As a long time fan of King, the JFK assassination and, to a lesser extent, time travel stories, this one had me piqued before it even started. The book takes almost half of the book's 800+ pages to start getting into Oswald (maybe too long, keep reading) dealing with a man who brutally murders his family in Maine and the main character, Jake Epping, trying to undo that past. Then it moves onto another long subplot in a town near Dallas called Jodie and we find Jake's love interest, a gal named Sadie.

This isn't really a horror novel like The Stand or It, but it does deal with a number of horrific situations up to and including alternative timelines. King gives a chilling nod to It in one passage in the past involving Jake in the town of Derry. There are a dozen or so action scenes and dramatic moments, but it's not a rising tension plot that leaves you breathlessly turning pages type of story. It's more a story that compels the reader to the end to find out what Jake does about the past he wants to change.

This book reminded me a lot of a 2011 version of The Dead Zone. We have a man (Jake Epping) who can see the future like Johnny Smith, not because he has special powers but because he was actually in the future. A man who is trying to prevent things from happening in the future and who chases a love that is both within and outside his grasp. It was Sarah back then, it's Sadie in this book. In the Afterword, King writes that he originally tried to write 11/22/63 in 1972 but gave up because he knew the research would be too overwhelming while he was a writer part-time. I contend he did write this book about seven years later called The Dead Zone.

For readers like me who loved The Dead Zone, this is a subtle retelling thirty-two years later (Dead Zone was published in 1979), and it's put on about 400+ pages of pounds.

I really liked this book. Probably more than I should have being that it feels like—and probably is—repetition, but it's a master taking us on a trip back in time in his career as well as in t

Stephen has taken quite a break from his usual "weirdness" in this huge novel. Not everyone understands or likes "the King", however, very few should have problems digesting this one. It's a whopping 849 pages, so give yourself some time.

I LOVED this book. The time travel aspect mixed with the Kennedy assasination made for superb reading. I would recommend this book to everyone with a penchant for either subject. The ending was as good as the beginning!

11/22/63 kept my interest. However, I do think the author King could have cut 250-350 pages and the book would have been just as good, if not better. I see the length of the book - 850 pages - as a potential problem for a book club. Discussion within our group averaged out as "okay" - hard to pinpoint discussion topics with so many from which to choose. Looking back I think we probably missed out on more than one point which could have made our discussion livelier. Everyone liked the book though.

Loved this book! Although I was intimidated by the fact that it is a long book (847 pages), I finished it in about a week! Very thought provoking about time travel and seeing how changing the past can influence the future. A little slow at times, but I found it very well-written and for the most part a page turner. I've never read any of Stephen King's books before, but now I know why he's such a renowned author - excellent! I'm recommending this book to everyone I know!

Stephen King writes with detailed description that flows easily with this amazing story. I felt the fifties and sixties all around me, as I became engrossed in this story. The time-travel aspect was done in an intriguing way that created consequences for each trip into the past, and forced difficult choices on the main character.

I would definitely recommend this book. It was very interesting. I didn't want to put it down. The author made it very interesting.

I was hesitant to pick up 11/22/63. I've read Stephen King's work before; I know how dark he can be. There were moments of intense darkness but I was able to muddle through because the hero's task was so important to me. No one can answer the questions we all have about JFK's assassination with 100% certainty. And no one can say what the world would have been like had he lived. But King's vivid imagination takes you on a whirlwind of a ride and refuses to let you go...even after the last page is turned.

I really enjoyed this book. It wasn't at all what I expected from A Steven King book.

This book is LONG. A few of our club members couldn't make it to the end before we met. This story kept me very enganged until the last part, at that point I felt like several hundred pages could have been cut out and I just wanted to know how it ended. Overall, I liked it but it took some effort to finish.

Great read. Interesting viewpoint on the alternative futures that could have been if things were different.

Not your typical Stephen King book, I found it very informative and interesting

What a great story teller! Didn't want to put it down.

I am not typically a Stephen King fan.....scary, supernatural, not my thing. This book, one that included time travel, was one of my all time favorites. Historical research provided the very realistic background to a book that was hard to put down. The ending was masterful. As a former history teacher and high school librarian, I give this book an A+....all 800+ pages!

This was the first King book I've ever read. I think he's a talented writer, but he needed to hire an editor who could simplify the book down to it's bare necessity. I felt like I was reading the never ending story. I also didn't like how dark it was, but I'm told that this is a trademark of King novels. I don't think I will pick up another novel of his anytime soon. But, all that being said, some people in our group really liked it. So give it a go if you're already a fan of King.

11 members agreed that they enjoyed the book. We learned a lot about Oswald. We enjoyed the 50s & 60s references--music, dances, etc. Romantic couples abound in the book, as do tragic events. Readers of Stephen King books picked up on refences from his other books. People who have lived in Maine or vacation there enjoyed the actual location & business references.

A great, quick read. Also very informative.

Different perspective....expected Kennedy received Oswald

an interesting look at life in 1958 - 1963 but not historic fiction as far as the Kennedy Era - more about the butterfly effect and Oswald

A thought provoking speculation about the Kennedy assassination that has several twists encouraging mental contemplation. Great for those who remember the day.

The book may not be perfect in historical values, but I thoroughly enjoyed it

Not usually a Stephen King reader, I absolutely loved this book. So thought-provoking while still an adventure from the first page to the last! Bravo!

Our book club thought the premise interesting, but that the book could have been 400 pages shorter.

Even though this book centers on the assassination of President Kennedy, it also takes readers back to hula hoops and candied Dots. One can remember their time growing up, while waiting for history to be changed. It keeps your interest and the events have you craving to finish a long book, while your inner voice is saying, "Oh dear, I remember that."

Our groups loved this book those who read it. Some of our members found it difficult to read a book of this length. The story provided many interesting discussion questions.

Long but worth the read

So very interesting. One of the few books I have read that I keep thinking about it months later. It is not a scary story but thought provoking.

This was a very interesting book. it involves time travel and the opportunity to change the course of history specifically in this book the assassination of Kennedy. Lots of information and history that I didn't know is in the book. Also loved the love story between Jake and Sadie. Who knew Stephen King had a romantic side??? If you have never been a fan of Stephen King rest assured that this is a completely different type of book.

Out of 10 stars I give it a 7.75. He is an excellent writer. This was my first Stephen King book to read. I wish I could have read it in a shorter period of time. A little trouble keeping track of the characters. He handled the time travel very well.

The book was hard to get into but once I stayed with it I was hooked. Some life lessons to be learned, even when bad things happen something good can come from it.

Stephen King has managed once again to surprise me. While he\\\'s written other literary novels before (like Shawshank Redemption and The Green Mile), this novel is truly something special. This is because this novel (while having it\\\'s sad moments) is ultimately a positive look at love, fate, and the plans of the universe.
It\\\'s long, but it\\\'s also a real page turner. When I was reading it I couldn\\\'t get it off my mind and it was hard to put it down to get some work done. However, if the members of your book club don\\\'t think they can get it done in time, try splitting it into two different meetings (that\\\'s what we did).

Awesome time travel book!

Awesome book... everyone loved it... I highly recommend Stephen King\\\'s books (he does not always write horror novels as some might think)

Made me want to learn more about Lee Harvey Oswald; King really did his research!

Average rating by our book club = 8.08
Longer than our usual books but a quick read

Love this book! Had me hooked from page one! Very well written. Keeps the reader interested in what’s to come!