Legion

By: Brandon Sanderson

Narrated by: Oliver Wyman

Length: 2 hrs and 6 mins

Publisher's summary

Brandon Sanderson is one of the most significant fantasists to enter the field in a good many years. His ambitious, multi-volume epics (Mistborn, The Stormlight Archive) and his stellar continuation of Robert Jordan's Wheel of Time series have earned both critical acclaim and a substantial popular following. In Legion, a distinctly contemporary novella filled with suspense, humor, and an endless flow of invention, Sanderson reveals a startling new facet of his singular narrative talent, read by Audie Award-winning narrator Oliver Wyman.

Stephen Leeds, AKA 'Legion,' is a man whose unique mental condition allows him to generate a multitude of personae: hallucinatory entities with a wide variety of personal characteristics and a vast array of highly specialized skills. As the story begins, Leeds and his 'aspects' are drawn into the search for the missing Balubal Razon, inventor of a camera whose astonishing properties could alter our understanding of human history and change the very structure of society. The action ranges from the familiar environs of America to the ancient, divided city of Jerusalem. Along the way, Sanderson touches on a formidable assortment of complex questions: the nature of time, the mysteries of the human mind, the potential uses of technology, and the volatile connection between politics and faith. Resonant, intelligent, and thoroughly absorbing, Legion is a provocative entertainment from a writer of great originality and seemingly limitless gifts.

©2012 Dragonsteel Entertainment, LLC (P)2012 Audible, Inc.

A Small Taste

Stephen Leeds is a genius who has formed a unique way of coping with the masses of knowledge crowded into his brain. He's created 'aspects', each of whom has a complete personality and a separate set of skills. Some people call him a genius, some people call him insane, but no one can deny that he's extraordinary.

I love everything Brandon Sanderson has written, and Legion is no exception. Each new story or novel he publishes is astoundingly imaginative. This novella left me wanting more and I immediately picked up the sequel.

The idea of the aspects is clever and well written. I love that each one has their own mental disorder. It's easy to forget how intelligent Stephen is, he seems like a regular joe until his genius flashes out through the pages. The narration is consistent, the narrator performs subtle character voices and his voice fits well with the story.

I'd recommend this book as an introduction to Sanderson's work, you won't be disappointed.

Very good, reminds me of the Finder TV show

Very enjoyable. An interesting lead character with an interesting cast of supporting characters. I would absolutely recommend this short story.

To make this a full book there has to be a stronger "real" supporting cast and I pray the lost woman story line is not the back-line obsession with each book being just another who-done-it . I can watch the Mentalist or that Sherlock Holmes show if I want a story about a clever man focused on tracking a mystery person, solving cases as an afterthought.

Wanted More

Would you listen to Legion again? Why?

I would listen again, the story and performance was great

What was one of the most memorable moments of Legion?

I think since it was a short story, the way the storied flowed all the way to the end, and left you wanting more

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

The voice acting is incredible, he puts the voices and accents to each of the characters that fit well

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I listen to it in one sitting, left me wanting more

A different and peculiar triest for Sanderson

What did you love best about Legion?

I loved the concept and the way to develope characters who don't physically exist while incorporating them deeply into a short story like this.

What about Oliver Wyman’s performance did you like?

It was a solid narration. Nothing over the top note worthy nor anything that would distract the listener from the story.

Very Clever Story

Short and sweet... a very clever story... I love the concept of the story and the plot and the narrator was superb the way he read off the different characters in different voices and accents he made sound that the were truly different people not just one person reading the book.

Loved it.

Truly not a bad story

Freaked me out a bit thinking if I'd get used to the many characters but honestly it was very good

Very enjoyable

Unique and interesting, would make a great television series. Brandon Sanderson is a very talented author.

Interesting Story

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

We found the first part of this story a little confusing and had to really pay attention.
After we got into it, the story line was very interesting. The way the Brandon Sanderson wove the characters was very unique.

Very interesting!!

Well, let's first say OOPS. I was so excited about getting the free ebook from Audible for LEGION: SKIN DEEP that I didn't realize that was book two in stead of book one in this series of novellas (also an issue I have when series titles end up being book titles too) so I listened to the second one first and the first one second. Actually, I think I ended up liking LEGION: SKIN DEEP better because of that! (Though I would have liked it better either way... Okay, I'm just rambling.

Anyway -- I really enjoyed these novellas! They were a bit more science-fiction than fantasy with a psychological twist. Since I actually read the second one first, I got more info about Stephen Leeds than is divulged in the first book (obviously) but I didn't really feel lost either. His aspects were incredibly interesting and there were some hints at what exactly they were -- or weren't -- that kept me guessing. I really loved the various characters -- both real and imaginary -- and it was really interesting to see how the scenes unfolded when Leeds was the only person who could see and interact with this aspects.

SKIN DEEP had much more of a plot than LEGION (it was much longer as well) so that was my favorite of the two. I sort of just felt like I was catching up and there wasn't a whole ton of substance to the original novella besides the introduction that I'd already received (plus some plot, but the fact that I had the bulk of this knowledge about the aspects kind of slowed the book down a bit for me -- my own fault, obviously). Reading these two really had me craving more, though! I can't wait for the next novella and I love that I was able to read (listen) to this so quickly!

Even though they were novellas, they still had plenty of plot (especially book two) and I was really hooked on the second book! I love that it was a bit more mystery and sci-fi than fantasy this time around and I can't wait to see where else this series plot goes because so far I'm definitely intrigued and very excited!

a great listen

Where does Legion rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

This is the first book I have listened to on Audible. I thought the story was unique and well formulated and the narration added an amazing flavor.