From the Bookshelf of Reading Along With Friends…

11/22/63

Stephen King

Start date: December 1, 2011

Finish date: December 31, 2011

Discussion: December Read-Alongs

Discussion leader: Amy Lignor

Why we're reading this: It's the book Amy chose to discuss.…more
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December Read-Alongs

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By Hannah · 3 posts · 4 views

last updated Dec 27, 2011 04:42PM

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What Members Thought

Nov 10, 2011 Amy Lignor rated it it was amazing

Talk about not putting a book down! King WAS my weekend! Literally, just finished!!!

For anyone who looks at the cover and the title and thinks that they won’t read this one because it is simply a rehash of the Kennedy assassination - the moment in time where Oswald either ‘acted alone’ or there ‘was a conspiracy’ - think again. Stephen King, as always, has created a story of an individual - a plain old ordinary ‘Joe’ like you and me, who actually becomes a part of MORE than just one of the stori Talk about not putting a book down! King WAS my weekend! Literally, just finished!!!

For anyone who looks at the cover and the title and thinks that they won’t read this one because it is simply a rehash of the Kennedy assassination - the moment in time where Oswald either ‘acted alone’ or there ‘was a conspiracy’ - think again. Stephen King, as always, has created a story of an individual - a plain old ordinary ‘Joe’ like you and me, who actually becomes a part of MORE than just one of the stories that changed our world.

Jake Epping is a simple teacher living in 2011 who happens to make a friend in his world - a friend who he helps. What he does find in 2011is a secret; in fact, a friend of his shows him a way to travel back in time. No, this is no spaceship or flying DeLorean, this is simply a rabbit-hole. These rabbit-holes are numerous, and when you walk down into one of them you are, quite simply, walking back to a different time and place. When Jake walks down through the rabbit-hole he finds himself in 1958. The mill in his time that has been closed forever is now working; the stacks are sending smoke into the air. The building that is in his time that has basically fallen apart is still across the street but is now painted, clean, and selling those fantastic root beers at the soda fountain for a dime.

There are things that happened in the past. Small things that are a part of Jake’s life in the future; some truly horrific things that he has been given the chance to change or stop. He also ends up traveling, seeing old movies, learning the ways of the world without things like air-conditioning, cell phones and the internet. He is standing in a time that was all about family, fun, and trust; the lindy-hop was still being danced and there was still hope in the eyes of everyone.

Jake ends up altering things in the past, and each one is more thrilling than the last. He meets up with killers, historians, and a very special teacher in a small town in the Lone Star State. He finds himself a life, to say the least - a life that is filled with friends and a love that will warm every reader’s heart. The only hard part for Jake is the fact that he knows he’s lying to the people he has come to care for. In 1958 he’s George, a teacher who becomes a favorite with the kids, changes lives, and brings happiness to people, yet he knows the time clock is ticking. In a few short years a moronic man by the name of Lee Harvey Oswald will climb the steps of the Texas Book Depository and take his ‘shot’ at fame. Whether or not it was just Oswald is something George will have to figure out before changing the past. However, what George soon comes to realize is that there is a mystical force in the past that doesn’t want to be changed, and that mystical force will do everything within its power - throw every roadblock it can up in front of George - in order to keep the past just the way it is. After all, if you change even an iota of the past - the future is no longer certain.

Every page of this book is stunning. It’s like a thrill ride that causes you to ask questions, catch your breath (as with any Stephen King novel) and even shows the wit and charm of the writer, as he puts ‘things’ in that will make all readers remember some of his absolute classic books. (i.e., A Plymouth Fury that plays a major part in this book sure looks a lot like the stunning Christine.)

Jake Epping’s life, his decisions, his predicaments - at every turn he runs directly into something that will blow readers’ minds. And you will have no idea until the very last word what exactly a trip down the rabbit-hole really costs.

King is one of my favorite authors, but I can honestly say that I have not enjoyed a King book so much since that Plymouth Fury roared into my life a while ago…not to mention that frightening hotel. 11/22/63 is King at his absolute best (Even Shawshank Prison gets a nod!) You do NOT want to miss this one!!!!

Seeing as that the anniversary of this tragedy is coming up…this will give you a whole lot to think about.

Until Next Time,
Amy

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Apr 15, 2013 David Donaghe rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

The master craftsman does it again. I found 11/22/63 to be an engaging read. It is the kind of book that keeps you turning the page, or pressing the button if you are reading it on a Kindle or Nook, but I find that all of King's books do that for me. I enjoyed 11/22/63 and I think you will too. ...more

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