A Face Like Glass

By: Frances Hardinge

Narrated by: Kevin T. Collins

Length: 17 hrs and 28 mins

Publisher's summary

"Narrator Kevin T. Collins's style is affecting as he delivers this engaging novel, which is rich with backstories.... Listeners will be transported to Caverna by Collins's vivid descriptions of the strange place and even more peculiar people. After seven years, Neverfell's maturity is audible as she observes the inequality that surrounds her when she leaves the safety of Grandible's home. Her fear will be shared by listeners as she realizes that she's in danger because of her expressive face. The touching epilogue brings a satisfying conclusion." (AudioFile magazine)

A Face Like Glass is an astonishing and imaginative novel from the Costa Award-winning author of The Lie Tree, Frances Hardinge.

In the underground city of Caverna, the world's most skilled craftsmen toil in the darkness to create delicacies beyond compare - wines that can remove memories, cheeses that can make you hallucinate, and perfumes that convince you to trust the wearer, even as they slit your throat. The people of Caverna are more ordinary, but for one thing: their faces are as blank as untouched snow. Expressions must be learned, and only the famous Facesmiths can teach a person to show (or fake) joy, despair, or fear - at a price.

Into this dark and distrustful world comes Neverfell, a little girl with no memory of her past and a face so terrifying to those around her that she must wear a mask at all times. For Neverfell's emotions are as obvious on her face as those of the most skilled Facesmiths, though entirely genuine. And that makes her very dangerous indeed.

©2012 Frances Hardinge (P)2016 Audible, Inc.

Truly original story

Stick with this story. The twists and turns come fast. Once you accept the premise (underground people whose faces are incapable of natural expressions) , you are hooked. Recommended!

really fun story, funny and exciting.

main character is enduring and brave. the story is full of clever ideas that keep your imagination spinning. the plot twists and is a happy story after all.

A very Unique Story!

I truly enjoyed this story about a girl who is too real for the world that she lives in.
It is not a happy world and most of the characters that you will meet are not very like-able but our heroine, Neverfell, is truly worth following. She is not going to have an easy story and at times it felt like the Bodelair Children from “A Serious of Unfortunate Events”.
I thought several times “why can’t this Girl catch a decent break?” But, hang in there with Neverfell. This is a great story with some unique world building.
Definitely going to try some other stories by this writer!
Absolutely Recommended!

Absolutely Amazing

I read this book at the plot twist and excitement was amazing and I even found the missing pg 425

Intriguing

The storyline and narration kept me riveted. I listened to it every chance I got!!! I loved the inventive names given to the characters and places.

Frances Hardinge is BRILLIANT!

I love pretty much everything by this author and this book is no exception. Incredible!

Best fiction I've ever read.

The language was so unconventional but so understandable. The story was delightful! The experience was great for kids and adults alike.

Full of wonder and cleverness

I couldn’t stop banging my head on how clever Frances Hardinge’s transformations are. Turning ordinary cheese into a weapon, lanterns, caverns, people, and wine. So original, it took me a while to accept the world that is created, but once my mind accepted it, it’s a fantastic read.
The tragedy, loss, and strength that is build into this story is something for all ages. I recommend it to anyone needing a break from their reality and wanting to delve into a whole new world.

A repeated delight and all encompassing.

A Face like glass does a masterful job of expertly dissolving reality around you and inviting you to a comfortable trip into Caverna. This town is do multi-layers with desirable and despicable characters. Death comes smoothly for many, slips by most and is wielded with suave expertly unfolded by the narrator. If this was read by anyone else it would have fallen flat. The narration keep this book alive in your heart long, long after the epilogue. Do yourself a favor and embrace a Face Like Glass. Should be on a required reading list. So complex, so much to discuss about life, society, the valuation of people, assumptions etc.

Gorgeous, sumptuous

Francis Hardinge never comes within a light year of disappointing. Her writing is perfect, filled with beautifully and fully developed characters, clever and intricate stories, deeply meaningful and moving themes (but never ponderous), and some of the cleverest, most perfect similes and metaphors I've ever encountered. Her storytelling powers are simply unsurpassed. While her novels were written for young people, any adult who enjoys the kind of writing I've described above will thoroughly enjoy this and her other novels.

In addition to the wonders of Hardinge's talent, this audiobook presentation is perfectly narrated. Kevin Collins immediately enters my top favorite readers. He captures the emotion and wonder of the story, but never gets in its way, shifting personalities and voices perfectly and without ostentation.

If you love Neil Gaiman's Neverwhere I bet you will love this book.