Finn
Written by Stephen King
Narrated by Kellen Boyle
4/5
()
About this audiobook
Meet Finn. From all appearances he’s just a regular Irish kid, living in an Irish city, but he’s exceptional in one way: He’s wildly unlucky. He was dropped at birth and nearly ripped in two by a lightning strike. Never mind the cherry bomb that blew off one of his toes when he was five or that fall from the monkey bars at age seven that left him with a broken arm. His grandmother promises his fortunes will change, that God owes him, but what are the chances of that when the author of his fate is legendary storyteller Stephen King, the undisputed master of the macabre, eerie, and plain terrifying?
King sets the scene: Finn is nineteen, walking home alone at night after necking with his girlfriend. He’s exhilarated and aching with what it means to be young and alive. Then bam: Another kid who’s dressed suspiciously like him, who, in fact, looks a lot like him, runs smack into him. This is weird enough, but moments later, while he’s still rubbing a scraped elbow, a van pulls up and two men jump out and grab him. A hood is thrown over his head, there’s a needle in his arm, and he’s out. He wakes in a cell, the captive of men who think he’s got answers to give them about a briefcase full of plans, about blueprints and some bomb factory, and they are willing to go to great—and painful—lengths to get what they want from him. It’s got to be a case of mistaken identity, or is something far more sinister going on? And far more absurd?
As the young man tries to save his skin, he travels through existential and psychological crises that are a signature of King’s stories. No one knows monsters—imagines monsters—like the creator of It, The Outsider, Pet Sematary, and countless other mind-bending and timeless bestsellers, but in Finn he targets a peculiarly twenty-first-century monster: men so consumed by spy and war games that they twist reality to suit their purposes. As darkly funny as it is deeply unsettling, this latest story from King pokes some serious fun at “the luck of the Irish”—or in fact counting on any kind of luck when the machinations of a few bullies and madmen can so easily and tragically upend the lives of the innocent.
Editor's Note
Humorous and chilling…
King’s taut psychological short story about the kidnapping and torture of an innocent young man is at once darkly humorous and utterly chilling. “Finn” is a cutting commentary on the dangerous consequences of toxic masculinity, conspiracy theories, and the glorification of spy games.
Stephen King
Stephen King is the author of more than sixty books, all of them worldwide bestsellers. His recent work includes the short story collection You Like It Darker, Holly, Fairy Tale, Billy Summers, If It Bleeds, The Institute, Elevation, The Outsider, Sleeping Beauties (cowritten with his son Owen King), and the Bill Hodges trilogy: End of Watch, Finders Keepers, and Mr. Mercedes (an Edgar Award winner for Best Novel and a television series streaming on Peacock). His novel 11/22/63 was named a top ten book of 2011 by The New York Times Book Review and won the Los Angeles Times Book Prize for Mystery/Thriller. His epic works The Dark Tower, It, Pet Sematary, Doctor Sleep, and Firestarter are the basis for major motion pictures, with It now the highest-grossing horror film of all time. He is the recipient of the 2020 Audio Publishers Association Lifetime Achievement Award, the 2018 PEN America Literary Service Award, the 2014 National Medal of Arts, and the 2003 National Book Foundation Medal for Distinguished Contribution to American Letters. He lives in Bangor, Maine, with his wife, novelist Tabitha King.
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Reviews for Finn
2,256 ratings122 reviews
- Rating: 1 out of 5 stars1/5I just didn’t get this or like it. King is my favourite author but he should stick to what he’s good at. It’s a quick read is the only good thing I can think of to tell you guys. It lacked substance, plot, character development etc. Even a short story can pull these things off and this didn’t. You may feel different no harm in checking it out. Unfortunately you’re probably going to be disappointed. Like I was.
- Rating: 2 out of 5 stars2/5This is like when a writer has a brain fart while watching a random movie and wants to write a lazy scenario with no further plot or explanation probably because he had a deadline and a story due. Easy way to make money if just slapping your name on it guarantees it as a best seller.
- Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5As a short story it was okay, but it left me wanting more to be explained regarding some of the characters. Hopefully this is more of an introduction of a character to come.
- Rating: 1 out of 5 stars1/5The audio book seemed incomplete and included advertising for Scribd. Rey disappointed.
- Rating: 2 out of 5 stars2/5Nothing new.. I could easily predict the story. Nothing like stephen kinhs type.
- Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5Personally not for me but the writing was amazing as always from stephen king
- Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5It was a short brainless read, nothing scary about it really.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Enjoyed Kings short story. Perfect for ride home
Thank you - Rating: 2 out of 5 stars2/5The summary was the entire book. I did laugh out loud at parts.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Amazing, it was a lot of fun, full of spectacular moments
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5A very interesting short story. I'm pretty sure that Finn has another part in the universe. He will probably show up when we least expect it.
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Short and gripping. This is the King I know and love.
- Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5Very short would have like more information and development of character
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Good God I have no idea what I just listened to but best believe I was INTRIGUED from start to finish! Poor Finn went through so much that he began to question his sanity. Heck, I was beginning to question it too. Perhaps I need to go over it again to really understand what happened in the third act but overall, I loved it!
10/10 would recommend! - Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Nice little story, really liked it. Finn is Finished for sure..
- Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5It’s alright but the end was more like of up to someone’s interpretation I guess…
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Freaky ending, as usual. Leaves you thinking. And not in a good way.
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Excellent with macabre style to enjoy a short story well with an Irish twist.
- Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5This was a weird little story about wrong place wrong time. It leaves lots of questions but I had fun listening to it!
- Rating: 2 out of 5 stars2/5A few ha-has but mostly kind of weird. Not Pet Sematary by any means.
- Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5This was a good short story. I just don’t think I have the demographics for horror audiobook for.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5This story was chilling. I liked how King name-dropped Spotify
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Great short story. I love Stephen King. ❤ ❤ ❤
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5It was totally awesome and I really enjoyed it thanks
- Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5Just ok, kinda lost me in the middle. Quick listen
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Maybe not a classic, but a very enjoyable listen. Stephen King fans will Appreciate The familiar tone. An excellent job by the narrator. If you're old enough to remember The Troubles you'll get it. Younger readers may need a little background. I'm glad I dipped in. thank you
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5I enjoyed it, but not big on open endings like this. I feel like I've been left hangin', because my tired brain just isn't as creative as Kings and when you got a character like Finn, I can appreciate a solid ending. Poor guy deserves something, lol. The story was intense though and definitely played on my claustrophobia.
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5What I love in a Stephen King short story. The endings usually make you think about where the story goes and when it comes to his writing, I like this.
The narrator is great on this one and the story was interesting for the most part. I especially loved the way it finishes off. Definitely one for King fans. - Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Good short listen, really liked the narrator that read this book
- Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5Did not enjoy this one, I am a big Stephen King fan but Finn won't make it to my top 10 SK faves.
Felt somehow rushed, and SK amazing atmosphere building was nowhere to be found.