Under The Dome: A Novel

Having strayed from the Stephen King genre for many years, I was intrigued by the premise of this novel: an entire town is held captive within its geographic boundaries by an impenetrable dome of unknown origin. After taking its time to establish the main characters, the story unfolds rapidly and the conclusion is somewhat satisfying. I have no complaints about this book. I was truly entertained. As an audio book listener for the better part of 20 years, I must give the highest compliment to Raul Esparza, the broadway actor who narrated this book for 30 CDs of material. An impressive Herculean effort. Esparza's characterizations were great, and his entire performance was flawless.

Stephen King delivers time and time again. I clung to every word. I can't wait for the conclusion!

I have rented a lot of his books, but this is a flat out masterpiece. It is by far the longest at 30 discs but do not let that deter you. His prose is commanding and engaging. The book is 10% sci fi and the rest social interaction of the townspeople leading up to their demise.....and can this man paint a picture with his words to detail how this happens. Do yourself a huge favor and rent this one !

Stick with it! It is incredibly long but so is all Stephen King! Good story and very entertaining!

This was just like Stephen King - I really enjoyed listening to the set and wanted more once it was complete. I don't think I've ever loathe some of the characters as much in this book. It makes you want to get in there and save the people yourself!

Hard to understand & didn't like it drawn out--returned unfinished read.

This book had an interesting premise and I enjoyed seeing how it played out. Uncle Stevie was true to form with his detail, his good vs evil square-off, his atypical hero and villains you just love to hate. It would make an excellent television mini-series. The only reason I gave 4 stars vs. 5 was the length, which was about 3 discs too long. I confess I skipped through a few discs in the middle to move to the last few discs. Great narrator as well!

Amazing! Under the Dome kept me on the edge and was narrated excellently. I wish Big Rennie fate wasn't as elusive however great all the same. Guess I'll check out the TV show now.

One of my favorite Stephen King books. It's a long tale but worth it. The narrator was amazing.

Narration was the best I've heard. Very impressed. Read the book a long time ago. This was much more enjoyable

It's been two days since I finished this book and I can't stop thinking about it. Intense would be an understatement. Very well written with a great plot, excellent pacing, fantastic character development, and plenty of unexpected happenings. By far the longest book I've ever listened to, it was well worth the time.

I have mixed feelings about this book. I listened to the whole thing and had a hard time turning it off but there were some parts I was unsatisfied with. Just the fact that someone can like or dislike a fictional character indicates the talent of the writer but some of the characters in this book are cringingly stupid. Some of the explanations establishing why a character was doing something or why they had become who they were seemed too long and rambling. This is not to say the length of the book was detrimental. I prefer longer books. The narrator was engaging and brought the characters to life, but the voices he used for the young females - not so much. I also felt the ending was a bit rushed, like Mr. King just wanted a way to end it. All in all, this book is worth the time and it is a good tale but not on par with It or The Shining.

one of the best. and the narrative was great. so many voices and not a single one the same. sweet job sir.

Horrible. Book drags on and on. Waste of time repeating each novelette with no cohesive story line ever developing. Just rambles on

I have long been an avid King fan, from "The Lot" to "The Tower", from the "Wolfs" in the Territories to the insane evil clown, but never has one of his tails made me feel so angry, so desperate for hope and, perhaps, revenge as "Under the Dome." Countless times he designs a scenario for the "good guys" to score, only to yank the rug out from under us. Too many good people fall in battle and, in the end, our reward for persevereing is weak and hollow. If this is the direction King's writing is taking, I will not be donating my hard earned money to further the cause.

The book comes in two deliveries.There was a month and a half between the two half's. By the time I got the second half I had forgotten the character history and there was no way to refer back. The book is LONG. I felt like King was being paid by the word. Something I see more and more these days is the black and white of characters. Everyone is all bad or all good. Well, maybe it worked in The Stand, but in the Dome it is getting a little old. Life and people, are just not all good or all bad. King seems to be getting in his delving into character development. Now, the reader, Esparza. He is just awful. He is ok with the male adult characters, but his attempts at children and young woman is hysterical. They sound like the voices that came out of my Chatty Cathy doll. And why in the WORLD would he give Renny a deep southern accent. The man was born and raised in New England. Bottom line, better use of your time is to listen to The Shinning or The Stand.

So this book has the potential to be great, but it falls to almost good for one reason, and that reason is Jim Rennie. In my opinion the story line and characters were fully fleshed and didn't need the revenge story gimmick. So a novel that was unique and interesting ended up feeling more like Yet Another Revenge story and I had a difficult time making it through to the good parts.

I enjoyed this book tremendously.

This book was hard to turn off. It kept me on edge, wondering the entire time up until the very end.

One of my most favourite novels! I read the novel years ago and I have to say I LOVE the audiobook much more! Hahahaa! I love love love the premise of the book! It just goes to show how minute we all are in the scheme of things!!

Great story! One of his better works.

I love the story line, even when it seem it took a little longer to make the point or get the point across by the character. Lots of characters, so try to keep up, is all I can say.

