Score:
8/10 – An Excellent Read
Review:
As a history nerd, who is particularly fascinated by the Kennedy’s and American politics in the 1960’s this book was already going to be exciting for me, before I even read the first page.
Whilst quite a long novel, I urge any readers of it to stick and preserve, you will not be disappointed. The narrative provided by King is so exciting and original that you are drawn in by the enticing characters.
The novels quirky, eccentric flair is enshrined when the novel focuses in on the characters travels to the 1960’s, I enjoyed these parts immensely and found them to be described in such an aesthetic way by King. The characterisation of Lee Harvey Oswald is particularly interesting, which King uses to spark debate whether the assassination was carried out by Oswald or someone else.
A truly gripping novel that I would recommend to any history lover.
Favourite Quotes:
- ‘When all else fails, give up and go to the library.’
- ‘Therefore, because the dark surrounds us, let us turn our faces to the light. Let us endure hardship to be grateful for plenty. We have been given pain to be astounded by joy. We have been given life to deny death. ‘
- ‘love is a uniquely portable magic. I don’t think it’s in the stars, but I do believe that blood calls to blood and mind calls to mind and heart to heart.’
- ‘I saw something even more beautiful than a sense of humour: an appreciation for life’s essential absurdity.’
- ‘Even people capable of living in the past don’t really know what the future holds.’
- ‘Like all sweet dreams, it will be brief, but brevity makes sweetness, doesn’t it?’
- ‘Humans were built to look back; that’s why we have that swivel joint in our necks’
- ‘I know life is hard, I think everyone knows that in their hearts, but why dos it have to be cruel, as well? Why does it have to bite?’
Plot Summary:
JFK’s assassination, November 22nd 1963 is one of the most notable events in the 20th century. The year is 2011, an English teacher in Maine, Jake Epping sets on a mission into the past to prevent the Kennedy assassination. In this past world Jake falls in love with Sadie, and as the ominous date 11.22.63 approaches, Jake meets the man who caused it all: Lee Harvey Oswald.
By the Same Author/Similar Books:
- The Body – Stephen King (read my review here)
- The Shining – Stephen King (read my review here)
- Carrie – Stephen King
About the Author:
- Born in 1947, Stephen King is an American author, writing about the supernatural, horror, suspense, fantasy and science fictions.
- His 54 books have sold more than 350 million copies, with many being adapted for film, he has also written over 200 short stories.
- He grew up in Portland, Maine where most of his stories take place, with many influences from his early life being transcribed into his novels
Other Reviews:
- ‘This nagging doubt about the security of the history being altered is beautifully used by King, who also cleverly exploits a major fascination of time-travel or counter-history stories: the historical adjustments that result from meddling. ‘ – The Guardian
- ‘It all adds up to one of the best time-travel stories since H. G. Wells. King has captured something wonderful. Could it be the bottomlessness of reality? The closer you get to history, the more mysterious it becomes. He has written a deeply romantic and pessimistic book. It’s romantic about the real possibility of love, and pessimistic about everything else.’ – New York Times
- ‘The more I read of 11.22.63, the more I was reminded of King’s possible masterpiece, the short story “Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption”. (11.22.63 even name-checks the prison.) Both feature good but damaged men imprisoned by time as well as place. Both narrators are assisted by older, wiser guides, both use literature to help protégées and both are haunted by memories of alcohol-induced marital breakdown.’ – Independent
Grace.
Mind Palace 