Kirkus-style Review

11/22/63

by Stephen King

Publication date: 2011

Publisher: Scribner

Page count: 849

ISBN: 978-1451627282
If you were given the opportunity to change history, would you do it? Even if it meant changing the whole world?

Jake Epping is an English teacher from Maine who makes friends with an older diner owner, Al, who has a little secret. In his storage closet, there is a portal that takes whomever steps through back to 1958.  It is with this portal that Al wishes to go back and stop the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. It is his belief that this will change the course of history- stop wars and save lives. The problem is that time traveling has taken a toll on his body, so he must enlist the help of Jake to carry out the deed. After reluctantly agreeing, Jake is thrown into a past of model cars, the birth of rock n' roll, school dances, and sweet gals. Despite finding the love of his life and settling down in a small town, Jake is constantly hounded and haunted by his mission and the knowledge of what needs to be done. The question is, can he do it and what will be the consequences? The renowned horror writer Stephen King takes a step outside his genre with this supernatural historical thriller and the world should be glad he does. Though the page count is high, the story flies by as you become absorbed in the idyllic 60s and the ever intertwining lives of our main character Jake and the soon to be assassin of America's 35th president. 

This haunting yet powerful novel will stick with readers for years to come.