The Great When

Long London, Book 1

By: Alan Moore

Narrated by: Kobna Holdbrook-Smith

Bloomsbury presents The Great When by Alan Moore, read by Kobna Holdbrook-Smith.

Nominated for Best Performance: Narrator at The Speakies (The British Audio Awards).

This audiobook features an exclusive essay, The True History of What Didn’t Happen, written and read by Alan Moore.

From the New York Times bestselling author and legendary storyteller Alan Moore, the first book in an enthralling new series about murder, magic, and madness set between two Londons—one recovering from World War II, and one a secret world unlike any other.

“Extraordinary . . . very funny . . . It does what fantasy does best which is show us something beyond our experience.” —Susanna Clarke, New York Times bestselling author of Piranesi and Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell

In 1949, amidst the smog of London, Dennis Knuckleyard, a hapless eighteen year-old employed by a second-hand bookshop, discovers a novel that simply does not exist. It is a fictitious book, one only existing within another novel. Yet it is physically there in his hands. How?

Dennis has stumbled on a book from the Great When, a magical version of London beyond time and space, where reality blurs with fiction and concepts such as Crime and Poetry are incarnated as wondrous, terrible beings. But this other, magical London must remain a secret: if Dennis cannot find a way to return this book to where it belongs, he risks facing gruesome and grave repercussions.

So begins a journey delving deep into the city’s occult underbelly and tarrying with an eccentric cast of sorcerers, gangsters, and murderers – some from legend, some frighteningly real, and all with plans of their own. Soon Dennis finds himself at the center of an explosive series of events that may alter and endanger both Londons forever . . .©2024 Alan Moore (P)2024 Bloomsbury Publishing Plc

Extraordinary.

The richness of imagery and metaphor is unparalleled. Alan Moore's imagination is boundless. I have never read anything quite like it.

Alan Moore at his most Alan Mooreist

I remember picking up V for Vendetta from a $1 comics bin sometime in the 90’s and getting the feeling that I had been wanting to read a comic like that without knowing it. I’ve been a casual follower of Alan Moore ever since. Moore is a skilled writer, although not a 100% to my taste. If his writing were a piece of furniture it would be an ornate Victorian piece that you feel awkward sitting down on. He could use a good editor to cut down some of the flourishes, especially at the beginning and end. Overall solid story, ending was not satisfying, but Moore does that, leaves a story where it ends and not where you want it to. Voice acting is good, one recommendation there, just because a book intones a series of coughs for a character doesn’t mean you have to express every one of them. Early in the novel “Coffin Ada” is difficult to listen to, each cough gets more irritating, doing one or maybe two would improve the experience.

Arthur Matches reference

The book was recommended by a friend. When I started the story I had no idea what was going on. After I let go, and let the story carry me, I enjoyed it. I'm looking forward to the second book.

Either fabulous or interesting…..

This is not an easy listen, but a dense, possibly overly-rich offering. Cant think if it would be easier or more difficult as a read. I adore Kobna Holbrook-Smith, who does a valiant job here and elsewhere brilliantly narrates most of Ben Aaronovitch’s Rivers of London series - and indeed, there is some slight comparison to be made between these authors. Slight.

The book is definitely deep and makes you think, without offering any easy answers or pat, comfortable endings. Unfortunately I am particularly fond of comfortable endings.

Stick With It

Might feel a little turgid to begin with. Push on through. You’ll get used to the style and be amply rewarded.