The Life of Chuck

By: Stephen King

Narrated by: Danny Burstein

Stephen King’s “The Life of Chuck” is a “phenomenal” (USA TODAY) tale of life and legacy—now a feature film directed by Mike Flanagan and starring Tom Hiddleston, Mark Hamill, Chiwetel Ejiofor, and Karen Gillan—available for the first time in a beautiful stand-alone edition with a new introduction by Stephen King and a design surprise.

Originally featured in the acclaimed story collection If It Bleeds, this unforgettable, mind-bending tale unfolds in reverse, taking readers through the extraordinary life of Charles “Chuck” Krantz.

In a crumbling world plagued by natural disasters, collapsing infrastructure, and mass panic, bizarre billboards and advertisements appear throughout town: “Charles Krantz. Thirty-nine great years. Thanks, Chuck!” Marty Anderson, a schoolteacher, becomes obsessed with these messages as the world, inexplicably linked to Chuck’s life, seems to be approaching its end.

Told in three acts, presented in reverse order, The Life of Chuck explores one man’s past. We see him in middle age on a business trip in Boston as he is seduced by a busker into spinning a gorgeous sidewalk dance. And we see him as a child, in a house haunted by a terrible secret, learning to dance with his grandmother. In these pages King reminds us that life’s quotidian pleasures are even more glorious because they are fleeting: the outrageous good fortune of a beautiful blue day after a string of gray ones; the delight of dancing when every move feels perfect; a serendipitous meeting. King’s ability to describe pure joy rivals his ability to terrify us.

Now a major motion picture and winner of the Toronto International Film Festival People’s Choice Award, The Life of Chuck is a glorious story about community and about humanity at its best, a celebration of joy, mystery, existential wonder, and the multitudes contained in all of us.

The Lifr of Chuck

I enjoyed the rhythm and the pace of the reading. I always enjoyed Stephen King's books. listening has become easier than reading. I can still work & do chose while listening....

Best book of 2025

Amazing story. Had me laughing and crying with no warning. Was a bit embarrassing on the plane :)

Creative Apocalypse

Interesting as a short story but not long enough for character development. Too much idiomatic language.

Food For Thought

Food For Thought! This was a REALLY, REALLY great book. You never really know what to expect from The King, ☺️so I’m always a little surprised with the stories he comes up with. This one was really good. I loved this character Charles Krantz 🥰- forgive me if the spelling is incorrect- I listened to the audiobook version so I don’t know how he actually spelled it in the book. Anyways, this story just made me smile, and just feel GOOD!! The relationships were all palpable. 😊So, Stephen made me consider the question: if you could know the date/way you were going to die would you want to know? My answer is yes because I would spend less time worrying about what I do now. 😃And just like that you realize there’s life to be lived! 😉 Thank you Sir King!! Now I want to see this movie.

Excellent!

I love this story. I read it in the book "If it Bleeds" ... I then decided to listen to it and I loved it just as much listening as I did reading it.

Listen, or read, you won't be disappointed.