Two highly esteemed authors joined forces to pen this remarkable piece. Although I'm not overly acquainted with Peter Straub's work (I fully intend to explore it soon), I'm a huge fan of Stephen King. This book piqued my curiosity as to how well their styles would blend.

Twelve-year-old Jack Sawyer and his ailing mother embark on a vacation to Arcadia Beach, staying at the Alhambra Hotel, a crumbling and nearly deserted edifice.

Jack, deeply distressed that his mother may not recover from her illness, is determined to find a cure. He encounters Speedy Parker, who desires to assist him in his quest. However, he also has the unpleasant Uncle Morgan Sloat, who aims to take Jack away from his unwell mother.

Through Speedy, Jack discovers that he must seek what he's looking for in a parallel world called "the territories," and he has the ability to shift between these territories and the real world.

Jack meets numerous characters along the way, some eager to help him, while others attempt to impede his progress. In the territories, people have counterparts known as "twinners."

Without wanting to spoil any aspect of the plot, I wholeheartedly recommend this book. It's an exciting journey and a captivating fantasy road trip. The people and places Jack visits, such as the Oatley Tap bar run by the cruel Smokey, truly make you cheer for young Jack against his despicable uncle.

With certain resemblances to The Dark Tower series, this book is undoubtedly worth reading, and I'll definitely check out the sequel, The Black House.

4 stars, highly recommended.

Holy shit.

"The Talisman" is an extraordinary horror/dark fantasy epic penned by the renowned duo Stephen King and Peter Straub. It chronicles the adventures of a twelve-year-old boy named Jack Sawyer. His mother, Lily, is succumbing to cancer, and he must undertake a perilous and arduous journey to locate a mysterious talisman.

Jack discovers from a man named Speedy Parker that he has the ability to "flip" between his own world and a parallel realm known as The Territories. Along his path, he encounters a diverse cast of interesting individuals, traverses other worlds beyond these two, and must elude the pursuit of Morgan Sloat.

Let's commence with the negatives. There were indeed some aspects that detracted from the reading experience. For a significant portion of the book, the pacing was excruciatingly slow. It took a considerable amount of time for the story to gain momentum. However, once it did, it truly took off. Another minor gripe was the presence of a mildly racist undertone throughout the novel. Given that it was written in a different era, we can perhaps understand the context, but it's still something that cannot be ignored completely.

Now, onto the positives. During the 1980s, both King and Straub were at the zenith of their careers. The anticipation for this book was palpable, and it did not disappoint. Initially marketed as a horror novel, some readers may have been disappointed to discover that it was actually a dark fantasy. But this was no ordinary dark fantasy. It was filled with shocking twists, heart-wrenching moments, and magnificent storytelling.

Wolf is without a doubt one of my all-time favorite Stephen King characters. He's a unique blend of Tom Cullen from "The Stand" and Blaze from "Blaze", but with a werewolf twist. From the moment his character was introduced, I was hooked. The scenes featuring Wolf were masterfully crafted.

Moreover, there are numerous heavy references to "The Dark Tower" series, which I adored. I completed "The Dark Tower" just a few months ago, but my journey towards the tower seems far from over. I'm eager to read the sequel to this novel, "Black House", as I've heard that there are even more connections to be discovered.

Finally, there was one particular scene in this book that was so exquisitely written that it brought tears to my eyes. I've never cried over good writing before, but this time, I was truly moved. It was a moment of sheer literary brilliance.

Love is a wonderful and powerful emotion. It has the ability to bring people together, to make them feel happy and fulfilled.

When we love someone, we care about their well-being, we want to be with them, and we are willing to make sacrifices for them.

Love can take many forms, such as romantic love, platonic love, or the love between family members. Each form of love is unique and special in its own way.

Loving someone can also have a positive impact on our own lives. It can give us a sense of purpose, boost our self-esteem, and make us more resilient in the face of challenges.

In conclusion, love is an essential part of our lives. It enriches our experiences, deepens our relationships, and makes us better people. So, let's embrace love and spread it wherever we go. Loooooove it!

