Doctor Sleep: A Novel

Stephen King

Sep 2013 · Simon and Schuster · Narrated by Will Patton

About this audiobook

Winner of the 2014 Audie Award for Fiction and Finalist for Solo Narration—Male

Now a major motion picture starring Ewan McGregor!

From master storyteller Stephen King, his unforgettable and terrifying sequel to The Shining—an instant #1 New York Times bestseller that is “[a] vivid frightscape” (The New York Times).

Years ago, the haunting of the Overlook Hotel nearly broke young Dan Torrance’s sanity, as his paranormal gift known as “the shining” opened a door straight into hell. And even though Dan is all grown up, the ghosts of the Overlook—and his father’s legacy of alcoholism and violence—kept him drifting aimlessly for most of his life. Now, Dan has finally found some order in the chaos by working in a local hospice, earning the nickname “Doctor Sleep” by secretly using his special abilities to comfort the dying and prepare them for the afterlife. But when he unexpectedly meets twelve-year-old Abra Stone—who possesses an even more powerful manifestation of the shining—the two find their lives in sudden jeopardy at the hands of the ageless and murderous nomadic tribe known as the True Knot, reigniting Dan’s own demons and summoning him to battle for this young girl’s soul and survival...

Ratings and reviews

thank you Mr King your words have been with me for so very long, got thru any things past 30 or so years the audio version have opened a door I thought closed I actually cried with joy frank Muller was an amazing narrator I miss him so, as I am confident in saying many do thank you all involved very grateful you do what you

Stephen King is an amazing writer who paints such a vivid picture of the human condition with a touch of the paranormal to create a story that will entrap and enthrall you in all of the dark twists and turns of his mind. I always wondered what happened to Danny Torrance after the events of the Overlook Hotel, and this put my wondering mind at ease. Brilliantly written and a very enjoyable read (or listen to those who prefer audiobooks). Thanks to Mr. King for bringing me joy through his work and worlds.

A true masterpiece. Dare I say that it is far superior to The Shining! SK's storytelling is always awesome to experience, but I have not enjoyed a book this much since reading The Talisman. The narrating was questionable at first, but Will Patton made me a believer. Such talent went into this book that I feel such joy to have experienced it. I can only hope to come across a book that makes me fall in love with all the characters as this book did. Fun, sad, warm, hateful, vengeful, happy and loving...this book has it all.

About the author

Stephen King is the author of more than sixty books, all of them worldwide bestsellers. His recent work includes the short story collection You Like It Darker, Holly (a New York Times Notable Book of 2023), Fairy Tale, Billy Summers, If It Bleeds, The Institute, Elevation, The Outsider, Sleeping Beauties (cowritten with his son Owen King), and the Bill Hodges trilogy: End of Watch, Finders Keepers, and Mr. Mercedes (an Edgar Award winner for Best Novel and a television series streaming on Peacock). His novel 11/22/63 was named a top ten book of 2011 by The New York Times Book Review and won the Los Angeles Times Book Prize for Mystery/Thriller. His epic works The Dark Tower, It, Pet Sematary, Doctor Sleep, and Firestarter are the basis for major motion pictures, with It now the highest-grossing horror film of all time. He is the recipient of the 2020 Audio Publishers Association Lifetime Achievement Award, the 2018 PEN America Literary Service Award, the 2014 National Medal of Arts, and the 2003 National Book Foundation Medal for Distinguished Contribution to American Letters. He lives in Bangor, Maine, with his wife, novelist Tabitha King.

Will Patton’s film credits include Halloween, Boarding School, Megan Leavey, American Honey, Meek’s Cutoff, A Mighty Heart, Remember the Titans, The Mothman Prophecies, Armageddon, and No Way Out. He starred in Swamp Thing on the DC Universe streaming platform and was seen in five seasons of the TNT series Falling Skies. He has won Obie Awards for his performances in Fool for Love and What Did He See? He is also known for his audiobook recordings of the work of Stephen King, James Lee Burke, Denis Johnson, and William Faulkner.