The Truth Is a Cave in the Black Mountains

By: Neil Gaiman

Narrated by: Neil Gaiman

Length: 1 hr and 22 mins

Publisher's summary

You ask me if I can forgive myself? I can forgive myself....

And so begins The Truth Is a Cave in the Black Mountains, a haunting story of family, the otherworld, and a search for hidden treasure. This audiobook is brought to vivid life by the characters and landscape of Gaiman’s award-winning story. In this volume, the talents and vision of two great creative geniuses come together in a glorious explosion of color and shadow, memory and regret, vengeance and, ultimately, love.

...for many things. For where I left him. For what I did.

©2010 Neil Gaiman (P)2014 HarperCollins Publishers

I listened twice.

What made the experience of listening to The Truth Is a Cave in the Black Mountains the most enjoyable?

Granted, it's a short story, but I listened twice. I never do that. Loved the book. Don't know if Gaiman writes sequels, but if he did, I would love to read more about the main character. Writing this review, I can picture the scenes he painted in my mind's eye: dark and foreboding. Loved it. Will probably listen to it again.

I really liked this

For those worrying about the "intrusive" music - it fits wonderfully, and if anything the idea of all of these reviews mentioning how distracting it is will make one think of it too much.
instead, I compare this to something like The VVitch or The Lighthouse, a more modern horror story where various disturbing imagery (along with music) is meant to carry an eerie vibe throughout - and in this respect I think the story succeeded heavily.
Neil Gaiman is a master at narrating his own work, and I'll never tire of his voice.

I loved this book

I’m not one for writing reviews of anything - but I so loved this book I felt compelled to do so. The combination of fairy tale story telling & Gaiman's voice moved me deeply in some unexplained primal way. Never have listen to or reread a book so soon after finishing it - but I could not help myself.
I loved this book

Another Great Story by the Great Neil Gaiman

You just can't go wrong with any story written and read by Neil Gaiman. While another great short story by him, this version really suffered by the musical accompaniment in my opinion. In many places, the music was just too loud and didn't seem to add much overall. I'd definitely recommend trying to find a version without the music added.

Like a lost fairytale

Would you consider the audio edition of The Truth Is a Cave in the Black Mountains to be better than the print version?

They both have a different "art" to enjoy. The book has Gaiman's textual voice and the beautiful artworks of Eddie Campbell, but on the other hand, the audiobook has Gaiman's actual storytelling voice and the musical background ambiance created by a very professional group. On a personal level I accidentally bumped into Neil Gaiman at an airport while listening to the audiobook, so if that's not fate/kismet, I don't know what is; which is why I would consider the audio better on a personal level. I also sent this audiobook to several friends as a gift, it's the one I first reach for because it's short and highly atmospheric.

Which scene was your favorite?

when the short man is encountering Calum MacInnes for the first time and asks his help

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

Journey to the Misty Isle

Any additional comments?

The Hobbit meets Norse Myth meets Fairytales

spellbinding!

Gaiman has a most amazing voice. I am spellbound every time! The music is fantastic as well.

Great story

I am a huge Neil Gaiman fan. His imagery is always flawless. The story itself was good and suspensful. The music went well with the story but it is too loud. It both adds and detracts from the story. There, to my knowledge, is no way to adjust it down. Would recommend.

A Gaiman book with neither a beginning nor and end

This short Tory’s is worth listening to, once. But I do not need to read it again as it has no meaning, no pleaser, no visible hero, non a villain. It’s a typical story that is best left, in print, on a shelf high enough to not be reached for, and low enough to not be noticed. There are many very good books written by Gaiman, The Graveyard Boom, Neverwhere, Stardust, but this book down not belong with those booker as it requires deep thought and a wild hunger for evil. Neither of these I possess and I hope to never possess.
LM

The performance is amazing and what you need.

As a listener the performance makes or breaks a story. And while I am not pleased with the story and find as if I've missed something, I cannot argue ( and hope you agree) the performance was wonderful. Neil Gaiman has crafted and narrated a dark tale that is incredibly intriguing. The string quartet builds suspense and mood and even acts as Foley for enchanting sound effects. High praise to producers, composers, directors and all the artists that helped bring the story to life. The end however left me a bit confused. I will let it ruminate and listen again in the future.

Good Campfire Story

Listened to story on a road-trip. It would have been even better sitting around a campfire at night.