Fantastic story, exciting and anxiety driving! Raul Esparza is one of the best narrators I’ve ever heard doing a phenomenal job of portraying a multitude of different characters, very, very talented.

I LOVED this book and I can't stress this enough. The narrator was excellent and he made it easy for me to follow the story. Usually a lengthy book like this needs an aid to finish and I found the audiobook really helpful. I have a special reason to be grateful for Audiobooks. com for this specific audiobook. I've an avid Stephen King fan and wanted to not only but listen to his books. I found this book on Audible but for some reason, it said I couldn't purchase it in my region. (I live in South Korea) I had given up on it and thought I'd just read the book withouth the audio. The joy I felt when I discovered I could get the audibook from Audiobooks.com!! It's a lengthy work but every moment was full of tension and excitement without a single moment of drag. The narrator's performance was excellent. Too excellent that I felt painful for the people suffering under the dome. Strongly recommended!!!!!

It’s good

I love these ultra long King stories. The narrator sucks though. He reads barely above a whisper the whole time, makes the dumbest voices (especially little kids— he plugs his nose and does this really weird voice) and he can’t even keep the voices the same. The dude changes character’s voices sporadically throughout the book, making it even more confusing at times. I mean the one consta

I'm no longer going to describe how I did or did not enjoy the contents of books I read here, because everything is subjective. Since we are listening to audio books, my main critique will be whether or not the book was listenable, and to what degree. The production of this book is not great. I have the volume boost on 100% and I still can't hear the muddy, washed out low-end frequency dominant words over the janky growl of my mail truck. In the future, use a hi-pass filter, and make sure the overall volume is on par with even your average DIY podcast. Otherwise, the narrator is pretty good. I think there's been numerous times already, where a line was delivered in a totally different way than the book even describes it being spoken, or shouted. For example, if it reads, "i know you have something to do with this!", Jan yelled...', then the line should be YELLED! not muttered or weakly delivered. Anyway, if you're in a quiet setting, I'm sure this won't be of concern. However, if you're in a car or noisy environment, you will have trouble discerning the words even with the volume booster on.

pure Stephen King

LOVE IT!!!! great book. ive listened to this book atleast 6 xs and I will never get sick of it. I usually go back every 6months to a yr and listen again and find more that I hadn't heard or realized and its just a really good book. the narrator is great also.

SK is really masterful when it comes to portraying darker side of humans in the face of uncertainty. The book is good and the narrator did a good job too. If I had to nitpick, the audio volume seem to be little lower compared to other books. Had to volume up a lot more even on earbuds.

If you're listening to this at work or some place with other music and noise you might as well find a different book. You can barely hear the narrator and its just not worth it

Another great as t story by the master! Love Steven King.

The book was very slow (the full plot is like a week of time), but the beginning was extremely rough. It was like 15 hours of straight world building and character introductions. The second half was much much better as it was carried by the momentum by King’s best villain where I found myself binging to see what happens to him. All and all I thought it was disappointing but still filled with bits and pieces of stellar King

Loved it! It is a must read. Can’t put it down.

One of his best!!!

Great book, classic Stephen King horror. The narrator, Raul Esparza, is perfectly fine when he narrates in his natural voice, however, I found many of his character voices, a few of them major characters, to be awkward and unrealistic and they often pulled me out of the story. Examples being Big Jim Renny, Pastor Coggins, all of the children, and a few of the minor characters.

Awesome and so true for any given time in small town America no matter what year

Such an epic adventure. I had to force myself to stop listening at times just so I wouldn't go through the book too soon.

Nonstop entertainment.

Only half way through the book and I'm loving every, anticipatory moment.

solid book until the ending. Under The Dome told a very interesting story, but in true Stephen King fashion it fell apart near the end.

It was a very long novel. So many characters in this book. Just wonder how Steven King kept them straight without mixing them up. Maybe a little less cussing would have been good. But over all I can say is that it truly felt that it was Good vs Evil and Good won.

Story was good up until about 2/3 of the way into it. Narration left a lot to be desired, some of the voices he used were so bad it distracted from the plot. Not King’s best, but it’s still worth checking out for his fans.

I think my brain must have a pair of eyes besides the two I look through to see. I say that because listening to this read with my eyes closed in no way prevented me from vividly envisioning this town, its inhabitants, or their behavior as seclusion alters all. Mr. King..You have the gift of Words. My emotions did somersaults through this read. I wanted to do something to help but was as powerless as the town people. Instead had to hang on every word till the conclusion. GREAT Job All Around!!!

Great book, better narrator. A lot of Kings books lose off a little something in the ending and this one does too, but I’d still have to say it really emphasizes the true horrors in humanity. King is a real character author and this book allows him to show off a bit on that point. Highly recommended!

Ehhh. I LOVE kings writing but this one became more of a mission to finish it rather than just enjoying the story. Very long and anticlimactic. Not my favorite storyline. Narration was meh.

Another epic book from the master..... I loved this book!

I really enjoyed this book!

Very good! I will be listening to it again soon I love Stephen King and all of his stories. Will be listening to more!!

I love this story, and the narrator is FANTASTIC!!

