Shadowland

By: Peter Straub

Narrated by: Phil Gigante

Length: 17 hrs and 26 mins

Publisher's summary

First setting: an all-male prep school in Arizona, where two sensitive freshmen form a bond based on their interest in magic tricks. Second setting: the labyrinthine house of a weird magician uncle in New England, where the two boys spend a memorable summer being trained in the art of illusion. Or is it real magic? Third setting: an alternate world where dark forces are at play - forces that first show up at the school, but intensify their power the summer. Shadowland is a superb, under-recognized, early novel from a master of literary terror.

©2003 Peter Straub (P)2012 Brilliance Audio, Inc.

Great performance, okay story, but too long

I'm a big fan of Phil Gigante's readings, and he comes through strong in a story with many characters who can easily get muddled together. The weakness in this title, though, is a story that goes on about 100 pages more than necessary. I love a story with twists and turns, but this one seems to spiral instead. The novel could be broken into three separate narratives, and if each were told discrete and consistently, would support the others. But the way in which they are intermingled, they disrupt the narrative flow, without adding to any feeling of suspense or surprise.

A Dark, Coming of Age Fairytale.

This reads like two stories in one- Kind of like Apocalypse Now. I think alot of people lost interest before leaving the school.

I really liked the second half of the story. I could visualize Shadowland almost as if I'd seen this book as a film as a child. It just gave me that nostalgic vibe that tingles with the enthusiasm of childhood.

It's not an action packed gore fest if that's what you're looking for. It's slow and deliberate and takes care to create a real world where a strange fairytale then unfolds.

I often had to ask myself "is this illusion or actually happening?" haha

Great book. I would've loved this book had I read it at 10-11 years old.

Sad we lost Peter.

Thanks for all the great memories, Mr Straub.

Not my favorite Peter Straub book

I have enjoyed every book I have read by Peter Straub and I'll continue to read his books as long as he writes them but this is honestly not as good as his others. Ghost Story and Floating Dragon(how I wish there was an unabridged version available) are 2 of my favorite books and I was really looking forward to this one, but I was honestly disappointed with this. It's a great premise and it has some great moments but unlike his other books it never really gels together. I would still recommend it but it wouldn't be the book I would suggest to start with.
That said I do have to say the performance was perfect and I would listen to any other books he reads. He has a great talent for the different voices, especially the antagonist, Coleman Collins. The character is an actor and plays many parts during the story but the reader can depict each of them differently but you can still tell it is the same person. A perfect performance.

book

the printed book was so much better awesome story with the wrong narrator I am afraid

Horror Magic

I revisited this novel after reading it years ago in high school. It's still as terrifying as I remembered it.

Not My Favorite

I have always enjoy Straub, but this particular book was not one of my favorites. Found my attention wandering and having difficulty tracking the story.

Performance Equals the Story

This has been a fav book since I read it in my youth. So vivid, so full of horror and tension...and myth. It is a dark book and full of characters so I wasn't certain how well the narrator would manage it. WOW. He nailed it - from the falsetto of youth to the bored dilettante...so pleased he rendered the tale as I heard it in my head - that, the best compliment.

an awesome book in my childhood is even better

a great adventure that leaves you breathless and wanting more. A great audioread! thank you

wonderfully eerie

incredible story, masterfully written. reminiscent of the Talisman by he and King. I recommend!

Slow Start

This started so slow but I kept listening anyway. It was strange in a good way. It's the kind of book that you know you've missed things. I'll be listening again and perhaps read it, too.