The Dead Zone Audiobook By Stephen King cover art

The Dead Zone

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The Dead Zone

By: Stephen King
Narrated by: James Franco
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Never before on audio! A number-one national best seller about a man who wakes up from a five-year coma able to see people's futures and the terrible fate awaiting mankind in The Dead Zone - a "compulsive page-turner" (The Atlanta Journal-Constitution).

Johnny Smith awakens from a five-year coma after his car accident and discovers that he can see people's futures and pasts when he touches them. Many consider his talent a gift; Johnny feels cursed. His fiancée married another man during his coma, and people clamor for him to solve their problems.

When Johnny has a disturbing vision after he shakes the hand of an ambitious and amoral politician, he must decide if he should take drastic action to change the future. The Dead Zone is a "faultlessly paced...continuously engrossing" (Los Angeles Times) novel of second sight.

©1979 Stephen King (P)2016 Simon & Schuster Genre Fiction Horror Movie, TV & Video Game Tie-Ins Supernatural Suspense Thriller & Suspense Scary Paranormal Fiction

Critic reviews

"Originally published in 1979, this title is finally available for the first time as an audiobook, with actor James Franco narrating... Franco's impressive acting talent is on full display. As the troubled Johnny, he narrates with restraint and melancholy. As Stillson - an amoral businessman who cons his way towards the presidency - Franco oozes menace." ( AudioFile)

Featured Article: The definitive guide to the very best Stephen King adaptations


If you’re a Stephen King fanatic, or are interested in learning about the movies and shows made from his books, this round-up will provide you with a comprehensive list of the very best Stephen King screen adaptations. Watch the adaptation and then listen to the audiobook, or vice versa—this choice is yours. Either way, you can see how the adaptation stacks up against the source material and experience these legendary frights over and over again.

Featured Article The definitive guide to the very best Stephen King adaptations
Compelling Moral Dilemma • Masterful Storytelling • Distinctive Character Voices • Compelling Protagonist • Emotional Depth
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James Franco isn't Awful as a reader but he's not close to great, so if you're like me and saw all the reviews and worried--don't. It does not get in the way at all of what an excellent story this is. Absolutely in King's top 5 best.

Amazing Story

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I had read The Dead Zone when the book originally came out, as I have done with all Stephen King's books. In the past year or so, I have been listening to them all on audio books, and the experience is like running into an old friend after many years apart. It had been so many years since I read the book originally that I had forgotten quite a bit of the story, thus it was almost as if I was being introduced to the story for the first time. I still found the characters vividly drawn, the tale expertly woven, and the journey through the book enhanced by James Franco 's inspired narration. I have NEVER been disappointed by one of King's stories, and The Dead Zone is no exception. If anything, it was better the second time around.

Still an amazing book.

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Stephen King is such a great story teller, and thisone nails it. You might say it is Dr Sleep meets 11-23-63. But don't think this isn't unique, because it is. King ties together elements that occur early on into the final chapters, and he does int with finesse. James Franco is the perfect orator for the story delivering a masterful performance. Be prepared to not want to pause of stop listening. Enjoy!

A great story - one that keeps you going

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I really enjoyed this novel, it's a fascinating premise that I found myself liking more and more as it went on.

But James Franco is no Frank Muller. He overacted most of the book and had some truly awful accents. Still, it wasn't enough to curb my enthusiasm for the plot.

Great story, unfortunate narrator

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One of my favorite King stories. James Franco is a poor reader. Wieszak sound like Franco's impersonation of Tommy Wiseau.

Great Story, Mediocre Performance

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it is an art I've learned that these guys that do the narration on the stories
James Franco shoulda took more brakes because his voice becomes monotone

audio James Franco should take more brakes

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I rarely review books because I find myself under qualified to do so but this book was superb. I don't have enough adjectives to describe it. There was heavy paranormal subject matter without the horror that King is famous for. I couldn't stop listening. Perfection.

Fantastic!

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James Franco was fantastic. Classic Story + Great Narrator = Fantastic Listen! Would highly recommend for either the casual listener or the Stephen King fan.

Stephen King + James Franco = Brilliant

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I didn't think I could listen to James franco for sixteen hours but I was wrong. one of the best narrator's I've heard. and of course like any Stephen King book the story was amazing

Loved it

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Great story that mirrors our current times.

This James Franco may have a future in this business.

Excellent story and well preformed.

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