Joyland

I listened to the audiobook - which was the right choice as the narrator felt nearly perfect for the first person telling of the story. He captured well in his voice the subtle, special nuance when a pivotal time in a young man's life is recalled when the same man is old. The story is enchanting as King creates a world of summertime and the fall which inevitably follows. There's a balanced blend of the great elements of story - promise, romance, loss, longing, nostalgia, change, and growth. Since it is a King novel, there's just enough of the supernatural to add a paranormal element. It's introduced early and then not revisited until the final third. And, I like that it's not over explained while still being a key part of the resolution. A highly recommended novel -especially for the time of year which will come as surely as July 4th (tomorrow) will sooner enough lead to Labor Day and beyond.