Da sumiram? Talisman: The book has 200 pages, which might seem long. However, regardless of that, the desire to read the continuation is there. It's a great recommendation for fans of the genre!

3.5

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The Talisman is a captivating read. Despite its 200-page length, it manages to hold the reader's attention from start to finish. The story is filled with excitement and mystery, leaving the reader eager to discover what happens next. Fans of this genre will surely enjoy this book. It offers a unique and engaging experience that will keep you turning the pages. So, if you're looking for a good read, give The Talisman a try. You won't be disappointed!

This review is truly shattering my heart, and I've dedicated a great deal of thought to penning it. I've come to the conclusion that, while I firmly stand by my earlier review (https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...), I feel compelled to urge you to recognize that that particular one was written by a much younger reader. This time around, in accordance with the Goodreads grading system, I've finally been forced to downgrade The Talisman to a mere two.

As you can already sense, I don't do this lightly, and I'll be sure to provide a justification for my decision. The main issue is that this book is simply far too long! I have a genuine love for lengthy books when they manage to captivate and draw you deeper and deeper into the story. However, in this case, for the most part, it just feels bloated. There are indeed passages of great writing, but there is an excessive amount of fluff.

Another problem lies in the fact that the protagonist is too young. This is, of course, a recurring theme in King's works, and I can only hope that subsequent re-reads won't prove to be as troublesome for me. I've placed this in spoiler tags because, if someone didn't have the image in their mind, I wouldn't want to be the one to put it there. But a twelve-year-old protagonist will inevitably resemble Short Round doing karate kicks in the later stages of "Temple of Doom" - it's absolutely ridiculous! In other words, it just doesn't work, regardless of whether they mature to the task or not.

Another aspect to consider is that you have to have a deep love for fantasy. You have to love it to the extent that you don't ask some really relevant questions, such as why magic works in one place but not another, the necessity of a quest in the first place, and who makes that demand, among many others. However, there is, of course, beauty within the story, and that's why the younger me adored it. There is bravery, character, love, unselfishness, and beauty - all the elements that make fantasy so appealing. But unfortunately, this isn't the book that makes you set aside all your inquisitions.

Finally, there's the character of Wolf. I'm going to have to put this in spoiler tags. I know that many people loved this ambiguous character, but most of the time, I can't help but see Jar Jar Binks with large flapping ears: "Meesa Jar Jar! Wolf! Wolf!"

The Talisman is the 18th book in my Stephen King re-read, and it's the first one to truly devastate me. I can only hope that the rest of the catalogue brings me as much, if not more, joy than I expected. Honestly, for this one, I would say: cherish your fond memories of it and skip it in favor of the many, many brilliant others.

This might be my favorite book of all time.

It would definitely be ranked within the top 3.

The story it tells is so captivating and engaging that it has left a lasting impression on me.

The characters are well-developed and the plot is full of twists and turns that keep me on the edge of my seat from beginning to end.

I really hope the upcoming series does it justice.

I'm eagerly anticipating how they will bring the story to life on the screen.

Will they capture the essence of the book?

Will the actors do a good job of portraying the characters?

These are all questions that are running through my mind as I wait for the series to premiere.

No matter what, I'm sure it will be an exciting adaptation and I can't wait to see it.

What an incredibly great fantasy story it is!

Jack's arduous quest for the talisman in order to save his mother, all while trying to avoid the menacing bad guys, truly makes it a page-turner that keeps you on the edge of your seat.

The split between the ordinary world here and the mysterious territories is masterfully crafted, adding an air of mystery and excitement.

The characters are truly remarkable. Wolf, in particular, was my absolute favorite. His presence added depth and a certain charm to the story.

The journey, with all its trials and tribulations, echoes the epicness of the Dark Tower series. The journey across the wastelands on a train, although a much slower one, still manages to capture the essence of adventure and danger.

The various scenes, such as the boys' home, the school, and the horrible bar, are all places where Jack must find the resolve within himself to reach the Hotel where the talisman awaits him.

