The Talisman

Written by Stephen King and Peter Straub

Narrated by Frank Muller

Soon to be a Netflix series! The iconic, “extraordinary” (The Washington Post) collaboration between bestselling authors Stephen King and Peter Straub—an epic #1 New York Times bestselling fantasy thriller about a young boy’s quest to save his mother’s life.

Jack Sawyer, twelve years old, is about to begin a most fantastic journey, an exalting, terrifying quest for the mystical Talisman—the only thing that can save Jack’s dying mother. But to reach his goal, Jack must make his way not only across the breadth of the United States but also through the wondrous and menacing parallel world of the Territories.

In the Territories, Jack finds another realm, where the air is so sweet and clear a man can smell a radish being pulled from the ground a mile away—and a life can be snuffed out instantly in the continuing struggle between good and evil. Here Jack discovers “Twinners,” reflections of the people he knows on earth—most notably Queen Laura DeLoessian, the Twinner of Jack’s own imperiled mother. As Jack “flips” between worlds, making his way westward toward the redemptive Talisman, a sequence of heart-stopping encounters challenges him at every step.

An unforgettable epic of adventure and resounding triumph, The Talisman is one of the most influential and highly praised works of fantasy ever written.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio
• Release date: Nov 6, 2012
• ISBN: 9781442359079

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. 

Reviews for The Talisman

[Amanda O'Leary · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I read this book as a teenager and knew that I had liked it, but only had a vague recollection of anything beyond the main plot. I decided to listen to it while I was working and it was such a joy to revisit it. It is full of rich imagery and fantastical adventure, a true coming-of-age story. I absolutely loved it and kicked myself for not going back to enjoy it sooner. It has earned a place in my top 20 favorite King books for sure.

[Zach Damron · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

The story is great and Frank Muller was the best narrator you could ask for.

[Joseph Thomas · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

There was a lot of New Age / metaphysical mysticism and symbolism in this book. You definitely see Straub’s influence - not a positive impact. That approach truly detracted from the story and its main character’s development leaving an overall and unresolved fracture in both.

[Chuck Coulson · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Simply said- "Wolf, Right here Right now" and that pretty much is going to be I'm embedded in your mind.

[Gus Anita · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I’m sorry but I hated the way it’s narrated. Couldn’t listen to it.

[Jackie Potts · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I read this book when I was in my teens and it’s still to this day my favorite book. It gets me in the feels every time.

[Paula Davis · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Pretty good, not my favorite King novel. I did not like the narrator at all.

[Ivan Petkov · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

It’s an unusual story by King. It’s very long and so the story doesn’t flow but rather gets going and then stops for a few chapters. The characters are onedimensional and lack depth and motivation. There are a lot of coincidences and a lot of intuition, which makes the story a bit hard to believe.
There isn’t a good antagonist. The World in which the story is set is huge, but we barely learn about it. I don’t think I’ll re-read, but I do recommend for fans of coming of age stories and fantasy travel.

[Patrik · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Red this book when I was younger, it always stuck in my mind, finally tried it again in audio book format... Still the best book I've ever read in my life.. PS. Still waiting for the series for TV, come on, just make it soon.. ?

[Deepa Budhoo · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I had some trouble with the way it was narrated. Like an old timey news report. It had sensation but very monotone. I pushed through, because I wanted to finish the story. It always amazes me how someone can use so many words to describe a action or thing. It’s an art that Mr King has mastered. Is it my favourite, no not really, but it was good.

[Rob Roth · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

Overly repetitive and drawn out story, not much else to say

[Donald Mccarroll · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

Ive been on a Stephen King spree listening and reading his books and watching the movie/tv adaptation to them. This so far is the only one im currently working on finishing and its a struggle. I really like Frank Muller as a narrator and was a lil disappointed they had to make the switch from him during the Dark Tower series as his narration is lively and does an excellent job of depicting his voice depending on the character. Unfortunately not even that could keep my interest in this story. I listen to audiobooks while im working as i can keep working, but i would find myself distracted as parts would not hold my interest and i would have to restart chapters over to fully grasp what was going on. I will probably let this one go and start something else as i feel im just wasting time i could be listening to something that will hopd my interest more

[Valerie Hahn · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

What a great story. This is the 3rd or 4th time I’ve listened to this book and not the last.

[jermaine · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Solid book now on to the next rd . I hate that I’m just now getting into these great books

[Christelle Donovan · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

Worst narration- with the narrator and his breathy voice - so annoying

[Bon Tindle · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

My favorite book of all time. Beautifully read. Oh my heart.

[Emerson Doerksen · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

This was about the only 80’s King I hadn’t read and was excited to get into it, but it didn’t really work for me on the whole.

There are a few sequences which rank among Kings better stuff; the intro, Jacks trials at Oatley, and the final confrontation at the Sun House, which are perhaps the three most horrific sections of the book.

The rest dragged for me terribly. I felt like they could have done something more interesting with The Territories.

Maybe it’s because I’m not the biggest fantasy fan, maybe it’s because I’m too old (I feel like this book would be best for a teen.) but I didn’t love it. But hey, I loved Cujo and Tommyknockers, and everyone thinks those are terrible, so take this with a grain of salt.

Frank Mullers narration is great as always. Recommended for teenage King fans, fantasy lovers and purists…maybe worth the read for those above notes sequences alone. Wolfs rampage is gripping.

[Lia Ditcher · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

One of my most favorite books of all time. I didn't really care for the reader. I found his reading style a bit too breathy, but I didn't let that detract from the wonderful story. If you haven't read it and you love fantasy, this is a must read.

[Christopher Adams · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Highly recommend a great book great story definitely read it or listen

[mary reynolds · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

One of my favorite books ever! I love the story!

