11/22/63. Finished 3-16-16, rating 5/5, fiction, pub. 2011
Unabridged audio perfectly read by Craig Wasson. 31 hours.
Life can turn on a dime—or stumble into the extraordinary, as it does for Jake Epping, a high school English teacher in a Maine town. While grading essays by his GED students, Jake reads a gruesome, enthralling piece penned by janitor Harry Dunning: fifty years ago, Harry somehow survived his father’s sledgehammer slaughter of his entire family. Jake is blown away . . . but an even more bizarre secret comes to light when Jake’s friend Al, owner of the local diner, enlists Jake to take over the mission that has become his obsession—to prevent the Kennedy assassination. How? By stepping through a portal in the diner’s storeroom, and into the era of Ike and Elvis, of big American cars, sock hops, and cigarette smoke. . . . Finding himself in warmhearted Jodie, Texas, Jake begins a new life. But all turns in the road lead to a troubled loner named Lee Harvey Oswald. The course of history is about to be rewritten . . . and become heart-stoppingly suspenseful. from Goodreads
Stephen King sure does know how to tell a story. Everyone knows how imaginative he is based on his otherworldly horror novels, but what gets lost sometimes is just how good he is at drawing you in and keeping you there in his world well after the last page has turned. This book is a departure of sorts and showcases just how well King can charm any reader.
In this ambitious novel, Jake Epping tries to become the hero the world needs. In many ways he succeeds just by trying and in others his personal steadfastness saves the day. In 2011, Jake is a high school teacher in Lisbon Falls, Maine, when he is approached by Al Templeton, owner of a local diner. Al has a fantastical story to tell. There is a time portal in his diner that goes back to 1958 and he wants Jake to go back in time to save President Kennedy from assassination. Al has gone back many a time and gives Jake money, a plan, and all he needs to know to stop Oswald. Is this a time travel story? Sure, but it’s also a love story, an inspirational story, a historical story…it packs a punch. As it should since it’s over 800 pages!
I’m no JFK expert but I’ve read a few books and seen a few movies, so I was intrigued by the possibilities. What if JFK had never been shot? King weaves a thrilling story and the ending, haunting in its bleakness, will stay with you. But so will Jake, and Sadie, and Jodie, Texas, and the many other colorful characters that fill the pages. And if you’ve read It you’ll enjoy the stop in 1958 Derry.
Don’t miss this one!
Stacy's Books 
I couldn’t agree with you more. In fact, this is in my top 12 all-time. I tell everybody the same thing. If you can accept the premise of time travel, then the rest of the book flows extremely plausibly. And I absolutely loved the ending.
My son is actually reading this now and enjoying it. My hubs reads it a couple of years ago and enjoyed it and recommended it to my son, who hardly ever reads fiction but enjoyed Under the Dome.
I started it once and only got into it before the time travel part, so I didn’t get an accurate glimpse of the whole plot. I need to pick it up again and go for it. There was nothing wrong with it– I think the size of it had me put it aside for other quicker reads at the time. Now with the show on tv I should read it first
I love King but haven’t read anything by him for a while. I would like to read it, and I’m glad you liked it!
I cried myself to sleep after finishing this one!
I couldn’t agree with you nor write a better review. I read this as a hardcover had to give it to my husband, his friend, my girlfriend so I could discuss it. My girlfriend cried that the book was too heavy that if she fell asleep while reading in her bed it would knock her awake. The scenarios of what could be were amazing. I couldn’t believe how it all came together in the end too. This is a book that still stays with me 2-3 years after reading it.
I haven’t read this one, but I can’t think of anyone who hasn’t enjoyed it. Maybe someday I will read it. 🙂
Everybody seems to love this book! I started it several years ago, got distracted pretty early on by some other book, and just never got back to it. Thanks for reminding me.