'11/22/63' by Stephen King

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'11/22/63' by Stephen King

I’ve been a fan Stephen King since I was in high school, and I’ve somehow managed to read every book he’s ever written. Being he's one of the most prolific authors ever, that’s no small feat. His latest tome is 11/22/63, an 849-page novel about time travel and the assassination of John F. Kennedy. Hooked already, aren’t you?

But wait, there's more. I'm sure you've heard of the butterfly effect—how traveling back in time affects the future, and every small thing you do can cause a multitude of ripples in the pond we call life. And you’ve probably heard of Occam’s razor as well—that when confronted by a complicated problem, the solution is quite often the most simple and straightforward one available. Start with those two concepts, apply them to the moment in time when JFK is killed, add in the complexities of going back to the 1950s, repeatedly, to try and change the future, mix with a dash of nostalgia and a sprinkling of heartbreak, and you have the latest epic novel by Stephen King.

There are some who say that King is a windbag, unable to edit his own fiction, his thousand page novels overdone and bogged down in the minutiae. I am not one of those people. King has never been called a lyrical author—he’s no Cormac McCarthy. And to that I say, “Thank God.” It would be unbearable. King’s works are blue-collar prose, pedestrian at times, or maybe utilitarian is a better word. But that’s what makes it easy to swallow. He states the facts, tells you what’s going to happen, and then shows it to you. His books may have twists and turns, but for the most part, you can see where things are going, even if the ending isn’t always what you expected. He accomplishes this by doing a number of things well—hammering home a catchphrase, providing layered details of time and place, and by creating likable characters that you find yourself rooting for, often shedding tears for.

King happens to be a big music fan, so often during his longer novels, you’ll find a musical influence—everything from Bob Dylan to Bruce Springsteen to Blue Oyster Cult. In addition to using lyrics as epigraphs, he uses them as messages, scattered throughout the narrative. He also uses phrases like lyrics. One of the "choruses" he repeats throughout this novel is “Life turns on a dime.” It’s something he says over and over, keeping the reader in tune to the fact that things are going to keep changing, so keep your eye on the ball as the cups shuffle around— because things are not always what they seem. He also talks about how “the past is obdurate” (had to look that one up, it means stubborn), and that message echoes throughout the book. He talks about harmony as well, or what I might call synchronicity. We cling to these three threads as we jump back and forth between the 1950s and present day 2011, trying to change events, unsure of how these actions will affect the future. Because life is chaos, the past is stubborn to change, and there is a certain harmony in the universe.

The novel starts with our protagonist, Jake Epping, being shown a hole in the universe that can send him back in time. It exists in the storeroom of a dying restaurant owner named Al Templeton, who explains to him the rules. Jake is immediately transported back in time (and as the reader, we’re quick to buy this bit of science fiction) to the same when and where that Al has been visiting, over and over, in an attempt to change the future. But there is still information to be shared between the two. After a short visit to the 1950s, Jake learns more:

“’How long was I gone?’

‘Two minutes. I told you, it’s always two minutes. No matter how long you stay.’ He coughed, spat into a fresh wad of napkins, and folded them away in his pocket. ‘And when you go down the steps, it’s always 11:58 A.M. on the morning of September ninth, 1958. Every trip is the first trip.’”

Early on we are told how it works and it makes sense for some reason. Much later in the novel we get a bit more of the technical information, how and why these “bubbles” exist, but it really isn’t that important. You’re in, or you’re not. And it’s so much easier to be in.

King does a good job of showing us the sensations as well, what it feels like to step through this opening and be taken back in time. This from Jake:

“You know how, on a bright day, you can close your eyes and see an afterimage of whatever you were just looking at? It was like that. When I blinked—either a millisecond before or a millisecond after my eyes closed, I couldn’t tell which—I caught a glimpse of my foot on a step. And it wasn’t in the dim light of a sixty-watt bulb, either. It was in bright sunshine.”

