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)

Ready for a Creepy Christmas?

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

Absolutely. Kate Mulgrew was an AMAZING narrator and the story was twisted, horrifying, and intense. I couldn't stop listening.

Who was your favorite character and why?

My favorite major character would be Vic, of course. She has so much depth that it's hard to pick anyone else. My favorite minor character was Maggie, the librarian. She was somebody I definitely felt sad for, even though she was spunky and didn't show how sad her life had been.

What about Kate Mulgrew’s performance did you like?

Two words: Charlie Manx. I have never been creeped out like I was when Mulgrew performed Manx's lines. Horrible, horrible voice.

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

The only reason I'd say no is because of the length. I don't think I could sit for 18 or so hours.

Any additional comments?

READ JOE HILL!! He's a much better writer than his father!!

Easy listen

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

Entertaining but not great

Would you recommend NOS4A2 to your friends? Why or why not?

yes, if you want a "no brainer" kind of book.

Which character – as performed by Kate Mulgrew – was your favorite?

Vic

Could you see NOS4A2 being made into a movie or a TV series? Who should the stars be?

Probably. Any B stars would work

"....Mr. Maaaaanx." will be in my head forever

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

Kate Mulgrew did such a perfect job animating the characters in this very rich book, I have not experienced another audio book so fully.

What other book might you compare NOS4A2 to and why?

I did not know who Mr. Hill's father was when I listened to N0S4A2. Dozens of times before, when I listen to or read something by Mr. Hill's father, I always would say, about 30 "pages" into it -- "Ha ha. He's got me again." Well -- In N0S4A2, Joe Hill had me as entranced as any of his father's works. Bravo.

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

Right after this, I listened to another of Kate Mulgrew's readings, The Son. The Son was a good book,and all of the presenters did a great job, but this was not as rich an audio palette as what Joe Hill has offered up. I will intentionally do another audible book if it comes in front of me and it has Ms. Mulgrew's touch on it.

Any additional comments?

I don't believe that I've ever reviewed another audio book, but, 6 months after I listened to this one, I still think of it regularly. I wanted to post out here in support of one of the best media experiences I've had. Curtain call!!

Very entertaining!

I'm surprised that Kate Mulgrew has any voice left after bringing some of these characters to life.
Joe Hill is always a great read and he doesn't disappoint with this one!

Joe Hill is trying too hard to write like his dad

It just has too much incredible stuff. There are too many departures from reality that become a distraction. Try Heart-Shaped Box for a much better story by the same author.

Super!

Kate Mulgrew is an amazing narrator, and I love how Joe Hill took his time with the story and with the ending without slowing anything down. The characters are deliciously complex.

Outstanding read!

I thought it developed a little slow at the beginning while it was setting up all the characters bit once I got into it I couldn't stop listening. At times I was so into the book I would take the long way home from work just to listen a little longer. I also loved the narrator and will look for more of her work in the future.

narrator annoyed me

the narrator made listening to this book a challenge. good story.. but I could have done without her narration

Kate Mulgrew

She was the best part of this very strange book. I would not have finished it except that I only bought it since she was narrating.

Great narration.

The narrator really makes the story so worth it. She makes the characters pop, each with their own distinctive, captivating personalities. This is a great read, emotional, raw, captivating, suspenseful, everything about this will leave you wanting more.