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.

the Sanderson style I enjoy

Would you listen to Legion again? Why?

I enjoy Sanderson style and creativity... I look forward to checking his stories out and would listen to them again

Legion

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

Yes I would. It is intresting to see how the multiple personalities interact with each other.

If you’ve listened to books by Brandon Sanderson before, how does this one compare?

Sorry no. This is the first book.

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

I like the inflections for the different personalities and caraters.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

The ending. The picture they are talking about.

Any additional comments?

I enjoied this one.

An absolutely wonderful read

What did you love best about Legion?

I really liked the way the author handles the main character and his condition. It flowed really well, and, despite the regrettable shortness of the story, had a fantastic ending. All-around perfection.

What other book might you compare Legion to and why?

This particular book was like none other

Which scene was your favorite?

I actually liked the beginning and the ending, those were the most memorable.

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

Yes, definitely.

Any additional comments?

You can't put a price on perfection, oddly enough, this was free.

nice, but not overwhelming

If you could sum up Legion in three words, what would they be?

interesting, complicated, exciting

Who was your favorite character and why?

none. they didn't quite reach the depth I wished.

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

it's easier to listen to the book.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

a doppelgänger isn't nearly enough

Any additional comments?

thank you for the free audiobook

Brilliantly executed, can't wait for more.

Disclaimer: I read everything Brandon Sanderson writes. However, I was taken aback by the absorbing complexity and uniqueness of this premise, and wished it had been far longer. I can't wait for a full-length novel in this universe, it was immediately engaging, and held my attention completely. Absolutely worth reading.

Thought-provoking Many Times Through

Looking for something to test out Brandon Sanderson, I was lucky enough to find this story when it was offered free.

I had no idea I'd end up listening to it not once, not twice, but over three times!

"Legion" is a creative story with depth. Not only is there mystery to ponder, there is philosophical discussion, and there is the psychological state of the main character himself, as manifested by the myriad characters only he can see. The reader succeeds in giving each of these characters a distinct voice which is enjoyable to hear and easy to follow.

I will definitely be reading (or listening to) more by this author!

Need more...for me and my other personalities

New, original idea for the standard "private detective genre" ...only bad thing is that 2 hrs is too short.

Good old Sanderson!

Since it's the first contemporary work of Sanderson's that I've tried, I didn't know what to expect. I knew to expect something much shorter than his 500+ page behemoths, but not much beyond that.

And what a pleasant surprise! Legion is a schizophrenic and knows it. Not only that, he uses his "hallucinations" to help him in detective work, which is interesting and fun. He has a dark-ish sort of humor that is fun to listen to in audio format, and each of the characters (hallucinatory or otherwise) has an individual character and voice that makes them easily recognizeable.

There isn't much that I can really say about it other than that it was really great. Sanderson proves once again that he is one of the best writers around now, not just in the Fantasy genre.

Middle management

Stephen Leeds walks the fine line between genius and madness. He is just an ordinary man without any special skills to speak of. His 'aspects', hallucinatory personalities living with him, though, are all geniuses in their own fields. When he's hired to find a missing person who has a camera that can take pictures of the past, Leeds gathers a cadre from his aspects and heads to the rescue. But can Leeds, in managing his imaginary friends, save anyone? Or is he just crazy?

Sanderson writes a fantastic short story written in the real world, depicting a character who is relatable because of his normalcy, despite what would normally be considered a disability. Stephen Leeds and his aspects are characters that will be well remembered.

Oliver Wyman narrates this story and, as always, does a fantastic job breathing life into the story.

If you like mystery stories or stories about unique characters, this story is for you.

Great plot and story idea

Would you listen to Legion again? Why?

It was a very enjoyable listen but wouldn't listen to it again.

What did you like best about this story?

The very different story was great. Plot makes for a great listen.

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

The narrator does a good job with all the character, but at times its hard to tell the difference between people.

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

No, though it made you think. Very enjoyable and fresh story.