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Fairy Tale Audiobook
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(4.63) - 19 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
Winner of the 2023 Audie Award for Best Male Narrator
A #1 New York Times Bestseller and New York Times Book Review Editors’ Choice!
Legendary storyteller Stephen King goes into the deepest well of his imagination in this spellbinding novel about a seventeen-year-old boy who inherits the keys to a parallel world where good and evil are at war, and the stakes could not be higher—for that world or ours.
Charlie Reade looks like a regular high school kid, great at baseball and football, a decent student. But he carries a heavy load. His mom was killed in a hit-and-run accident when he was ten, and grief drove his dad to drink. Charlie learned how to take care of himself—and his dad. When Charlie is seventeen, he meets a dog named Radar and her aging master, Howard Bowditch, a recluse in a big house at the top of a big hill, with a locked shed in the backyard. Sometimes strange sounds emerge from it.
Charlie starts doing jobs for Mr. Bowditch and loses his heart to Radar. Then, when Bowditch dies, he leaves Charlie a cassette tape telling a story no one would believe. What Bowditch knows, and has kept secret all his long life, is that inside the shed is a portal to another world.
Magnificent, terrifying, and “spellbinding…packed with glorious flights of imagination and characteristic tenderness about childhood, Fairy Tale is vintage King at his finest” (Esquire).
“Good, evil, a kingdom to save, monsters to slay—these are the stuff that page-turners are made from.” —Laura Miller, Slate
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"Stephen King hits it out of the park with this one! If you're looking for an audiobook experience like no other, look no further than 'Fairy Tale'. From the first few seconds of listening to this captivating story, I can guarantee you that this extraordinary tale will transport you to another world. Stephen King is of course one of the most celebrated authors of our time and his signature storytelling style is on full display in "Fairy Tale." It really is a journey through a fantastical world full of adventure and excitement (no spoilers here though LOL). Seth Numrich does an exceptional job bringing Stephen King's characters to life with his powerful narration. His voice is strong and authoritative yet warm and inviting as well. It easily transports listeners into the immersive fantasy world that Stephen King has created with his words.The production quality of this audiobook stands out as well and this is must listen for King fans everywhere! With its captivating plotline, compelling narration, and outstanding production value, there's something here for everyone!"
— Y. Park (5 out of 5 stars)
Quotes
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“Seth Numrich’s narration of seventeen-year-old Charlie Reade’s story is moving and frightening in equal measure…[with] a cassette recording voiced remarkably by Stephen King…Numrich creates a distinctive voice for each character, complete with growls and guttural snarls for evildoers. He even makes a hum sound threatening…Winner of the AudioFile Earphones Award.”
— AudioFile -
“Packed with glorious flights of imagination and characteristic tenderness about childhood…vintage King at his finest.”
— Esquire -
“Fantasy, horror, and the universal appeal of good vs. evil abound.”
— Barnes&Noble.com -
“King’s most vivid exploration of the raw power of stories…One of King’s grandest narrative statements, and another must-read book from a master.”
— Syfy Wire -
Seth Numrich’s narration of 17-year-old Charlie Reade’s story is moving and frightening in equal measure. Charlie befriends a reclusive curmudgeon, Howard Bowditch, and his aging dog, and inherits Howard’s house and dog when he dies. Howard also leaves Charlie a cassette recording — voiced remarkably by Stephen King. On it, Howard recounts a story within the story, involving a locked shed, a portal to a dying world, and Charlie’s part in a plan for salvation. Numrich creates a distinctive voice for each character, complete with growls and guttural snarls for evildoers. He even makes a hum sound threatening. Listeners will be drawn into this audiobook by the intimate tone of Numrich’s narration, which is like hearing Charlie himself."
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High-schooler Charlie Reade, son of a widowed recovering alcoholic, is walking by the town’s rundown “psycho house" when he hears a distressed barking. Entering the backyard, Charlie finds the house's owner, Mr. Bowditch, laying on the ground—with a broken leg—guarded by his faithful old dog, Radar. Charlie becomes caretaker for Mr. Bowditch and forms a strong bond with ailing Radar. Soon Charlie finds a mysterious shed in the backyard that serves an entrance to a different world where it may be possible to reverse the dog's aging. Numrich’s narration of Charlie’s quest is everything a reader appreciates. He uses unique voices for all of the characters, both human and inhuman, drawing readers completely into the parallel universe, and sounds convincing as a teenager. The narration undoubtedly drives the story and will keep listeners entranced. This gateway fantasy is ideal for anyone looking for a world-building journey similar to Frodo’s quest in The Hobbit. Charlie is highly likable and his devotion to Radar only adds to the appeal. Fans of all things Stephen King may also enjoy the parallels between his narration of Bowditch’s recorded messages to Charlie and his cameos in the film adaptations of his novels.