Overall, this is a truly good story to begin the year with, filled with adventure, mystery, and unforgettable characters.

I truly enjoyed this book to a great extent.

The characters within it were simply outstanding. They were so well-developed that they seemed to come alive right before my eyes. Each one had their own unique personality, traits, and motives, which made them extremely engaging and interesting to follow throughout the story.

Moreover, the story itself was very good. It had a captivating plot that kept me on the edge of my seat from beginning to end. There were numerous twists and turns that I didn't see coming, which added to the excitement and mystery.

The theme of protecting the herd was also very prominent and meaningful. It made me think about the importance of unity, cooperation, and looking out for one another. Overall, this book was a great read and I would highly recommend it to others.

Audiobook – Narrated by Frank Muller – Excellent narration.

As always, Frank Muller gives an outstanding narration. His voice brings the story to life, captivating the listener from start to finish. The way he interprets the characters and their emotions adds an extra layer of depth to the book.

***

Ebook:

I can remember the first time I read this book, many years ago, and how I struggled to get into it. Coming on the back of Carrie, ‘Salem’s Lot, The Shining, Cujo, Christine and Pet Sematary, I kept thinking WTF?! What was he inhaling, snorting, drinking or smoking when he wrote this, and where could I get some. However, I managed to get through it without the aid of any mind-altering substances and was left feeling ambivalent. I sort of liked it, but sort of didn’t. Since then, I’ve read it quite a few times (still without the mind-altering substances) and I’ve enjoyed it more each time. This time was no different. I read it again, I enjoyed it again and I cried…again.

***

King gave some interesting news at a reading in Washington, D.C. on November 13th, 2014 about the third Jack Sawyer book. He confirmed that it was supposed to be a trilogy and that he had already worked out the framework for the third book in his head. He also said he hoped to write it with Peter Straub during next year, 2015. Peter Straub also confirmed that the plan is to write the book next year (2015).

***

CONNECTIONS:

"Jack Names the Planets" is a song by Ash. The title of the track is taken from chapter 24 in the book. The book is further referenced in some of the lyrics. There are also several other connections to King's other works. For example, the Alhambra Inn and Gardens and Arcadia Fun World are mentioned in both The Tommyknockers and Black House. Jack Sawyer appears in both The Tommyknockers and Black House. Oatley is mentioned in The Sun Dog. The two-headed parrot in The Eyes of the Dragon is similar to the one Jack sees in the market town when he flips into The Territories. Sidewinder is mentioned in both The Shining and Misery. Rainbird Towers is named after Rainbird in Firestarter. George Hatfield was the name of the boy Jack Torrence cut from the debating team in The Shining. Jack’s mother was nominated for an Oscar for her role in a movie called Blaze, and Stephen King wrote a short story called Blaze. "Oz the Gweat and Tewwible" is mentioned in Pet Sematary.

I’ve been delving deep into the works of King lately. It’s quite uncommon for me to binge-read a specific author. I firmly believe in diversifying my reading choices; otherwise, I quickly become fatigued and struggle to appreciate a book that I should otherwise adore, simply because I’ve overindulged in the same type of literature. Just like I might love pizza, but having it for every meal would make it far less appetizing. The same principle applies to my literary diet. So, I’m like a readerly butterfly, fluttering from one author to another and from one genre to the next as they catch my fancy. Nevertheless, this is the fourth King novel I’ve read consecutively, and it’s the fourth one that I’ve thoroughly relished. I think this is because each of these four novels, whether written solely by King or in collaboration with a co-author like in this case, differs significantly from everything else I’ve read by him. What makes them truly remarkable, however, is the way they interconnect with each other, referring back to elements King wrote before and foreshadowing books he would pen later.

