Audiobook Sample
Listen to the sample to experience the story.
Please wait while we verify your browser...
- Title: 11/22/63: A Novel
- Author: Stephen King
- Narrator: Craig Wasson
- Length: 1.291666667
- Version: Abridged
- Release Date: 08-Nov
- Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio
- Genre: Mystery, Thriller & Horror, Horror
- ISBN13: 9.78E+12
It reminds me of a time when I was driving alone through the Atacama Desert in Chile, the driest place on Earth, listening to *One Hundred Years of Solitude* on audiobook. The surreal landscape stretched out like a canvas of cracked earth and endless sky, and Gabriel García Márquez’s tale of time looping over itself felt like it was whispering straight to me through the narrator’s voice. That’s the magic of a great audiobook—it transforms a solitary moment into something shared, something alive. So when I slipped into Stephen King’s *11/22/63: A Novel*, narrated by Craig Wasson, I was ready for another journey. And let me tell you, this one took me places—back to 1958, through the smoky haze of sock hops and big American cars, all the way to that fateful day in Dallas.
For those who haven’t yet stepped into this time portal, *11/22/63* follows Jake Epping, a small-town English teacher who stumbles into an extraordinary mission. His friend Al, a diner owner with a secret, reveals a rabbit hole in his storeroom that drops you into September 9, 1958. Al’s dying wish? Send Jake—soon reborn as George Amberson—back to stop the assassination of JFK. What unfolds is a sprawling, heart-pounding odyssey across a vanished America, from the sinister streets of Derry, Maine, to the warm embrace of Jodie, Texas. It’s a tale of love, loss, and the stubborn pull of history, all wrapped in King’s masterful grip on suspense and human connection.
This audiobook experience hit me on a personal level. Years ago, I stayed with a family in Oaxaca, and every evening, their grandmother would gather us around to tell stories of the past—tales of revolution, heartbreak, and ghosts. Her voice had this rhythm, this weight, that made you lean in, hanging on every pause. Listening to Craig Wasson narrate *11/22/63*, I felt that same pull. Wasson doesn’t just read—he inhabits the story. His gravelly warmth brings Jake’s quiet determination to life, and when the tension ramps up, you can almost hear the sweat beading on his brow. It’s like he’s sitting across from you, recounting the wildest trip he ever took.
The story itself unfolds like a road trip through a fading Polaroid. King paints the late ’50s and early ’60s with such vivid sensory detail—you can almost taste the root beer floats, hear the jukebox crooning Elvis, feel the sticky heat of a Texas summer. Jake’s mission starts with a detour to save Harry Dunning, a student whose family was shattered by a hammer-wielding father. That thread alone could’ve been its own novel, but it’s just the beginning. From there, Jake weaves through a tapestry of Americana, falling for Sadie Dunhill, a librarian with a smile that could stop time. Their romance is the beating heart of this tale, tender and doomed, like a flower blooming under a storm cloud.
What gets me, as someone who’s spent years chasing hidden histories, is how King wrestles with the big ‘what if.’ What if you could rewrite the past? Jake’s not just saving Kennedy—he’s wrestling with the butterfly effect, where every flap of a wing sends ripples crashing. The closer he gets to November 22, 1963, the more the past pushes back, like a living thing with teeth. It’s mystery, thriller, and horror all rolled into one, with that signature King dread lurking in the shadows. You’re on edge, waiting for the next twist, and Wasson’s narration keeps you there, his pacing a slow burn that explodes when you least expect it.
Now, let’s talk about that audio quality. At over 30 hours, this isn’t a quick listen, but Simon & Schuster Audio nails it. The sound is crisp, immersive—every creak of a floorboard, every distant car horn pulls you deeper in. Wasson’s performance is the backbone, shifting seamlessly from Jake’s introspective moments to the clipped menace of Lee Harvey Oswald. He even nails the accents, from Maine’s hard edges to Texas’s soft drawl. It’s the kind of narration that makes you forget you’re listening to a recording—it’s a story told by a friend over a long night.
That said, it’s not flawless. The sheer length might test some listeners; there are stretches where the pacing drags, especially in the middle when Jake’s settling into Jodie. And while Wasson’s voice is a perfect fit for Jake, a few secondary characters—like Sadie—occasionally feel underserved by his range. Her vulnerability shines, but I wanted just a bit more distinction in her tone. Still, these are minor bumps on an otherwise unforgettable ride.
How does *11/22/63* stack up? Think of it as a cousin to King’s *It*—another sprawling epic with a small-town soul—but with a tighter focus on time and consequence. Or compare it to *The Time Traveler’s Wife*, though King trades romance-first for suspense-first. It’s a unique beast, blending historical fiction with that creeping horror only he can deliver.
Who’s this for? If you love a meaty mystery-thriller with a dash of heartbreak, this audiobook’s your ticket. History buffs will geek out over the JFK lore, while King fans will savor his knack for making the ordinary eerie. New to audiobooks? This is a stellar entry point—just carve out some time. And if you’re hunting for a free audiobook, check sites like Audiobooks.com for trial offers—you might snag *11/22/63* without dropping a dime.
Reflecting on it now, this story lingers like the smell of mesquite smoke after a long night by the fire. It’s made me think about the moments that define us, the ones we’d rewrite if we could. I remember a trip to Dealey Plaza years ago, standing where those shots rang out, feeling the weight of history in the air. Listening to *11/22/63* brought that back, but with a twist—what if we could turn back the clock? For me, that’s the power of this audiobook experience: it’s not just a story, it’s a conversation across time.
So grab your headphones, hit play, and let Craig Wasson guide you through the shadows of the past. You won’t just hear it—you’ll live it.
Until the next tale, keep chasing the stories that move you,
Marcus Rivera
