Episode Twenty-Two - The Speed Queen w/Stewart O'Nan (Writer of Faithful, The Night Country, Ocean State)

The Constant Reader Podcast - The Canon of Stephen King

Stewart O'Nan's new book, Ocean State, has recently been released in the United States to wide acclaim. However, today we are going to look at one of his earlier books - 2001's The Speed Queen. In a change from our usual format, this isn't a book or an adaptation of a Stephen King text, but instead a novel that uses Stephen King as a character. King is the (unnamed but highly guessable) recipient of the last testament of Marjorie Standiford, mother, daughter, drug addict, sex addict, speed freak and apparent killer. On death row, who else but Stephen King would listen to her side of the love triangle that put her on a collision course with capital punishment?

Stewart O'Nan is also the writer of Faithful and A Face in the Crowd, both co-authored with Stephen King. His website can be found here

Apologies if my audio sounds a little janky, had to record this one on skype. Many thanks to Stewart for taking part, it was a thrill for me to talk to him.

This episode was hosted by Richard Sheppard, with research and support from Dr Linda Sheppard, and technical and sound production by "The Mad Professor" Stephen L. Parkes. Please like, subscribe, rate, review and recommend this podcast, and feel free to get in contact with us at [email protected] or find us on Instagram at /the_constant_reader_podcast/