Why Did I Listen To This Book?
Stephen King is one of my favorite authors of all time. The first time I read his books was in 7th grade, I got Cujo out of the library and a lifelong passion for his writing started. Until I began book blogging, I had read a few of his books every year. In fact, his Dark Tower series are pretty much my favorite book series of ALL TIME. So, when I saw Joyland had come out and listened to a sample of the audiobook, I decided I could absolutely make some time to listen to a book by one of my favorite authors EVER. Plus, the season was perfect as Joyland is sort of a mystery and sort of a horror story and well, autumn is the time when I want books that chill me.
What’s The Story Here?
It is the 1970s, Devin Jones is a young college student who is looking for summer work, so he applies and gets a job at Joyland, a small amusement park in North Carolina. Unfortunately, his girlfriend is working in Boston and well, heartbreak is sure to come. That summer Devin learns about a murder that’s happened on the haunted house ride in Joyland. He becomes obsessed with what’s happened and enlists his friends Erin and Tom for help. Devin also becomes friends with a young mother, Annie, and her terminally ill son, Mike. It is a summer that Devin will never forget.
How Is Devin As A Character?
Devin is a character who tells his story looking back on that time. Honestly, at first I wasn’t too sure of his character. You see, he’s kind of, hmmm not terribly confident in the beginning of the story which is sort of a turn off to me. But then, he does something very noble and it just won me over to his character. I definitely felt for him, especially as he gets dumped. Overall though, I liked him and his moral compass.
Is It Actually Scary?
In comparison to say, The Stand, no, Joyland is not all that scary. However there are fortune tellers and ghosts and SUSPENSE, especially toward the end. Also, amusement parks in the off-season are kind of scary especially because they are empty and not people filled and IDK, I get nervous in areas like that when they are empty. So, yes there are bits that are a bit nerve-wracking. However, you should listen to this audio for the mystery, because that part is fantastic. I also thought the writing was very, very good. It’s got a wistful, nostalgic sort of feel.
How’s The Narration?
Joyland by Stephen King is narrated by Michael Kelly. It is 7 hours and 33 minutes unabridged. I was actually listening to this book while setting up reviews and Tony walks in and goes is that Matthew McConnoughey narrating? So, that should give you some indication of what Michael Kelly’s voice sounds like. I thought Kelly was a superb narrator. He doesn’t do weird girl voices. He was well paced and added suspense to the story. I thought he had an interesting voice that was pleasing to the ears. I really enjoyed listening to Joyland and thought his narration was worthy of a book penned by Stephen King. Kelly absolutely did justice to the story and I would definitely recommend the audiobook version of Joyland.
Sum It Up With A GIF:
Because there are some pivotal scenes that take place in like a horror fun house, aka dark ride. Just, read the book and be glad I didn’t choose the scary clown gifs.
Other reviews of Joyland by Stephen King:
The Book Smugglers – “kind of a love letter to those last boardwalk-like amusement parks”
Roof Beam Reader – “at heart, very much about human nature and the human experience”
Books And Sensibility – “King does an amazing job of building tension”
Books by Stephen King:
The Shawshank Redemption (Holy crap throwback review from 2009)
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I bought this and still haven’t been able to read it yet, but you make me want to read it for Halloween nowwww! I am loaded up with review books, but IDC. It’s short and I think I am going to do it after I finish Kinslayer. SO THANK YOU. You did your job as a reviewer well! 😀
Oh my goodness Kara it is fantastic!
Seriously take a break from boring review books and read this one.
YAY I plan on reading Kinslayer soon, but slowly because it’s so long ya know.
“However there are fortune tellers and ghosts and SUSPENSE, especially toward the end. Also, amusement parks in the off-season are kind of scary especially because they are empty and not people filled and IDK, I get nervous in areas like that when they are empty. So, yes there are bits that are a bit nerve-wracking. However, you should listen to this audio for the mystery, because that part is fantastic. I also thought the writing was very, very good. It’s got a wistful, nostalgic sort of feel.”
Yup, I’m convinced. I have this sitting on top of my pile of books, and this is definitely going to be my next read. Great review!
This book sounds extremely creepy! There’s something extra haunting about a park in the off season, and I get easily scared so… I probably won’t be reading this one. But it does sound like it’s got a great mystery!