Summer of Night

By: Dan Simmons

Narrated by: Dan John Miller

It’s the summer of 1960 and in the small town of Elm Haven, Illinois, five twelve-year-old boys are forging the powerful bonds that a lifetime of change will not break. From sunset bike rides to shaded hiding places in the woods, the boys’ days are marked by all of the secrets and silences of an idyllic childhood. But amid the sun-drenched cornfields, their loyalty will be pitilessly tested. When a long-silent bell peals in the middle of the night, the townsfolk know it marks the end of their carefree days. From the depths of the Old Central School, a hulking fortress tinged with the mahogany scent of coffins, an invisible evil is rising. Strange and horrifying events begin to overtake everyday life, spreading terror through the once-peaceful town. Determined to exorcize this ancient plague, Mike, Duane, Dale, Harlen, and Kevin must wage a war of blood—against an arcane abomination who owns the night.…

“It stands with the best of King and Straub in the traditional modern horror genre.” —Seattle Post-Intelligencer

“Impressive…combines beautiful writing and suspense into a book for which Dan Simmons deserves the bestseller status of King and Koontz.” —The Denver Post

“One can only wonder what Simmons will do next, now that he’s shown us he can do everything the best writers in horror and science fiction can do.” —The Philadelphia Inquirer

© 1991 by Dan Simmons. ℗ 2011 by Brilliance Audio, all rights reserved.

OVER LONG

Normally I love extra long books, but this one really didn't need to be in my opinion. Lots of drawn out smaller stories that really didn't add anything to the story.
I also never really connected with any of the characters and didn't have much concern for their welfare.

Great book to READ

A book that’s better read and not listened to. I’ve read the book multiple times over the years and love it. Listening to it on Audible just doesn’t evoke the same joy. Narrator isn’t bad but it’s just something about the way he voices the kids. Fantastic book by Dan Simmons nonetheless.

Excellent atmosphere and well written!

Dan John Miller made this book come to life for me. It is well written and well read. Has hints of Stephen King's Stand by Me and Robert McCammon's Boy's Life with plenty of suspense and horror thrown in. I would highly recommend this book!

GREAT read!

This book had a slow start as the author developed the characters. After that the story unfolded quickly and built to an exciting crescendo. A great read!

Great story and character development

I really enjoyed this book, there is a lot of time spent on character development so when something happens to the character you are invested in that person. I think of this story like stand by me with sci-fi/ horror. It is not very fast paced, but that is due to the character development in the story which adds the richness to the book. An interesting story, a great narrator and a good ending combine to make this book very credit worthy!