Lisey's Story by Stephen King (2006)

One of my favorite things about Stephen King is that he's not a purely formulaic writer. Each book is a complete surprise, a new, and different kind of pleasure. Lisey's Story is no exception.

Lisey has lost her beloved husband, Scott, and now, two years after the fact, has decided to face the painful task of sorting through his personal papers. This leads to a journey down memory lane for Lisey, and since we are along for the ride, we learn about Scott's horrifying childhood, the dynamics of their relationship, and the special healing place Scott went to in order to survive called "Boo'ya Moon."

There are other subplots; Lisey has to deal with a menacing Space Cowboy (King's eloquent and fitting term for rabid fan) named Dooley, and we become familiar with the tender, yet at times grueling relationship she has with her sisters. Overall though, this really is "Lisey's (and Scott's) story," one that takes place almost entirely in her head as she sorts through her memories, thoughts, and feelings for her husband. In the end, with Scott's loving presence guiding her, Lisey is finally able to exorcise both of their demons and find peace.

Poignant, and mesmerizing are both terms I would use to describe Lisey's Story. What I found most impressive about it is Stephen King's ability to write it as if looking through Lisey's eyes; in depth into her thoughts, into her emotions; she truly seems like a real person. It goes without saying that his rich prose and impressive vocabulary will never cease to amaze. In my opinion, Lisey's Story is one of his best; truly a masterpiece.

I am a collector of Stephen King's Hard Back books, he is my favorite writer. I wanted this book in hard back, I only had it in soft cover, so my co-worker suggested to look at half bay and there it was!! I've already read the book, I just wanted to have it in hard back, so I ordered it, it came in perfect condition and it came to me fast. I couldn't be happier about it, thank you!!

I bought the book and it was in good condition and it was mailed to me right away. Very impressed with service

I collect all of Stephen King's hardcovers.

This is one that I've skipped purchasing as new.

I don't believe this author is as good as he once was in the 80's, so I don't rush out and purchase and read immediately any longer.

I have not yet had time to read this novel, but I know that the author is capable
of some really good writing.

It has to be at least a good book, he's not an average author by comparing his prior works and what talent he has.

This is one of my favorite stories ever -- I took it out of the library in my home town, but after reading it I decided I wanted to own it in hardcover. The story is very unusual and very touching. It combines a real-life relationship within a marriage, the grief when one member of that relationships dies, a fantasy-land world that the two people had shared. I find that I use some of the made-up words and images from this book in my own life now (such as a "bool" and "the pool" -- this won't mean much until you read the story).
The story of the 2 people in the marriage gave me new insights into my own marriage of many years, and helped me to value things about the relationship and about my husband that I think I just took for granted. I now ask myself, if he dies, what about him will I carry with me forever -- what about our shared history will make me stronger?

I bought the book as Stephen King was my favorite writer and I have collected and read every book that he has written. This was one that I didn't have. I feel that his writing is nowhere in the category that it used to be..there was no one who could write a story like him, but I guess he has run out of ideas. I have been disappointed in this and all of his recent books. It was hard to finish and hard to follow.

This book is also one of my favorites. King took a real problem in our world and solved it with twists and turns that only he could think up in that brain of his! Excellent storyline!

I loved this book. I have been a huge King fan all of my adult life. He just keeps getting better. This book was fascinating all the way to the last page. I very rarely can say that about any book.

This novel is a creative twist to Stephen King's usual genre. He has managed to mix horror, suspense and romance all in one story. It is very creative and it kept my attention while reading the entire novel. It is definitely a book that I would recommend reading.

I liked this book from the first word all the way to last sentence. I have been a Stephen King fan since the beginning. I believe anyone who can appreciate a book that grabs you and holds you will be thrilled with this one.
If you have never read King, perhaps it's time to start. I had read a copy of this book, from the library, before I bought it. After reading it I new I had to own it. Just another "CAN'T PUT IT DOWN" book. Check it out. Thank you so much for listening.

No matter what King writes, there is always something interesting in them, to catch the readers attention. This book was no exception. I enjoyed reading it, and trying to figure out what the outcome would be.

If you're looking for his horror in this book it's not there. No horror here. It's a little on the boring side for something from him. He's done alot better.

Wow! Great book! Never would have in a million years thought up something so unique! Stephen King has a bottomless "pool" of ideas and thoughts. He is the master! Must read this book.

I bought "Lisey's Story" because I had read favorable comments by many. I don't usually read Stephen King, but I like and admire him and what he has accomplished. His is a wonderful life and also a somewhat tragic one, with his recent travails. However, writing so much so often can lead to an uneven record. I really liked the novella, "Come Along With Me," a powerful and compelling story, one I wish I had written. And the films made from his novels have been haunting, to say the least.

So, I was prepared to like "Lisey's Story," but I didn't. It needed another draft or two, and it needed to be shorter.

But, generally speaking, I liked the characters--their vulnerability, their love story, and their creativity.

And I am glad so many of the author's readers love the book.

Maybe you will too.

Seller sent me a gorgeous book, in perfect shape and I can't wait to use them again!! Delivery was fast and secure. Thanks so much!!

This book doesn't have the typical Stephen King scary characters. BUT - it is still a great page turner! It has your spook, your things that may linger in the dark, but a true story of a woman's struggle with being a widow to a famous aurthur, the troubles her mind allows, the demons that come with both family and with the past, and with those who are so star struck with celebrities that they go too far. Again, I page turner that I wanted to keep reading and reading. No the ghost and goblins, but still a great work of Stephen King's.

When I’m curled up in bed with the latest book by a well-regarded author I want to lose myself in the story, and not have to wonder what possessed them to snipe at another of my favorite authors. Well, no such luck with Stephen King’s “Lisey’s Story”.

