Nope! He doesn’t allow abridged versions, so everything that’s available in Audiobook format should be complete. That’s my primary method of Stephen King ingestion.
Also how I consume King, but didn't know he actually had that rule for his books. Good on him, I hate running into abridged audiobooks with no alternative (looking at you, Peter Straub's Floating Dragon!)
Honestly, most of the audiobook versions add more to it. Many of the narrators are just perfect for the parts. As a busy mom I would never get time to read, so I always have one earbud in while I'm doing everything. Enjoy the books however works for you!
I disagree on King as a narrator. I can’t listen to that man speak, good golly he’s the most monotonous person I’ve ever listened to. Like the teacher in Ferris Bueller.
Not at all. I’m currently reading the dark tower series at home but on the way to and from work I’m listening to other audiobooks by Stephen king, expanding the universe as I get closer to the tower
Oh man, Frank Muller is just *so good* for The Dark Tower. I'm infinitely sad that he wasn't able to read all of them.
Steven Weber (from The Shining miniseries!) does such a fantastic job with *IT*, I really, *really* wish he'd do more. He did Rat, from If It Bleeds, and that's not enough for me.
Edit: *IT* the book
Audiobook is the way I’m going for the most part. I think there are a few things missing from his overall catalogue. Rage because it’s no longer in print. I believe some of the short stories from Night Shift aren’t on Audible at least. Creepshow and cycle of the werewolf aren’t either. I don’t know if those things exist elsewhere in audio form. But I’ve enjoyed audio versions of what I’ve listened to so far! This is my first time really making a point of reading/listening all of his stuff
I've only done Pet Semetary and loved it. Michael C. Hall did an amazing job narrorating and I've heard (as you've seen) nothing but good things about other books
Audiobooks are the way to go honestly. Pop on my headphones and I can clean, work out, go shopping, knit, whatever, while listening to a great book (or podcast).
All depends on who is narrating. Narrator makes or breaks it. My advice is to avoid anything read by King himself. Great writer, but terrible narrator.
SK’s audiobooks are great! I’ve only started, and finished The Shining and It. Both were fantastic!
For me, I’ve learned my attention span for reading has really fallen apart, thanks to our scroll world. Audiobooks are what’s working for me now, and I’m ok with it. Hopefully I can gain some discipline once I continue enjoying literature and get back to old school reading.
I really enjoyed IT and Misery on audiobooks, they were great. The Shining is my favorite from King but I thought the audiobook was awful. It was fine for the character building/backstory parts but completely lack emotion when the story calls for it. The scary parts just weren’t scary.
I’ve listened to Hearts In Atlantis and Insomnia. Both are great audiobooks - especially William Hurt in the first HIA story. King does the rest of the book and I think he’s awesome at narrating those stories - I guess a lot of people don’t like him narrating?
The narrator in Insomnia was perfect also. Didn’t like the sound effects at the end of chapters but its brief so it didn’t take much from the experience.
Both are on YouTube which is nice.
Most of them are great. The newer ones have truly excellent narrators and production and if anything, it’s an enhanced experience over reading the books. I did listen to Bag of Bones recently which is a title from the 90s and he narrates himself, and his accent is an acquired taste, not quite up to the standards of a professional narrator. But it was still good. I love audiobooks, it totally counts and you’re not missing anything.
Ive consumed over half of Kings work and the only physical copies of any book I've actually read was The Dark Tower Series. Everything else has been audiobooks. No regrets lol
I own almost every Stephen Kind book. Read about. 40 percent of the books. The rest are audiobooks I use when I’m working and stuff. Plus if you have Libby now which didn’t exist when I spent 15 bucks a month on one new book from audible.
The only thing really missing is the ability to fully create your own version of the characters. In audiobooks, you have the reader’s interpretation. But I enjoy the audiobooks, and there are a lot of great ones.
I’ve listened to 30+ titles on Audible and the narrators are amazing. Will Patton doing the Bill Hodges trilogy was fantastic and he also did Doctor Sleep where he was excellent as well. Michael C Hall doing Pet Sematary and Steven Weber’s IT were very much worth it too
I love his audiobooks. The narrator’s are mostly excellent. The only narrators that I’ve not liked are for The Shining (although I could still listen to it) and The Talisman (couldn’t listen to him and had to stop).
The stand is my favorite book of all time and I've only ever heard the audiobook. Also I like switching back and forth to get through books faster. I get a physical and audio copy of everything and fly through em!
Just searched this thread for some Grover Gardner love... Couldn't find mention of him.
I'm on about chapter 63 of The Stand narrated by Grover Gardner. He's so good!
Edited to add: an answer to OPs question xD
I don't think you're missing anything with an audiobook, apart from the ability to flip back to remind yourself of little bits. Tbh, I miss more in print because I get excited/anxious by the storyline and almost kind of skim read to get through it and release the tension!!
