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nenah_elizabeth's review
adventurous
emotional
informative
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-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? N/A
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Murder, Death, and Violence
Moderate: Gun violence, Mental illness, Murder, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Medical trauma, Cursing, Death, Suicide, Medical content, Physical abuse, Blood, and Self harm
Minor: Cancer, Grief, Pregnancy, Terminal illness, Addiction, and War
newswoman's review against another edition
from the introduction of the love interest onwards i felt a gradual decline in my enjoyment of the book as i am not a fan of how the romance is written at all. i really liked the beginning a lot but the the main character is very hard to like in my opinion, which gets worse and worse as the story progresses.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide attempt, Toxic relationship, Suicidal thoughts, Stalking, Child death, Child abuse, Gaslighting, Blood, Alcohol, Gore, Sexual content, Sexism, Emotional abuse, Racism, Alcoholism, Gun violence, Injury/Injury detail, Violence, Terminal illness, Murder, Misogyny, Death, Chronic illness, Cancer, Body horror, Antisemitism, Animal death, Racial slurs, Drug use, and Cursing
gethin_burke's review
adventurous
challenging
emotional
relaxing
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? It's complicated
4.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cursing, Violence, Sexual content, Child death, and Domestic abuse
amcghig's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Medical trauma, Abandonment, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Murder, Physical abuse, Toxic relationship, Cursing, Violence, and Blood
sarahrolinski's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
I have never read a Stephen King prior to the colossal challenge of reading this manuscript. I recently found a love for all literature containing alternative histories surrounding the Kennedy assassination and due to the sheer size of the book, I was intrigued.
The first portion of this book is slow. It drags. Elements are not cohesive, and I found my eyes drooping at every mention of a Maine landscape. I trudged through to the early 200's pages, and only then did I find the excitment worth the vast commitment. Our main character, Jake Epping's, internal monologue rivals one of a juvenile, immature man. Phrases repeated throughout the book are spaced and written as though they are to be perceived as profound when they are lackluster. "Dancing is life," is a phrase mentioned time and time again. Tone is inconsistent, and King so earnestly wants to juxtapose diction so it may come across as witty when it just creates distrust with the reader. How can I trust the narrator who talks out the side of his mouth when he is speaking to the reader?
Additionally, the ending left me in a complete, total fit of rage. Though the implications of a changed world depended on a "the past is obdurate" notion, the society at the end of the book feels like a slap in the face to the hopeful American citizen.
Nevertheless, I read the entire book over the course of four days, sometimes not eating in order to read. I was overjoyed to share the narrative revelations to coworkers and family. I was enthralled, and it hurt to put the book down. I was obsessed. Never in my life have I read a book that forced me to fall in love with reading. Despite the Jake Epping flaws and the Mary Sue-ification of Miss Sadie Dunhill, I reckoned with the fact that the book gripped me and relentlessly satisfied a snobby reader such as myself.
If you wish to read this as a piece of high literature, move on to the next book on your shelf. But it was fun and inventive and possessed a tenacity to illustrate romance in way that literally transcends time. I would read it all over again (I will probably will) and hope others grip onto adventurous nature of 11.22.63.
The first portion of this book is slow. It drags. Elements are not cohesive, and I found my eyes drooping at every mention of a Maine landscape. I trudged through to the early 200's pages, and only then did I find the excitment worth the vast commitment. Our main character, Jake Epping's, internal monologue rivals one of a juvenile, immature man. Phrases repeated throughout the book are spaced and written as though they are to be perceived as profound when they are lackluster. "Dancing is life," is a phrase mentioned time and time again. Tone is inconsistent, and King so earnestly wants to juxtapose diction so it may come across as witty when it just creates distrust with the reader. How can I trust the narrator who talks out the side of his mouth when he is speaking to the reader?
Additionally, the ending left me in a complete, total fit of rage. Though the implications of a changed world depended on a "the past is obdurate" notion, the society at the end of the book feels like a slap in the face to the hopeful American citizen.
Nevertheless, I read the entire book over the course of four days, sometimes not eating in order to read. I was overjoyed to share the narrative revelations to coworkers and family. I was enthralled, and it hurt to put the book down. I was obsessed. Never in my life have I read a book that forced me to fall in love with reading. Despite the Jake Epping flaws and the Mary Sue-ification of Miss Sadie Dunhill, I reckoned with the fact that the book gripped me and relentlessly satisfied a snobby reader such as myself.
If you wish to read this as a piece of high literature, move on to the next book on your shelf. But it was fun and inventive and possessed a tenacity to illustrate romance in way that literally transcends time. I would read it all over again (I will probably will) and hope others grip onto adventurous nature of 11.22.63.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Blood, Death, Cursing, Gun violence, Vomit, Excrement, and Gore
Moderate: Alcoholism and Suicide
Minor: Animal death
pwnyboy's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
relaxing
slow-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? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide, Sexual content, Violence, Stalking, Gun violence, Murder, Death, and Cursing
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Sexism, Grief, Torture, Racial slurs, Xenophobia, Racism, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Car accident, Toxic relationship, and War
bambicat234's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.75
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: Suicide, Injury/Injury detail, Cancer, Domestic abuse, Gun violence, Stalking, and Violence
Minor: Gore, Grief, Car accident, Medical content, Alcohol, Antisemitism, Classism, Death, Misogyny, Toxic relationship, Cursing, Racial slurs, Racism, Terminal illness, and War
nichole_of_numenor's review
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 death