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Jul / Aug 2015 Group Read - 11/22/63 by Stephen King
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Sherri wrote: "Oh wow, still reading book, but just learned that "X has more [whatever] Carter has liver pills" wasn't some kind of reference to Pres. Carter like the jelly beans...as I always have assumed! In C..."WOW>>> I had no idea of the reference either... I just always thought it was Jimmy Carter... interesting. I'm glad you are reading and enjoying. Interested to hear what you think when you're done.
aPriL does feral sometimes wrote: "I thought the book was very good. King and I are both 'baby boomers' so many of his era references are like a trip down memory lane for me. I loved King's new twists on a plot of mysterious time ..."
I'm with you... observing the past would be so interesting. To just be able to go back and see... I wouldn't even need to interact.. just take it all in.
I finished the book. Despite its length, I was able to finish within a week. The middle of the book seemed to drag, but towards the end everything came together and the pace picked up to the point I had a very difficult time putting it down. I think it would be fun to go back in time and observe the past much like a ghost. That way I could walk on the Titanic and not end up caught in the tragedy. I would love to see that beautiful ship though.
Kathy wrote: "I give this book 4 stars. It was paradoxically one of the most fascinating books I've read, and at times the most boring. I didn't understand why so much time was spent on the first trip, when the ..."Thank you for this comment. It helped me appreciate the book more.You put into words some of the thoughts I could not
I first joined Audible for audiobooks a little over a year and a half ago and 11/22/63 was my first pick. It has remained my favorite of the 140 books I've listened to since. The basic story and the feeling I got from it has stuck with me, and reading over this thread has brought many of the details back. I agree with Lucy that, even though the ending was bitter sweet, Jake got off pretty lucky in comparison to many King characters, and the ending itself was satisfying, considering other King endings.
If you ever EVER get a chance to listen to this as audiobook, take it! You won't regret it.
I also highly recommend "The Green Mile", and if you can do audiobooks, that one and "Joyland" are two of my favorites (among many others).
I enjoyed the nostalgic references and observations of the 50's, which was before my time but I was completely familiar with. There were also tons of references to King's other books which at times made me giddy.
This book had everything. History, mystery, hate and love, sci-fi and atmosphere, and DANCING!
E. wrote: "I first joined Audible for audiobooks a little over a year and a half ago and 11/22/63 was my first pick. It has remained my favorite of the 140 books I've listened to since. The basic story and t..."
So great to hear E. Wonderful comments. I loved the references to his other books as well. I just couldn't believe I was going back to "It." I had chills bumps on my chill bumps. The audiobook was just fabulous. I loved the narrator! I especially loved the music at the end when they danced... I was so chocked up.
I just got The Green Mile from my library as an audiobook and hope to start it soon. I haven't checked out Joyland yet... but I will.
If you're getting into audiobooks, Crystal, add these to your "might read" list:Boy's Life, A Prayer for Owen Meany, Intensity, NOS4A2... The list could go on, seriously.
There are so many "crime/thriller" books I enjoyed also Into the Darkest Corner, Silent Scream, Love You More...
There's just something about a book being read to you by a good narrator that raises it up a level, no matter the genre.
So true E. It took me a while to be able to listen to audiobooks as I'm definately a more visual person... But, now that my brain has figured it out, I can't get enough. I literally have headphones glued to my head. I will for SURE check these titles out. Thanks so much! I have to let my kids and hubby know when I'm doing audiobooks that are thrillers or mysteries so they don't scare me when I have my headphones on. I was listening to this book (the part where Jake was in bed and hearing noises and whispers in the attic) when my son tapped me on the shoulder and I screamed bloody murder! I don't think he'll ever tap me again as I gave him quite a scare, but you never know.
E. wrote: "If you're getting into audiobooks, Crystal, add these to your "might read" list:Boy's Life, A Prayer for Owen Meany, Intensity, NOS4A2... The ..."
I can 2nd NOS4A2. OMG, totally creepy & vivid narration! I thought it was a little long UNTIL now b/c 11/22/63...this one is waaaaay too long & 20 hrs into 30 hrs, it still feels very unnecessry and becoming very frustrating. It's at the point that has taken away from the enjoyment I was getting from it. I might even fast forward to the last hr or two. Thank goodness, the wonderful narration on this audio that has saved it for me somewhat.
Got the book from library today. Will start this evening.
I am a little more than half through this book. It has kept my attention for the most part. At time I feel it can be a little monotonous but overall I am so far enjoying it. I am quite intrigued to see how the follow through goes and if he truly completes saving Kennedy!
Chelsie, sorry to hear it can be monotonous.... I can possibly see that with the book. I listened to the audio book and the narrator had me on the edge of my seat the whole easy through. There is a lot of time going on with Kennedy.... You'll find out though.
Just an update now, as I haven't fnished the book as yet. I'm sure I'll be finished in a couple of days if the family needs are normal.....What a truly outstanding book. I've enjoyed every minute of it. One observation - this is the first time that I noticed the style of Dean Kootz seems similar to Stethan King.
