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adventurous
dark
emotional
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:
No
I’m surprised by how much I liked this book. I Thought for sure it was going to drag because of how long it was, but King did pretty well at keeping my attention most of the time. There were moments where I felt it could have been cut or shortened, but over all, I think this book was done really well, and I always enjoy the references to other books written by King. Overall, it’s emotional and very engaging, and aside from a few slow parts, was worth the lengthy listen.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore
Moderate: Suicide
adventurous
emotional
informative
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
⚠️ TW: Domestic violence, childhood trauma, murder, racism, racial/xenophobic slurs, alcoholism, suicide ⚠️ Firstly, WOW. This book is absolutely phenomenal and I cannot sing its praises highly enough. It is very much my favourite book so far this year and it has become one of my favourite King reads 👏🏼 11.22.63 follows Jake Epping, an ordinary English teacher in 2011, who sets out on an insane time travelling mission to prevent the JFK assassination. However, as he leaves his world and time behind for the past of 1958 he encounters challenges, people and a new life he never thought he would. This read is witty, addictive, compelling, emotional, impeccably written and just absolutely mindblowing. Stephen King's writing in this book genuinely makes you feel like you are transported back in time and are witnessing everything right alongside the characters and I loved it so much and could rave about it all day but also feel as if it's hard to review without giving spoilers. I put this book off ever since it was first published because of its size and the political and historical sides of it but honestly it was such a page turning, suspenseful and emotion packed read that I couldn't put it down. Overall, I cannot rate this book highly enough and highly recommend reading it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Domestic abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Suicide, Xenophobia, Murder
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
One of my favourite things about Stephen King is that if you've loved one of his books, chances are you can open another and find not just a similar tone or atmosphere (though he does often evoke a particularly delicious tension), but a direct link as well. I haven't read IT but I took so much joy from knowing that Jake was in Derry, Maine in late summer of 1958, and even met some of the Losers' Club. Of course I immediately Googled them all and will have to read IT, despite my abject terror.
King's writing is so visceral and evocative, I could practically taste the '50s root beer and soda that was so fatty and flavourful. But it also means that no one can build horrible tension quite like him. The "obdurate past" is a character in itself and it's devastating (and often funny) to see how it trips Jake up as he tries to change the future. Much like in Pet Sematary it felt like there was a force governing these characters' lives and I was never able to quite relax.
But while I love this tension, and the sense of dread that permeates even the most peaceful moments, I also just got so invested in the life Jake creates as George Amberson. So when the pace slowed in the middle of the book, my attention never wavered. The end was like a series of punches to the gut and left me with this overwhelming sense of futility, but there was a sliver of goodness that I was able to cling to because of my love for the characters. It's another of his books I'll be pondering for ages.
King's writing is so visceral and evocative, I could practically taste the '50s root beer and soda that was so fatty and flavourful. But it also means that no one can build horrible tension quite like him. The "obdurate past" is a character in itself and it's devastating (and often funny) to see how it trips Jake up as he tries to change the future. Much like in Pet Sematary it felt like there was a force governing these characters' lives and I was never able to quite relax.
But while I love this tension, and the sense of dread that permeates even the most peaceful moments, I also just got so invested in the life Jake creates as George Amberson. So when the pace slowed in the middle of the book, my attention never wavered. The end was like a series of punches to the gut and left me with this overwhelming sense of futility, but there was a sliver of goodness that I was able to cling to because of my love for the characters. It's another of his books I'll be pondering for ages.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Death, Gore, Gun violence, Suicide, Violence, Murder, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Racism, Sexism
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
At this point I feel like I've only read works that are not typical Steven King, but this joins them as a fun, engaging read. I love a good time travel novel and I appreciate that King uses it to indulge that classic time travel fantasy: "What if I could change the past to save the future?" He uses the length to steep his story in the past, giving it shades of historical fiction that are also delightful. Definitely recommend; the pages will fly.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Gore, Suicide, Murder
Moderate: Sexual content
Multiple depictions of domestic abuse and alcoholism. Can be violent at parts since it is somewhat about violent men.