Needful Things cover art

Needful Things

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Needful Things

By: Stephen King
Narrated by: Stephen King
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About this listen

There was a new shop in town. Run by a stranger. Needful Things, the sign said. The oddest name. A name that caused some gossip and speculation among the good folks of Castle Rock, Maine, while they waited for opening day. Eleven-year-old Brian Rusk was the first customer and he got just what he wanted, a very rare 1956 Sandy Koufax baseball card. Signed. Cyndi Rose Martin was next. A Lalique vase. A perfect match for her living room decor. Something for everyone. Something you really had to have. And always at a price you could just about afford. The cash price that is. Because there was another price. There always is when your heart's most secret, true desire is for sale.

©1991 Stephen King (P)2008 Penguin Audiobooks Fantasy Thriller & Suspense Fiction Paranormal Scary Heartfelt Suspense

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Critic reviews

"A sophisticated literary craftsman . . . his work anatomises . . . the social fabric of small-town American life." ( Observer)
All stars
Most relevant
Reminiscent of Salem's Lot in that an old guy opens a shop in a quaint town and is not all he seems. The residents find themselves buying items they feel they 'need' and go to extremes to keep them.

Naff ending

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As it is read by the author you know the story is being told as intended to be.

Really enjoyed

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Loved it but the big no no is the music and sound effects!! The music is appalling and drowns our the narration and is totally inappropriate for the story - it’s a great book and doesn’t need it!!

Great book

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not his best work but still enjoyable, the music parts were irritating but I got used to them

its ok

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This is the first of King's books I've listened to where he narrates it himself and whilst the Maine accents are no doubt authentic it takes a little longer to get used to than established narrators. Also odd are the recurring musical motifs for different characters. Beyond that though this is another well-woven good vs evil in small-town America story, with deliciously nasty details and deadly consequences. Recommended

King remains the Maine man

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