Preview
  • Desperation

  • By: Stephen King
  • Narrated by: Stephen King
  • Length: 21 hrs and 15 mins
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars (7,450 ratings)

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Desperation

By: Stephen King
Narrated by: Stephen King
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Publisher's summary

"The terror is relentless" (Publishers Weekly) in Stephen King's number-one national best seller about a little mining town, Desperation, that many will enter on their way to somewhere else. But getting out is not easy as it would seem....

Located off a desolate stretch of Interstate 50, Desperation, Nevada, has few connections with the rest of the world. It is a place, though, where the seams between worlds are thin. And it is a place where several travelers are abducted by Collie Entragian, the maniacal police officer of Desperation. Entragian uses various ploys for the abductions, from an arrest for drug possession to "rescuing" a family from a nonexistent gunman. There's something very wrong here, all right, and Entragian is only the surface of it.

The secrets embedded in Desperation's landscape and the evil that infects the town like some viral hot zone are both awesome and terrifying. But as one of the travelers, young David Carver, seems to know - though it scares him nearly to death to realize it - so are the forces summoned to combat them.

©1996 Stephen King. All rights reserved. (P)1996 Simon & Schuster, Inc.
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Critic reviews

"Stephen King's knack for turning the stray junk of pop culture into sick, darkly engrossing thrills has rarely been this much in evidence as in Desperation." ( Salon)

Featured Article: We're Your #1 Fans—A Stephen King Character Guide


With a mind-boggling portfolio of 62 novels and more than 200 short stories (and counting!), Stephen King undeniably reigns supreme over literary horror. From Danny Torrance to the dreaded Pennywise, check out some of his most iconic characters with this comprehensive look. (But beware: there are spoilers ahead! So, much like when you press play on a Stephen King audiobook, you should proceed with caution.)

What listeners say about Desperation

Average customer ratings
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Outstanding!

I can clearly see this book made into a movie. It kept my attention through the end, and I was disappointed when it was over. I felt I could easily connect with the characters, and often felt I was accompanying them on their horrible journey. Great book!!

Although the author was also the narrator of the book, and I tend to like him, it would make the book even more gripping to have a narrator who will include the dramatic emphases into his or her dialogue.

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Desperation

As much as I worship Mr. King he is a horrible narrator, emotionless and monotonous. Perfect for before bed reading to put anyone to sleep. Dear generous Mr. Overall book was ok, not his best.

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great book

great book. king as a narrator is brilliant and his story is creepy as hell.

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not his best, not his worst. seemed to drag

Not his best, not his worst, seemed to drag. Will probably not re-read. I recommend another of Stephen Kings work.

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I love when the author reads their book!

Great story and read very well by Stephen King himself. I look forward to my next audible King book!

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THE KING OF AUTHORS DOES IT AGAIN

I love the mystery King brings to every story, and the adventure I get to partake in leaves me thirsty for MORE!

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my favorite Stephen King book

this was a great book read amazingly. I would say it is my favorite Stephen kind book.

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Unknown to me

I chose this title only because of it’s author. I had never heard of it before. Had no idea what it would be like narrated by Stephen King, because I was never a fan of his voice. As it were, it took a while to get into the narrative. Wow, then the story gripped me. I was surprised that he could take a very serious struggle of Religious faith and doubt and address it and make it exciting and mysterious. Stephen still believe y’all should stick to writing and leave narration to others. Sorry!

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one of Stephen king's best

I loved this book, I hadn't read it before I listened to it and I could barely stop. it's a thrilling experience and I loved it! and Stephen king did a fanominal job narrating this amazing thriller

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the world tried to keep me from it...

the world hits hard sometimes, I started...stopped....came back and started again. over and over, glad I didn't give it up. well worth sticking it out. thanks Stephen, I needed this.

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