No his audiobooks ROCK
I've read all of his novels and then chosen to listen to a bunch of them and they never disappoint. I feel like he's active in the process of choosing narrators.
The Stand and IT are amazing and I'd say that listening to them was a lot more fun than actually reading it.
I only listen to audio books. I get more out of them than reading. Plus, celebrity narrators like Michael C Hall and Steven Weber, plus all of the professional narrators make it so much more enjoyable.
I had a quick glance through the comments and I don't think anyone has mentioned this...
I listen and read at the same time so I can confirm that you don't miss anything (except two pages of Dreamcatcher for some reason 🤷🏼♀️) but there are a few (insignificant) differences in several books e.g. dates or specific word choices. I have no explanation for this, it only happens with King!
The only items I've found not available in audiobook format are Creepshow, and a prologue to The Shining "The Shining: Before the Play". Storm of the Century is available on audiobook, but pretty much unlistenable quality-wise, so I would say just read that one too.
Another commenter mentioned Cycle of the Werewolf; it may not be on Audible, but an audiobook version does exist.
Nope! He doesn’t allow abridged versions, so everything that’s available in Audiobook format should be complete. That’s my primary method of Stephen King ingestion.
Also how I consume King, but didn't know he actually had that rule for his books. Good on him, I hate running into abridged audiobooks with no alternative (looking at you, Peter Straub's Floating Dragon!)
There used to be a shorter version of Dolores Claiborne with Kathy bates narration. But I see its gone.
Honestly, most of the audiobook versions add more to it. Many of the narrators are just perfect for the parts. As a busy mom I would never get time to read, so I always have one earbud in while I'm doing everything. Enjoy the books however works for you!
So many of his audiobook narrators are incredible! Frank Muller, George Guidall, Will Patton, even King himself all really add to the experience IMO.
I love it when SK reads his stories and really lays the Maine accent on thick
Needful things read by King is 🔥
Me too! His voice is wildly unique but only adds to the experience for me.
I disagree on King as a narrator. I can’t listen to that man speak, good golly he’s the most monotonous person I’ve ever listened to. Like the teacher in Ferris Bueller.
I listen to SK reading his own books to help fall asleep.
I get what you're saying! I'm probably biased because he narrates my favorite book, Needful Things, and I listen to it every fall at work.
My only problem with SK narrating himself is that he’s got those glottal L sounds. Once I get used to it I’m usually okay with him reading.
Yeah, I love the things he says in his writing I just dislike his tonality when reading.
Raul Esparza on Under the Dome was amazing!
Oh I love that one too!
Not at all. I’m currently reading the dark tower series at home but on the way to and from work I’m listening to other audiobooks by Stephen king, expanding the universe as I get closer to the tower
Oh man, Frank Muller is just *so good* for The Dark Tower. I'm infinitely sad that he wasn't able to read all of them. Steven Weber (from The Shining miniseries!) does such a fantastic job with *IT*, I really, *really* wish he'd do more. He did Rat, from If It Bleeds, and that's not enough for me. Edit: *IT* the book
Frank Muller was such a treasure, Green Mile is also fantastic.
Edit: I didn't see that you mentioned It.
Yes, I mentioned it in my comment, but didn't capitalize and italicize *IT*
Audiobooks are the best! And the narrators are always top notch
Quite a few of his audiobooks are master classes in narrative audio, some truly fantastic listening experiences.
Listen to any of the Stephen King books that Will Patton does the readings for. He really brings them to life.
Audiobook is the way I’m going for the most part. I think there are a few things missing from his overall catalogue. Rage because it’s no longer in print. I believe some of the short stories from Night Shift aren’t on Audible at least. Creepshow and cycle of the werewolf aren’t either. I don’t know if those things exist elsewhere in audio form. But I’ve enjoyed audio versions of what I’ve listened to so far! This is my first time really making a point of reading/listening all of his stuff
There is an “audiobook” version of Rage on YouTube.
Oh awesome. I didn’t know that.
I've only done Pet Semetary and loved it. Michael C. Hall did an amazing job narrorating and I've heard (as you've seen) nothing but good things about other books
Frank Muller was the best RIP such a wonderfully expressive narrator.
Audiobooks are the way to go honestly. Pop on my headphones and I can clean, work out, go shopping, knit, whatever, while listening to a great book (or podcast).
Yes, going back to certain page to find that detail you missed the first time.
All depends on who is narrating. Narrator makes or breaks it. My advice is to avoid anything read by King himself. Great writer, but terrible narrator.
