence, Stalking, Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Cursing, Death, Gore, Misogyny, Racial slurs, Racism, Terminal illness, Toxic relationship, Antisemitism, Medical content, Grief, Car accident, Alcohol, War, Classism
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Though this book has a healthy dose of “things were better back in my day,” King kept me engaged from page 1. This book flies by. Fun read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer, Chronic illness, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gore, Gun violence, Misogyny, Self harm, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Medical content, Grief, Mass/school shootings, Car accident, Murder, Alcohol
emotional
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Gun violence, Violence, Murder, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Alcoholism, Cancer, Death, Racism
Minor: Car accident
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
ʀᴀᴛɪɴɢ: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
_
⚠️
_
⚠️
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gore, Gun violence, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Medical trauma, Murder, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Alcoholism, Cancer, Domestic abuse, Sexual content, Grief, Stalking
Minor: Addiction, Body shaming, Bullying, Panic attacks/disorders, Vomit, Antisemitism, Car accident
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer, Child abuse, Child death, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Violence, Death of parent, Murder, Injury/Injury detail
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
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: Death, Domestic abuse, Gore, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Murder
Moderate: Alcoholism, Gun violence, Racial slurs, Racism
Minor: Cancer, Cursing, Sexual content, Death of parent
sibling death