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Dark Matter

By: Michelle Paver
Narrated by: Jeremy Northam
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Publisher's summary

January 1937. Jack Miller has just about run out of options. His shoes have worn through, he can't afford to heat his rented room in Tooting, and he longs to use his training as a specialist wireless operator instead of working in his dead-end job. When he is given the chance to join an arctic expedition, as communications expert, by a group of elite Oxbridge graduates, he brushes off his apprehensions and convinces himself to join them.

As the young men set sail from a gloomy Britain on the verge of war, Jack feels the overwhelming excitement of not knowing what lies ahead. Little can he imagine the horrors that await him in their destination, Gruhuken, a place that cannot escape the savage echo of its past.

©2010 Michelle Paver (P)2010 Orion Publishing Group Limited

What listeners say about Dark Matter

Average customer ratings
Overall
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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars

Very,Very Long

While the narrator had a wonderful, relaxing voice, the story was a struggle. Long, boring and predictable. Don't waste your money.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Decent Ghost Story With a Good Atmosphere

I'm personally not a fan of traditional ghost stories as they struggle to hold my interest, but Dark Matter pulled me in with great descriptions and an equally great narrator. This book is very much a slow burn, which caused it to drag on for a bit too long. The ending makes up for the extended runtime with an interesting wrap-up. I recommend this book to anyone craving an atmospheric story of isolation and mental explanation.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Really well paced and narrated

There are no huge aha moments or big twists or turns, this is just a really well written story with amazing narration. The story is really great I like the imagery and character development and mystery in all the right places. Will be looking for more books from this duo.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Boo! Arctic Ghosts!

Unique atmospheric story. The author made you feel like your were in the location and living through the main charter. Bone chilling (pun intended)!

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Great atmospheric ghost story

This is a chilling tale. I loved it. The narrator has a wonderful voice and the story pulls you along in an edge of your seat fashion. I plan to look for more by this author.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Amazing! Gripping and dark.

This was fantastic. Such a human, likable, and relatable character. The entire story being told through a journal is a fascinating perspective. I felt his pain, anxiety, false courage, and more. Just enough supernatural to believe that something is genuinely very wrong. Cold and dark in a beautiful way.

Narration was unbelievably well done. Clear and easy to understand, but wonderfully paced and intentional. Could not have been better. I really loved this book.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

A Beautiful Meditation on Dread and Isolation

I loved the atmosphere and the characters. I usually don't enjoy novels written as found journals, however it is mostly done veey well in this book.

Unfortunately, I do think the journal approach made the climax feel a bit weird and clunky. I also felt that ultimately, the supernatural elements were unnecessary to the story, which I found a bit odd.

Very enjoyable book, overall. The voice acting was excellent.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Ominous, dark, creepy and wondrous

This is a grand and at the same time deeply claustrophobic adventure. The setting, between the great wars, is perfect for the precise and scientific exploration of haunting and horrid, menacing presence.

Dark Matter succeeds as an intelligent, evocative and visceral ghost story and its central metaphor remains strong and intact, evolving and gaining depth as the deeply personal narrative unfolds.

Jeremy Northam is superb and reveals how great and majestic a craft narration can be.

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21 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Absolutely an amazing writer-VERY creepy!!!

Would you listen to Dark Matter again? Why?

YES.YES.YES. If you are looking for a creepy, atmospheric haunting with strong character development and an engaging, original story then grab this one!!! This author KNOWS scary. Her ability to write had me absorb every word, the atmosphere she creates is incredible and the fear that accompanies isolation and darkness is executed perfectly in her writing.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Jack is a reclusive, defensive ass...yet I bet anyone could relate on some level, I did.

What about Jeremy Northam’s performance did you like?

Best narrator I've heard yet! He carries the words well, perfectly.

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

The bear post.....oh God and the window checking. I don't want to spoil anything!!!

Any additional comments?

I picked this book based on reviews and I couldn't be more satisfied. I even loved the ending----how many horror writers can successfully pull those off??? I'm a big critic that way. This author has just made it to my top #2 and trust me I read a LOT of horror!!! SO GOOD!

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16 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Excellent and haunting.

I have never read anything by Michelle Paver before so this was a pleasent surprise. A chillng ghost-story set in the most desolate and isolated enviroment imaginable and with characters that really feels alive. I'm usually not very fond of novels written in diary-form but Michelle Paver's prose pulls it through all the way to the ghastly ending.

I recommend the book to anyone interested in good ghost-stories and will certainly look up her other works as well.

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11 people found this helpful