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The Sandman

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The Sandman

By: Neil Gaiman, Dirk Maggs
Narrated by: Riz Ahmed, Kat Dennings, Taron Egerton, Neil Gaiman, James McAvoy, Samantha Morton, Bebe Neuwirth, Andy Serkis, Michael Sheen
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Please note: This content is not for kids. It is for mature audiences only. Just like the original graphic novels, this audio adaptation contains explicit language and graphic violence, as well as strong sexual content and themes. Discretion is advised.

Hailed by the Los Angeles Times Magazine as “the greatest epic in the history of comic books”, The Sandman changed the game with its dark, literary world of fantasy and horror - creating a global, cultural phenomenon in the process. At long last, Audible and DC present the first-ever audio production of the New York Times best-selling series written by acclaimed storyteller Neil Gaiman (who also serves as co-executive producer). Adapted and directed by multi-award-winner (and frequent Gaiman collaborator) Dirk Maggs, and performed by an ensemble cast with James McAvoy (It, Parts One and Two, X-Men: First Class, Split) in the title role, this first installment of a multi-part original audio series will transport you to a world that re-writes the rules of audio entertainment the way that The Sandman originally re-defined the graphic novel.

When The Sandman, also known as Lord Morpheus - the immortal king of dreams, stories and the imagination - is pulled from his realm and imprisoned on Earth by a nefarious cult, he languishes for decades before finally escaping. Once free, he must retrieve the three “tools” that will restore his power and help him to rebuild his dominion, which has deteriorated in his absence. As the multi-threaded story unspools, The Sandman descends into Hell to confront Lucifer (Michael Sheen), chases rogue nightmares who have escaped his realm, and crosses paths with an array of characters from DC comic books, ancient myths, and real-world history, including: Inmates of Gotham City's Arkham Asylum, Doctor Destiny, the muse Calliope, the three Fates, William Shakespeare (Arthur Darvill), and many more.

A powerhouse supporting cast helps translate this masterwork into a sonic experience worthy of its legacy, including Riz Ahmed, Kat Dennings, Taron Egerton, Samantha Morton, Bebe Neuwirth, Andy Serkis, and more. Setting the stage for their performance is an unprecedented cinematic soundscape featuring an original musical score by British Academy Award winner James Hannigan. Fans will especially revel in a new twist for the audio adaptation: Neil Gaiman himself serves as the narrator. Follow him as he leads listeners along a winding path of myths, imagination and, often, terror. Even in your wildest dreams, you’ve never heard anything like this.

©2020 DC. All Rights Reserved. The Sandman and all related elements are trademarks of DC Comics. (P)2020 DC Comics and Audible
Dark Fantasy Epic Fantasy Scary Suspenseful
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Continue the series

The Sandman: Act II cover art
The Sandman: Act II By: Neil Gaiman, and others
The Sandman: Act III cover art
The Sandman: Act III By: Neil Gaiman, and others
All stars
Most relevant
loved it. just... wow.
so good.
I'm going to replay it right now.
apparently I need to write 15 words.

absolutely stunning

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Very much the curates egg. Absolutely putrid in parts. Considering the author and creative overlord of this production was Neil Gaman I honestly expected it to deliver so much more. The worst parts were the Marvel/Gotham storylines although (that may have had something to do with the voice acting,) but suffice to say it nearly had me giving up there and then. Some of the American accents were pure torture and weirdly for the majority of them and majority of the time sounded as if they were being very badly done by non-Americans. One bright note though, Neil Gaman is a bloody brilliant narrator and I'd listen to him read a bus timetable. He has a compelling quality that really draws the listener in.

Overall the actual "story" is a corker, although the episodic nature and lack of overarching thread for 30% of it comes as a bit of a surprise. Gaman is after all something of a genius of his art and I suspect Sandman was something of an experiment as far as genre goes. (James McAvoy's Morpheous is a masterly tour de force! Really leaves you wanting more.) It was the Marvel universe rubbish that set my teeth on edge. It's not that I thought Gaman didn't handle it well, (or that I dislike Marvel, I have watched nearly all the movies) I just found it vicious, violent, and almost somewhat puerile, while being purely for a "certain" male audience. I found it nasty and unnecessary. I don't know that I would listen to this a second or tenth time. Maybe if I skipped the almost third of it that I HATED. Each to their own though. BUT, Gaman doesn't disappoint in terms of himself. I still have come away thinking I can't wait to see what he comes up with next because he is just that good!

The soundtrack, though extremely good, can be a bit distracting at times. It tends to be a bit overpowering. Whilst it sets a wonderfully epic tone which the story deserves, it does have the unfortunate effect of bludgeoning the listener into senselessness at some points. For the most part the voice actors give utterly stellar performances. (see previous comment about dreadful American accents.) At no point is anyone unbelievable, which is why the production deserves a top rating all round.

Crushingly DISAPPOINTING

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This is so wonderfully told, it’s a full theatrical performance. This has set the bar high for all future audiobooks I listen to

What an audio book should be

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loved it easy to get into the story very twisted at time but good

great

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Not a bad chapter perfect experience from start to finish. five four three two one.

is a good adaptation

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