Publication Info
11/22/63 is a historical fiction/suspense novel written by Stephen King. It was written by King and published by Scribner on November 8, 2011. It has been nominated for, and won several awards including the 2011 Los Angeles Times Book Prize for Best Mystery/Thriller and the 2012 International Thriller Writers Award for Best Novel. The book also appeared in The New York Times as one of its 10 best books of 2011. Since it's release, 11/22/63 has been adapted to a T.V. mini-series and can be streamed on Hulu.
Brief Summary
11/22/63 follows Jake Epping, a newly divorced high school English teacher in Maine in 2011. Outside of his full time job, Jake also teaches a GED class. One day, Jake is called by his "friend" Al Templeton. Al informs Jake that he has a proposition for him and that he wants Jake to come by the diner that he owns. Even though Jake just saw Al the night before, it appears that Al has aged several years and has somehow developed lung cancer. Jake quickly asks what happened to Al. Without hesitation, Al takes him to the back of the diner and shows him the pantry. Al tells Jake to walk forward into a corner and see for himself. Even though he is obviously a little hesitant, Jake obliges and walks forward...in to Lisbon Falls, Maine...September 9, 1958.
Jake is awestruck. He spends some time going around the town and taking it all in. Soon after Jake returns to 2011 and realizes that even though he spent hours in 1958, only 2 minutes has passed in 2011. Al explains that when you go through the "rabbit hole" you always come out the same time in 1958, and no matter how long you spend there (hours, days, months, years) only 2 minutes passes when you come back to 2011.
Al begins to tell Jake about how he wants to use the rabbit hole to stop the assassination of John F. Kennedy in 1963. Al has tried, but on his last attempt he was diagnosed with the lung cancer and could not stay in the past any longer. Hopeful that Jake understands what this could mean, Al attempts to recruit Jake to continue on with his mission to save the former president and, hopefully, prevent many of the atrocities of the Cold War.
The book follows Jake as he agrees to finish the mission that Al started. 5 years is a long time to give in order to change the past. While 2011 stands still, Jake's life does not. The problem is...the past doesn't necessarily want to be changed...
Review
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It is right at 850 pages long, which is a pretty hefty book. It took me roughly 2 weeks to read with scattered reading throughout. (some days I did not read, and others I read for hours) This is the second Stephen King novel that I have read, and I can honestly say that I do quite enjoy King's style of writing. He keeps the plot moving along fast enough that I never felt bogged down or tired of the plot. While there are parts of the book that are inherently slower than others, it was never a chore to read them.
Watching Jake live his life back in 1958 is a fun and nostalgic ride. Having been born in the mid 90's, obviously I was not around in 1958. However, King does a great job of capturing the essence and making sure the reader feels connected to both the highs and the lows of this time in America. It is interesting to read about characters feeling the weight of the looming Cold War when I have only ever read about it in history classes.
While I had a great time reading this book, I will admit, the ending lost me just a bit. I do want to say that I did not hate the ending. I wouldn't even say that I didn't like it. I think I had my expectations set for the book to end a certain way and when it didn't I was a little disappointed and let down. This is honestly what kept the book from getting a 5/5 for me. That being said. The journey to get to that point was well worth it, and I believe it is absolutely worth the read!
Recommendations
If you are a fan of historical fiction, suspense, or thriller novels then I believe you will enjoy this book. As I mentioned above, King does a wonderful job of capturing your attention and focusing it right into the heart of late 1950's early 1960's America.
Disclaimer - King has a very unique writing style that uses both colorful language and descriptions. If you are not a fan of these, then maybe pass on this book. I will also mention that because this book is set in 1958-1963, many of the cultural views and ideologies are vastly different than they are today. Topics of race and gender equality are extremely prevalent throughout the book. There are also several scenes of graphic violence depicted throughout.
Rating - 4/5
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