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.

I'm not crazy, but some of my reviews are...

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

The witty writing made this short title amazing to listen to. Both the inner monologue and the repartee between the main characters delusional personalities.

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

I'm not crazy, but some of my delusions are.

Any additional comments?

The story was fast moving, fun, and put an interesting spin on the genius with mental issues type of story. I definitely want to see more of Sanderson's writing.

Entertaining. hope there will be more in the serie

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

It had a good pace and I liked the narrator's various voices and tone.

What about Oliver Wyman’s performance did you like?

Yes he had a pleasant voice and his word were clear even when doing accents. No words were ambiguous.

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

From one comes many.

Wonderful Story!

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

Compelling, complicated man!

What did you like best about this story?

There as a rich and satisfying plot, but it's the different characters and their interactions that I liked best.

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

This is my first, but I want to hear more. Oliver did great bringing all the different voices in the story to life.

Any additional comments?

I want more of Stephen Leeds. What a rich and layered protagonist!

MOAR!!

Would you listen to Legion again? Why?

Yes, I've already listened to it twice, and more times are probably to come.

What other book might you compare Legion to and why?

I'd compare it to United states of tara, crossed with batman and Bones.

Different, but in a good way

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

Fascinating title character with a unique twist. Intriguing concept that makes you wonder what if...

What did you like best about this story?

I found myself drawn, like all the other characters, into a debate with myself as to how to classify the title character's condition while at the same time wondering about how amazing it would be and yet unnerving to have the ability to conjure up just what you need as you need it but only in the form of a figment of your own imagination

Which character – as performed by Oliver Wyman – was your favorite?

I really like the philosophic-history buff who, as a figment himself, also shows signs of schizophrenia.

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

I did not feel the need to listen to it all at one time.

Any additional comments?

Fun concept. Entertaining story

Like an appetizer at a top restaurant

What did you love best about Legion?

The concepts. There are two great ones. One is the take on schizophrenia and the other related to the past.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Legion?

When the nature of the device is revealed. The ramifications and possibilities boggle the mind.

Any additional comments?

Sanderson's take on schizophrenia is both an intriguing idea in itself and a nice mechanism to introduce exposition in an entertaining way. This novella leaves me wanting more and I hope he has the time to expand it into a series of novels.

When multiple personalities are an asset

This book gives "sherlock style" characters a new twist. It makes the character's genius more reachable by making it a consequence of a very particular mind state where "benign" multiple personality disorder plays a big role by enriching and complementing the character's personality and capabilities. It's a book where most secondary roles are also played by the main character.

It is entertaining, well written and I strongly believe the shorter novella style adds to the story by not giving excesive detail where its not needed. Speaking of story, the "plot" is not the main reason you'll want to read this book for; it's the character that's interesting. Again, just like in Sherlock stories :)

We need more Legion.

What a refreshing take on the detective / PI / crime / mystery genera. The extremely smart / observant protagonist has been done to death. Fatal character flaws (revenge, drugs, obsession) try to humanize and add depth, instead they usually depress and trivialize. Sanderson takes that dead horse and brings it to life with an interesting spin; use the flaw as the underpinning to develop the protagonist's abilities. Very clever.

Loved it---except for one thing, it ended.

Please Brandon, we meed more Legion.

Love everything Brandon Sanderson does!

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

Best audiobook! Like to see more...

Who was your favorite character and why?

Love the many characters, and boy are they infinite.

What about Oliver Wyman’s performance did you like?

Nice vocal delivery, too.

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

Thought it was odd, at first, but I like Sanderson's odd point of view.

Best story I didn't have to pay for

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

This story is free and instantly engaging. It's well read/performed with an intriguing narrative/premise.

What other book might you compare Legion to and why?

No clear companion comes to mind. It's at its base a detective story, just with a psychological twist.

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

I have not listened to Wyman before but thought he did well enough here. There were times where he seemed weak but most of the time, with the inflections given to so many different characters- it was easy to tell which character was speaking from his performance before the material said who it was- that it was a joy to listen to. I am interested to hear more from him.

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

Sometimes help is needed while working on a mystery- even if that help is all in your head.

Any additional comments?

This was a wonderful offer from Audible. Anyone (even non-subscribers) who do not pick this up is doing themselves an injustice. Engaging, well-written, well-performed.

The only problem is I WANT MORE. This is a great proof of concept work but I'd be more than willing to invest in a full novel, even a continuing series. With 40+ people running around Leeds's psyche, only a handful we meet in Legion, there is such great potential waiting to be mined.