King By The Numbers

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

I'm a big Stephen King fan and have very much enjoyed his last couple. While this wasn't classic King, it was certainly an enjoyable listen.

What was the most interesting aspect of this story? The least interesting?

Finding out what happened to Danny Torrance after The Overlook burned down was the most interesting. Find out about The True Knot and, in particular, Rose the Hat, was often dull and predictable.

Would you listen to another book narrated by Will Patton?

I have; Alas, Babylon (which was fantastic). He's pretty good here and I have no problems with his narration, though he does sometimes get a bit over-wrought.

Was Doctor Sleep worth the listening time?

Way more worthwhile than answering the same question you asked first off in this review. Allow me to cut and paste...'I'm a big Stephen King fan and have very much enjoyed his last couple. While this wasn't classic King, it was certainly an enjoyable listen.'There. Happy now? Good. Moving on...

Any additional comments?

Not his best but plenty good enough. The middle third especially is outstanding, but the first third is too long and windy and the climax is oddly formulaic for King, something which can arguably said for most of the story. It feels like a good idea not quite seen through, if that makes sense.

6 people found this helpful

Revisit The Shining if it's been a while

Seriously, I liked this book but I did feel that I wish I had re-read/listened to The Shining before listening to this one.

The Narrator - Will Patton does OK. His accents are alright but I got the feeling that there was no great love of Stephen King. Maybe I am wrong but I always felt that if I were to listen to one of these stories it would be read in a New England accent. "Heya" etc. Having said that the narrator does not impose himself and lets the story tell itself. So that is good.

The Story - The story was alright. You really expect something extraordinary from Stephen King. Even though he has written nothing extraordinary for a long time, you still expect it. It's kind of like going out with a friend who you used to laugh with a lot. Then the friend got old and bitter. You still go out with them because you remember that you used to laugh a lot and there is always a chance that things have improved. This book is like that. I bought it because Mr King entertained me all those years ago. This book only just did that. It's not great but it's still better than most.

2 people found this helpful

A voice to DIE for!

Will Patton is undoubtedly my new best friend and greatest voice actor ever. I think I still have to decide whether Doctor Sleep is vintage King, i.e. better than his later books. However what is beyond argument is that Will Patton performs this book with breathtaking skill and craftsmanship.
He creates believable good characters and voices the evil ones in a manner that gives you cold shivers.
If Mr Patton were to read War and Peace in binary code, it would still be riveting.

4 people found this helpful

The Shining returns

Doctor Sleep’s story follows Danny Torrance – the special boy who survived his father’s murderous possession by the Overlook Hotel twenty years ago – living a nomad’s life as he moves from place to place, wrestling with an alcohol problem that he uses to dull the effects of the Shining. His ability has become more powerful over the years and the demons from his childhood still haunt his waking hours and his nightmares.

King has managed to take the idea of the Shining and develop it in ways not before thought of. We encounter characters who have a fair bit of “shine” that manifests itself as different abilities. Some of these characters are good, some are evil. The latter includes the True Knot; semi-immortals who were once human, but are no longer. They survive by feeding off the “Steam” that children with the Shining produce when they are tortured to death. Of course, Danny inevitably crosses paths with them as he seeks to save a powerful child from their insane obsession. It’s a good story. Nothing wrong with it at all. It just doesn’t stand out from King’s earlier works.

As to the narration, I’ve only ever seen Will Patton in movies and was a little sceptical as to his selection as the story’s narrator. I haven’t ever seen much acting range from the man. I was wrong. Patton brings each character to life in a performance that I wouldn’t have believed possible from the understated actor. He is brilliant.

1 person found this helpful

Complicated story but quite possible. I enjoyed t

Struggle to remember the names and places. The little girl developed during the story, but little info on her mother.

A Good Sequel.

I worried at first that it was going to drag out and become boring before the crux of the story got started but I was wrong. Im glad I stuck with it and am now worried the film coming out later this year is going to leave out important stuff just so it can be connected to The Shining but that if it doesnt a lot of fans of the Kubrick film are gonna be pissed because the book continues King's vision of the story not Kubrick's.

1 person found this helpful

Great stand alone book and awesome sequal

As usual King is outstanding, this tells a story of a grown Danny facing real grown up problems. This book has great pacing and a gripping story line!

Good story. Terrific performance!

It starts of slow, but Will Patton's narration is EPIC once he gets going. Wow!

Gripping story. Awesome narration by Will Paton

Would you consider the audio edition of Doctor Sleep to be better than the print version?

Only know the audio version but the narrator was outstanding. Really brought the atmosphere to the story (and delivered great character differentiation)

What was one of the most memorable moments of Doctor Sleep?

It was a continuously gripping story. Beautifully constructed.

Have you listened to any of Will Patton’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

No. Regrettably not.

Excellent!

Any additional comments?

Excellent sequel to The Shining yet could be read / listened to as a stand alone novel. Will Patton is the best male narrator I have listened to. Often it is the case that male narration of ladies makes them all sound like Mrs Doubtfire - however with Will this is not the case. His reading is subtle yet very complelling - instantly drawing you in. I will definately be seeking other books he has narrated. Perhaps another Steven King. I have read many Steven King novels but this is the first I have listened to. Very much enjoyed.