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11/22/63

11/22/63 is a 2011 novel by Stephen King that blends alternate history, time travel, and historical fiction.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated September 10, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

11/22/63 is a 2011 novel by Stephen King that blends alternate history, time travel, and historical fiction. It follows Jake Epping, a high school teacher who uses a time portal to try to prevent the assassination of U.S. President John F. Kennedy. The novel was later adapted into a 2016 television miniseries.

Plot

The novel follows Jake Epping as he is sent back to 1958 with a mission to stop Lee Harvey Oswald and prevent the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. The story combines time travel mechanics with a long alternate-history narrative.

Publication

11/22/63 was published in 2011 by Scribner and became a bestseller. It was presented as a major standalone novel by Stephen King rather than part of one of his recurring series.

Awards and reception

The book received major genre recognition, including the Los Angeles Times Book Prize and the International Thriller Writers Award. It was also nominated for the British Fantasy Award and the Locus Award.

Adaptation

The novel was adapted into an eight-part television miniseries released in 2016. The adaptation retained the central premise of preventing the Kennedy assassination.

Key facts

  • The novel centres on the Kennedy assassination and the possibility of changing history.
  • Its protagonist is Jake Epping, an English teacher who travels to the past through a diner storeroom portal.
  • The book is Stephen King’s 49th novel and 60th published book.
  • It won the 2011 Los Angeles Times Book Prize for Best Mystery/Thriller.
  • It won the 2012 International Thriller Writers Award for Best Novel.
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Canadian context

Stephen King is widely read in Canada, and 11/22/63 has been published and discussed there as part of his mainstream North American literary output.

Frequently asked questions

What is 11/22/63 about?
It is about a man who travels back in time in an attempt to stop the assassination of John F. Kennedy.
Who wrote 11/22/63?
Stephen King wrote the novel.
When was 11/22/63 published?
It was published in 2011.
Who is the main character?
The main character is Jake Epping, an English teacher from Maine.
Was 11/22/63 adapted for television?
Yes. It was adapted into a 2016 television miniseries.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/11/22/63
    Supports: Author, publication year, plot premise, awards, and bibliography position.
  2. Google Books / Simon & Schuster — https://books.google.com/books/about/11_22_63.html?hl=hy&id=SQCxEHEXBykC
    Supports: Official synopsis, publication details, protagonist, and premise.
  3. Wikipedia Bahasa Indonesia — https://id.wikipedia.org/wiki/11/22/63
    Supports: Television adaptation and basic description.
  4. Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/topic/11-22-63
    Supports: Novel identification and adaptation reference.