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Fairy Tale cover art

Fairy Tale

Written by: Stephen King
Narrated by: Seth Numrich,Stephen King
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Publisher's Summary

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.

King’s storytelling in Fairy Tale soars. This is a magnificent and terrifying tale in which good is pitted against overwhelming evil, and a heroic boy—and his dog—must lead the battle.

Early in the Pandemic, King asked himself: “What could you write that would make you happy?”

“As if my imagination had been waiting for the question to be asked, I saw a vast deserted city—deserted but alive. I saw the empty streets, the haunted buildings, a gargoyle head lying overturned in the street. I saw smashed statues (of what I didn’t know, but I eventually found out). I saw a huge, sprawling palace with glass towers so high their tips pierced the clouds. Those images released the story I wanted to tell.” 

©2022 Stephen King. All rights reserved. (P)2022 Simon & Schuster, Inc. All rights reserved. ©2015 YP / RECORD TWO.RIEN QU’UNE FOIS by Keen’V / Zonee.L / Matthieu Evain / Fabrice Vanvert,

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What listeners say about Fairy Tale

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couldn't finish it- returned halfway through

the book started ok, but once Charlie got to the "other world" it was just so annoying. It was like a bad children's book. Charlie, the main character, kept literally pointing out all the parrallels to fairytales "this is just like rumpelstiltskin, this is just like a fairy tale house, this is a curse like in a fairy tale, I am speaking differently, just like in a fairy tale" WE GET IT!!! I couldn't care less if this boy saved the dog that he had some weird "love at first sight" with. performance was ok.

6 people found this helpful

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A great listen! Worth a credit.

I'll start by saying that I am a big King fan, and generally enjoy most of his books. That being said, Fairy Tale is definitely geared to a younger audience, as it follows more of a fantasy tale than the typical horror trope. It's an absolutely fantastic story to listen too, Seth Numrich has such a great way of speaking and the character voices actually add to the experience in my opinion. The story is addicting, I desperately wanted to know more about Charlie and the world he discovered.
I found some parts of the story a bit cliché, obvious current world issues thrown into a fantasy storyline. They're few and far between but I definitely felt a bit annoyed at parts, and wished he had stuck to the make-believe instead.
A tad crushed about the ending. I would have loved a sequel but it doesn't seem likely.

3 people found this helpful

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Surpassed my expectations

Quality book, it is read a little slow, but if you are a fan it’s an obvious listen,

3 people found this helpful

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Fantastic

Beautifully written book Stephen King finally managed to end a book in a good way

2 people found this helpful

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Very entertaining

Loved it, magic and mystery. An enchanting story. Excellent narration, I loved Stephen King as Mr.Bowditch.

2 people found this helpful

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Couldn't Stop Listening

Deepest of grief, soul wrenching recovery, AMAZING Puppers, drizzled with not so fanciful fairy tales, and people you wish you got to meet in person! Narrator nailed it! Thanks once again S.K. No one weaves like you!

1 person found this helpful

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great book and story would listen again love ❤️

loved it.great story loved the voice and the way the story was told different voices

1 person found this helpful

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can he get better?

I loved this book! having experienced his last few new books, the style and story here was solid and reminiscent of some of his older books.

1 person found this helpful

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Amazing

Just finished this and I'm starting it back up and going again. This novel has quickly pulled into my top 5 books of all time. Amazing. I highly recommend.

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loved it!

Nothing else to say except I loved it. It was long but engaging the whole way through.

1 person found this helpful

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  • Victor @ theAudiobookBlog dot com
  • 2022-09-06

A Boy and his Dog at the end of the World

The king of horror, thrillers, and suspense is back! I was eagerly awaiting the release of Fairy Tale, as I always consider any Stephen King book to be worthy of excitement and celebration.

Over the last few nights, I experienced the audiobook in relatively short intervals, cherishing and treasuring the time spent with this latest book from one of my favorite authors. Flawlessly plotted, exquisitely detailed, and vividly alive, for me, this story is reminiscent of A Boy and his Dog at the End of the World and, of course, of the cult-classic King novel, 11/22/63.

Best-selling and award-winning author Stephen King delivers another amazing adventure with Fairy Tale! Set in a strange new and magical world, featuring a number of unforgettable characters compelled to take part in a series of epic events, the story shows us how far a boy is willing to go in order to save his adopted dog.
If you want to find out more about the story, I suggest that you read the Publisher’s Summary on your own, but I definitely won’t spoil this awesome Fairy Tale for you here.

Stephen King is one of the best authors in the world. He has written more than 100 books, short stories, and novellas in almost all genres out there, so we can say that he is an expert in telling tales and fairytales. I experienced many of them as audiobooks and his latest novel, Fairy Tale, is sure to delight and entertain everyone who picks it up – I’m sure that this is a must-buy that will bring excitement to millions of his fans around the world.

Renowned actor Seth Numrich does a stellar job with the narration for Fairy Tale. He perfectly captures the emotions and drama that our young hero is living. Switching seamlessly between characters, assigning each of them different voices, accents, and personalities, he grabs the listener’s attention right from the beginning with a superb and emotional performance and doesn’t let go until the very end. Fairy Tale is Seth Numrich’s second time performing a Stephen King book, after delivering us Later, last year, but in my humble opinion, he acquitted himself exemplary once again.

