Summary of 'The Talisman' by Stephen King

"The Talisman" is a fantasy novel co-written by Stephen King and Peter Straub, published in 1984. The story follows a young boy named Jack Sawyer on a perilous journey across parallel worlds to find a powerful talisman that can save his dying mother and potentially protect both worlds from a sinister force.

Jack Sawyer, a twelve-year-old boy with extraordinary abilities, learns that his mother is dying of cancer. He discovers that her illness is connected to a parallel world known as "the Territories," which can be accessed through certain locations in our world. Jack embarks on a quest to find a mythical object called the Talisman, which has the power to heal and protect.

As Jack travels through both the real world and the Territories, he encounters a variety of characters and creatures, some friendly and others dangerous. He befriends Speedy Parker, a wise old man who guides him and reveals the nature of the Talisman. Jack must navigate treacherous landscapes, battle evil forces, and confront his own inner demons.

Throughout the journey, Jack discovers that he is a "twinner," an individual with a counterpart in each world, and his parallel self in the Territories is the rightful guardian of the Talisman. Jack must unite his strength with his twinner's to overcome challenges and defeat the malevolent forces seeking to claim the Talisman for their own dark purposes.

"The Talisman" combines elements of fantasy, adventure, and horror, as Jack faces supernatural entities and confronts his fears. The novel explores themes of love, loyalty, sacrifice, and the power of imagination. The authors intricately weave the parallel worlds, creating a rich and immersive narrative that showcases their collaborative storytelling talents.

Note: A sequel to "The Talisman" titled "Black House" was published in 2001, which continues the story with an adult Jack Sawyer. However, this summary specifically focuses on "The Talisman" and its core storyline.