And this:

“…and all at once there was a pop inside my head, exactly like the kind you hear when you’re in an airplane and the pressure changes suddenly. The dark field inside my eyelids turned red, and there was warmth on my skin. It was sunlight. No question about it. And that faint sulfurous smell had grown thicker, moving up the olfactory scale from barely there to actively unpleasant. There was no question about that either.“

Within the first fifty pages of the novel, King has sold us on time travel, on this idea of going into the past to change future events. Our willing suspension of disbelief intact, it’s back to 1958, to see what Jake can do.

Another one of King's many talents is his ability to find all of the millions of little details that make his stories so vivid and believable. This story is mostly set in Derry, Maine (with some ghosts from past novels, and even a few clowns haunting the pages), a staple in his work. King likes his small towns (Derry, Castle Rock, Jerusalem’s Lot) and he does them well—everything from the locals, to the weather, to the elements of nature that encroach on the narratives. But he also has a knack for certain time periods. He is able to capture the attitude of the 1950s, with language that nods back and says “Hi-ho, Daddy-O,” and a bevy of beautiful cars, such as a ’58 Chevy, “the kind with the bodacious gull-wing tailfins.” He works in the music of the fifties, the way that money is different, and important events of the time are not ignored. He fuses in sporting events (in this novel, Jake makes a few bets, in order to keep his stash of cash sturdy), clothing, and the mannerisms of the 1950s. And he doesn’t avoid the racial implications of the day either, quick to show how people spoke and acted, and what they believed.

Stephen King is often called a horror writer, but I don’t know if that label is really accurate anymore. I wouldn’t have called his last novel, Under the Dome, a horror novel, nor would I call 11/22/63 horrific. But, there are certainly moments in this story where the macabre, the darkness, seeps through. Jake is speaking about Al in the final throes of cancer:

“Here in the privacy of his own home, he wasn’t using tissues, handkerchiefs, or napkins to deal with that cough; there was a box of maxi pads on the table beside the chair.”

A gruesome image, the visual of an old man coughing, choking, and spitting up his own blood, and maxi pads only make it more vulgar. King does not shy away from violence in this book (or sex, which is something he usually does avoid) and instead shows us the brutality of war and Hiroshima, the way that a knife can slice open a face, or the graphic results of a gunshot wound to the head. But it’s a small part of the book. It's always present, lurking, but is in the background most of the time.

Jake spends time in Derry in the 50s as a substitute teacher. After meeting one of his students back in 2011- a man who saw his family murdered when he was just a boy- he decides to try and save the kid, the entire family, from a drunken, violent dad with a hammer in his hand. But the past is obdurate, as King says. History doesn’t want to be changed, it seems, so the tension that King layers over his narrative is that of danger popping up at every turn, thugs in waiting, trees toppling over, car tires blowing, at the most inopportune times, of course. Jake fails to accomplish exactly what he wants the first time, so he heads back to 2011, and prepares to try again, this time going after Lee Harvey Oswald, in an attempt to save JFK from assassination. This time he’ll have to stay in the past for five long years. And a lot can happen in five years. People can fall in love. People can die.

King creates an ongoing sense of tension in 11/22/63, partly because we know where this story is going. We know that eventually, somehow, no matter how many times Jake “resets” the current day by coming back to 2011, at some point in time, he’ll have to go after Oswald. And what about the events that came after Oswald, the other assassinations? These are part of the story, too. Here is Al talking to Jake before he goes back for the main mission, to stop Lee Harvey Oswald:

“‘…this matters, Jake. As far as I’m concerned, it matters more than anything else. If you ever wanted to change the world, this is your chance. Save Kennedy, save his brother. Save Martin Luther King. Stop the race riots. Stop Vietnam, maybe.’ He leaned forward. ‘Get rid of one wretched waif, buddy, and you could save millions of lives.”

