The Dead Zone

Originally published in 1979, this title is finally available for the first time as an audiobook, with actor James Franco narrating. After a car accident and nearly five-year coma, Johnny Smith awakens with a frightening ability to see people's pasts and futures simply by touching them. When Johnny senses that rising political star Greg Stillson may become president and cause a nuclear war, he considers drastic action to stop him. 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. Listeners will yearn for Stillson's comeuppance yet sympathize with Johnny's reluctance to act on his uncertain vision of a terrible future. A.T.N. � AudioFile 2017, Portland, Maine

Starred review from June 5, 2017
In the audiobook debut of King’s classic 1979 thriller, a car accident sends Maine high school teacher Johnny Smith into a multiyear coma, from which he emerges into a changed world with the unwanted ability to see people’s past and future just by touching them. Johnny’s visions increase in scope—from the image of a nurse’s son surviving dangerous surgery to the second sight of a murder scene that helps a local sheriff find a serial killer. Each leaves Johnny physically diminished and psychically damaged. But they’re just warm-ups for his vision of jingoistic politician Greg Stillson achieving the presidency and starting a devastating nuclear war. Actor Franco performs at full thespian force, telling the story in a naturalistic, almost mesmerizing manner with distinctive voices for all of the book’s many characters: Johnny’s highlights his affability, integrity, pain, and inner turmoil. The villainous Stillson sounds smarmy, aggressive, and insane in the way that can drive a man to kick a dog to death. Additionally, Franco’s interpretation of the final section of the novel, consisting of letters and excerpts from committee meetings, is moving enough to bring tears to listeners’ eyes. A Pocket paperback.