The Ferryman

A Novel

By: Justin Cronin

Narrated by: Scott Brick, Suzanne Elise Freeman

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • “Next to impossible to put down . . . exciting, mysterious, and totally satisfying.”—STEPHEN KING

From the author of The Passage comes a riveting standalone novel about a group of survivors on a hidden island utopia—where the truth isn’t what it seems.

A POLYGON BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR

The islands of Prospera lie in a vast ocean, in splendid isolation from the rest of humanity—or whatever remains of it.

Citizens of the main island enjoy privileged lives. They are attended to by support staff who live on a cramped neighboring island, where whispers of revolt are brewing—but for the Prosperans, life is perfection. And when the end of life approaches, they’re sent to a mysterious third island, where their bodies are refreshed, their memories are wiped away, and they return to start life anew.

Proctor Bennett is a ferryman, whose job it is to enforce the retirement process when necessary. He never questions his work, until the day he receives a cryptic message:

“The world is not the world.”

These simple words unlock something he has secretly suspected. They seep into strange dreams of the stars and the sea. They give him the unshakable feeling that someone is trying to tell him something important.

Something no one could possibly imagine, something that could change the fate of humanity itself.

Worth the wait!

Another amazing story by Justin. I was completely absorbed. I can’t say more because I don’t want to spoil anyone with the ending. Enjoy!

Missed opportunity

This one lost me early on, although I hung in until the end hoping for a better outcome. As many other readers have mentioned, I also enjoyed The Passage trilogy quite a lot, but was disappointed here. I’m not sure that the dual narrator approach worked for this material either, despite both readers doing a fine job individually.

Hard not to compare…

The Passage trilogy is one of my all time favorites, so recognize that I went into this story with lofty expectations, despite my attempts to be open-minded. Cronin is an absolutely outstanding wordsmith. He conjures images and emotions like few other authors I have read/listened to. This story is compelling if confusing at times (though I plan to now read it, which may be clarifying). The characters are interesting and complex, as are the numerous moral/ethic questions explored. I was entertained by the various twists and turns, though none of them shocked me.

As for narration, I could listen to Scott Brick read the phone book. I found the female narrator to be a little irritating. The lilt at the end of her sentences made them all sound like questions.

Overall, it is an excellent listen. If I can pry it away from the Passage in my mind I think I will come to appreciate it even more.

Intriguing, but convoluted and too long

Why were there two different narrators? There didn’t seem to be rhyme or reason to what parts each read, so it was jarring and confusing when the narrator changed. While I enjoyed the storytelling - it was an intriguing way to present a plot that’s been done many times before - The Ferryman was a bit too complicated, with too many characters and confusing subplot and just way too long. The last hour and a half just wasn’t necessary.

Not as good as his other works

I found the story confusing. Difficult to follow. I was hoping the end would finally explain everything but was disappointed.