And part of what King does so effectively in 11/22/63 is that he creates characters that we care about. He drops Jake into a world long before cell phones and the internet, where everyone you pass on the sidewalk says “Howdy,” and if you have a flat tire it won’t be long before someone passes by to offer you a hand, a lift, and maybe a place to stay. Jake becomes George Amberson, and eventually ends up in Jodie, Texas (POP. 1280), between Dallas and Forth Worth, hunting down Lee Harvey Oswald. But before he spends his time in Texas, he camps out in Derry, meeting colorful local people like Deke Simmons, tall, bald and in his sixties, retired and mourning the death of his wife Mimi. And there is Ellen Dockerty, acting principal of Derry High, suspicious academic, but true friend as well. And most importantly, the tall drink of water that is Sadie Dunning, a slightly awkward but simple beauty, that has her own dark past to elude. King is able to make us care about his cast of locals, and as the tension increases, and the story unravels, I found myself tearing up a few times, the loss of a character a stunning blow, the saving of a historic icon a touching and welcome relief. Over these 800 pages he finds a way to make you care, even about Oswald, his wife Marina, and their daughter, June.

But don’t think I’m giving this story away—the ending you may think is obvious, well, it’s not an ending at all. Bringing us back to 2011, Jake shows us how the butterfly effect has changed the world, and maybe it isn’t for the better.

It’s difficult to judge any book by Stephen King, because as a reader with a long personal history with the man, the author, and the teacher, I’m always pulling for him. Much like I pull for his characters. So part of me always wants him to succeed. Maybe I view his work through rose-colored glasses at times. Or maybe I’ve just gotten used to his voice. I always compare his latest book to his old ones, so there is that context to consider as well. Where does 11/22/63 fall in comparison to his dozens of other novels? It is similar to Under the Dome in size, scope and narrative, but without the deus ex machina ending. It’s more satisfying. It is also similar to Duma Key, as far as his current voice, but not nearly as dark and disturbing. My favorite novels of his are The Stand, The Shining, It, The Dark Tower series, The Dead Zone, and The Long Walk. Those are all home runs to me, some of them grand slams. In the context of the body of his work, I’d say this is a solid triple off the wall, and as a long time fan of the Red Sox, I think King would be happy with that definition. It’s an expansive historical fiction that plays around with a bit of science and fantasy, but it is ultimately a touching love story, a moving alternate history that makes us stop and think about our past and the fate of certain destinies, and the future that waits for us all—just over the blood red horizon.

Get 11/22/63 at Bookshop or Amazon

Richard Thomas

Review by Richard Thomas

Richard Thomas is the award-winning author of eight books—Disintegration and Breaker (Penguin Random House Alibi), Transubstantiate, Staring Into the Abyss, Herniated Roots, Tribulations, Spontaneous Human Combustion (Turner Publishing), and The Soul Standard (Dzanc Books). His over 175 stories in print include The Best Horror of the Year (Volume Eleven), Cemetery Dance (twice), Behold!: Oddities, Curiosities and Undefinable Wonders (Bram Stoker winner), Lightspeed, PANK, storySouth, Gargoyle, Weird Fiction Review, Midwestern Gothic, Shallow Creek, The Seven Deadliest, Gutted: Beautiful Horror Stories, Qualia Nous, Chiral Mad (numbers 2-4), PRISMS, Pantheon, and Shivers VI. He was also the editor of four anthologies: The New Black and Exigencies (Dark House Press), The Lineup: 20 Provocative Women Writers (Black Lawrence Press) and Burnt Tongues (Medallion Press) with Chuck Palahniuk. He has been nominated for the Bram Stoker (twice), Shirley Jackson, Thriller, and Audie awards. In his spare time he is a columnist at Lit Reactor. He was the Editor-in-Chief at Dark House Press and Gamut Magazine. For more information visit www.whatdoesnotkillme.com or contact Paula Munier at Talcott Notch.

