11.22.63: Literary suspense from the No. 1 bestseller

One of the finest novels I have ever read. And I've read a LOT. Certainly this is one of Stephen King's greatest achievements as a storyteller, with a wonderful "It" overlap. I have never been a fan of time-travel books, mainly due to the obvious flaws and paradoxes that come with tinkering with past events. But here, King tackles those flaws head-on in a sprawling epic tale that will take your breath away. It's a daunting size, thicker than a fridge door! And yet I raced through it. It is insanely addictive. If you tried to explain the plot, you'd sound crazy, and yet it is told so deftly, so cleverly, so sensitively, that it makes perfect sense. It is 2011. Divorced English teacher Jake Epping from Lisbon Falls in Maine is persuaded by a dying friend who runs a diner to pass through a portal to 1958 in his pantry (like I said, there's no way of describing it without it sounding bonkers). After briefly experiencing 50s Maine, Jake is persuaded to go through the portal again in order to stop the Kennedy assassination five years later. But the running theme throughout the story is that "the past is objurate, it doesn't like to be changed." King deals with love, loss, murder, greed, selflessness... you name it, it's here. He takes us back to Derry, with its simmering darkness, then to Dallas - both places brought vividly to life in stunning clarity thanks to the master storyteller. A phenomenal achievement and a must read. I'm not actually a huge King fan but this is a very special book that was recommended to me so many times I could no longer resist. I did not regret it.

I think there was a point at which it was fashionable to say that Stephen King's best words were long since typed - perhaps around the time when he announced his retirement. Just like his retirement, the notion that King has lost his mojo has been proven false - and nothing underlines the calibre of King's recent creativity as much as 11.22.63. I've long held the belief that the fact that King is so easy to read often leads people to conclude that while he might be a commercial heavyweight, he's a literary lightweight. Personally, I think this is about as true as the idea that he's a spent force. Delving into the first pages of 11.22.63 was like revisiting an old friend. That easy style was welcoming, like a firm handshake or even a hug. Welcome back, reader. Sit yourself down. And then 11.22.63 does what any good book should do - it draws you in. Within a few pages, you're part of the story, being carried along for the ride. The premise is simple: if you could go back in time, would you stop Lee Harvey Oswald from killing JFK? And, if you did, wouldn't it make the world a better place? The proprietor of a local diner, Al Templeton, believes that this would be the case - and that he has the means to do it. But, for reasons better explained by King, he can't - so he passes the baton to an initially reluctant English teacher, Jake Epping. So Epping takes a trip or two back in time - the first to familiarise himself with the world of the past, a second to prove that the future can be changed. And then - the main mission. The problem is that the doorway to the past lands you on the same day in 1958, so there's some hanging around waiting to catch up with history. A few years when it's important to stay out of history's way, not make waves - and not change anything. That's enough in the way of spoilers. The book itself I'd describe as well-balanced - gripping when it needs to be, laid-back when life's more normal. I've seen this described in other reviews as `sagging in the middle' but I'd challenge that - King's giving Epping time to grow, make friends, form relationships. And it's this that I found more endearing than many of King's other books. Sure, he writes great, believable characters, but I've not personally felt that the relationship between any come off so well - and be so moving - as that between Jake and Sadie in 11.22.63. There's also some lovely writing - sections which show King not just as a master of plot and character, but as someone who really can twist words to his will. But he's not an indulgent showman - for the most part, he lets the story do the talking. He's out to entertain, not impress. There were a few parts - not many - where I felt things were a little overplayed, but these were brief and didn't detract from what is a great read. 11.22.63 is entertaining from end to end, gripping, emotionally intelligent and at times moving.

I remember reading this book when it was FIRST PUBLISHED many years ago. My opinion is it is one of the BEST S.KING books that I have read & I have read NEARLY ALL OF THEM!! I was determined to ONE DAY purchase it again & I feel excited about starting it as soon as I finish my current read. It REALLY IS one of the most GRIPPING TALES that Mr KING has put PEN TO PAPER. THE SUSPENSE just BUILDS UP & UP to an AMAZING FINALE. Enough now as I MUST get it started A.S.A.P, I CANT WAIT & YOU will NOT be disapointed.

My first fiction book and I feel I made and the best choice. The world building is so good and the suspense carries throughout the book.

Uno dei libri più avvincenti mai letti. Consiglio la versione in inglese. Davvero difficile "metterlo giù" una volta iniziato, l'ho poi consigliato a mia moglie ed ha avuto lo stesso effetto. Ci si sente davvero "dentro la storia" nel senso più vero del termine trattando il libro di avvenimenti storici che hanno cambiato il futuro del mondo.

What an amazing story! The main character falls in love with the 50s and it’s so nice to read about this, which I don’t think it was quite portrayed in the TV series.

I was a senior in high school when JFK was assassinated so the event is very clearly etched in my brain. I was looking so forward to this book by Steven King and can say without a doubt that I have not been disappointed. It is an excellent story, so many of the details I can remember from growing up. The description of the late 1950's and into the '60's are so clear. I don't like reviews that tell the story, and I won't be doing that here. What I will say is that the characters are written with such clarity it is as if I got to know them personally. The details and the events are scripted to perfection. The story flowed and never did I lose interest or feel that I wanted to skip ahead. I listened to this on CD, and my friend, who read the book, thought I might lose some of the story by listening to it; however, I didn't, if anything I think it made the story even more interesting. Would I recommend this book...in capital letters YES!

Dull book. Not reccommended.