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)

amazing one of Joe hills very best books yet truly

amazing definitely listen to this book you won't be disappointed keeps you hooked from the get go

Different

Any additional comments?

I am a long time audio book listener, but this is only my second review.. I picked this book based on the reader Kate Mulgrew, which I am familiar with from Star Trek as Captain Janeway and as Red on Orange is the new Black...I knew she would be a great reader, and was not disappointed , she was brilliant..nothing less.
I always have to remember that it is just ONE person doing all of these character voices, and when it's done right, for me, it's like watching a movie in my head.
At the end of this book, the Author..Joe Hill, comes on and talks for a bit about this book and his background...But he said something that I always experience but never stopped to give it any thought about WHY I enjoy audio books so much..he said..paraphrasing..that when you read a book, you are seeing it, reading it..but when you LISTEN to a book, it's a story being TOLD to you..a primal experience as it was done in ancient times.. I loved that , and it describes my enjoyment to a T.
This was a very different story, it actually took me a while to decide if I was liking the story, but as it went on, everything gets explained and the story builds and builds, just like a great story should.
I won't ruin or give anything away about the story, but this book was a great listen, a long one and it turned out to be one of those books where I end up sitting in my vehicle still listening even tho I had arrived at my appointment...and was happy to have a long drive home so I could get in a few more chapters..
So speaking just for me...In the end..I loved it and I hope that you will too
Rob

Spooky

This book is the first of its genre that I have listened to. It has some unbelievable stuff in it, but some is just believable enough to be spooky.
Can't stop listening. Entertaining. And a great read.

Would probably intensify spookiness if listened to around Christmas.

Perhaps the best novel of the 21st century.

Joe Hill being the son of Stephen King has much to live up to from the eyes of his fathers' dedicate readers, can be torn away from that view point as he is in a league of his own. Never before has a novel made my skin crawl, and make me question my own thinking as much as this piece of art. Hill's character development, use of language and story telling is unparalleled. NOS4A2 is a work that I relished and treasured as I read it, wanting to savor it as long as I could but I finished it in three sittings.

With that being said, Kate Mulgrew performs an unbelievable telling of this equally unbelievable story. Mulgrew brings to life these characters like none I've heard before creating completely distinguishable and unbelievably unique voices. I was at first curious about Hill's novel 'The Fireman', but after listening to Mulgrew's performance I will be sure to pick that novel up (as it is also narrated by her) within the near future.

To Joe Hill, I say thank you for bringing me back into the world of fiction and fantasy as I have long strayed from it. This novel has given me hope for, and a new favorite author of, the genres that are fiction and horror. I crave the day that I will find another piece of fiction that tops this beautiful piece of art.

Why is he sitting in the parking lot?

My staff are curious as to why I sit in my car for 5 minutes after I arrive at the office. Ms. Muldrew? Mr. Hill? Care to explain?

Perfect Story, Excellent Narration, 1 Complaint

What made the experience of listening to NOS4A2 the most enjoyable?

This was a great story and I highly recommend it to any fan of horror stories.

What did you like best about this story?

The non-stop tension. It kept me scared throughout.

Have you listened to any of Kate Mulgrew’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

NA

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

A little too long to listen in one sitting.

Any additional comments?

Here's my one, admittedly picky comment. Kate Mulgrew's narration was as good as any I have ever heard. HOWEVER: for a professional narrator reading a book by a New England author, she should have known how to pronounce the name for the City of Haverhill, Massachusetts. It is pronounced "Hay-Vrill;" not "Have-Er-Hill." Sorry, Kate, but it drove me a little crazy.

Dracula, Joe Hill Style

Would you consider the audio edition of NOS4A2 to be better than the print version?

I didn't read this book, I listened to it.

What did you like best about this story?

This story is one of horror, scary, somewhat fantastical and mythological. I liked Fireman much better, this one has one in suspense. The pictures he paints with words is frightening, exciting and quite vivid. Christmasland was never so eerie, exciting or intriguing.

What does Kate Mulgrew bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Her mastery of the different voices was sooooo very good. She made the book come alive.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

No. It was a bit too intense for one sitting, or too close to bed. Highly recommend.

Engaging

Joe Hill's stories have an undertone like his father, Stephen King, but I feel they are a bit darker. This book was very rich with details and Joe makes you feel as if you are right there in the story.

Fantastic Reading

Kate brought life to the characters. The hero's were flawed and the villains had just enough humanity. Great audio book.

liked the story more than the narrator

The story was really entertaining. Kate Mulgrew is an amazing actress, I just didn't think her voice fit the characters and the mental pictures I have of the characters.