The Passage

The Passage Trilogy, Book 1

By: Justin Cronin

Narrated by: Edward Herrmann

Length: 14 hrs and 52 mins

Publisher's summary

New York Times best seller

This thrilling novel kicks off what Stephen King calls “a trilogy that will stand as one of the great achievements in American fantasy fiction.”

Named one of the 10 best novels of the year by time and one of the best books of the year by The Washington Post, Esquire, U.S. News & World Report, NPR/On Point, St. Louis Post-Dispatch, BookPage, and Library Journal.

“It happened fast. Thirty-two minutes for one world to die, another to be born.”

An epic and gripping tale of catastrophe and survival, The Passage is the story of Amy - abandoned by her mother at the age of six, pursued and then imprisoned by the shadowy figures behind a government experiment of apocalyptic proportions. But Special Agent Brad Wolgast, the lawman sent to track her down, is disarmed by the curiously quiet girl and risks everything to save her. As the experiment goes nightmarishly wrong, Wolgast secures her escape - but he can’t stop society’s collapse. And as Amy walks alone, across miles and decades, into a future dark with violence and despair, she is filled with the mysterious and terrifying knowledge that only she has the power to save the ruined world.

Look for the entire Passage trilogy:

• The Passage
• The Twelve
• The City of Mirrors

Praise for The Passage

“[A] blockbuster.” (The New York Times Book Review)

“Mythic storytelling.” (San Francisco Chronicle)

“Magnificent... Cronin has taken his literary gifts, and he has weaponized them.... The Passage can stand proudly next to Stephen King’s apocalyptic masterpiece The Stand, but a closer match would be Cormac McCarthy’s The Road: a story about human beings trying to generate new hope in a world from which all hope has long since been burnt.” (Time)

“The type of big, engrossing read that will have you leaving the lights on late into the night.” (The Dallas Morning News)

“Addictive.” (Men’s Journal)

“Cronin’s unguessable plot and appealing characters will seize your heart and mind.” (Parade)

©2010 Justin Cronin (P)2010 Random House

Critic reviews

"Mythic storytelling.” (San Francisco Chronicle)

“Magnificent... Cronin has taken his literary gifts, and he has weaponized them.... The Passage can stand proudly next to Stephen King’s apocalyptic masterpiece The Stand, but a closer match would be Cormac McCarthy’s The Road: a story about human beings trying to generate new hope in a world from which all hope has long since been burnt.” (Time)

“Great storytelling...vital, tender, and compelling.” (O: The Oprah Magazine)

Engaging

I loved this book recommended by a friend. Well developed characters who draw you in and keeps the reader wanting to keep listening.

Abridged = Confused

i did not know this was abridged when i bought it.
the story was still really good but at times i was thinking what a bad storyteller the author was. Then I picked up the kindle version from the library and realized half the stort was missing. The unabridged version is much much better.

Be prepared to commit to the whole trilogy.

Well, I chose the abridged version for Edward Herremm. I'm regretting that because I found it very good and wish I would have went long form! Can't wait to read the second one.

Passage to what?

Would you try another book from Justin Cronin and/or Edward Herrmann?

I would not try another Justin Cronin and/or Edward Herrmann book

Would you ever listen to anything by Justin Cronin again?

I would listen to another book but I would be very leery to make the purchase

What about Edward Herrmann’s performance did you like?

The performance was very good

Was The Passage worth the listening time?

Its not on my top 20 list

Any additional comments?

This book started out great, but the further along it went the more convoluted the plot became. It never reached its potential. It ultimately turned out to be a disappointment.

Wish I had bought the UNabriged version

This book was great, but I am betting the longer version is much better. Solid character development, with enough suspense to keep you on the edge of your seat. Not the typical Vampire garb either, which is nice.

Exciting, captivating, and just really good

I've read this book before. It's been a long time and decided to listen to the audio. Finished in several days. It was just as captivating listening to it as it was reading it. It will make you look at the world a little different...

The Passage

I found it hard to get into in the beginning, but once it got going I really got into it. The narrator is very good.

Not your typical vampire or zombie book

Not your typical vampire or zombie book, but very good nevertheless. A few reviewers complained about the transition 100 years later in the middle of the book. Did not phase me, actually I think the 2nd half is better than the first (actually more like 2/3 is in future). This is a pretty deep book and written very well. If you have read zombie/vamp/apocalypse book I would rate as this: deep writing similar to the Road (not as deep), good story but not quite as 'fun' as Day-by-Day Armageddon, so all-in-all a good solid read. Actually, a bit better than good. The Strain is another great vamp novel. 13 Bullets I did not like due to the focus on femininity and the reader was bad. So here you have it...give The Passage a read if you are a fan of DBD Armageddon, The Strain, The Road, or even 13 Bullets. Same would apply to World War Z and the other zombie books. The Passage certainly holds it own. A mix of the aforementioned books and a little of The Stand (not too much). So go buy/rent and enjoy! You will not be disappointed. I give it 4 1/2 starts, but rounded up so that others will not miss this great story.

ABSOLUTELY NOTHING LIKE THE SHOW

How refreshing.
I usually start a show on TV, only to find out there's a book. As a glutton for punishment, I'll read, or listen, to said book, and discontinue watching the show due to frustration and disappointment.
This time, I am pleasantly surprised!
N.O.A.H. is not the main focus of the story here. The characters don't play out like the show's, and the story/time line is WILDLY different.
I can have my cake and eat it too!
On top of that, it's a vampire novel without all the grotesque or 'sparkling' sex scenes. No orgies, teenage love triangles, or girl torn between turning for the love of her life or growing old without him. Just good old fashioned, bloodsucking, nightmares.
I've already downloaded book 2, and am excited to get started on it.
In short, to all my Bibliophiles, this book has a good pace, well developed characters, and a well thought out story.
You won't be disappointed.

A combination of Walking Dead and...

Is there anything you would change about this book?

Glad I listened to the abridged version. Had I did the longer one, I would've definitely said "Too long. Too many characters with not enough development." Also the virals physical abilities and how they're killed seem hazy in some parts. Like on one hand, they're too fast to see, but on the other hand, regular humans are apparently shooting them and taking them out? It's hard enough to hit a slower HUMAN moving target with a gun, much less a freakishly strong/fast creature who's skin is tough enough to shrug off bullets off it's back in one scene.

How would you have changed the story to make it more enjoyable?

I would have included more insight from the virals being controlled by the 12. The author gives an impression that only Babcock is the one in sole control of his faculties while the others are near mindless killing machines. Maybe this will be explored further in the next book.

What about Edward Herrmann’s performance did you like?

Author was fine, even when doing female voices, it didn't feel too far off and take me out of the story

If this book were a movie would you go see it?

Depends on the trailer. I feel like it would exist somewhere between Walking Dead and 30 Days of Night

Any additional comments?

**SPOILER**

I'm SUPER pissed off Amy destroyed the remaining vials that would've made 10 members of the group nearly immortal. And her response "I couldn't let you become like me". Wait?!! WHAT?!!! After meeting back up with her nun caretaker who'd been given the immortality virus who GAVE them the vials and told them this is how they could fight back, and Amy just chucks it into a fire? I'd LOSE. MY. SH!T. Thanks for the apocalyptic death sentence Amy!! And while we're at it, it's not like just because you can't die through normal means you can't kill yourself. If any of those 10 decided long life sucked, cleared they could've just stabbed themselves in the heart or blown their brains out. Virals died this way, so Amy's argument is moot. She's an a$$hole