Free Audiobook : The Long Walk, by Stephen King

In a twisted version of America where fear rules and entertainment is deadly, The Long Walk by Stephen King drops you into the shoes of 16-year-old Ray Garraty, one of 100 teenage boys chosen for a brutal national contest. Every year, the Long Walk kicks off at the Maine-Canada border, demanding the boys keep a relentless four-mile-per-hour pace with no stops, not even to catch their breath. Fall behind, and you get a warning; three warnings, and you’re out for good, with a prize so big it lures kids despite the stakes. This audiobook is a gut-punch of a story about survival, sacrifice, and the human spirit pushed to its breaking point.

Kirby Heyborne’s narration is a masterclass, his youthful voice carrying Ray’s hope and dread as the walk grinds on, though some listeners find the audio quality spotty. King, writing as Richard Bachman, crafts a dystopian nightmare that’s less about gore and more about the slow, crushing weight of despair, with flashes of camaraderie and dark humor. Heyborne’s performance makes every step feel real, from the crowd’s cheers to the boys’ whispered fears, even if the story’s ending leaves some wanting more. It’s a listen that sticks with you, raw and haunting, like a bad dream you can’t shake.

If you’re into The Hunger Games or 1984 with a darker edge, The Long Walk will grab you by the throat. Perfect for fans of psychological thrillers or anyone who loves a story that makes you think about what you’d do to survive, this audiobook is a classic King tale that’s as unsettling today as it was in 1979. Get ready for a journey that’s equal parts thrilling and heartbreaking, with a film hitting theaters in 2025 to bring it to life.