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mailuss's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
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
Content Warnings
Moderate: Blood and Domestic abuse
Minor: Violence, Gun violence, and Alcoholism
bookforthought's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Gun violence, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, and Violence
Moderate: Death, Alcoholism, Racism, and Cancer
Minor: Car accident
ligiandbooks's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
ʀᴀᴛɪɴɢ: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
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⚠️
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⚠️
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Medical trauma, Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, Violence, Gun violence, Gore, Racial slurs, Suicide, Death, Blood, Child death, Injury/Injury detail, and Murder
Moderate: Sexual content, Domestic abuse, Grief, Stalking, Alcoholism, and Cancer
Minor: Addiction, Bullying, Panic attacks/disorders, Vomit, Antisemitism, Car accident, and Body shaming
lianavalente'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? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Stalking, Suicide, Domestic abuse, and Violence
Moderate: Death, Blood, Death of parent, Medical content, Alcohol, Child abuse, and Alcoholism
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 deathmcc's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
Oh hallelujah I finally finished this book. I'm probably be generous with an extra half a star in my review because I'm just so glad to be done. I chose to listen to the audiobook which is over 30.5 hours long. It started out really promising - historical fiction (but the 'real' kind, where a fictional plot happens in a very real historical time and place and you get to really learn more about the events of the time and what it was like to live there) is one of my favorite genres, so him going back to the late 50s/early 60s and really going and seeing all the differences and the series of events leading up to the Kennedy assassination was really great.
In the middle, it slows down a bit, which I expected because I had read that in other reviews and I would actually argue was a clever narrative device. The point is that he arrives in 58 so he has to pass the time for years before the historical event he hopes to influence, so it's natural and a good part of storytelling that this part lags a bit as he waits, and you the reader, wait with him. BUT this is where it goes into a full fledged, overly detailed, Stephen King personal fantasy. Our main character, a write & teacher from Maine (just like King himself) meets a tall, gorgeous woman (but don't worry, not taller than our main character who is a strapping 6'5"!) and even though she's been married (since it would be weird for a 28 year old to be single during that era) is miraculously a virgin! And wouldn't you know he gives her an orgasm the first time they 'make love' together with his magical d*ck?! And she is traumatized by her husband, so needs rescuing by this hero. They become the most beloved teachers in the school and town and find the inner actors in their students and put on amazing school plays that have cream pie fights that go on and on and on. Really, no detail is left out in this loooong elaborate fantasy. However, the creepy part is that this woman is coming out of a psychologically abusive relationship, but that he himself starts to have more and more erratic behavior and lying to her and being shady and convincing her that a 'don't ask, don't tell' policy in the relationship is best. He then admires her for being so 'brave' and doing 'the right thing' by trusting him. UGH. It's really crap like this that perpetuates abusive relationships.
Anyway, all that aside, we finally get closer to the 1962 and back into following Oswald to determine whether he was a lone actor or not. However, the original mojo of the story is now extremely secondary to this love story and the drama going on there. At this point I get 70% through the book and I'm rolling my eyes a *lot* and can see that we're not going to get back to the promise that the beginning of the book held. I questioned whether or not to continue, but completely got pulled in to the sunk-cost fallacy since 70% of this book is 24 hours. I had spent literally a full day listening, I might as well see where it goes...
Well, of course, Mr King has to really punch up the action so needs to find a way to make stopping Oswald a suspenseful literally down-to-the-last-second thing (after 4 years of waiting), so the character gets a beating including a head injury with wouldn't you know it - convenient amnesia! Which just felt like a lazy way to build suspense. However, I will give Mr King credit where it's due in that, the reason he gets beaten up is because the plan to have money is to bet on sports events (which is most people's time-travel go-to), but the reality of that is that you deal with shady, mob-connected people who will NOT be happy about you getting massive winnings against crazy odds *especially* if it's happening more than a couple of times. So that was great.
At this point with the artificially manufactured suspense, which isn't suspense because you *know* he is going to succeed because this entire freakin' massive book has led up to this moment, I actually found myself hoping he doesn't succeed - because, heck - *that* would be interesting. Where would the book go from there? But of course, he does, and of course it's tragedy for our love story I haven't even mentioned the cliche-d writing that read quite often like a film noir, but the dying "How we danced...how we danced..." line really took the cake .
But then what's the lesson to all this? Well, that fucking with the past is bad because of the butterfly effects, and you shouldn't, so of course he resets it all. Wow. 30+ hours for that? Great.
