The Strain

By: Guillermo Del Toro, Chuck Hogan

Narrated by: Ron Perlman

Length: 13 hrs and 35 mins

Publisher's summary

The visionary creator of the Academy Award-winning Pan's Labyrinth and a Hammett Award-winning author bring their imaginations to this bold, epic novel about a horrifying battle between man and vampire that threatens all humanity. It is the first installment in a thrilling trilogy and an extraordinary international publishing event.

They have always been here. Vampires. In secret and in darkness. Waiting. Now their time has come. In one week, Manhattan will be gone. In one month, the country. In two months - the world.

A Boeing 777 arrives at JFK and is on its way across the tarmac, when it suddenly stops dead. All window shades are pulled down. All lights are out. All communication channels have gone quiet. Crews on the ground are lost for answers, but an alert goes out to the CDC. Dr. Eph Goodweather, head of their Canary project, a rapid-response team that investigates biological threats, gets the call and boards the plane. What he finds makes his blood run cold.

In a pawnshop in Spanish Harlem, a former professor and survivor of the Holocaust named Abraham Setrakian knows something is happening. And he knows the time has come, that a war is brewing....

So begins a battle of mammoth proportions as the vampiric virus that has infected New York begins to spill out into the streets. Eph, who is joined by Setrakian and a motley crew of fighters, must now find a way to stop the contagion and save his city - a city that includes his wife and son - before it is too late.

©2009 Guillermo Del Toro and Chuck Hogan (P)2009 HarperCollins Publishers

Gripping Story, intense narration.

Really enjoyed this book. I was surprised by how quickly I went through this, given its length. I've seen other criticisms of Ron Perlman's narration, but I thought his reading and cadence were dead-on for the subject matter. The story's very cinematic, but what would you expect when of the authors is del Toro. Can't wait for Part 2.

Good start - and big drop

The opening of this novel is very chilling, engaging and filled with promises for things to come.

Unfortunately this quickly changes into a "Night of the Living Dead" copy that just failed to keep me interested.

I liked the narrator - he kept me going when the story already failed me.

Suggestion: Listen for the first 30 minutes, then delete the file. It will make for a good open ended thrilling short novel ;-)

Sorta meh

The reading is pretty well done, the story is sort of cheese, typical vampire stuff. Couple of fun scenes but didn't touch my love buttons

SOLID LISTEN

The reader made a LOT of difference. Smoothly transitioned between characters. The material is not especially original but the beginning is uniquely creepy and all the characters are well thought out. Kept me coming back for more. Ending was a bit anti-climactic but will say that I was HOOKED throughout.

Destined for the big screen?

In listening to this (excellent narration by Ron Perlman - that was half the fun) I couldn't help but picture this more as a script than a book. I found the twists on vampire lore refreshing and unique compared to the few I've read - Ann Rice, Twilight books, first of the Sookie Stackhouse books (I won't read anymore at the risk of spoiling True Blood) and maybe a couple others over the years.

Very visual writing, goes for the gore and chill factors and I thought it delivered well. Interesting and diverse characters (reminded me a bit of Stephen King there) pulled together into what promises to be a great trilogy.

I won't be surprised to see this go to film and with Guillermo at the helm smells like a blockbuster.

monotone natrator

I really enjoyed the TV series and was looking forward to the audible book. I could not get into it at all because the narrator is pretty monotone throughout. It does not keep my attention at all.

compelling narration, gradual & horrifying

I usually HATE narrated fiction, because most narrators are flat and many stories don't translate well to spoken word. I prefer nonfiction narrated by the person who wrote it. I gave this a try because it was written by my favorite horror screenplay producer. I'm about 4 hours in now and absolutely hooked. some points:

- the narration is brilliant. His voice is richly textured and he varies it based on mood, retaining authenticity in town but also animating the characters compellingly.
- the story unfolds very coyly, giving you just enough to guess but wonder, joining the characters in their gradually unfolding horror about what is going on. to me, effective horror is like a burlesque show: you don't want to see too much too soon, the thrill is in the hints, the flirts, the unknown. This is incredibly effective horror.
- the story also artfully weaves education into the story. occasionally it tangents to explain, say, the science of an eclipse, or how remains were transported after 9/11, or how a virus behaves or the body changes after death. I live sneak education!

Well, I'm going to have to listen to more by this writer and narrator once I reach the end of this intensely compelling narrative. Well done!!!

Holly , great story. Not into "walking dead" stories but this was awesome.

Again great story. Had me up at night.. Usually not into vampire books but this was a great story. Going to get the next one.

Story good, narrarator ehhhhh

What made the experience of listening to The Strain the most enjoyable?

Listening to this book was hard. Ron Perlman's voice is great however it was bland and not enough distinction between the characters. I found myself going back to verify that a female character was in play. It got frustrating so I just let the story play. If a a female were to narrate along with Ron this could have been better.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Strain?

The hispanic boy escaping and then being saved by the vamps. I also like how the neighborhood rat trapper is used. Very good characters.

Who would you have cast as narrator instead of Ron Perlman?

Ron Perlman is a good choice however a female should have accompanied.

Who was the most memorable character of The Strain and why?

Hispanic boy and the rat trapper.

Any additional comments?

The book at times seems like a script and since this doesnt occur often maybe it's a fluke. During this period of script sounding it's dragging the book.

The characters come together to make an interesting team and if you can get past the narrator voice, it makes for a good listen.

What a new view on the vampire situation!

Where does The Strain rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

this series is in my top 10! I drive a lot for my job and that's when I listen to audio books. With this series I had to force myself to NOT listen when I stopped working. And that didn''t always work!

What does Ron Perlman bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

During the first book I kept stopping and telling myself: Oh yeah that's Ron Perlman. I absolutely forgot during the second two.
I watch Sons of Anarchy and I hate Clay, so I had tough time with him as narrator (silly I know) but I so got over it! GREAT JOB!

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

Vasili for sure! What a great guy! Honorable and so much more than he thought that he was.

Any additional comments?

READ THIS SERIES