I’ve always thought that King has the greatest ear for language in America today (better than Tom Wolfe’s, for example): and in this book he dives into the pool of language to retrieve some words (”bool”: pity on the man’s translators) that stick in your memory long after you’ve finished the book. Yet, he snipes.

In setting out his characters’ intellectual history (chapter 2.8) he spells out where they stand in 1988: “Scott reads people like Borges, Pynchon, Tyler, and Atwood; Lisey reads Maeve Binchy, Colleen McCullough, Jean Auel (although she is growing a bit impatient with Auel’s randy cave people), Joyce Carol Oates, and, just lately, Shirley Conran.”

If that isn’t meant to ruffle some feathers at Princeton, I don’t know what it is. Professor Oates - not a woman to be provoked lightly - is not above sniping back. In her “Missing Mom”, she takes King’s wife’s name, Tabitha (the real-life Lisey to Scott’s real-life King), and gives it to elderly Aunt Tabitha, the most oppressive character in the book. Or maybe the provocation worked the other way round - in that case, I’ll be watching out for her next novel. Hell, I’ll be watching out anyway.

On a different note: Tabitha King is, if I’m not mistaken, one of four sisters. So is Siri Hustvedt, Paul Auster’s wife. Why do these guys marry women with lots of sisters?

I AM A BIG FAN OF STEPHEN KING. I HAVE READ ABOUT EVERYTHING HE HAS EVER WRITTEN. I WAS IMPRESSED WITH THE STORY LINE. THIS IS SOMETHING HE HASN'T TRIED BEFORE. MY DAUGHTER IS ALSO A FAN OF STEPHEN KING. SHE HAS BEEN READING HIM SINCE THIRD GRADE. WE BOTH REALLY ENJOYED THIS BOOK.

Lisey's Story is by far one of the best books that I have read! Stephen King 's books are always so intense, he has such insight into everything he writes. It always makes you feel like he is the person he is writing about! I do not know any other writer that puts so much into his or her books, I am always so excited when he releases a new book! I personally think Lisey's Story is so good that it will be hard to top but if any one can it would be Stepthen King! I BOUGHT THE BOOK BECAUSE i BUY EVERYTHING HE WRITES.

Lisey's Story is the newest novel by Stephen King. Now I've been a fan of Stephen King's for years, particularly for the Dark Tower series which came to an unsatisfying conclusion. His hits have been on and off for years now. Sometimes it's confusing how the same guy who brought us The Stand, It, Eyes of the Dragon, and The Green Mile among others also had to bring us Dreamcatcher, The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon, and Bag of Bones. I mean, they're all fine books in their own right, but none of them are up to par with those others in terms of greatness, how engaging, or how real the world becomes for you.

Now we come to the character Lisey (pronounced Leesee, not Lisey like my sister's nickname) who is trying to pack up her husband's things two years after his death. He was a great writer, everyone loved him, and she followed him around on his book tours for years. Her sister, Amanda, after hearing about an ex-boyfriend getting married to someone else, cuts herself and then becomes catatonic. In the process of trying to get her professional care, Lisey finds out things about her husband she wasn't aware of. This brings up many memories that she relives about their time together. Long story short, she remembers finally that he had the ability to pop out of this world and into another he called Boo'ya Moon and that perhaps she could still do this without his aid. She uses it to heal her sister. When a madman stalks and hurts her to get her husband's old papers even when she offers them to him, she takes him to Boo'ya Moon and leaves him there to be devoured by a vaguely described monster. Now I understand he left it vague for the imagination to fill it in, but it was so vague that I had trouble understanding what made it scary or intimidating. Since the creature has now turned his attention to her in the real world, she lives in fear. She finds that her husband left her clues to a story he wrote just for her about a traumatic experience in his childhood and somehow just reading this makes the creature leave her alone? The ending was pretty confusing.

I think lately that Stephen King has been writing for just one person-- himself. Or make that two. His editor. It just didn't have the quality that those grander stories had. Seemed kinda thrown together in parts. Like he just assumed we'd come along for the ride without getting hooked in. This book, like the others, was fine. I'd read it over other authors still, but it wasn't amazing. It's a B.

I really tried to get through this story, but finally gave up. The book is terrible. There is no cohesiveness to the story line and the tale never goes anywhere. I'm a huge Stephen fan...but no go on this one.

Was looking for this book, newly published, by Stephen King for my son, an avid Stephen King reader, for his birthday. Got this book for a fraction of the cost in my local book store.

Purchased this book for my son, who is an avid Stephen King fan-I'm sure he will enjoy reading this book as he has others-

Lisey's Story
by Stephen King

I love reading Stephen King’s books because of the variety of themes that his books cover. This holds good for Lisey’s story too. It is an extremely touching as well as an exciting book. The story is very captivating and you won’t feel like putting it down.

As the title denotes the story is about Lisey, the widow of a famous Pulitzer Prize winning writer. It has been two years since Lisey lost her beloved husband Scott and she is yet to come to terms with it. Finally she decides to go through the painful task of sorting out Scott’s personal papers. Thus begins Lisey’s journey wherein she is exposed to the gory details of Scott’s childhood and the special place called "Boo'ya Moon", where Scott used to escape every time he had some trouble with his father.

Alongside Lisey also has to deal with Dooley, a space cowboy of a very intimidating character. King also tells us about the relationship that Lisey has with her sister Amanda and how she tries to help Amanda come out of depression. Lisey succeeds in overcoming all the obstacles that the almost fatal journey places in her way and finally finds peace.

Overall a great book! Even a first time reader of Stephen King would enjoy reading it.

This book was a Christmas present for my son. I was unsuccessful the first time I bought off of Ebay. The book was not delivered but I did receive a refund. The second attempt was successful and it came in the conditon as advertized.