Carrion Comfort

By: Dan Simmons

Narrated by: Mel Foster, Laural Merlington

Length: 39 hrs and 27 mins

Publisher's summary

"Carrion Comfort is one of the three greatest horror novels of the 20th century. Simple as that." (Stephen King)

"Epic in scale and scope but intimately disturbing, Carrion Comfort spans the ages to rewrite history and tug at the very fabric of reality. A nightmarish chronicle of predator and prey that will shatter your world view forever. A true classic." (Guillermo del Toro)

"Carrion Comfort is one of the scariest books ever written. Whenever I get asked the question Who's your favorite author? my answer is always Dan Simmons." (James Rollins)

"One of the few major reinventions of the vampire concept, on a par with Jack Finney's Invasion of the Body Snatchers, Richard Matheson's I Am Legend, and Stephen King's Salem's Lot. (David Morrell)

THE PAST...

Caught behind the lines of Hitler's Final Solution, Saul Laski is one of the multitudes destined to die in the notorious Chelmno extermination camp. Until he rises to meet his fate and finds himself face to face with an evil far older, and far greater, than the Nazis themselves...

THE PRESENT...

Compelled by the encounter to survive at all costs, so begins a journey that for Saul will span decades and cross continents, plunging into the darkest corners of 20th century history to reveal a secret society of beings who may often exist behind the world's most horrible and violent events. Killing from a distance, and by darkly manipulative proxy, they are people with the psychic ability to "use" humans: read their minds, subjugate them to their wills, experience through their senses, feed off their emotions, force them to acts of unspeakable aggression. Each year, three of the most powerful of this hidden order meet to discuss their ongoing campaign of induced bloodshed and deliberate destruction. But this reunion, something will go terribly wrong. Saul's quest is about to reach its elusive object, drawing hunter and hunted alike into a struggle that will plumb the depths of mankind's attraction to violence, and determine the future of the world itself...

©2009 Dan Simmons (P)2011 Brilliance Audio, Inc.

what a mind F $%k. fantastic read

Voice acting second to none. plot layers within layers Amazing ending. This is not to be missed. Some pretty brutal elements that are there to drive the plot. if you can stomach it do not miss it.

Great readers flesh out well developed characters

What made the experience of listening to Carrion Comfort the most enjoyable?

The story moves along without getting bogged down. 39 hours is a lot of story after all. But the plot moves fast enough and still takes the time to breathe interesting backgrounds into it's characters.

Which character – as performed by Mel Foster and Laural Merlington – was your favorite?

The readers gave great voices to the different characters. Melanie's southern 'hospitality' and antebellum contempt and prejudices were the real treat to listen to. Can't say how often I smiled and winced at her, and the reader made those reactions all the stronger.

Any additional comments?

It was better than I expected. There are a few points that some deus ex machina enters to provide some tools to the characters, but the author mentions as much directly in the story at one point. It made me grin. I'm a stickler for no plot holes and anti-deus ex machina, but Dan keeps it just on the fringe of believable and the plot is solid.It's an alternate history of sorts, told from the present. A very creative way of explaining historical moments in the past and their possible causes -- from a pseudo-supernatural perspective. No ghosts or aliens here. Just people who have the power to realize the darker manifestations that most of us are wont to not admit to. I'm now off to listen to another of Mr. Simmon's books. :)

Outstanding

Yet another brilliant book from Dan Simmons. Complex storyline which has lots of twists and a final ending that surprises

Amazing!

Long, but worth your time. I still can't get over the ending. Super scary and fascinating.

GIVE ME A PREQUEL/SEQUEL, I WANT MORE!!!

I want more of Melanie Fuller. She's so evil, racist, sassy, and twisted you can't help but love her.

This is not your tipical scary story. There's a whole new twist to the " Vampire" thing. It's so well written, you won't be able to put it on pause.

If you enjoy a good scary book, with a hint of humor, this one's for you.

Great listen

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes i have it keep me gusseing to the end

What was one of the most memorable moments of Carrion Comfort?

The ending was so well done

Which character – as performed by Mel Foster and Laural Merlington – was your favorite?

The sheriff

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

dont want to give it away

Great Story

This was an excellent book and it was read very well. My 2nd Dan Simmons, much better than expected. I bought it because it was on sale for $0.99, it was worth way more!

Had me screaming and kicking...hard to stop listen

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

YES! If you like to think and look at all options..think you know what might happen and then Dan Simmons throws a curve ball everytime!.... you my friends will love this book.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Carrion Comfort?

Melony is the most horrific babyish insane mind vampire of the whole group. I loved the end when she is showing again her paranoia and hunger...and she thinks she is ALWAYS right...downright creepy.

Which character – as performed by Mel Foster and Laural Merlington – was your favorite?

Tough..loved Willie. He was almost as awful as Melony. Nina played a short wicked part but was forever the fear of Melanie. For evil I choose Melony.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Tough again. Sol's memories of the concentration camps..his whole life's purpose and internal struggles and all the wonderful people who came together with Sol to kill the minfmd vampires.

Any additional comments?

Natalie the "negress" and all the dated predjudiced terms I forgot I grew up with were reminders of what is always possible to happen again at any time.Hatred and evil has always been around and sorry to say will be. People who can manipulate and be charismatic are the true mind vampires that the author writes about. I believe using politicians..Hitler...and the holocaust are the perfect canvas for Dan Simmons to paint his "mind vampires" who are real but not in the supernatural way. That was just a tool for his novel...or a novel tool. :)

A long listen but well worth it

This is the 1st novel I've listened to from this author and I found it very enjoyable. It was genuinely scary. I was a little reluctant to start such a long book but it was well worth it.

This needs to be a movie!!

This was an amazing book that I stumbled across by accident and I'm so glad I did. I can't believe this book came out 30 yrs ago and still feels so relevant and original. It's a brilliant concept with great storytelling and action. It makes you question what if all the terrible shit that's happened throughout history is really from people like the characters in this story and the 2 narrators really brought this story to life...5 star performance!!