Fairy Tale

Winner of the prestigious 2023 Audie Award for Best Male Narrator, “Fairy Tale” is a captivating masterpiece penned by the legendary storyteller himself, Stephen King. This #1 New York Times Bestseller and New York Times Book Review Editors’ Choice takes readers on an extraordinary journey into the depths of imagination.

At the heart of this spellbinding novel is seventeen-year-old Charlie Reade, a seemingly ordinary high school student excelling in sports and academics. However, beneath his composed exterior lies a burden that only he understands. The tragic loss of his mother in a hit-and-run accident, coupled with his father’s descent into alcoholism, has forced Charlie to become self-reliant and responsible for both himself and his troubled father.

It’s during this tumultuous period in Charlie’s life that he encounters a peculiar dog named Radar and her enigmatic owner, Howard Bowditch. Bowditch, a recluse residing atop a towering hill, unveils a world of mystery to Charlie. Behind a locked shed in Bowditch’s backyard lies a portal to another realm where the forces of good and evil wage an epic battle. As Charlie delves deeper into this parallel universe, he realizes that the stakes are immeasurable, not just for the foreign world but also for our own.

The narrative unfolds with King’s signature flair for storytelling, weaving together elements of horror, fantasy, and coming-of-age themes. With each turn of the page, readers are transported into a world teeming with magnificent wonders and bone-chilling terrors. King’s evocative prose brings to life a cast of characters so vivid that they linger in readers’ minds long after the final page is turned.

“Fairy Tale” is a testament to King’s unparalleled ability to captivate readers with his boundless imagination and characteristic tenderness towards childhood experiences. This novel is a true page-turner that seamlessly blends elements of good versus evil, a kingdom in need of salvation, and the exhilarating quest to conquer menacing monsters.

Critics have hailed this novel as vintage King at his finest, with Esquire describing it as “spellbinding… packed with glorious flights of imagination.” Laura Miller of Slate praises the novel’s ability to tap into the timeless allure of classic page-turners, stating, “Good, evil, a kingdom to save, monsters to slay—these are the stuff that page-turners are made from.”

With its rich storytelling and gripping plot, “Fairy Tale” is a must-read for fans of Stephen King and those seeking an enthralling tale that explores the boundaries of imagination. Prepare to be transported to a world where ordinary teenagers become heroes in the face of extraordinary challenges.