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Cell cover art

Cell

By: Stephen King
Narrated by: Campbell Scott
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Summary

Shortlisted for Audible's Listen of the Year, 2006.

'Civilization slipped into its second dark age on an unsurprising track of blood but with a speed that could not have been foreseen by even the most pessimistic futurist. By Halloween, every major city from New York to Moscow stank to the empty heavens and the world as it had been was a memory.'

The event became known as The Pulse. The virus was carried by every cell phone operating within the entire world. Within hours, those receiving calls would become insane, or die.

In Boston, a young artist, Clayton Riddell, flees the explosive heart of the city. Clay's son has a little red cell phone. Often out of juice. But what if this time the battery is full? Clay has to reach his son, before his son reaches for his phone....

Who doesn't have a cell phone? This utterly gripping, gory, and fascinating novel doesn't ask the question 'Can you hear me know?' It answers it with a vengeance. High concept, ingenious, and terrifying: Cell is the perfect nightmare for a whole new generation of Stephen King listeners.

©2006 Stephen King. All rights reserved. (P)2006 Simon & Schuster Inc.

Critic reviews

"King's imagining of what is more or less post-Armageddon Boston is rich, and the sociological asides made by his characters along the way...are jaunty and witty." ( Publishers Weekly)

What listeners say about Cell

Average customer ratings
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  • 4 out of 5 stars
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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Deceptively Intriguing & Enjoyable.

It is a long long time since I have read a Stephen King novel so I was unsure what to expect and not even sure if I would like it, however as a first audio book I really could not have chosen better.

The plot is surprisingly simple in a way but in this case the simplicity is the key to a great story. The main characters, whilst few, are all easily identifiable with and you cannot help but be drawn right into the story as it unfolds, their lives and differences and the overall emotion and hidden depth of this literary piece.

There is a magnetism about this book that made it difficult to find a suitable place to pause and I was keen to listen to it whenever time permitted.

Throughly enjoyable and I would love to listen to a sequel, which could be possible!? (Fingers Crossed.)

I would recommend this book whether you are a Stephen King fan or not. You will be pleasantly surprised.

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21 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars

Even the Author gave up on this one

Having read Stephen King books in the past I was expecting a gripping story all the way through, however with this book you get the feeling he gave up on the ending. If there is a sequel planned then it will only be to finish the story and answer all of the basic questions like who, why and how. This one leaves you frustrated and not like a cliffhanger more of a you couldn't care if you found out the answers but had spent hours getting to this point.

The basic plot line is a good one and so much more could have been done with it, and for this reason you stick with it to the end, even if it's only to get the answers. But alas ultimately the author disapoints.

The characters are good and strong and could have made a much stronger story line but I feel they are not used to their potential. The key villain for example makes sporadic appearances which don't amount to much. I don't want to spoil the story for others so let's just say he is too easy a push over in the end.

I aggree with the other rewiew about the sound quality, I thought it was my player, but no it's pretty poor in places with levels changing, bad over dubbing of voices and the occasional j-j-jerking of speech.

If you are a King fan then you'll get this book anyway, I know I've bought bad books by my favourite authors, but if you stumbled on this book, then move on to other titles in Kings catalogue and leave this alone.

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17 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars

Gripping but the Ending!!!

This story kept me in a tight suspense right the way through but! Mr King. What happened to the ending? It left me in midair.
Did you get fed up with writing this novel?

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8 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars

Great story, poor audio

This is the first audible book I have downloaded, and its quality is poor compared to audio books I have on CD. The quality of the sound changes mid-chapter (as if the reader took a break) and there are many instances of a deeper voice dubbed over for a few words, perhaps when the original reader made a mistake. Excellent story, let down by poor quality audio.

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8 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    1 out of 5 stars

Well named !!

A well named title as I felt completely stuck in a 'cell' whilst listening to it ! I agree with others that the basic plotline was a good idea but for me it seemed to ramble on with no real depth or particular direction. I felt that I had to keep listening to reach the part where the story took off but it never seemed to arrive. Sorry - not good for me !

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7 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars

Typical Stephen King

I listened to this almost at a non stop pace, it is intense and gripping. However it is not perfect. Many readers/listeners have commented on the lack of an ending to the story. I was not surprised it ended where it did, but it could have done with a little bit more so the reader is not left completely in the dark. Also there was never any background given as to how or why the Pulse took place in the first place. Surely not as a weapon as this could not have benefitted anyone. Why Is Stephen King obsessed with Maine? The only book I remember reading of his that doesn't contain a reference to the place is 'Dragons Eyes', even then I'm sure if he could have got away with a mention of it he would have! Over all it is creepy and pretty depressing, but very listenable. As other reviewers have mentioned the sound quality leaves a lot to be desired, but not enough to put you off.

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6 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Chilling tale

I read this when it was first published and quite enjoyed it, a second rendition, listened to, I really enjoyed. Its chilling and at various points you wonder why and how the protagonists have done various things and wonder what you would do in their place, excellent story.

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3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    1 out of 5 stars

Creepy Old Men

I gave up by the time they left the house and Cat as I got sick and grossed out by the authors need to have the characters I'm supposed to be empathising with constantly commenting on the cuteness, the sexiness , the body , of the fifteen year old child they had rescued.

This makes me question the authors integrity and turns him into a slimy letch.

refund time I think

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Do mistake it for the film!

After watching the film version of this book, I decided to listen to the audio version... Wow! So different to the film (durr I hear you say) but this is well worth a listen, gripping, excitement, wonder and caring, even shame, so many emotions but truly a fantastic read/listen.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

CLASSIC & CLASSY KING

What did you like most about Cell?

This title demonstrates why Stephen King is the best selling author he is. Whilst the general storyline has been done many times (Stephen King has visited the idea on a number of occasions). The 'small band of survivor' notion is pursued with pace, skill and raw energy.
Strangely for Stephen King the action begins on the first page which is visceral and bloody. It grasps the reader around the throat before building the characterisations for which King is famous. Some people have complained about the ending but I found it enthralling. There is nothing wrong with leaving things to the readers imagination. If you are the kind of reader who wants every 'i' dotted and every 't' crossed then perhaps you won't appreciate the finale either but for me. CELL lived up to and surpassed everything which I expect from a Stephen King story'

Who was your favorite character and why?

I don't have one in particular. Even the "President of Harvard" is intriguing.

Which character – as performed by Campbell Scott – was your favourite?

None - Campbell Scott is a highly talented narrator and everyone in the story receives their own unique identity and style through his performance.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

The unexpected death of one of the characters.

Any additional comments?

A BLOODY good read and I do mean BLOODY ! No weak stomachs here.

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1 person found this helpful