[candacevan_1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

A coming-of-age, fantasy, horror story, starring the usual resourceful, intelligent white boy. An entertaining read.

[Oakley Phillips · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Loved it! Kings fantasy side is always so much fun

[Daniel Jackson · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Came off as a cheap version of the dark tower series.......... does nothin we havent seen before.. and the character building isnt well done...... has a weird reoccruing sexual theme for no reason... and gets a bit boring and anticlimatic......

[Dian · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

I loved the book when I read it a long time ago. I was really looking forward to the audiobook since my eyesight is not that good. But I simply cannot get through the audiobook . It's the narrator. I wish someone else would narrate this book as the story is very entertaining.

[shanaqui_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I've never read anything written solely by Peter Straub, so I didn't really know what to expect from a collaboration between him and Stephen King. Honestly, in the end, it just felt mostly like a Stephen King book, but maybe that's because I haven't read any Peter Straub. In terms of the writing on a basic level, The Talisman is a pretty easy read. The flow is pretty good and there aren't any stupidly show-offy words or anything like it. At times it does feel a bit like it could do with some editing, but overall, I liked it.

I liked the plot quite a lot. The core principle is something anyone can relate to, really: someone close to Jack Sawyer is dying, and he has to find a cure. The way this plays out isn't so realistic, perhaps -- if one object could cure all ills, life would be so much simpler, after all! But that's fantasy for you. The Territories is a pretty average idea of "the other world", which reminds me of Stephen Lawhead's version in The Paradise War, except less Celtic and more... well, American. The worlds King and Straub build up are rich with detail, all the same. The idea of Twinners and the importance of single-selved beings within the story is interesting, and I enjoyed the Jack/Jason thing that spanned throughout.

The characters are lovely. The bad guys are all pretty obvious and twisted, it's true, but the sympathetic characters -- particularly, for me, Wolf and Richard -- are amazing. My definition of amazing tends to be "not perfect, maybe even kind of irritating at times, but somehow I love them so much anyway". Which is the same for both Wolf and Richard. As for the main character, Jack -- well, he fits the bill, too. The only problem with him was that I could never quite picture a boy of his age acting in the way he does. I kept imagining him as older than he actually is -- fourteen, fifteen, instead of twelve. But that wasn't a huge problem for me.

I really, really enjoyed this book, overall. I can see flaws in it, and in places it turned out to be a little too predictable for me, but all the same, all that aside, I loved it.

[moomin_mama · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

Well I FINALLY got through it. What a long, hard slog! It was such a mess...For a start, every time I got into it, something ridiculous and too concidental or convenient occurred, and threw me right back out of the story. For that reason it took a long time to read - it didn't flow very well and I kept stopping and starting as a result.A lot of the problem with the convenience of events was that often, something wasn't explained until it HAD happened - something would come out of nowhere, followed by a bit of background information. There often wasn't anything leading up to it or hinting at it. One example - the scars on the inside of Morgan's thighs (what scars?), and the reason behind them quickly explained to rationalise Morgan's grudge against Speedy (what grudge?). Eh? The plot went along in this fashion all the way through the book. Jarring to say the least. All of these instances COULD have made a great build up and a fantastic, rich history of the Territories.All of the events seemed random and over-the-top, and as a result came across as separate from each other (giving no sense of coherence or of the quest element of the story) and chaotic (therefore giving no hints as to what exactly Jack was learning along the way, except when he knew just what to do and when to do it, just as he needed to do it, when the authors required that to be the case). Everything seemed very arbitrary. I couldn't really sympathise with the characters. Jack was a bit flat, Speedy was odd, Wolf was a liability, Richard a whinge, and as for the baddies - caricatures, the lot of them. I couldn't understand the relevance of the gull and the little sand whirlpool at the beginning either.I haven't read any of the Dark Tower novels, or any Peter Straub, so I have nothing to compare this to, but I'm inclined to think that it wasn't the fault of either author; instead I think it struggled because fantasy, which is unrealistic by nature, works when it is carried along by a clear, single vision. This was always going to be problem with two authors and in this case they didn't manage it. Will be interesting to see if their approach improved in Black House.

[James Stepp · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I've always liked the writing of Stephen King,having read all the books by him that I bought for my Wife before she passed,several years ago. It's good to be able to listen to them now,as my eyes aren't up to reading so much anymore.
His writing is quite articulate and easy to follow,and tends to draw me into the story as I read along. VERY good story here!

[christian · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

I like this book gets a little bit too dark for me I don't like animals getting hurt and children getting hurt even though it's fiction so I just turned it off and it became garbage I have PTSD and this is definitely a trigger if you have seen the worst in people already through service or your life don't read this book because this is just a trigger.

[elizajane_1 · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

Officially the worst book I've read by King as I continue to reread his books in chronological order. First, while I do distinctly remember owning this book when it came out, I had absolutely no recollection of the story whatsoever and now I understand why as it is so forgettable. This book needs to loose 400 or so pages to make it a decent YA fantasy. The book is indeed very adolescent, coming mostly from a 12-year-old's perspective there is hardly anything in the majority of the book to offend anyone. I'm surprised at how cliched the story is. Jack finds out there is an alternate world. His mother is dying in this world and the Queen, who is his mother's twinner, is dying in the other. He has been chosen to be the one who must travel west across the country to find the talisman which will rescue the Queen and his mother. So off he goes on a journey with pages and pages of nothing happening. Even the big showdown at the end with good vs evil was more campy than anything else. I really had to force myself to finish this book, and then only for the sake of my chronological project.

[RV · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

This is one of my favorite books, but the guy reading is terrible. It’s unlistenable. He ends every sentence... and I mean every sentence, with a low, slow breathy word, like a cheesy impression of William Shatner. It never stops!