The Passage

A Novel (Book One of The Passage Trilogy)

By: Justin Cronin

Narrated by: Scott Brick, Adenrele Ojo, Abby Craden

Length: 36 hrs and 49 mins

Publisher's summary

New York Times best seller.

This thrilling novel kicks off what Stephen King calls “a trilogy that will stand as one of the great achievements in American fantasy fiction".

Now a FOX TV series!

Named one of Paste’s best horror books of the decade.

Named one of the 10 best novels of the year by TIME and one of the best books of the year by The Washington Post, Esquire, U.S. News & World Report, NPR/On Point, St. Louis Post-Dispatch, BookPage, and Library Journal.

“It happened fast. Thirty-two minutes for one world to die, another to be born".

An epic and gripping tale of catastrophe and survival, The Passage is the story of Amy - abandoned by her mother at the age of six, pursued, and then imprisoned by the shadowy figures behind a government experiment of apocalyptic proportions. But Special Agent Brad Wolgast, the lawman sent to track her down, is disarmed by the curiously quiet girl and risks everything to save her. As the experiment goes nightmarishly wrong, Wolgast secures her escape - but he can’t stop society’s collapse. And as Amy walks alone, across miles and decades, into a future dark with violence and despair, she is filled with the mysterious and terrifying knowledge that only she has the power to save the ruined world. Look for the entire Passage trilogy:

• The Passage
• The Twelve
• The City of Mirrors

©2010 Justin Cronin (P)2010 Random House

Critic reviews

“[A] blockbuster.” (The New York Times)

“Mythic storytelling.” (San Francisco Chronicle)

“Magnificent...Cronin has taken his literary gifts, and he has weaponized them...The Passage can stand proudly next to Stephen King’s apocalyptic masterpiece The Stand, but a closer match would be Cormac McCarthy’s The Road: A story about human beings trying to generate new hope in a world from which all hope has long since been burnt.” (Time)

Another viral apocalypse novel

The book wasn't bad. I am just a little bored with the " virus has turned most of humanity into ravening, mindless monsters with exception of a stalwart few " trope. The narration was decent.

Innovative take on Vampires

Great apocalyptic tale, with vivid characters. Not your typical vampire story. Highly recommend. One complaint, I felt the narrator needed prozac! Same depressed tone the whole book through. Annoying at first, but definitely worth sticking through.

I listened to the end, but may not again

Is there anything you would change about this book?

This is perhaps a great book for many people, but for my taste just a bit far fetched. I don't think I'd change it. I just didn't care for the theme. It was well written interesting portion and well read by Scott Brick. I did listen to the end, but I returned the next book in the series "The Twelve" because I didn't think I would enjoy it as it looks to be more of the same story line.

If you’ve listened to books by Justin Cronin before, how does this one compare?

First one

Which character – as performed by the narrators – was your favorite?

Scott Brick does well with them all.

If this book were a movie would you go see it?

No

Any additional comments?

It isn't the book that has a problem, it is a matter of my preferences. It has other great reviews and that's why I chose it.

Decidedly so so

I love long books, but this one dragged out too long. There were brief periods of very edge of the seat narrative, but overall I think this one just missed the mark. I don't know if I think it has "sequel" written all over it like a lot of reviewers here commented on...but I do agree that it ended up with a wimper and not a bang. I'm on the fence as to whether I will read any sequels if or when they appear. Mr. Cronin will have to tighten up his writing style a bit in my opinion.

I can't wait for the next book!

This book kept me interested at every turn. The characters were well developed and the plot was interesting. 40+ hours went by way too quickly! If you like Stephen King books, you'll love this one.

Mesmerizing

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

The Passage and its sequels are truly captivating. I've listened to the series twice now and I find myself trapped in the new world created by Justin Cronin.

Which character – as performed by the narrators – was your favorite?

Alicia Donadio and her journey bring the struggle of humanity in one person and all its winning and losing, loving and hating.

New Fan!!

Its not my regular go to....vampires, zombies. He puts a great twist on the genre, adds some mystical elements, a little magic maybe..This book caught me off guard. Im hooked!! It combines fantasy, mystery,horror, sci-fy, so well done.

Wonderfully entertaining

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I found it to be a great combination of "The Stand", "The Road", or The Zombie Chronicles (whatever it's called). Scott Brick is an excellent narrator and the story, even though it borrows many threads from other stories, does keep you guessing. It kept me riveted to the end and I didn't think the ending was abrupt. Of course it is a setup for follow-on books. This author didn't have to go to into the gory details but he did when it was warranted. Sure does make you think! What if!! The part about the "WASTE LAND" of New Orleans because of the oil pollution was downright eerie because of the horrible oil spill. Wow!

If u love long books this is a great one!

It reminds me of Stephen King's "The Stand" or "Swan Song" by Robert McGammon. Both books I loved. There are a lot of characters in this book and it all comes together well. I really enjoyed this book! Well worth the credit!

This is my favorite book

Justin Cronin wrote an incredible story, full of feeling, emotion, tension, excitement, and loads of other qualities. Scott Brick really brings this to life with Adenrele Ojo and Abby Craden. Amazing.