The TalismanThe Talisman
Score Classic
What it's about
On an autumn day, thirteen-year-old Jack Sawyer stands on the shore of the gray Atlantic near a fading ocean resort. His father is gone, his mother is dying, and the world no longer makes sense. Then he's chosen for a journey back across America, and into another realm.
Why it's worth reading
It spent 12 weeks at #1 on the New York Times bestseller list and was one of the ten best-selling books of 1984. It's a collaboration between Stephen King and Peter Straub.
You'll love it if you liked
The Gunslinger
The Stand
NeverwhereGood to know
It's long and a dark fantasy quest more than horror. Its sequel is Black House.
By the numbers
- Readers29 out of 100 · counts 42%
- Critics0 out of 100 · counts 14%
- Bestseller70 out of 100 · counts 34% (its stronger lane)
- Buzz0 out of 100 · counts 10%
Critics and Bestseller are two ways to earn a place: a book's stronger one counts more. Buzz rewards recent bestseller weeks and prizes, so older books start at zero. The parts combine into the Must-Read Score, shown on a scale where the best book we found scores 99 and the last book to make the ranking scores 50.
Where it ranks
- #42 of the 86 horror books we rank
- #494 of the 762 classics we rank
- #1718 of the 2,816 books we rank
Why it made the list
Reads as
Dark, Gripping
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Quick answers
Is The Talisman worth reading?
Yes. It spent 12 weeks at #1 on the New York Times bestseller list and was one of the ten best-selling books of 1984. It ranks #1,718 of the 2,816 books in our ranking, with a Must-Read Score of 66.4 (the best book we found scores 99).
What is The Talisman about?
On an autumn day, thirteen-year-old Jack Sawyer stands on the shore of the gray Atlantic near a fading ocean resort. His father is gone, his mother is dying, and the world no longer makes sense. Then he's chosen for a journey back across America, and into another realm.
How long does it take to read The Talisman?
About 19 hours (766 pages), or about 5 weeks at 30 minutes a day.
What should I read after The Talisman?
If you liked it, try The Gunslinger by Stephen King, The Stand by Stephen King or Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman.