I just finished Stephen King’s 11/22/63. Horror fiction isn’t my favorite kind of book, but King’s writing ability has always made the genre palatable. However, 11/22/63 is not a horror story, and I think it’s the best thing he’s done since The Stand.

11/22/63 is very long, like Stieg Larsson’s voluminous Millennium trilogy. There is apparently a raging debate among Larsson fans about the quality of the English translation. Buried within the debate is the observation that the UK English translation is significantly longer than the American version, meaning that some editing was done.

If I had been the editor, I would have cut a lot more. I would also have included dialogue markers so that you don’t have to read half a page to find out who’s talking, then backtrack to re-read the passage armed with accurate knowledge.

Larsson’s books have a great plot line and fascinating characters, but are unduly long. In contrast, King’s novel is duly long. It does not have inappropriate fill. Yes, there is background, and yes, the book is in part a historical novel, but King does not burden the reader with detailed biographical information about characters who make one appearance and then disappear, nor does he pad the text with pages of obscure political history. King is a writer, not a journalist, and it shows.

11/22/63 has been generally well received, as it should be. It has been described as an alternate history (think Harry Turtledove) and science fiction, albeit with a very interesting take on time-travel. The book is well researched—the descriptions of the 50’s and early 60’s ring true. I can vouch for that because I was there.

I think, however, that these characterizations of the novel describe the body, not the heart. The essence of 11/22/63 is a love story, well written and deeply felt. Throughout the book King pens the refrain “dancing is life,” and the book ends with a dance. To say more would require a spoiler alert. Do some arm exercises so you can hold the book, then settle in for a good read.