I really enjoyed listening to Under the Dome. Narration was good and it kept me wanting more!

This was a great read, and nice to listen to...but with so many characters in the line up, more than one narrator should have been used. Tho a great effort, narrative was only so so....Shumway and Renny are great examples of this...I don't blame the actor, the publisher made millions off this book, they could have hired at least one maybe even 2 extra people to do the characters. This is not a book to listen to in bits and pieces tho, with so much going on, it can be hard to follow if you just listen for very short time spans.

Great book . Sometimes long winded and too wordy but I give it 4.5 stars. I'm not understanding Barbie (Dale Barbara's) purpose in this book though. The narrator was excellent.

This was a fantastic book to listen to. The narrator did a fabulous with his voice and the characters. In story. Very vivid feeling. Pam Bischoff Member

Loved the book. Kept me listening and engaged. This was my first audiobook, and Raul Esparza, great job with keeping it consistently riveting. Talented, loved all the voices and how he made each character's voice distinct. Loved it, will compare the rest of my audiobook to this one. ????

Thank you! Thank you Mr. King! What a wonderful listen! It is such an interesting concept to a story that is highly unlikely, but still shows human character and it's best and worst. I loved the narration. It is some of the best I've heard. I am still mulling over the last few scenes of the book and pulling out so many metaphors. What brilliant writing! Mr. King said he started this book in 1976 then put it away for a while. I sincerely hope there is a sequel brewing in his head!

This is a great book I really enjoyed it way better then the show I've been a SK fan for a long time and it did not disappoint

Excellent book. Narrator is one of the best I have heard, does many voices very well.

Long but good, love the narrator his many voices were great

As good as, "The Stand". I can't say much more than like the , "Stand" it is long but fast moving, the characters are well developed and are brought to life. Well written and great work Mr King.

i like but it just goes on fucking for ever. just wrap it the fuck up.

This is one of my favorites. I listen to it again, and again when I am trying to decide on a new book.

very descriptive. some unsettling scenes but the the book. I watch the tv show based on this book. I HIGHLY recommend reading the book before watching the show. the concept is the same but both are very different

great book way better than the TV show love love love

Not much of a book reader but to listen to one and this one is outstanding ever though it a little long. Great story by Stephen King again.

I did not enjoy this book at all. In fact, with 21 audio hours left, I abandoned it. It is just grueling! There are too many characters to track, the narration is mediocre, and the book itself just does not hold your attention. I literally had to force myself to listen to this book. Finally, I just gave up and let it go. What a relief! Moving on to better reads!

I had high hopes for this story. I started watching the tv show and actually liked it. Usually if I like a movie or show I will love the book... not in this case! I couldnt even get through most of it. It was boring and I found myself driffting off while listening and missing whole boring sections. I never do this and I listen to alot of audiobooks. I'll keep watching the tv show! The Narrator was awful as well. That may also be why I just couldnt get into it.

I've never given Stephen King a chance until now. I've been missing out. This book is a must read!

Great intricate story. Only complaint is how long it was. Many characters to keep track of. But made for an interesting read

I loved this. It was my first King book and loved it.

Stephen King has done it again! I can't wait to see how the TV series will compare to this work of art!

A very good Stephen King novel. Kept me thoroughly entertained, and though the cast was large, by the end, I had a good grasp on everyone.

I loved this book. I don't normally read Stephen King's novels because they are too fantastic with not enough science for me. This was science fiction and political commentary, believable and appealing characters, along with suitable evil-doers to spice it up! Good pacing. I didn't want to stop reading through all 30 CDs! I wish King would hurry up and write Dome 2.

This was a very good store just like all Kings books. If you like King you will like this book. If your not a King fan stay away. I just wish his people did not have such bad language, makes it hard to follow the store sometimes.

Finally Stephen King has written a book that makes me realize why I love him so much! "Under the Dome" takes the reader on a journey that completely blows the mind! Very much in the spirit of "The Stand", Under the Dome mixes edge of your seat story telling with a long list of colorful characters that leave you begging for more! A true page turner, I found myself becoming lost in the story! One of Mr King's best!!!!!!

If you like Stephen King, this book fits the usual bill, while offering some interesting perspective on the human condition. Could this have been accomplished in say, 15 hours, instead of 35? THIRTY FIVE! I made it all the way through; it made me think about some things; I wouldn't read it again; I liked it well enough to recommend it to Stephen King fans.

Almost didn't rent it due to the 30 CD lenghth. Once I started listening though I couldn't stop listening as it just pulled me along until I felt that I was there in the plot. I like the references to Jack Reacher, the Lee Child hero, which is another favorite author. Thanks, a fantastic book.

Very good story, every bit as good as The Stand. I heard a mini-series is in the work, can't wait.

This is a great book that caused me such anxiety that I almost had to give up. Very little Sci Fi but lots of Lord of the Flies type problems. As with all King books it is like a snow ball rolling down hill, starts slowly but by the end it is huge.

This really reminds me a lot of The Stand. Lots of interesting characters, 'good v evil', nice long story, regular people rising to the occasion. If you liked the early Stephn King novels, I'd recommend you give this one a try.