Dark Matter

By: Michelle Paver

Narrated by: Jeremy Northam

Length: 6 hrs and 4 mins

Publisher's summary

January 1937. Jack Miller has just about run out of options. His shoes have worn through, he can't afford to heat his rented room in Tooting, and he longs to use his training as a specialist wireless operator instead of working in his dead-end job. When he is given the chance to join an arctic expedition, as communications expert, by a group of elite Oxbridge graduates, he brushes off his apprehensions and convinces himself to join them.

As the young men set sail from a gloomy Britain on the verge of war, Jack feels the overwhelming excitement of not knowing what lies ahead. Little can he imagine the horrors that await him in their destination, Gruhuken, a place that cannot escape the savage echo of its past.

©2010 Michelle Paver (P)2010 Orion Publishing Group Limited

Excellent story excellent writing

Enjoyed this thoroughly- I do t normally want a scary story- but this is so good, it was so worth my anxiety of getting scared. Amazing author - great performance reading it!

A ghost story indeed!

Dark Matter was a well-paced, atmospheric, and creepy ghost story. The narration was impeccable. And the addition of a begrudging love for a dog was top notch. Forget your credit but this one with your own money. You won’t regret it.

Great reading, well paced story and great character development

See title. Short and sweet. Loved the performance and the book lived up to expectations.

Beautifully narrated; thoughtfully moody.

Hard-core horror fans may not be enamoured with this story, as the fear slowly simmers without really boiling over. Just enough detail to imply horror, and lots of beautifully written tension. The placement of this story post-WW2 aids several plot points and adds to the feeling of displacement, or disorientation, the reader may experience. The main character is nicely developed and likeable. His story is told in an intimate, journal style. The book takes it's time getting to the "creepy parts," but the quiet, moodiness of the writing, and the character development is, in it's own way, suspenseful. Possibly not the most thrilling ending, but really, the story wraps up nicely and the denoument is quite satisfying. Definitely a mood piece. And...WOW, the narration is INCREDIBLE!!!

Simple premise, northern feel

As I live in the North myself, I can tell you that Paver captures the feeling of the cold and isolation extremely well. A simple premise, but Paver explores relationships between friends and man and dog effectively. Class issues permeate through the relationships between the men and the main character comes to new understandings through his experiences and is a changed man by the end of the book. A unique book which I would highly recommend. The narration was excellent.

Feels like old-school Lovecraft

The Good:
It was a very well written book. I found myself feeling dread just from the author's description of a log in the ground. Not something easily done for me! I can't go into too much depth without giving anything a way, but it does have that Lovecraftian journal-writing feel that slowly injects you with growing dread of something that shouldn't be.

Jeremy Northam does a good job as the narrator and by the end of the book you really feel he is the voice of the protagonist.

The Bad:
There are a few thoughts and declarations of male homosexuality that Michelle Paver crams in near the end of the book that I didn't feel were really needed, but the story was still great despite it. Not sure why she decided to add it. There isn't any physical homosexual contact. It's all in the guy's head. However, you won't miss anything by skipping the few tiny bits that she included if you are the homophobic type.

Also, if you are seeking an action-packed read, then you will not find it here. You should probably look for a different novel if that's what floats your boat.

Overall:
All in all Dark Matter was a great horror story that I enjoyed a great deal. Anyone who enjoys tales of growing dread and creepy horror stories, but isn't looking for action, should definitely give this audiobook a listen.

Excellent

This is the first novel from Michelle Paver I have listened to, but it won’t be the last. You feel as though you are there in the Arctic. She is a very gifted writer. So much so that I am about to purchase another by her. What are you waiting for?

Simply brilliant!

A suspenseful, gripping story that immediately submerses the reader in an alien world replete with hidden dangers. The narration is one of the best I have ever listened to. Don't miss it!

Don't read much, but...

I liked this one. Especially because it made me put on my headphones and listen at every moment I could. I'd recommend this to anyone in for a good tale.

Outstanding

This isn't a very long story, but what a story it is. Or, rather, what great storytelling. The journey of the main character made me think of Dostoyevsky's Underground Man and Conrad's Marlowe - brooding, intelligent but disillusioned, pessimistic but resilient, etc. The journey to one of the most isolated locations on earth is set up well and really sets the stage for what follows. And what follows plays out in a very steady and methodical way, into madness or the supernatural. The bottom line for me is that Michelle Paver really creeped me out. Jeremy Northam's narration is terrific. It sounds as if you're really listening to the main character's inner voice as he writes in his journal. If this is just a ghost story then it's one hell of a ghost story. Definitely worth a credit if you enjoy great performances or if you just like the feeling of your hackles being raised.