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)

really good listen

long listen that I just could not stop - stayed up way to late 2 nights in a row to finish this book

Was not a big fan until now

Loved this book!! Pretty genuinely creepy in parts. I'm sure the author might hate this but it did rather remind me of some early Stephen Kings's. Just a feel to it perhaps. Good characters and the writing quality is good. Held my attention the whole way.

Gives Stephen King a run for his money

And elegantly crafted her story with a superlative reader who manages to create a plethora of voices and personalities, I wouldn't have known it wasn't a Stephen King novel. I read them all and this is right in there. Corky characters, fantastic scenarios, and the glory found in fear, suffering, and victory.

Suspenseful, but didnt want to miss a word

I usually hate suspense. Im the type to skip ahead to get over a tense part. However, I didnt want to miss a word of what was happening in this book. I think it was perfectly narrated and well written to boot.

Comparing Joe Hill to Stephen King isnt fair as they both have distinct voices. But I was continually struck by how effortlessly Hill built a world that easily coexists in the same universe as Derry, Maine.

Absolutely amazing book!

First off, the reader of this story does wonderful work when really conveying emotions in these characters. The characters are well thought out and have believable qualities. They deal with real world issues which develops their character. Start to finish, this book kept me wanting to listen to more! I have an hour drive to work and listened only during that time. I was so close to the end and had to know what happened so I turned my vehicle on and completed it. I don't want to say much about it so not to ruin it for anyone. Fans of horror should love this, I know I did.

Loved it!

Kate Mulgrew read with such feeling that you knew the individual characters by her voice. And Joe Hill's story is hideously good. What a great combo!

Liked it

Kate Mulgrew really made this enjoyable- she was great. I’m going to look into other books she reads.

Simply the best audiobook

NOS4A2 by Joe Hill performed by Kate Mulgrew is the best audio fiction book I’ve ever heard. I really like Heart shaped box as well by Joe Hill, but was more skeptical of NOS4A2 because of it’s length. Additionally, I cheated by googling an synopsis which made me think it was going to be cheesy. It was not cheesy, it was great. Spend the credit if you enjoy horror fiction.

Something to Sink Your Time Into

The performance is excellent. Normally, I don't like female narrators when they read male characters, but Kate Mulgrew nails it. I'm a fan now. The story is great, worth your time. If you know the father, this story will be familiar--tone, pacing, characters, complications and cross-pollinated references to the King universe--but the prose is better, much better. This is my first Hill book, but it will certainly not be my last.

In need of an abridged version

Don’t get me wrong. This is a good book but it does have a lot of filler and I do mean a LOT.

Imagine this book like its a very big sandwich with humongous thick bread and really succulent meat.
You start grinding your way toward the meat and sometimes you get a hint of flavor here and there but you just cannot reach it.
And when you’re just about to give up. Boom! More bread. But with a bit of meat there. And then some more and so forth.
At the end you’re satisfied but you kinda regret eating all that bread...

Joe can write a hell of a character, that’s for sure. It’s the narrating of the action I have a problem with. I do not know if it’s me or I just couldn’t picture it as it was being narrated and started feeling like a thankless job getting towards the end.

I did enjoy it in the end and I’ll check out the AMC show. But I will not read this book again, that’s for sure.

Lou Carmady rocks! btw.