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)

gripping thrill ride with 10 star narration

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

First and foremost was Kat Mulgrew's EXCELLENT narration. You could picture each character with their distinctive voices. Charlie Manx was particularly terrifying --

Who was your favorite character and why?

Vic - who overcomes many obstacles against all odds in her quests, I also really liked Maggie - who also had many obstacles, and kept persevering, against all odds.

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

no, but I will be sure to keep an eye out for her. I have given many narrators 5 stars for excellent work, but this is the all time overall best narration out of hundreds of audiobooks!!

Captivating tale - creepy and engaging

Joe Hill has quite possibly destroyed my love of Christmas carols with this tale. there are at least tainted and I am glad I read this book in July. The idea that we all live in two worlds, our everyday world and the one inside our head resonates strongly and truly makes the supernatural events in NOS4A2 seem plausible. The characters are well created, so "everyday" human, that we are drawn in. The lead character seems to have special powers and yet we come to understand it isn't special but the power of creativity. The outcome could br good or evil as either can result from tampering with the human condition.

Kate Mulgrew gave a delightful reading!

I highly recommend this. audiobook.

creepier than expected

Fantastic delivery by Kate Mulgrew! Really impressive - I didnt know she was such a good narrator!

Just ok but ...

This story just took too long to get to an obvious ending. A bit disconnected and not enough character development. I never did understand the change in the children's teeth. Won't drop a spoiler here though. Also, I'm from the area where this story was set and the mispronunciation of Haverhill over and over bugged me throughout. It wasn't even close. Kate Mulgrew was wonderful and kept me listening anyway.

Christmas sucks, figuratively of course

I enjoyed this story. It's a cross between It and Christine, only with a vampire instead of a clown. This is third book I've read by Stephen Kings son so I'm pretty sure I'm now a fan. His books hold my attention a bit longer, but there's plenty of gory descriptions and wretched acts for people who don't know anything about Stephen King. If you can't stand Christmas, this book is for you. Even if you can stand Christmas, you'll never feel the same way about ornaments and sleigh rides again. Also, the narrator was great, each and every raspy voice helped me figure out exactly who was talking even when I wasn't paying 100% attention.

great book

love this book. cant wait till part two. the story was amazing and and and

Just being nit picky

I loved Kate's reading and the story itself. But I found myself cringing every time he wrote anything about firearms. I know not everyone has the experience I do with them being a combat veteran. But I would think if you are writing about something you know nothing about you'd take a class or read up on the subject. I'm not trying to be mean or sound arrogant. I loved the book and gave 5 stars all around. After having firearm knowledge literally beat into me in the Marines, ignorance regarding firearms gives me a bit of anxiety.

This guy is good, really, really GOOD

I actually read it the first time. Listening to Kate Mulgrew read such great writing was more than a treat.

Good book and amazing reading

The story is great but narrator makes it even better! It’s like twice the story for the price of one.

NOS4A2

While this book was generally good, I just didn't enjoy it as much as I wanted to.