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Comments

misskokamon's picture
misskokamon from San Francisco is reading The Moonlit Mind November 18, 2011 - 5:51pm

I'm not a big King fan, but I love Time Travel. (Hell, I'm writing in a world where Time Travel is a very real thing.) I may pick this book up and give it a go. 

EdVaughn's picture
EdVaughn from Louisville, Ky is reading a whole bunch of different stuff November 18, 2011 - 9:27pm

Just got this in the mail last weekend. I'm in the Stephen King Bookclub. So yeah I'm a big King fan like Richard. Although, I'm not sure when I'll get around to this one.  Honestly, the premise of this book doesn't interst me what so ever but, eventually I think I'll get around to it.

"King's works are blue-collar prose," This is why I like his stuff and why I think he is still so popular.

Great review Richard.

Richard's picture
Richard from St. Louis is reading various anthologies November 19, 2011 - 8:41am

Thanks guys. Take a peek in the front of the book at Amazon and see if the prose and first pages grab you, Misskokamon. And, Redvaughn, it's a pretty easy book to drop into. I'm not a huge fan of politics and while the JFK assassination has always been an interesting topic, the novel is really more about the relationships, the way that time travel effects things, and the decisions we make. So, you don't have to be a huge JFK/conspiracy freak to love it. I think you'll dig it.

wickedvoodoo's picture
wickedvoodoo from Mansfield, England is reading stuff. November 19, 2011 - 1:31pm

This review has warmed me to this book a little.

I'm a huge King fan but am not really at all informed or interested in American political history. Most of the previewing of this novel has left me cold.

This gives me hope though. I'll still buy it (I'm on an extended mission to own all of King's books, 40 something so far) but I will probably wait for a cheaper copy to show up on the 2nd hand sites since my 'to-read' list is about twenty books long right now.

Richard's picture
Richard from St. Louis is reading various anthologies November 19, 2011 - 3:39pm

cool, glad helped you to get excited about it. i wouldn't put it in his top ten all-time, but overall i really found it a hypnotic read. his long novels (anything over 600 pages) they either suck me in to the point that i shut out the world and lose a day or two, or they don't hold my interest. this one really pulled me in. wait for the paperback, it'll be much cheaper.

writingasgjjensen's picture
writingasgjjensen from Don't Ask is reading A lot. I try to read as much as I can. November 20, 2011 - 7:59pm

I am a Stephen King fan.  But I don't know how I feel about the premise of the book.  And I guess he should get points for picking a subject that makes people feel that way.  I liked Under the Dome and Full Dark No Stars is masterful. 

This...I just don't know yet.  I will have to wait and see.

Richard's picture
Richard from St. Louis is reading various anthologies November 20, 2011 - 11:25pm

Yeah, I hear you. But really, it's just King telling a great story. Don't worry about the conspiracy story stuff. You don't have to be a big JFK fan to dig the book. It's very similar to UTD, but without the twist ending (which I hated, btw). There's always the library, take a peek, doesn't cost you anything.

GoneFishin's picture
GoneFishin from Topsham, Maine November 24, 2011 - 3:05pm

Thanks for the review. It's been a while since I've delved into a Stephen king book. I'm not in love with his writing style but when he's got me, he's got me. Also, I live in Maine, and I'm familiar with a lot of the towns and landmarks he mentions in his books, which is fun (although I'm pretty sure Derry is fictional). Anyway, as others have mentioned, your review has perked some interest in this one.

Timothy Fleischer's picture
Timothy Fleischer November 30, 2011 - 11:26am

The last King book I made it through was The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon. I've lost taste for his writing and ramblings. He has hit a few home runs, chiefly The Stand and The Shining and Different Seasons. 

I think I'll re-read one of those instead.

Richard's picture
Richard from St. Louis is reading various anthologies November 30, 2011 - 9:12pm

@gonefishin - Maine, how cool, there must be a lot of places you recognize.