Fairy Tale is classic Stephen King, original, dark, gripping, entertaining, scary and so captivating! If you pick it up, make sure that you have some time on your hands because you won’t be able to stop listening!

This is definitely the kind of tale that constant readers and listeners of Stephen King are hoping for. At the end of my review, I feel the need to add a small observation. During his adventures in this new world, our hero will encounter people afflicted with all sorts of disabilities and impairments, from blind to deaf, to physically disabled characters, and so on.

I know that some readers or listeners could be feeling let down by these portrayals, but I’m sure that Mr. King didn’t mean to miss represent any disability or hurt the feelings of anyone on purpose. This is a work of fiction, let’s just take it this way. Some of you may already know that I’m blind, so although the characters depicted in this novel feel at times that they don’t do us any favors when it comes to proper representation of a disabled individual, I enjoyed the many hours spent in their presence.

261 people found this helpful

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  • LadyT
  • 2022-09-07

11 more hours to go....

I haven't finished this book yet, but my reaction so far is "are you kidding me???". This book is dragging on and on and the story isn't even that compelling. I love SK, and I couldn't wait to read this book. I don't know what I was expecting, but it wasn't this *yawn*. update-it never really got better. I'm disappointed 😞

217 people found this helpful

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  • Old Tyme Punk
  • 2022-09-10

Drags On And On…

What a snoozer! The story drags and in typical SK fashion he crams in his weird political views & comments on the evil white man.

I read to get away from politics & the BS narrative all white people are evil.

The main character is a milk-toast bore who is either crying, apologizing for noticing a woman’s bosom (or giving the A-ok sign and clarifying he’s not a white supremacist, because that fits in a fantasy novel so well…)

Probably the last book I read by old Stevie. He’s at that old age where he thinks people want to hear about his political beliefs & skewed societal moral compass. No more of this woke BS. Keep it fiction/fantasy & stop reminding me of this world I’m trying to escape while reading.
Pure rubbish!

134 people found this helpful

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  • GrayKnight
  • 2022-09-08

I'd give three-quarters of it five stars

First the good part. King is an absolute master at creating vivid characters, both good and evil. As usual with King, the book begins with real-world situations that are completely believable and absorbing. King is also a talented and meticulous writer. Anyone who can write 600 pages with only a couple of grammatical errors is practically a miracle worker in this day and age. Numrich's narration is superb.

All that said, after listening to half of the book I skipped over something like the next five hours because the plot was becoming so predictable. This was confirmed when I resumed listening to find no surprises whatsoever.

There are a number of Stephen King books to which I've happily listened several times. Fairy Tale isn't one of those. I won't say it was a waste of 18+ hours -- good writing is always a pleasure -- but I'll be hoping for better next time.

116 people found this helpful

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  • Smart, AZ
  • 2022-09-07

Good before nose-diving into fantasy land

I love many of SK's books. 'Lisey's Story' is a personal favorite: a book where a fantasy world is frightening, feels real. This book is so tedious and derivative, it's painful. The initial 1/3rd is VG. Once we descend the staircase there's so much excess verbiage, it's a headache-inducing listen. I kept thinking (as I skipped chapters): "Don't bother to stick a fork in me - I'm done!" A boy loves a dog so much he's willing to forfeit his life. Where have I heard this one before? Dean Koontz comes to mind. Good (not great) narration. I found the "Wicked Witch of The West" voice(s) utterly obnoxious. This is YA material. I might have recommended this to a 12yo, but.. parents might object to 'language'. DEF wasted a credit on this one. Never again.👎

96 people found this helpful

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  • Eric Reim
  • 2022-09-09

Best Stephen King since The Stand

Stephen King has always been a master at world building, suspense, and making the extraordinary seem ordinary. Combing that with a competent, and talented voice actor, and you have a very special Audiobook. I think it rates up there with "It", and "The Stand".

72 people found this helpful

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  • Anonymous User
  • 2022-09-06

11/22/63 2.0

Boy does Mr King know how to make you feel like you're THERE when you time travel.

phenomenal book and finally one I have enjoyed after multiple stinkers in a row.

72 people found this helpful

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  • Emily
  • 2022-09-07

It’s SO GOOD

You will not regret reading this book. If anything, this book will stay with you long after you’ve finished it. An impressive work of art.

59 people found this helpful

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  • Mat
  • 2022-09-06

5 hours in and really drawn to the characters

What can you say that hasn't been said about Stephen King? His characters pull you in right away and the subtle references to his other stories is a treat. Can't wait to finish!

58 people found this helpful

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  • Haley Addie
  • 2022-09-09

Couldn't stop listening!

This was a wonderful audiobook! I listen to audiobooks while doing my daily chores and I was constantly finding myself stopping and listening and forgetting what I was doing. Just riveting. I don't know what I was expecting but I'm so glad I took the chance on it!
Narrator was great!

51 people found this helpful