Bag of Bones

By: Stephen King

Narrated by: Stephen King

Length: 21 hrs and 21 mins

Publisher's summary

The number one best seller: King at the peak of his powers - at once a first-rate suspense novel, a legal thriller, a haunted house story and a love story.

When Mike Noonan's wife dies unexpectedly, the best-selling author suffers from writer's block. Until he is drawn to his summer home, the beautiful lakeside retreat called Sara Laughs.

Here Mike finds the once familiar town in the tyrannical grip of millionaire Max Devore. Devore is hell-bent on getting custody of his deceased son's daughter and is twisting the fabric of the community to this purpose.

Three year old Kyra and her young mother turn to Mike for help. And Mike finds them increasingly irresistible.

But there are other more sinister forces at Sara Laughs - and Kyra can feel them too....

© Stephen King; Recording © and (P) Simon & Schuster Inc.

Fabulous! Nobody tells it like the author!

What did you love best about Bag of Bones?

It was just so real, the fact that Stephen reads it really brings the story to life. I definitely enjoyed this book as a audio book simply due to it been read by Stephen as he really know how to draw you into his character. This has become my favorite. I must admit it was a little slow to start but I have come to expect that from Stephen King books either audio or print but by the end I couldn't stop listening!

Did the plot keep you on the edge of your seat? How?

Yes

Which scene was your favorite?

OMG! So many to mention but it would have to be the one where his late wife comes to save him.

Great audio book

Even if you have read this before, listen to Stephen King read what he rates as one of his favorite books. As the author there are parts of the journey he takes you on that I think only he could do. The characters are great, the way you build up a strong set of images from the story line, just great. My favorite of his and I have read about 10 of his books.

The interview at the end is also very interesting, he lets you into his head regarding making a great book.

One of his best.

Great story, excellent narration of the various voices. plot well woven, with many hooks for thinking readers. Recommended.

Excellent, spooky, keeps you hooked

If you like Steven King you'll love this. I read a lot of his books when I was young and had much more time than I do now. More than 15 years later this is the first of his audiobooks I've listened to, and was a great re-introduction.

The story builds up really well, with Mike Noonan (the protagonist and narrator of the story) gradually discovering more and more about his dead wife's activities and the history of the "the TR" and its "Martians" (i.e. residents).

The music and sounds added into the production were very good. The music gave you a break from the voice and the sound effects heightened the suspense at only the very important moments.

To me there was also an interesting sub-text with Steven King being the author and narrator, and the main character who was also an author was also narrating the story in the first person. And then an interview with Steven afterwards was a very worthwhile addition.

Special Experience

It is a privilege to hear the story being told by its creator, the story really comes to life and though I have read the book at least half a dozen times, it felt like the first time I was hearing the tale.

Brilliant book

The production was that - a production which served to add nuances to an already loaded story! I loved this as I am sure all who have read and loved the early King books would!
WaAr

If you haven't had this one-GET IT!!!!!!

What made the experience of listening to Bag of Bones the most enjoyable?

Read by Stephen King-subtle but full of emotions. Time just flew, never any boredom even when he describes things in meticulous detail.

What did you like best about this story?

The meaning of love and the connection between 2 people.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Mike overcoming the urge to drown the girl with Joes help

Terrific reading of a great book

'Bag of Bones' has always been the Stephen King book that I give to people who think Stephen King's a hack horror writer: it's a great ghost story, probably my favourite King book. The characters are engaging, and the depiction of a small town - those invisible cables, unseen but felt, that run under the surface - is solid.

It's a great surprise to discover that King does a pretty good turn as a reader as well as a writer. I've really enjoyed the reading, not just the story.

Phantastical Ghost Story

Would you listen to Bag of Bones again? Why?

Absolutely. I'll bet there is so much I could get out of the story if I listened to it again. And to have it read by Stephen King himself makes it really pop. I

What about Stephen King’s performance did you like?

The accents he gives the different characters. It feels like I've watched the movie..

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

It was intense. I see a different meaning to the shadows now.

Any additional comments?

Looking for the next Stephen King to add to the collection.

Unfortunately not what was expected

I bought this book under the impression that it was about a troubled widower with writer's block who moves to his lakeside retreat, only to find it haunted by malicious ghosts. While this is partly true, the story focuses more on the main character's interaction with a single mother trying to protect her daughter from her evil custody-seeking father-in-law. The ghost stuff takes more of a backseat to this other storyline. Eventually the two parts unite to show that they were all part of the same story anyway, but it still felt like a cop out.

I wasn't looking forward to Stephen King's narration. After listening to him speak in the afterword of his other books, he sounded too much like he was reading from the page. Not natural enough. However I enjoyed his reading of this book more than I expected to. While he is not as good as other readers (I think anyone could have done a better job), I found I wasn't as distracted as I thought I would be. He lends good nuances to some of the characters and isn't too bad.

The book is a mediocre read in the grand scheme of King's other work. If you're planning to listen, make sure you know what you're getting into.