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Fairy Tale

By: Stephen King
Narrated by: Seth Numrich, Stephen King
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Summary

Legendary story teller Stephen King goes into the deepest well of his imagination in this spellbinding novel about a seventeen-year-old boy who inherits the keys to a parallel world where good and evil are at war, and the stakes could not be higherfor their world or ours.

Charlie Reade looks like a regular high school kid, great at baseball and football, a decent student. But he carries a heavy load. His mom was killed in a hit-and-run accident when he was 10, and grief drove his dad to drink. Charlie learned how to take care of himself—and his dad. Then, when Charlie is 17, he meets a dog named Radar and his aging master, Howard Bowditch, a recluse in a big house at the top of a big hill, with a locked shed in the backyard. Sometimes strange sounds emerge from it.

Charlie starts doing jobs for Mr. Bowditch and loses his heart to Radar. Then, when Bowditch dies, he leaves Charlie a cassette tape telling a story no one would believe. What Bowditch knows, and has kept secret all his long life, is that inside the shed is a portal to another world.

King's storytelling in Fairy Tale soars. This is a magnificent and terrifying tale about another world than ours, in which good is pitted against overwhelming evil, and a heroic boy—and his dog—must lead the battle.

©2022 Stephen King (P)2022 Simon & Schuster Ltd
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What listeners say about Fairy Tale

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Incredible

Despite working full time, I managed to finish this 24hr audiobook within 5 days (to the detriment of both my sleep and relationship lol). Easily my favorite Stephen King book in recent memory. Despite taking almost 9 hours to actually get to the "fairy tale" part, this book was absolutely captivating from start to finish. The narrator was perfect as well. I found myself whooping, crying and laughing throughout. There were times I was so stressed that I had to physically stop what I was doing because I was so engrossed in the story.

Do not be put off by the length! I haven't been this enthralled by an audiobook in a while. A smashing 5 star book.

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27 people found this helpful

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Wonderful

I loved this story so much I didn’t want it to end, so much in fact that I listened to the whole 23 hours in just two days. Thank you for your wonderful imagination Steven King.

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9 people found this helpful

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Nah Nah

I didn’t expect this to be as good as it actually was. I couldn’t stop thinking about it when I was at work and I fell asleep listening to it every night. I’m going to listen to it again which really is unusual for me but I just want to be back in that world with Charlie and Radar. 5 stars all round for me.

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I’d forgotten how good he is

Having consumed Stephen King as a teenager and then forgotten him for over 30 years I find myself, absorbed again in his storytelling.
24 hours of audio book may seem daunting but I hated switching it off and the story swept past all too quickly.
This fairytale is magical, dark, haunting and thought provoking. I didn’t really want it to end.
The narration is excellent and the characters portrayed brilliantly.
Thoroughly recommend.

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Hard Listen

Worst of all Stephen's books by a mile. Lost interest once he passed into the other world as story was pointless and kinda annoying. Its just a bad story and a waste of money. I never wanted a book to end as fast as just couldn't care about characters.

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gripping story full of wonder

Another winner by Stephen king. Loved the way we got to know everyone in the first half before we got to the fairy tale. Really engaged with the characters and the narration and voices were fabulous. Sorry it ended but like all good fairy tales it had to. Thoroughly recommend if you love a good yarn full of fantasy.

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Great idea, brilliantly written expertly read

A truly enjoyable listen, I was looking for excuses and quiet places to listen more.

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Thoroughly enjoyed

Finished the book and would love a book two. Miss tuning in to my audio book and listening to the next part of the story. Loved every character (well, most of them).

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Loved it!

Thank you Mr King, this was the best in a long while - I loved it!

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Fantastic!

This is a fantastic book. Definitely one of Stephen King's best. I loved every word! Great narration, too.

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