In the middle, it slows down a bit, which I expected because I had read that in other reviews and I would actually argue was a clever narrative device. The point is that he arrives in 58 so he has to pass the time for years before the historical event he hopes to influence, so it's natural and a good part of storytelling that this part lags a bit as he waits, and you the reader, wait with him. BUT this is where it goes into a full fledged, overly detailed, Stephen King personal fantasy. Our main character, a write & teacher from Maine (just like King himself) meets a tall, gorgeous woman (but don't worry, not taller than our main character who is a strapping 6'5"!) and even though she's been married (since it would be weird for a 28 year old to be single during that era) is miraculously a virgin! And wouldn't you know he gives her an orgasm the first time they 'make love' together with his magical d*ck?! And she is traumatized by her husband, so needs rescuing by this hero. They become the most beloved teachers in the school and town and find the inner actors in their students and put on amazing school plays that have cream pie fights that go on and on and on. Really, no detail is left out in this loooong elaborate fantasy. However, the creepy part is that this woman is coming out of a psychologically abusive relationship, but that he himself starts to have more and more erratic behavior and lying to her and being shady and convincing her that a 'don't ask, don't tell' policy in the relationship is best. He then admires her for being so 'brave' and doing 'the right thing' by trusting him. UGH. It's really crap like this that perpetuates abusive relationships.
Anyway, all that aside, we finally get closer to the 1962 and back into following Oswald to determine whether he was a lone actor or not. However, the original mojo of the story is now extremely secondary to this love story and the drama going on there. At this point I get 70% through the book and I'm rolling my eyes a *lot* and can see that we're not going to get back to the promise that the beginning of the book held. I questioned whether or not to continue, but completely got pulled in to the sunk-cost fallacy since 70% of this book is 24 hours. I had spent literally a full day listening, I might as well see where it goes...
Well, of course, Mr King has to really punch up the action so needs to find a way to make stopping Oswald a suspenseful literally down-to-the-last-second thing (after 4 years of waiting), so the character gets a beating including a head injury with wouldn't you know it - convenient amnesia! Which just felt like a lazy way to build suspense. However, I will give Mr King credit where it's due in that, the reason he gets beaten up is because the plan to have money is to bet on sports events (which is most people's time-travel go-to), but the reality of that is that you deal with shady, mob-connected people who will NOT be happy about you getting massive winnings against crazy odds *especially* if it's happening more than a couple of times. So that was great.
At this point with the artificially manufactured suspense, which isn't suspense because you *know* he is going to succeed because this entire freakin' massive book has led up to this moment, I actually found myself hoping he doesn't succeed - because, heck - *that* would be interesting. Where would the book go from there? But of course, he does, and of course it's tragedy for our love story
But then what's the lesson to all this? Well, that fucking with the past is bad because of the butterfly effects, and you shouldn't, so of course he resets it all. Wow. 30+ hours for that? Great.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcoholism, Violence, Mental illness, and Emotional abuse
jourdanicus's review against another edition
challenging
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
Not my fave King so far... I struggled to successfully suspend my disbelief enough to buy in to the idea of a guy time traveling with very little preparation or good reason to do so besides that his diner-owning buddy said it had to be done. I think I would have liked this more as a love story if the parts that involved the love weren't so repetitive (I mean really? THREE fund-raising variety shows in three years in ONE small town? That seemed less realistic than time travel) and weren't left until the back half of the book.
I'm sure this is a good read for many out there, if you like a slower plot or you just wanna read anything and anything by Stephen King (there are definitely a LOT of King-isms, many I'm sure I didn't pick up on).
Oh yeah also I really could have done without the antiquated language regarding race. Too much of the context in which it was used was quite a stretch when it comes to justifying that kind of language in such a recent publication.
I'm sure this is a good read for many out there, if you like a slower plot or you just wanna read anything and anything by Stephen King (there are definitely a LOT of King-isms, many I'm sure I didn't pick up on).
Oh yeah also I really could have done without the antiquated language regarding race. Too much of the context in which it was used was quite a stretch when it comes to justifying that kind of language in such a recent publication.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Vomit
Moderate: Violence, Alcoholism, Death, Gun violence, Injury/Injury detail, Toxic relationship, Sexual content, and Alcohol
Minor: Medical content, Panic attacks/disorders, War, Racism, and Car accident
michelles_book_nook's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
informative
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
5.0
⚠️ 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: Racism, Xenophobia, Alcoholism, Suicide, Domestic abuse, Murder, and Racial slurs
asourceoffiction's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
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: Injury/Injury detail, Gore, Violence, Gun violence, Murder, Death, Alcoholism, and Suicide
Moderate: Racism and Sexism
svenia's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Violence, Stalking, Gun violence, Cancer, Death, and Murder
Moderate: Addiction, Alcohol, and Kidnapping
Minor: Alcoholism and Pregnancy