NOS4A2

The apple doesn't fall far from the tree...

Any additional comments?

If the cat wasn't already out of the bag about Joe Hill's semi-secret parentage, this book would have freed the feline for sure as this could easily have been one of his dad's mid-80s books. "NOS4R2" particularly channels "Christine", with a hint of "IT" (which it even references).

So, if you're a fan of King's, or of Hill's for that matter, whether to pick this up or not is an easy choice.

Oh, and I was surprised to find that this Audio-version actually contains an epilogue (hidden in the audio-book production-credits) not found in my e-book version - and it's also very well read by Kate "Janeway" Mulgrew, so if you're wondering which version to get, Audio is it.

7 of 7 people found this review helpful

I enjoyed this story very much

The narrator did a great job and the story had enough action and "nastiness" to keep you interested. The idea of teeth shaped like fish hooks has stayed with me. I would certainly recommend this book to anyone interested in this genre.

3 of 3 people found this review helpful

another 5 star book from Joe Hill

Joe Hill is a master storyteller and he doesn't disappoint. It is a long story and it takes a bit to get into it but give it a chance you wont regret it! All hail Joe Hill!!

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

I Loved It - Great Story and Wonderful Characters

Would you listen to NOS4R2 again? Why?

I would listen again. A horror story where the villains and heroes are all characters and the story is a great listen. Bing and Mr Manx are despicable people who I almost liked.My first and hopefully not my last Joe Hill book. He's taken over where his father left off with horror some years back. Thank you Joe!!! The narrator was just brilliant - unlike some other books that I've heard recently, she was able to give the male and female characters - character plus.

What other book might you compare NOS4R2 to and why?

I've recently listened to Doctor Sleep (by the authors father). Both books reference each other once and the stories have a similar main stories of vampires after special children. I'm afraid they are different classes of books - Joe's book beats his dad's by a country mile. The narration of the female characters in King's Doctor Sleep reminded of a drag queen in full cry. NOS4R2 was made even better by Kate Mulgrew. With Doctor Sleep I ended up caring less if the protagonist (Danny) lived, died or went to Tahiti. I have 'known' Danny for about thirty years now, and I wanted know about the man.

Every character in NOS4R2 I had some likeness for - even the bad ones. Danny's badies were just crap baddies.

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

The narrator was just brilliant - unlike some other books that I've heard recently, she was able to give the male and female characters - character plus. She made the story so much better and was able to lend even the male characters authenticity.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

It made me cry a bit (no spolier) and laugh a lot - all in the appropriate places.

Any additional comments?

Thanks Joe and Audible. Worth the time listening.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

A bit long in the tooth, great narration

What did you love best about NOS4R2?

Kate Mulgrew's performance has to be the best thing about NOS4R2. Mulgrew has a distinctive sound and gives each character its own personality. Her performance of Charlie Manx and Bing Partridge were particularly excellent, in my opinion.Hill has a knack for setting up and describing the imaginary world he has created. At first I was sort of put off by the Christmas obsession, but it grew on me over time. While the story itself was so-so, I absolutely loved Joe Hill's story *telling*. He's a good writer, and I may pick up some of his other stuff.

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

No, this was the first one for me. Unsurprisingly, his style is reminiscent of his father's, Stephen King. He largely employs the same recipe: deep character depictions, interwoven with the supernatural, and some gore. It was a bit long in the tooth, however (like many of King's books), and it was slow to get going after the initial build-up (Vic's first encounter with Manx). The novel could have been redacted by a quarter without doing the story any injustice, especially the middle part.

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

Her understanding of the story and the subsequent depiction of the the characters. If you just read the book, you would miss the profound "evilness" she creates for the Manx character.

Who was the most memorable character of NOS4R2 and why?

There aren't a bunch of characters in this book, which makes it easier to keep track of them . But obviously the two main characters, Vic McQueen and Charlie Manx stick around in your mind. The disgusting Bing Partridge was also quite enjoyable.

Any additional comments?

Overall, I ended up liking this book quite a lot. As I mentioned earlier, Joe Hill drags his feet a bit in the middle part of the story, stretching certain concepts a bit too much. The story may come across as a bit juvenile at first, in part because the main character starts out as a child/teenager. In addition, the Christmas-thing keeps that theme alive throughout the book. It bothered me too, at first.

In NOS4R2, Hill introduces us to his two-world concept, which includes the world of stuff and the world of thought. NOS4R2 is about intermingling the two, and more notably, bringing Manx' sick imaginary world of eternal Christmas into the real world, and his revenge on Vic McQueen for finding him and getting away.

All in all, this was a good read. If you like Stephen King's earlier works, or like Mulgrew, it's a no-brainer. Otherwise, it's not too bad either, you won't feel like you wasted a credit (you may struggle with the middle part a bit, but it gets better).

Oh and, don't let your kids listen to this. Christmas would be ruined forever.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Meh

I wish I liked this more but found it to be average on all counts.

Excellent reading and another great story

I want to start of by saying, this would do great as a comic. I adore Locke & Key and feel this belongs in the same universe.
The story feels familiar, scary and exciting. Not my favorite Joe Hill story but a good book over all.
And Kate - what an amazing reader. She makes the characters come to life and you feel she is really into the story.

Kate Mulgrew did the story justice.

I could taste the ginger bread in the air. Could feel the snow and sense the imminent danger whenever C.T.Manx were around.

Spooky

Pretty good story.
Good performance, but I must admit some of the more dramatic voice acting took me out of the moment. Not for the lack of trying thought.
😊

This was fantastic

Kate Mulgrew works well with this book. Its so creepy and dark and she captures all of it. I didnt want to turn it off. Easily one of my favorites.

AUDIBLE 20 REVIEW SWEEPSTAKES ENTRY