The Talisman is the first book King co-authored with Peter Straub, an author I wasn’t familiar with previously. But after reading this book, I’m eager to explore something he wrote independently. Because The Talisman was truly wild, folks. This book contains the most intense, terrifying hero’s journey I’ve ever come across. Some of the more recent King books I’ve read seemed to be quite removed from the horror genre. Although they might have had moments of horror, I wouldn’t classify them as belonging to that genre. This is not the case with The Talisman. While the story heavily depends on the elements of portal fantasy, it is undeniably horror. There was a whole lot of freaky stuff in this book.

Jack Sawyer is just a twelve-year-old boy who longs for his mother to recover. This desire, along with a “chance” encounter with a kindred spirit and mentor, sets him off on a journey like no other, one that our world or any other has ever witnessed. For his task is not only to travel across the country in search of a Talisman that can save his mother’s life but also to rescue the Queen of another world called the Territories. These two worlds, and many more besides, are inextricably linked, and Jack is the only one who can obtain the Talisman that can save them. Throughout his very long and arduous journey, Jack meets wonderful people and horrible people, makes friends he loves with all his heart, and encounters villains so vile that his hatred for them knows no limits. He witnesses and experiences beauty beyond his wildest imagination and sees horrors that would shatter the mind of any adult who witnessed the same.

It’s one heck of a ride.

King laid the groundwork for this story with a single, profound line of dialogue in The Gunslinger: “Go, then. There are other worlds than these.” This concept is the core around which the events in The Talisman unfold. This story is very much about the possibility of parallel worlds and the versions of ourselves that might exist in those worlds. The idea of twinners, those who have a soul twin in another world, is one that I’m certain will resurface time and again in King’s work and feels connected to books in his collection that I’ve already read.

What prevents me from awarding this book a 5-star rating mainly lies in the characters. While I did have a soft spot for Jack and liked the friends he made along the way, those portrayed as evil seemed like cardboard cutouts of stereotypical villains. They were missing only the mustaches to twirl while they laughed maniacally. They were dull and repetitive, and although they were indeed scary, I couldn’t help but roll my eyes at their mannerisms and speech patterns. I was also slightly exasperated by Jack’s friends, who were often so overcome with fear that he had to simply drag them along until they could finally fulfill their purpose. I’ve also noticed that King has a tendency towards the mystic negro trope, which bothers me and seems borderline, if unintentionally, racist. And, as with quite a few of his older works that I’ve read, King’s excessive use of slang in his writing prematurely dates them, and there was an abundance of such slang in this book.

However, the story and the way it was told were so incredibly captivating that I can’t really hold these flaws against the book or its authors. Even with its imperfections, The Talisman still provided me with an outstanding reading experience. It was moving and unpredictable, and I was on the edge of my seat for all 900+ pages. I’m one step closer to the Tower, and I’m so glad I chose to take the scenic route.

You can find this review and more at Novel Notions.

After an interesting and moving beginning, this story unfortunately stalls.

It's true that the 12-year-old protagonist embarks on various adventures. However, for a significant portion of the narrative, the child is portrayed too much as a victim.

This aspect persists until the very end, when it really should have been resolved much earlier, perhaps halfway through the story.

The ending, in particular, feels rather anticlimactic and fails to provide the satisfaction that the initial setup promised.

Overall, this story earns a rating of 4 out of 10 stars. It has its moments of potential but ultimately falls short in several key areas, leaving the reader with a sense of disappointment.

With some adjustments and a more balanced portrayal of the protagonist, this story could have been much more engaging and fulfilling.

I really enjoyed this book.

It's not the typical Stephen King read that one might expect.

I would classify it as horror, especially from Jack's perspective.

However, as a reader, much of the time it felt more like heroic fantasy to me.

The characters of Jack and Wolf were definitely likable.

They had their own charm and qualities that made them stand out.

On the other hand, the bad guys, Sloat and Osmand, were particularly despicable.

They were truly the embodiment of evil.

But I have to admit that I didn't like Richard.

He seemed too weak and whiney for my taste.

There were a couple of nitpicky issues here and there, but overall, I thought it was a fun read.

It kept me engaged and entertained from start to finish.

I would recommend it to others who enjoy a mix of horror and heroic fantasy.

It's a unique and interesting book that offers something different.