11/22/63
The idea of an alternate history about preventing JFK’s assassination was never really a story prompt that I had to see realized. I’m more of a speculative fiction reader who prefers futuristic, off-world, or horrific adventures. There is a science fiction element to this in the time travel, and even if the portal is about as well explained as H.G. Well’s time machine, the ramifications of going back in time, and what the main character goes through emotionally is awesome and deeply emotional.
As with most Stephen King books, 11/22/63’s greatest strength is in the characters. The main character is intensely likable and put in an impossibly difficult process to do what is right. Before reading, I wasn’t sure what the main villain would be, so I wasn’t sure what kind of conflict would propel the story. There is a love story, so the desire to find a happy ending is the chief source of conflict, but then add to that a mysterious power that manipulates events to prevent the main character from changing the past. The big question is one that relates to all of us: how to find a balance between living a happy, normal life when doing what is right requires us to make sacrifices.
I’ll leave it at that. Looking back, the middle is a bit of a slog to get through as the main character endures increasingly difficult challenges, but it’s worth finishing. So worth it. Without spoiling how, I can’t recommend enough choosing the audiobook version. Not only is Craig Wasson incredibly talented at creating unique voices, but his humor is spot on.
To top that off, today 11/22/63
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Timothy C. Ward
Executive Producer
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I bought and listened to the audiobook version of Under the Dome. I had similar positive responses, and reservations. For one thing, way too long, but great characters. My main gripe was the deus ex machina science fiction ending. The idea has been done before, basically. When King deals with the dark side of human nature he’s superb, but when he starts introducing aliens (as in Dreamcatcher, and Under the Dome), is just doesn’t work.
I’d say spoiler alert, but I don’t think I’ll be reading Under the Dome. Dreamcatcher was cool until the ending as well. (saw movie, didn’t read)
Not sure if it was a spoiler, Tim. The suggestion of aliens comes not to far into the book. A real spoiler would be the fact that Rosebud was Citizen Kane’s sled!
Oh, okay. Not having read the book, I didn’t know. And I hope you’re joking about the later.
Ha, ha. Tim, actually the film spoiler is correct. In my defence, it was originally released in the Peanuts cartoon strip…about Citizen Kane’s dying word and what it meant at the end of the film.