Stephen King’s short story “Apt Pupil”—from the collection Different Seasons—is now an Encore stand-alone CD for the first time.
The inspiration for the film of the same name starring Ian McKellen about top high school student Todd Bowden and his obsession with the dark and deadly past of an older man in town.
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"This book is pure evil, but I truly enjoyed it. Todd Bowden is a paper boy/high school student who discovers his neighbor, Kurt Dussander, is a wanted Nazi war criminal. Basically Todd becomes engrossed in Dussander's terrible war crime stories and goes over to his house frequently. The creepy part is that Todd has no intention of turning Dussander in..he just wants more and more information out of him. In hindsight, the only thing I really didn't like about the book was that the plot was highly unrealistic--as most of King's books are. The language King uses is sinister and excruciatingly detailed which makes you get lost in images, which in turn makes the demented events he describes seem believeable at the time. But certainly looking back on the book, the murderous nature that errupts in Todd is complete and utter nonsense!!"
— Michaela (4 out of 5 stars)
" like i said no talking to natzis if your prone to go on a murderous rampage "
— Coraline, 2/7/2014" Ah Papa Stevesie, I feel so safe and warm in your arms. This was such a good book. More thriller than horror, and I think that's what he does best. There's no rationalising away horrifying things, just straight up Nazi old men and creepy young boys. Great book. "
— Tasha, 2/3/2014" Creepy. Disturbing. Everything a King story should be. "
— Mary, 2/2/2014" This was a case of what's on paper being way more creepy than what's on the movie screen. "
— Roberta, 1/28/2014" Creepy and disturbing. I actually skimmed part of it; I only continued reading because I wanted to know the ending. King is a great writer; I just don't enjoy this kind of story. Frankly I'm sorry I read it because I can't get parts of it out of my head! "
— Jo, 1/20/2014" Couldn't bring myself to finish it. "
— Dan, 1/20/2014" Amazing and Disturbing. Gave me nightmares actually and that never happens. "
— Aaron, 1/14/2014" Excellent read! Stephen rarely disappoints me, if ever. "
— Sheila, 1/14/2014" Another very good book of Stephen King. I liked the movie but this was better by far. Its sick and twisted and if the Nazi era intrigues you any this is a very good book to read. "
— Crystal, 1/12/2014" This book was too dark and disturbing for me. I would only recommend it if a person likes horror stories. "
— Sidney, 1/11/2014" A great short story with a twisted and unique idea. I love how there is a constant see-saw between todd and dussander regarding who has the upperhand on the other. Todd may be the most realistic character King has ever created, making it his most terrifying book. "
— Ri, 1/10/2014Stephen King has written more than sixty books, many hitting the #1 spot on the New York Times bestsellers list. He has won the World Fantasy Award, several Bram Stoker Awards, and the O. Henry Award for his story “The Man in the Black Suit.” He is the 2003 recipient of the National Book Foundation Medal for Distinguished Contribution to American Letters, and in 2007 he received the Grand Master Award from the Mystery Writers of America. His epic works The Dark Tower and It are the basis for major motion pictures.
Frank Muller (1951–2008) was an Audie Award–winning narrator. A classically trained actor, Frank appeared on both television and the stage. His credits include Hamlet, The Crucible, The Taming of the Shrew, The Importance of Being Earnest, Law & Order, All My Children, and many, many more. In 1999 Frank was awarded the AudioFile Lifetime Achievement Award, the top honor in the audiobook community. He has also won twenty-three Earphones Awards.