Book description
#1 New York Times bestselling author Stephen King’s timeless coming-of-age novella, Apt Pupil—published in his 1982 story collection Different Seasons and made into a 1998 Tristar movie starring Ian McKellan and Brad Renfro—now available for the first time as a standalone publication.
If you don’t believe in the existence of…
Why read it?
2 authors picked Apt Pupil as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?
Todd Bowden, a middle-class boy, has everything good going for him until he meets Kurt Dussander, a man who was the pure embodiment of evil during Hitler’s Nazi regime, now living in America under the assumed name, Arthur Denker. Todd figures out who “Arthur Denker” is from crime magazines his father had kept in a trunk in the garage.
Todd’s curiosity for violence rises to the surface. He is increasingly drawn down into darkness, blackmailing Mr. Dussander to tell him what went on in the concentration camps.
From Stan's list on suspense where a character seeks redemption.
Like everyone else with a pulse, I love Stephen King. So here’s a slightly underrated pull so I don’t lose my horror fan street cred. Apt Pupil is the first King book I’ve read that made me feel legitimately dirty. The creeping menace, the way he subverts your expectations, this excruciating dance of mutually assured destruction between Todd and Denker... just fabulous. Nothing supernatural, no murderous trucks or universe-vomiting turtles, just humans being mundane and evil. And you won’t have to spend the whole book wondering if King is gonna biff the ending, as he is often wont to do—he…
From Leighton's list on to completely ruin your day.
If you love Apt Pupil...
Stealing Time
A devastating hurricane. A time travel betrayal. Will Ronnie survive the witch hunt or forever be lost in time?
Stealing Time is the first book in the best-selling "Breathtakingly original" time travel series that will keep you on the edge of your seat.
As Hurricane Charley churns a path of…
Want books like Apt Pupil?
Our community of 12,000+ authors has personally recommended 100 books like Apt Pupil.
Share your top 3 reads of 2025!
And get a beautiful page showing off your 3 favorite reads.
1,340
readers submitted
so far, will you?
📚 If you like Apt Pupil, you might also like...
Dead Lake
An eviction. A stolen gemstone. a hidden network. Will retrieving her precious obsidian get Tricky killed?
After her cottage is ransacked, new-age witch Tricky knows she’s been targeted by the district. Now she must use her magical ability to discover who stole her prized gemstone—and what they’re plotting.
Dawn of Eve
On the surface, Dawn Easton seems to have it all. Heiress to a fashion empire, and with a gorgeous younger boyfriend, there’s almost nothing she can’t have. Yet, despite her wealth and power, there’s one thing that’s remained out of reach her entire life—giving birth. As her 40th birthday inches…