— Suzanne Temple
Awards
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A Barnes & Noble bestseller
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Winner of an AudioFile Earphones Award
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A New York Times Book Review Editor’s Choice of the Week
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An Amazon.com bestseller
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A #1 New York Times bestseller
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Winner of the Audie Award for Best Narration -- Male
Fairy Tale Listener Reviews
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6/18/2024
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Ted Loomis, 4/18/2024
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" I recommend this book "
— Hugh Dick, 1/3/2024 -
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Cynthia Dudley, 12/9/2023
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Nina, 10/6/2023
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Yanessa Miller, 4/8/2023
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David Teo, 3/5/2023
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" I love his short stories best. The novels are great but here you don't need to devote the time. "
— Mike, 1/27/2023 -
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Doug , 1/12/2023
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1/3/2023
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1/2/2023
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Dale Hogen, 12/23/2022
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" Fairy Tale, a thrilling audiobook narrated by Seth Numrich and written by legendary storyteller Stephen King, is an enthralling adventure that will captivate listeners of all ages. Fairy Tale is an original fantasy novel from the mind of Stephen King that explores the power of imagination, friendship, and courage in the face of danger. Seth Numrich's capable narration makes it easy for listeners to get swept up in this magical tale. His delivery of dialogue is spot on, capturing both humorous quips as well as heartfelt moments with equal accuracy. Fairy Tale touches on numerous themes and ideas in a compelling way that resonates long after its ending. Every fan of fantasy novels should give Fairy Tale a listen – they won't regret it! "
— J. Santos, 12/17/2022 -
" I loved this audiobook but I'll keep this review short and sweet. Fairy Tale is an amazing story that will keep you glued to your headphones until its thrilling conclusion. Only a writer of Stephen King's caliber could have come up with this fantastic story! With wonderful narration and captivating writing, this audio book is sure to take you on an incredible adventure you won't soon forget! Very highly recommended! "
— Tim P., 12/2/2022 -
" I feel I can state with no reservations that Fairy Tale is an absolute masterpiece of the storytelling art form. From the opening scene to the gripping conclusion, this intricate tale of good and evil at war pulls listeners into its fantastical world while delivering a powerful message about the human condition and our responsibility to protect our families and friends. Seth Numrich's masterful narration transports listeners into the depths of King's vivid imagination. His expertly crafted cadence creates an immersive experience for listeners, making it easy to follow along on this exciting literary journey. The combination of Stephen King's brilliant writing and Seth Numrich's remarkable performance make this audiobook one not to be missed! And an extra star for being able to download it in mp3 format with no proprietary software headaches! "
— Salena Thompson, 11/3/2022 -
" If you're looking for an immersive and captivating listening experience, look no further than Fairy Tale! Only Stephen King could have come up with a story like this! The story itself is spellbinding, as Stephen goes deep into his imagination to create an exciting and dangerous world filled with good and evil at war. Even those who have read the novel will find something new in this audiobook edition — Seth Numrich brings new life to this unique story. It's an engaging fantasy adventure that's sure to please both fans of Stephen King and newcomers alike. Whether you want to curl up with a good book or take a break from reality with some great audio entertainment, this audiobook delivers on all fronts! "
— Frank D., 10/26/2022 -
" Stephen King's latest work, Fairy Tale, is an enchanting journey into a parallel universe that could have been right out of a child's storybook. It's a magical story with surprises after every corner. Stephen King's masterful storytelling skills are on full display here as he crafts an imaginative tale filled with vivid detail and fascinating characters that are sure to stay with you long after you finish listening. Additionally the narrator does a great job with this captivating audiobook. He perfectly captures the intensity of each scene and brings King's characters to you with unique vocal inflections for each character. In conclusion, Fairy Tale audiobook by Stephen King is an amazing listen that I thoroughly recommend! "
— Ginny44, 10/6/2022 -
" Stephen King's 'Fairy Tale' is an audiobook that will take you on a thrilling and emotional journey. The performance by Seth Numrich helps bring emotion to each moment as the story of this strange reality unfolds. The narrator has a great ability to capture the nuances of the characters voices - their emotions and personalities - which brings a lot of depth to the story. The story is highly engaging thanks to some rather inspired writing from Mr. King. There are also some lighthearted moments peppered throughout that add some levity to the story and help balance out any darkness or intensity. Additionally, there are some excellent moral lessons about friendship, loyalty, trust and courage that are woven into this tale – giving it layers upon layers of meaning beyond just being entertaining. Overall, Fairy Tale is an enchanting audiobook full of mystery and adventure that can be enjoyed by all ages. With its vivid characters and heartfelt plot line - delivered perfectly through Seth Numrich's narration - this is an audiobook not to be missed! "
— Terry Y., 9/28/2022
About Stephen King
Stephen 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.