@timothy - yeah, i hear you. try some short stuff like The Long Walk, love that one. Pet Sematary is pretty short too. I love The Dead Zone. The Stand and The Shining are two of my favorites. His last couple before this one have been pretty average, IMO.

Dale Thomas's picture
Dale Thomas from Swansea is reading The Day Watch by Sergei Lukyanenko December 2, 2011 - 5:55pm

I have pretty much the same relationship with King as yourself, and enjoyed the book immensely. His longer novels, when good, I just never want to end. Going back to Derry was a real highlight, and I teared up at the end (although a similar device is employed even more powerfully towards the end of IT). I have read everything by King except Lisey's Story, which I have started four times and never got past 40 pages, I'd be interested in your take on that.

Richard's picture
Richard from St. Louis is reading various anthologies December 3, 2011 - 9:04am

I liked Lisey's Story, but it is definitely one of his more "romantic/nostalgic" works. I thought it was a GOOD book, but not his best. To be honest, I think he has tried to appeal to his literary critics and has backed off some of the more sensational, and horrific voices. I could be totally wrong here though.

Have you read ALL of his work? If not, I definitely can suggest some titles that are my favorites. Obviously, The Stand and It, but also The Dead Zone, The Long Walk, The Dark Tower series, Pet Sematary, Salem's Lot, Needful Things, etc.

Dale Thomas's picture
Dale Thomas from Swansea is reading The Day Watch by Sergei Lukyanenko December 3, 2011 - 9:45am

Thanks. Maybe one day I'll get around to actually reading it but it read more like someone's snarky parody of King rather than King himself. The main character annoyed me so much I've shelved it with disgust each time. 

I've read everything except that and The Colorado Kid - which I refuse to buy since I live in the UK and I'm not paying £30 for an import that's like 200 pages. I'd go along with most of your suggestions, maybe swap Needful Things and Pet Sematary for Insomnia and Different Seasons. The Dark Tower series is easily my favourite though, eagerly awaiting February and the release of Wind Through The Keyhole...

Richard's picture
Richard from St. Louis is reading various anthologies December 4, 2011 - 2:47pm

yeah, stoked for the WTTK release too

SGJ's picture
SGJ from Midland, Texas (but in Boulder, Colorado, now) is reading weird fiction and horror fiction and science fiction and literary fiction and innovative fiction, or maybe a romance or a western or a magazine on bowhunting or show trucks or anthropology December 12, 2011 - 12:59pm

ha, "POP. 1280." had missed that joke. thanks. too, the 'George Amberson' name -- I'm thinking I know it from somewhere. and, yeah, THE MAGNIFICENT AMBERSONS is the place to go, and there's one there, except I never hit that. first time I saw it in the novel, I figured it was an HG Wells callback or something, then just went on reading. looks like there's one in some "PAMPERED YOUTH" movie from 25 as well, but, got to say: I haven't hit that one either. 

Richard's picture
Richard from St. Louis is reading various anthologies December 12, 2011 - 5:03pm

hey stephen, thanks for stopping by. so much going on in this book. you psyched for the new Dark Tower book, some sort of side story, THE WIND THROUGH THE KEYHOLE

April 2012

http://www.amazon.com/Wind-Through-Keyhole-Tower-Novel/dp/1451658907

iambrendabren's picture
iambrendabren from Oxnard, California January 11, 2012 - 7:29pm

After I catch up reading all the books I've bought for the past 10 plus years but haven't read, I'll give this one a try. Your review intrigued me. I haven't read every single one of his books but he's still one of my favorite authors. The last "newer" of his books I read was Cell and didn't care too much for that one. I'll put 11/22/63 on my "to-read" list.

Richard's picture
Richard from St. Louis is reading various anthologies January 12, 2012 - 2:44pm

^yeah, xxbkool, Cell wasn't a book i really LOVED either. but i think this one is solid from start to finish. i really enjoyed it.