Rating: 
Summary: A definate page turner with a modest ending.
Review: The good thing about the Talisman, well one of them anyways, is that you can hardly tell when the authors' take turns. The flow is soothing and is hardly as visible as some readers have noted it to be. This is a journey, as so many have stated, but one in which you feel as though you, too are traveling. The depiction of such characters as Sunlight Gardener is astonishing. The journey will leave you gasping for breath. Plot wise, you can't ask for a better story-line. A young boy, Jack Sawyer, must cross from one side of America to the other in order to save his mother's life. Of course, there is a Kingly twist to the plot and the boy makes his trip a bit quicker by moving in and out of another dimension known exclusively as 'The Territories.' Jack is aided briefly by an old black,enigmatic blues musician named Speedy Parker. Jack later encounters a score of good warewolves, bad warewolves, hooved fiends, and a number of other antagonists on both sides of the dimensional spectrum. He is a marked young man and both cosmic worlds seem desperately out to eliminate young Jack and prevent him from obtaining the mysitc Talisman - the one item that can save his mother, and, ultimately both worlds. One such fiend, a hooved creature named Elroy, is particularly well-crafted. Other villains include corrupt cops, preachers, not-to-be-trusted adults with evil and perverse intentions, and a number of just plain evil folk. As for the famous ally of Jack's named Wolf, well, he will warm your heart and make you utterly root for him throughout his time on the journey with Jack. As well a crafted character as there has ever been from the mind of King. A great read. Not scary, but very involving.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent Novel
Review: I may be a bit biased b/c I am a huge King fan, but I never expected to enjoy this lesser known King book as much as I did. There were times when I couldn't listen (I did this book on tape) fast enough, to the point where I was late for work a couple of times b/c I couldn't leave my car. Yes, parts of it were that good. Personally, I felt the end was a little drawn out, but the rest of it was very well done. I highly recommend this book and have already purchased it to give to my dad. You won't be disappointed.
Rating: 
Summary: The Talisman
Review: I borrowed this book from the library about 4 years ago when I was going through a particular rough period of my life and suicide was not far away from my thoughts. By the time I had finished reading the book, I had laughed and cried and experienced so much through its pages, that my problems seemed managable!! Since then a friend of mine gave me a copy of the book for my birthday a couple of years ago and I have read it about 5 times. Each time I read it, I cried with Jack over Wolf and experienced the joy that only the Territories could give. It has never failed. Then in Sep 2001 I was in NY on business and was stuck with no way of flying home, when I picked up The Black House. Although not as wonderful as The Talisman, it is still fantastic reading and helped me forget that I was stuck in a foreign country, not knowing when I was going home!! I have always loved Stephen King books, although I will read just about any fiction I can lay my hands on, but this book is one of my all time favourites. Read it - I guarantee you will not be disappointed.
Rating:
Summary: Dark Tower Prequel
Review: Stephen King probes the depths of human imagination in this dark yet beautiful novel. He introduces the reader to the first visitings of the world in which the Dark Tower is apart of. King and Straub are excellent at sweeping the reader into the story and placing them at its very heart. The character development is wonderfully displayed and the world(S) that are described come alive before the readers very eyes. A must read for people who are fans are for people looking for an entertaining and excellent read!
Rating:
Summary: King's take on a boy's journey to adulthood.
Review: I originally picked this up, a King initiated reader, from the local Wal-Mart for a 3 hour trip. I began the book while on the road and grew bored, also seriously considering if I should have purchased this novel or not. I kept reading the story and here is my review on Stephen King's The Talisman. Jack Sawyer is a troubled 12 year old whom is fleeing his dead father's sadistic partner Morgan Sloat with his mother leading the retreat. Death constantly comes into his face, and he soon relizes the location he rests in is not safe and death may again rear it's ugly head, this time in the face of his doubtful mother. Believable so far, right? Now we descend into the Fantasy aspect of Jack Sawyer's story. He befriends an elderly black man named Speedy Parker, whom provides comfort to the sorrowful Jack, and also shares a secret with the boy. Another world besides our own exists and Jack must go there to save his mother from her coming death. He soon learns of the Territories, a smaller landscape than the U.S. with few bits of technology, but a magical land, nonetheless. Jack is shown how to retreat to these realms on a journey from one side of the U.S. to the other. The Talisman is a strange book, especially in the Sunlight Gardener area. I got many homosexual vibes while reading the story, accounting on the many references to the penis, many homosexual characters that Jack meets on the road, and of course in the Sunlight Scripture Home for Lost Boys. Despite that, he meets the evil Morgan's son Richard, whom he was a friend with once, and also Wolf. Wolf is a wolfman from the Territories whom Jack pulls into our world. I felt sympathy for Wolf often throughout the book, which I view as a job well done concerning King and Straub. I've read nearly every S.K. novel and this is by far one of my favorites. I do not know what Peter Straub contributed, but whatever it was will find no complaint with me. I entirely recommend this over The Black House, which is sequel to this book and is compellingly dull. Overall, The Talisman gets 5/5.
Rating:
Summary: A great King book that's appropriate for teens
Review: Although it's only 50% King, this is a great introduction to his work for teenagers who are interested in reading his books. The Talisman is a fantasy story with elements of horror and features the classic hero's journey. Jack Sawyer is a boy who must make a trek across the continental United States (and the ethereal "Territories") to save his mother's life. The villian is frightening and the supporting characters are terrific - especially "Wolf", a friend from the Territories. This is an adventure story in the truest sense.
Rating:
Summary: Great Story
Review: I loved this booked. Wonderful characters and scenes. Hated it to end!
Rating:
Summary: Better than horror
Review: I usually Don't like Stephan King (perhaps it's Peter Straubs infulence) But I really enjoyed following Jack Sawyer as he goes on his journey.
Rating:
Summary: A long, wild ride.
Review: I will admit, it took me just about forever to get through this book, but I never once contemplated putting it down.
It was long, sometimes grueling, but fascinating and mesmerizing. Don't miss it.
Rating:
Summary: One of King's and of Straub's best
Review: Twelve-year-old Jack has to travel across the country and across worlds to save his mother's life. He is seeking the Talisman, an object of great power. Along the way, he encounters many allies and enemies --- as well as their counterparts --- in both worlds, and finds that his entire life has been leading up to this journey.
I absolutely loved The Talisman. It is one of my favorite books. I enjoy the idea of the alternate worlds, thought I realize that this execution of it doesn't hold up to logical examination (like most fiction that incorporates the idea of alternate worlds/realities), but is still very entertaining. The book has an interesting and well thought-out plot, and it doesn't suffer from as much excess verbiage as you would expect from a King/Straub collaboration.
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