The Talisman

I feel like I say this about a lot of Stephen King's books, but this is yet another one of my favourites from him. He is my favourite authors ever, and I do love all of his books, but this one really is amazing. Jack's incredible journey across both America and the Territories is such a great coming of age story, filled with both wonder and horror.

Stephen King and Peter Straub’s The Talisman is an extraordinary blend of fantasy and coming-of-age storytelling that lingers long after the final page. At its core is the journey of Jack Sawyer, a boy on an epic quest across parallel worlds. But what elevates this novel beyond its adventurous plot is its unforgettable characters, particularly Wolf, whose presence transforms the story into something deeply moving and unique. Wolf is a character unlike any other, embodying both raw power and unyielding innocence. His unwavering loyalty to Jack, his sense of wonder, and his struggles with his own nature make him the emotional heartbeat of the novel. Wolf’s childlike sincerity and his heartfelt mantra—“Wolf! Right here and now!”—create moments of joy, heartbreak, and profound connection that resonated deeply with me. Through Wolf, King and Straub explore themes of friendship, trust, and what it means to embrace both our humanity and our inner wildness. Beyond its characters, The Talisman captivates with its immersive world-building. The authors masterfully juxtapose the familiar and the fantastical, creating two vivid realities that feel both dangerous and beautiful. As Jack and Wolf journey together, their bond becomes a testament to resilience and the unbreakable power of love and loyalty, even in the face of overwhelming odds. The Talisman isn’t just an adventure—it’s a deeply emotional odyssey. For those who love stories that balance thrilling action with unforgettable characters, this novel is a must-read. Wolf will stay with you long after the story ends.

Only complaint was it started out slow and was so long. Good ending. Worth reading if you have the time.

Love this book so much! Probably one of my all-time favorites and one I have given as a gift many, many times! It's huge, so when I give it to people who claim not to enjoy reading, they always think I'm crazy. Then they start and get captured by the great storytelling... as a teacher, a reader, a writer, a friend... in every way, a definite yes!

This has been one of my very favorite books of all time for a long time. It is simply a grand and gritty adventure start to finish with ALL the feels...

O. M. G !!! This is an awesome must read book! There are no words to say what this novel entails. Fiction. Fantasy. Mystery. Murder. Suspense. Adventure. None of those weird alone our combined can describe this book. Just read it. You won't be sorry...

The Talisman by King and Straub tells the story of a adolescent boy named Jack who embarks on a cross country journey to retrieve a magical talisman to save his dying mother. Taking into consideration the two guys writing this tale, you would be correct in assuming it isn't a simple journey. It is a perilous and tedious quest that involves flipping back and forth between this world and an alternate reality while dealing with all kinds of unpleasantness in both realms. I found it hard to finish this book. The writing at times great and other times awful, many parts of the book are either memorable or cheesy or both... and this book starts off very very slow. By way of example, Jack needs to make it from New England to California. So naturally, he sets off on foot. 400 pages later he is in Indiana. Then the book shifts at about the 500 page mark and really goes of the rails. At this point Jack goes from being Tom Sawyer-lite to Rambo... Armed to the teeth with explosives, several uzis and many rounds of ammo, unleashing death on the inhabitants of the blasted lands ... at least when he isn’t catering to the needs of his fragile friend or pausing to muse about highbrow stuff like potentially renaming a comic play by Noël Coward. I don't want to spoil the book for anyone but reading stuff like that seemed a bit unfair after having already invested so much time with this book. As the story plodded along, I kept wondering why someone as resourceful as Jack never thought to book a round trip flight to California and as I read on, I kept wondering if Jack would take a train on the way back or walk, Talisman in hand. I guess a plane ride would have made for shorter book but who knows, it might have been better? Anyway this is getting long winded and I know when to stop. 3/5

If you want Harry Potter, Stranger Things, and The Lord of the Rings thrown together in one 700+ page novel, The Talisman by Stephen King and Peter Straub is for you. In fact, Rowling and the Duffers seem to pay homage to King and Straub in their more recent epics, while the Talisman authors do the same for Tolkein. The book is a modern-day(ish) quest—penned in 1984—about a 12-year-old boy, Jack Sawyer, forced to travel cross-country between parallel universes in search of a magic Talisman that will save his mother’s life. His journey includes the despicable characters we’ve grown to expect from King, along with a few memorable sidekicks, none more enjoyable than Wolf, an excitable werewolf that Jack befriends (who evokes zero comparisons to Lon Chaney, Jr. or Michael Landon). Because it’s a dual effort featuring two very different authors, the writing feels a bit disjointed at times, and the pacing, especially in the first 300 pages, is beyond slow—I kept wondering why Jack didn’t just take a Greyhound. That being said, The Talisman is a journey worth taking.

There is something magical about this tale. I first read it when it was released in the 80s and now on a re-read it is just as enchanting, absorbing and entertaining. I love the concept of the Territories, the twinners and the situations Jack finds himself in. The Sunlight Home reminded me of Shawshank. I’ve heard they are making this book into a series and am looking forward to that.

Interesting concept, but slow paced in parts!

Favourite Stephen king novel

A mi parcours, je trouve l'histoire très bien amenée et les personnages extrêmement bien travaillés. Le début est assez déroutant car on sait demande s'il ne s'agit pas d'un livre pour enfant avec une histoire assez bateau et pas très captivante. Mais plus l'histoire se développe et plus on se retrouve happé avec le héro et son univers. Je vous le recommande, c'est un très bon moment à passer en perspective!

Excelente servicio