I finished this book and thought it was amazing! I didn't think King would write a "happily ever after" but I didn't see that ending happening with the decisions affecting outcomes the way it did. I thoroughly enjoyed it once I pushed through the middle.
Sandi wrote: "Just an update now, as I haven't fnished the book as yet. I'm sure I'll be finished in a couple of days if the family needs are normal.....What a truly outstanding book. I've enjoyed every minu..."
I'm glad you are enjoying Sandy.
Chelsie wrote: "I finished this book and thought it was amazing! I didn't think King would write a "happily ever after" but I didn't see that ending happening with the decisions affecting outcomes the way it did. ..."I didn't see that happening either. I knew it would be different, but I don't have King's imagination.
It took me a couple months to get to it but I'm finally reading this and really enjoying it. I didn't expect a tie-in with It. That was a special surprise!Anyway, thanks to my GR friends who kept after me on this one.
Tom, I'm glad you're reading it. I was pleasantly surprised about the tie-in with It as well. It was pretty cool. I hope you enjoy.
I finally finished it and am really happy that I read it. I'm a big fan of all of that wibbly wobbly timey-whimey stuff. I especially enjoyed the way King presented the past as both obdurate and harmonizing. This was SK at his best. Here's my review:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Tom wrote: "I finally finished it and am really happy that I read it. I'm a big fan of all of that wibbly wobbly timey-whimey stuff. I especially enjoyed the way King presented the past as both obdurate and ha..."Great review Tom. I'm glad you read it (listened to it.. LOL) and that you loved it enough to give it 5 stars. Thanks for coming and sharing your thoughts.
❆ Crystal ❆ wrote: "Great review Tom. I'm glad you read it (listened to it.. LOL) and that you loved it enough to give it 5 stars. Thanks for coming and sharing your thoughts."
At the end of the audiobook King came on and read the afterward. I was particularly interested to hear that he thanked his son, Joe Hill, for suggesting a better ending than he had in mind. I can only assume that it was Hill's ending that he ended up using.
I enjoyed Steve King at the end as well. I'm glad that he waited so long to write the book.... that instead of writing it in the 70's he waited until now so that he could dedicate more time for research. I thought that was really cool. I also loved the song at the end... so sweet.
❆ Crystal ❆ wrote: "I also loved the song at the end... so sweet."I imagined Jake responding to Sadie's inquiry about (view spoiler) But then, I realized that that was unnecessary because as the curtains closed on the story you just knew everything would work out.
Tom wrote: "❆ Crystal ❆ wrote: "I also loved the song at the end... so sweet."I imagined Jake responding to Sadie's inquiry about [spoilers removed] But then, I realized that that was unnecessary because as ..."
I know. The rational part of my brain knew that it had to be that way, but it didn't make it any easier.
I haven't read a Stephen King book in a couple decades. 11/22/63 reminded me why I used to read King's books as soon as they were published ... and why I quit reading them. King is a good writer, has a great imagination, knows how to pen an engrossing story, but is exhaustingly verbose. I wanted to make a little circling motion with my finger to tell him to hurry up, but of course he wasn't in the room to see it.Fiction writers have the unique ability to bend time. We can do what we want because it's our world. We make it up. The premise of 11/22/63 is that our intrepid hero discovers a time portal that takes him back to 1958. After a quick touristic holiday, he decides to go back to 1958 and wait until November 22, 1963 in order to save John F. Kennedy. King proceeds to tell us everything that happens in the intervening five years. Why? It was King's decision to have the portal go to 1958. He could have chosen 1961 or 1962. I think he just loves to write.
That aside, this is a well told story. I like time travel because they are basically fish-out-of-water tales. A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court by Mark Twain is the apex of the genre. 11/22/63 may have been overly long (880 pages in paperback), but it was still a fun read with some creative twists on time travel. I didn't agree with his speculations about altered history, but they didn't interfere with the story. If you like to be immersed in Stephen King's world, you can have an extended stay with 11/22/63.
Wanted to let everyone know they are turning this into a mini series! The info is on the internet movie data base website. This really intrigues me and thought it might others as well! http://m.imdb.com/title/tt2879552/
Chelsie wrote: "Wanted to let everyone know they are turning this into a mini series! The info is on the internet movie data base website. This really intrigues me and thought it might others as well! http://m.i..."
I hope this is done well.
I didn't like the mini-series of "Under the Dome" at all.
That's pretty cool. A mini-series is way better than a movie.
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It (other topics)Intensity (other topics)
Boy's Life (other topics)
A Prayer for Owen Meany (other topics)
NOS4A2 (other topics)
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I loved King's new twists on a plot of mysterious time travel access, and I wondered what I would have changed if I could go back in time. Actually a lot! However, if some unexpected consequences might be worse later in time, then that certainly would put me off changing anything. I think observing the past would be fascinating in itself, though.