NOS4A2

A Novel

By: Joe Hill

Narrated by: Kate Mulgrew

Length: 19 hrs and 41 mins

Publisher's summary

The spine-tingling, bone-chilling novel of supernatural suspense from the number one New York Times best-selling author of The Fireman and Horns - now an AMC original series starring Zachary Quinto, Ebon Moss-Bachrach, and Ashleigh Cummings.

"A masterwork of horror." (Time)

Victoria McQueen has an uncanny knack for finding things: a misplaced bracelet, a missing photograph, answers to unanswerable questions. When she rides her bicycle over the rickety old covered bridge in the woods near her house, she always emerges in the places she needs to be.

Charles Talent Manx has a gift of his own. He likes to take children for rides in his 1938 Rolls-Royce Wraith with the vanity plate NOS4A2. In the Wraith, he and his innocent guests can slip out of the everyday world and onto hidden roads that lead to an astonishing playground of amusements he calls Christmasland.

The journey across the highway of Charlie's twisted imagination transforms his precious passengers, leaving them as terrifying and unstoppable as their benefactor.

Then comes the day when Vic goes looking for trouble...and finds her way to Charlie. That was a lifetime ago. Now, the only kid ever to escape Charlie's evil is all grown up and desperate to forget. But Charlie Manx hasn't stopped thinking about Victoria McQueen. On the road again, he won't slow down until he's taken his revenge. He's after something very special - something Vic can never replace.

As a life-and-death battle of wills builds, Vic McQueen prepares to destroy Charlie once and for all - or die trying.

©2013 Joe Hill (P)2013 HarperCollins Publishers

Critic reviews

"Quite simply the best horror writer of our generation, Joe Hill’s masterful storytelling is on full display in NOS4A2. It is by turns terrifying and hilarious, horrifying and full of heart, and relentlessly compelling." (Michael Koryta, New York Times bestselling author of The Prophet)

"Fascinating and utterly engaging, this novel is sure to leave readers wanting more. One thing is for certain, however. After reading this book, readers will never hear Christmas carols in quite the same way again." ( Library Journal, starred review)

"[A] new take on the fantasy-horror genre...Highly recommended." ( The Sun Herald Sydney, Australia)

great listen

The narrator is amazing, she did so many different voices so well and so creepy when they needed to be.
I think it's safe to say that the author read his dad's books growing up! If you like Stephen King then you'll like this book too.

Haverhill ... Haverhill ... Haverhill

Would you listen to NOS4A2 again? Why?

No. I can't get by the mis-pronounciations of Haverhill

What was one of the most memorable moments of NOS4A2?

The bridge.

Who would you have cast as narrator instead of Kate Mulgrew?

Anyone

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

Nope

Any additional comments?

It's a two-syllable word ... Hayve-rill. Not Have-er-hill for pete's sake. Constantly mis-pronouncing it was distracting and very annoying.

An outstanding story and performance

Wow, this was more than an audiobook, it was a performance, the story is great, and the narration is a work of art.

Not my cup of tea.

Not a great fan of horror, but it maintained my interest to the end.

Excellent narration by Kate Mulgrew, who was easily understandable at x2 playback speed.

Delightfully Twisted

First off, praise goes to Kate Mulgrew! She is believable and brings this book to life! I drive 3 hours a day total to and from work, and the only thing that makes my life bearable is to do Audible books. This book made me actually look forward to driving to work and actually delay myself getting home.

The character building is amazing and hits the mark all the way through. Vic McQueen is a wonderful character to cheer for to the very end. Joe hill is a wonderful author and is just as good as his dad Steven King. The moment I ended this book, I immediately downloaded Heart Shaped Box.

Read this book, it will change the way you feel about Christmas music!

3.5 for the story, 5 for the narration........

I thought this book needed a good editor - things dragged on a little too long and the middle dragged too far from the heart of the story i.e. the ongoing relationships between those who can cut through reality to thoughts (Vic, Mags, Charlie). I did like that heart of the story, but Hill's writing suffers too much from excessive and unnecessary scatological and juvenile language (including all the swearing, which is a significant amount). His father had a tendency to lean a little too far that way, but either he has a better editor or enough self control to rein it in (and enough talent in other places to make it tolerable). This is the first book I listened to that was narrated by Kate Mulgrew, and she did a terrific job with all the characters.

a new favorite!

words are not big enough. joe hill is brilliant. Narration is hypnotic. looking forward to hearing more from both.

THE ONLY WAY THIS COULD GET A BAD REVIEWS, IS IF ONE SIMPLY HAS NO IMAGINATION!!!

Didn’t know Joe Hill was Stephen Kings son. Heavy shoes to fill, and from this reading of NOS4ATU, I was not disappointed, of course AMC’s portrayal of the novel is entertaining. But once I started this I could not stop listening!!! Mr. Hills creative imagination carved on my very own and I can still hear the echo.
Thank you Joe Hill for this awesome endless endscape. And to the narrator thank you for making me feel like I was actually long for the ride!!

Very fun read!

I loved this book. Fast paced and excellent character development. Very creepy and some of the best story telling I have heard in quite some time. The narrator also does a wonderful job of getting into character. When Vick yells you can feel the anguish in her voice. Everyone should read this book!

Wait, It's over?!

Everything about this book is excellent! Story, characters, narrator. I struggled with how to do this book justice, to convey the vivid pictures Mr. Hill paints with words (some very gruesome!) and how Ms. Mulgrew uses her voice to make it have even more depth. I was so sad it was over, I will miss the characters and the story which kept me guessing until the end. Everything was so well thought out, I felt I was there. I'm sure the commute traffic around me wondered what was going on as I couldn't help reacting. I look forward to seeing it played out on screen next year, although I will miss hearing it all through Kate Mulgrew's voice.