• The Whispering Swarm

  • The Sanctuary of the White Friars, Book 1
  • By: Michael Moorcock
  • Narrated by: Julian Elfer
  • Length: 16 hrs and 10 mins
  • 3.2 out of 5 stars (125 ratings)

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The Whispering Swarm  By  cover art

The Whispering Swarm

By: Michael Moorcock
Narrated by: Julian Elfer
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Publisher's summary

Almost anyone who has read or written science fiction or fantasy has been inspired by the work of Michael Moorcock. His literary flair and grand sense of adventure have been evident since his controversial first novel Behold the Man, from the stories and novels featuring his most famous character, Elric of Melniboné, to his fantasy masterpiece, Gloriana, winner of both the Campbell Memorial and World Fantasy awards for best novel. Neil Gaiman, Alan Moore, and Michael Chabon all cite Moorcock as a major influence; as editor of New Worlds magazine, he helped launch the careers of many of his contemporaries, including Harlan Ellison, Philip K. Dick, and J. G. Ballard.

Moorcock's first independent novel in nine years is a tale both fantastical and autobiographical, a celebration of London and what it meant to be young there in the years after World War II. The Whispering Swarm is the first in a trilogy that will follow a young man named Michael as he simultaneously discovers himself and a secret realm hidden deep in the heart of London.

©2014 Michael Moorcock (P)2014 Audible Inc.

What listeners say about The Whispering Swarm

Average customer ratings
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  • 3 out of 5 stars
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  • Overall
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    1 out of 5 stars

Terrible, extremely disappointing

What would have made The Whispering Swarm better?

It contains little to no plot, it simply rambles on and on...

What could Michael Moorcock have done to make this a more enjoyable book for you?

Provide a plot. He goes on and on without saying anything

Any additional comments?

I am outraged this horrible book was an editor's pick. I question if the editor really listened to the story? Even a month later I'm still outraged I trusted the editor and wasted a credit on this terrible, boring story.

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10 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars
  • JD
  • 06-11-17

Interesting autobiography / adventure / fantasy

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes, if they've read some of Moorcock's work before. If not, I would probably suggest they start with some of his other work (Elric, Corum, etc.)

What did you like best about this story?

The way he pretty seamlessly interweaves the autobiographical parts with the adventure and fantasy parts. It's at times actually tough to tell where truth ends and fantasy begins, which is very cool.

Have you listened to any of Julian Elfer’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

No, I haven't. He's excellent though!

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

Somewhere in the middle the adventure aspects kick into higher gear.

Any additional comments?

This is a really interesting mix of autobiography, 17th century cavalier adventure, and also a bit of fantasy. I personally enjoyed the autobiographical parts (which in particular is most of the first half of the book), but this book is probably best for somebody who has already read some of his other books, or who has an interest in his life. Make no mistake, it is (in part) an autobiography. If autobiographies bore you, either look elsewhere, or if you do give it a try be patient through the first half until more of the adventure kicks in.

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9 people found this helpful

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

Disappointing, rambling, frustrating, tedious

What could have made this a 4 or 5-star listening experience for you?

If the story had a meaningful plot. The entire story is pointless and frustrating. Wholly unsatisfying.

What could Michael Moorcock have done to make this a more enjoyable book for you?

Had a satisfying reason to risk his so-called real life in an imaginary world.

Who would you have cast as narrator instead of Julian Elfer?

The narrator did a fine job.

What reaction did this book spark in you? Anger, sadness, disappointment?

Frustration.

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9 people found this helpful

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

For Moorcock Fans

A lot of people are rough on this book, and I think that's primarily because they went into it with the wrong expectations. If you've been initiated into Moorcock's multiverse (which is practically a genre and category of fiction unto itself) then you will appreciate this introspective, epic, pseudo-historical and semi-autobiographical chimera of a novel. If you haven't, then maybe consider familiarizing yourself with his work first, before coming back around to this one. It's brilliant, but perhaps not overly kind to newcomers.

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8 people found this helpful

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

Boring !

I bought this because the review said this author was a master of the fantasy genre. I wasted my time ... there was no true imagination. It could be the performance of the reader, but I will wait to get it from the library.

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6 people found this helpful

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

A rather long list of publications

I really wanted to enjoy this story - I had found Inkheart series pick up after the author in the first few chapters got listing books out her system and set down the story. Yet when I got to Chapter 7 and the author had provided about 1 and half chapters of story and the rest backdrop and lists of books and music I decided that was more then I was willing to wait through. As for the story it appears to be a copy of Neil Gamin's Neverwhere and inkheart onle with list of books before you move forward another step.

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5 people found this helpful

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

What story?

This is awful. After listening to 2 chapters I could have cared less what happened to the main character. I am so uninspired that I removed the book and have no desire to continue listening. MIchael Moorcock may be an acclaimed Science Fiction author but I'm not buying it!

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5 people found this helpful

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

Confusing but facinating

As the book started out I found it quite confusing and considered stopping. I am very glad I persisted in listening to this novel. It was facinating by the half way point and could not have stopped if I had wanted to. I am looking forward to the next one in the series. Thank You!!

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3 people found this helpful

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

This is the first book that I refused to finish

I'm a lover of books and I am determined to finish a book no matter how bad it might seem. I finally found a book so boring and uninteresting that I couldn't even force myself to finish it.

I made it to chapter 20 and it's essentially the autobiography of a random British guy who thinks he is more important to the literary community than he is. The description says this is a sci fi book, I call BS on that.

In an effort to finish the book I started letting it play at 3X speed, that helped a bit because it didn't feel as slow but still SO FREAKING BORING.

I can honestly say this is the worst story I've ever listened to. The narrator did the best he could to make the book interesting, the problem is there is nothing interesting about the book.

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3 people found this helpful

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

Not my thing

It's like Mary Sue fanfic with a male protagonist. Sigh. If you know you like Moorcock, you might be fine, but as a first time listener/reader, it wasn't what I expected.

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2 people found this helpful