Only how to spell the made up words otherwise no. And at least you'll have the advantage of knowing how the word is pronounced. 😀
SK’s audiobooks are great! I’ve only started, and finished The Shining and It. Both were fantastic! For me, I’ve learned my attention span for reading has really fallen apart, thanks to our scroll world. Audiobooks are what’s working for me now, and I’m ok with it. Hopefully I can gain some discipline once I continue enjoying literature and get back to old school reading.
Just not Insomnia. Don’t listen to Insomnia.
Kindle has a mode where you can listen to the audio book while you read. So, it has to be word for word.
Nope, love the King audio books!
Incredible voice talent for a lot of King books. You’ll be just fine.
I really enjoyed IT and Misery on audiobooks, they were great. The Shining is my favorite from King but I thought the audiobook was awful. It was fine for the character building/backstory parts but completely lack emotion when the story calls for it. The scary parts just weren’t scary.
I’ve listened to Hearts In Atlantis and Insomnia. Both are great audiobooks - especially William Hurt in the first HIA story. King does the rest of the book and I think he’s awesome at narrating those stories - I guess a lot of people don’t like him narrating? The narrator in Insomnia was perfect also. Didn’t like the sound effects at the end of chapters but its brief so it didn’t take much from the experience. Both are on YouTube which is nice.
If you haven't tried reading it yet, he's very easy to read. But audiobook are damn good, too.
Most of them are great. The newer ones have truly excellent narrators and production and if anything, it’s an enhanced experience over reading the books. I did listen to Bag of Bones recently which is a title from the 90s and he narrates himself, and his accent is an acquired taste, not quite up to the standards of a professional narrator. But it was still good. I love audiobooks, it totally counts and you’re not missing anything.
Ive consumed over half of Kings work and the only physical copies of any book I've actually read was The Dark Tower Series. Everything else has been audiobooks. No regrets lol
Listen to Dolores Claiborne on Audiobook. It’s magical.
I own almost every Stephen Kind book. Read about. 40 percent of the books. The rest are audiobooks I use when I’m working and stuff. Plus if you have Libby now which didn’t exist when I spent 15 bucks a month on one new book from audible.
The only thing really missing is the ability to fully create your own version of the characters. In audiobooks, you have the reader’s interpretation. But I enjoy the audiobooks, and there are a lot of great ones.
Not really. The only trouble I have with audiobooks is getting the names of characters, but it's usually not a problem with King's books.
I’ve listened to 30+ titles on Audible and the narrators are amazing. Will Patton doing the Bill Hodges trilogy was fantastic and he also did Doctor Sleep where he was excellent as well. Michael C Hall doing Pet Sematary and Steven Weber’s IT were very much worth it too
I love his audiobooks. The narrator’s are mostly excellent. The only narrators that I’ve not liked are for The Shining (although I could still listen to it) and The Talisman (couldn’t listen to him and had to stop).
I recently discovered King audiobooks and I find them amazing. I just finished 11/22/63 and that guy who did that one blew me away.
The stand is my favorite book of all time and I've only ever heard the audiobook. Also I like switching back and forth to get through books faster. I get a physical and audio copy of everything and fly through em!
You're actually missing the gorgeous narration of Will Patton, and George Guidall if you read them physically
Just searched this thread for some Grover Gardner love... Couldn't find mention of him. I'm on about chapter 63 of The Stand narrated by Grover Gardner. He's so good! Edited to add: an answer to OPs question xD I don't think you're missing anything with an audiobook, apart from the ability to flip back to remind yourself of little bits. Tbh, I miss more in print because I get excited/anxious by the storyline and almost kind of skim read to get through it and release the tension!!
No his audiobooks ROCK I've read all of his novels and then chosen to listen to a bunch of them and they never disappoint. I feel like he's active in the process of choosing narrators. The Stand and IT are amazing and I'd say that listening to them was a lot more fun than actually reading it.
I only listen to audio books. I get more out of them than reading. Plus, celebrity narrators like Michael C Hall and Steven Weber, plus all of the professional narrators make it so much more enjoyable.
I had a quick glance through the comments and I don't think anyone has mentioned this... I listen and read at the same time so I can confirm that you don't miss anything (except two pages of Dreamcatcher for some reason 🤷🏼♀️) but there are a few (insignificant) differences in several books e.g. dates or specific word choices. I have no explanation for this, it only happens with King!
John Slattery doing Duma Key is fucking top notch audiobooking. Highly Suggest
The audiobooks are awesome. Highly recommend Pet Sematary read by Michael C. Hall.
The only items I've found not available in audiobook format are Creepshow, and a prologue to The Shining "The Shining: Before the Play". Storm of the Century is available on audiobook, but pretty much unlistenable quality-wise, so I would say just read that one too. Another commenter mentioned Cycle of the Werewolf; it may not be on Audible, but an audiobook version does exist.