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

Deliciously Scary

Would you listen to Dark Matter again? Why?

Yes, years from now when I've forgotten enough details to be scared again. I love books that are well written and truly frightening. It is such a hard thing to find. Dark Matter was nearly perfect. The cold, isolated setting, the blurring of the lines between the supernatural and insanity, made it just believable enough to be truly creepy. It was very well imagined, never rushed or overly fanciful, and not very predictable (as far too many horror and mystery novels are).

Loved this book

Loved the narrator really brouhgt it to life. The story was great and kept me interested.

Gloomy, chilling (pun intended) horror

This book was a total surprise for me. The author is blessed with the ability to drive the story with atmosphere and gloom. The story is simple enough on the surface: Man goes to arctic with a team, man must survive the arctic and some unknown presence. But where this novel succeeds so well is the presentation of the environment and the character's reactions to that environment. I was drawn in so completely to that world that I found myself thinking of ways to get out of the predicament. The protagonist is likeable and sympathetic. The dread slowly builds until it is almost unbearable. I am surprised by the chill I got a couple of times, as this is something rare for me. I consider myself a jaded horror lover, but, whether the writing or the narration, I was 'gotten' a few times.

I would say that the crafting of the atmosphere was similar to "The Terror" by Dan Simmons. Only a shorter, quicker read with a better payoff. The description of the cold and the hardships the men faced in that barren, secluded area only added to the desperation and sense of isolation. I found myself just as interested in the mechanics of survival in an environment most of us will never see. The dog as a companion worked well and lessened the fear that the main character was slowly going insane from freezing, cabin fever, imagination based on local legend, and oatcake overdose and that, instead, there was something really wrong. The burn was slow at first and then gained speed until it reached an, ultimately, satisfying (at least for me) ending.

I can say I loved this book. I have not read any other works by the author, but will when her historical fictions have a twinge of the supernatural. This book started slowly and some may be put off by the initial story/character setup. It is not fast paced or action driven, at least at first, but when the thrill comes, it comes out of nowhere and puts you on edge for the rest of the book.

Phenomenal

Absolutely fantastic book. Well written, creepy, beautiful, and it even has a dog! The narrator was the best of the 40+ books I’ve listened to on audible and really brought the character to life. Don’t listen to any negative reviews. READ THIS BOOK.

Spooky

Creepy. Scary. You get it. Narrator voice caused chills and goose bumps. This is a good thing.

As good as the first time I read it

This is a fantastic story. Stellar writing, stellar reading. I first read this book somewhere around 2011 at the suggestion of an fellow bookworm who knew the author and was aware of my preference for stories about remote locations , particularly the Arctic, as well as speculative fiction. I devoured the short book in 2 evenings and have read it a couple of times since. Recently it was suggested to me by Audible based on my tastes and I knew I had to give it another visit, audio style. Glad I did. Northam's narration is subtle and well suited and I listened to it in one go.

Ghost story or love story?

Chilling, beautiful, frightening- Dark Matter was all of these. Jeremy Northam’s narration pulled me along on a journey through a man’s discovery of his own limits. His bond with the dog was so unexpected and touching and it offered a contrast to the terror invoked by whatever it was that walked the shore. I cannot say more without revealing what it is that makes this an love story so just listen for yourself. I would listen again and recommend to anyone who is fascinated by the Arctic.

Finally- Jeremy Northam was perfect. His tone and inflection and pacing changed as needed to reflect the author’s words. He was fantastic.

Great use of language. Vanilla story.

I will purchase and listen to another MIchelle Paver audiobook simply to enjoy her use of language, how she describes a setting, how she voices a person's inner monologue. I loved hearing how the words fit together forming a mental video. That said, I found the plot itself rather bland, although the setting and setup were great. For me, the mystery buildup didn't really crescendo, although I really enjoyed the main character's recounting of it. Parts of the story were a little awkward for me, some of it contrived. The ending was a little too clean and it felt forced to me.
The narrator was fantastic. Northam's performance of Paver's use of words made for an enjoyable listen nonetheless.

spooky

if you are a fan of desolate polar landscapes in the vein of the thing, the terror, then this book is for you! feebly psychologically unsettling, this book describes an expedition north of Norway to research weather patterns. highly recommend!

Absorbing, Creepy, and Capitvating

This was one story that I simply could not stop listening to. My walks were longer and my listening was enhanced as I listened to a truly spellbinding story that was both imaginative, creepy, and heartbreaking at the same time. Paver weaves an intriguing and captivating tale of 5 young men (and the narrator Jack) in the 1930s on a remote, Arctic island that happens to be haunted by a viciously malevolent ghost. Much of this story is told from Jack's perspective as (one by one) his compatriots depart the island and he is left in utter isolation.

I was frequently unsettled and this can be attributed to Jeremy Northam's splendid narration of Jack and the rich array of characters that Paver introduces the reader/listener to. Northam is able to clearly differentiate each character's unique voice and take Paver's splendid writing and turn it into an enjoyable listen. The ending was terrifying and brutally gripping as Jack struggles with both his sanity of the isolation, the darkness, and a ghost hell-bent on ending him.

What I enjoyed about this book was that it was a ghost story for everyone; coupled with a deep appreciation for nature and the outside. Moreover, it looks at the human impact of loneliness and isolation -- examining how someone could contend with such an experience. Paver's writing and imagery are superb; supported by an extraordinary and methodical narration by Northam -- you won't be disappointed.