NOS4A2

A Novel

By: Joe Hill

Narrated by: Kate Mulgrew

Length: 19 hrs and 41 mins

Publisher's summary

The spine-tingling, bone-chilling novel of supernatural suspense from the number one New York Times best-selling author of The Fireman and Horns - now an AMC original series starring Zachary Quinto, Ebon Moss-Bachrach, and Ashleigh Cummings.

"A masterwork of horror." (Time)

Victoria McQueen has an uncanny knack for finding things: a misplaced bracelet, a missing photograph, answers to unanswerable questions. When she rides her bicycle over the rickety old covered bridge in the woods near her house, she always emerges in the places she needs to be.

Charles Talent Manx has a gift of his own. He likes to take children for rides in his 1938 Rolls-Royce Wraith with the vanity plate NOS4A2. In the Wraith, he and his innocent guests can slip out of the everyday world and onto hidden roads that lead to an astonishing playground of amusements he calls Christmasland.

The journey across the highway of Charlie's twisted imagination transforms his precious passengers, leaving them as terrifying and unstoppable as their benefactor.

Then comes the day when Vic goes looking for trouble...and finds her way to Charlie. That was a lifetime ago. Now, the only kid ever to escape Charlie's evil is all grown up and desperate to forget. But Charlie Manx hasn't stopped thinking about Victoria McQueen. On the road again, he won't slow down until he's taken his revenge. He's after something very special - something Vic can never replace.

As a life-and-death battle of wills builds, Vic McQueen prepares to destroy Charlie once and for all - or die trying.

©2013 Joe Hill (P)2013 HarperCollins Publishers

Critic reviews

"Quite simply the best horror writer of our generation, Joe Hill’s masterful storytelling is on full display in NOS4A2. It is by turns terrifying and hilarious, horrifying and full of heart, and relentlessly compelling." (Michael Koryta, New York Times bestselling author of The Prophet)

"Fascinating and utterly engaging, this novel is sure to leave readers wanting more. One thing is for certain, however. After reading this book, readers will never hear Christmas carols in quite the same way again." ( Library Journal, starred review)

"[A] new take on the fantasy-horror genre...Highly recommended." ( The Sun Herald Sydney, Australia)

Outstanding

Once again, Joe Hill delivers 100% with a fantastic story with one of the best narrorators!

research local pronunciations

Kate Mulgrew is riveting in just about everything she does. Her skills cannot be denied.
But whenever a real place is mentioned, it might be wise to find out the correct pronunciation.

In the very beginning of the SAMPLE she gets "Haverhill" wrong and continues it all through the book. It is jarring and pulled me out of the story one too many times.

It is "HAY vah hill" accent on first syllable.

It won't matter to anyone not from Eastern MA, but it drove me nuts.

I returned it for that reason.

Engaging and couldn't put it down

Would you consider the audio edition of NOS4A2 to be better than the print version?

I don't have the print version, so I cannot comment on it. However, I will say that Kate Mulgrew's reading of this book is one of my all time favorites. Ms. Mulgrew caught the essence of each of the characters effortlessly and and brilliantly. I hope to see more readings from her in the future and would listen to anything she has recorded. Her accents were interesting and switching from male to female was also flawless. She really gave a true audio performance.
The book itself was very, very enjoyable. The characters were those with human struggles in very unusual circumstances. I liked the theme of the book of both living in one's creative thoughts and the human world which all of us do. It was one of the few books that I really did not want to out down! It's also nice and long, which I enjoy. I didn't want it to end.
And kudos to Mr. Hill for writing a believable and touching story about a woman and motherhood.
I had previously read Joe Hill's story- " Horns", but enjoyed this book much more.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Vic!
She had so much courage and mother energy even though she didn't so much have a model for how to be a great mom.

Which character – as performed by Kate Mulgrew – was your favorite?

Bing, Bing, you malevolent thing! Ms.Mulgrew captured the childlike qualities of this crazy man but also his evilness. Loved it!

If you could take any character from NOS4A2 out to dinner, who would it be and why?

Lou. He had a big role to Olay and was s loving and supportive under ver chalking times.

Any additional comments?

Go read it!

great book

I loved the book from start to finish. just when i thought i knew where it was going, it changed. The ONLY issue i had was the pronunciation of the town Haverhill. Being from New England, hearing it pronounced wrong was annoying. Not annoying enough to stop listening of course!!

Fantastic story!!

My first Joe Hill novel and boy oh boy was it a ride...thankfully it wasn’t in the backseat of a 1938 Rolls-Royce Wraith. I loved the tie-in’s from not only his own work body of work but his fathers as well. Such a fantastic world…makes you almost want to visit Christmasland. This novel was narrated perfectly by Kate Mulgrew.

slow, jumpy start

The beginning of the book was jumpy and hard to follow. The story didn't really pick up until about half way through. Satisfying ending.

Outstanding story!

Kate Mulgrew really brought this story to life! Amazing performance. Joe Hill is thorough in details and rich in imagination. This is an excellent book, I recommend anybody that loves a good story will be in thrall to this one!

Oh my god. The narrator

The story is okay. Not the worst thing, but the characters aren’t really likable or have redeeming qualities, but the narrator is just god awful. I tried to get past her voice, but her voice really hurts the story.

Kate - Awesome Narrator!!!

My goodness I just started listening to this book, so far I'm enjoyed NG it. I had to stop and say Kate Mulgrew is awesome in reading!!!

Great book!

I watched the show prior to listening to the book, and I enjoyed the book so much more! As a King fan, I love the easter eggs and the shared universe!