London Calling

By: Edward Bloor

Narrated by: Robertson Dean

Length: 7 hrs and 29 mins

Publisher's summary

Martin Conway comes from a family filled with heroes and disgraces. His grandfather was a statesman who worked at the US Embassy in London during WWII. His father is an alcoholic who left his family. His sister is an overachieving Ivy League graduate. And Martin? Martin is stuck in between—floundering.

But during the summer after 7th grade, Martin meets a boy who will change his life forever. Jimmy Harker appears one night with a deceptively simple question: Will you help? Where did this boy come from, with his strange accent and urgent request? Is he a dream? It's the most vivid dream Martin's ever had. And he meets Jimmy again and again—but how can his dreams be set in London during the Blitz? How can he see his own grandather, standing outside the Embassy? How can he wake up with a head full of people and facts and events that he certainly didn't know when he went to sleep—but which turn out to be verifiably real?

The people and the scenes Martin witnesses have a profound effect on him. They become almost more real to him than his waking companions. And he begins to believe that maybe he can help Jimmy. Or maybe that he must help Jimmy, precisely because all logic and reason argue against it.

This is a truly remarkable and deeply affecting novel about fathers and sons, heroes and scapegoats. About finding a way to live with faith and honor and integrity. And about having an answer to the question: What did you do to help?

©2006 Edward Bloor (P)2006 Random House Inc. Listening Library, an imprint of the Random House Audio Publishing Group

Critic reviews

“Bloor continues to demonstrate his range, this time mixing historical fiction with time travel in a poignant adventure story about fathers and sons. . . . Have tissues on hand for the final pages.”–Publishers Weekly

“Martin’s determination and the vivid scenes of London during the Blitz are sure to appeal.”–Kliatt

Worth Reading

I really enjoyed this book. It was unique and different from what I had been reading. I was very glad I grabbed it.

Good book

It was hard to get into but im glad i stuck with it its a good story about war and family and the hardships in life.

A good running companion

I'm training for a marathon and listen to audiobooks to help pass the time on long runs. This was an excellent listen. I know that it is a book written for teens, but it was full of adult themes and real heart. I heartily recommend it.

Spell Binding

Just like little Jimmy Harker!
The end is far too sudden and oh so final. Leaving you with one solemn wish.
If there only could have been more.

Fourth listen in 12 years

That should cover what I think. Great writing, amazing narrator- the type who inspires a search for more of his work. Gaiman never fails to satisfy!

Not my type

What was the most interesting aspect of this story? The least interesting?

I love time travel but this was not my type of story. The narrator was excellent though.

Nice "Ghost" Story

This author does a good job weaving a coming of age story with family histories and the spiritual side of life. The story is interesting and fast moving with just enough character development to keep the story going. The narrator has a smooth voice that was engaging and varied with the different characters. If you like stories about World War II, spirits, and angels, you should like this story. It's not going to win the Novel Prize for Literature, but it should keep you entertained for eight hours or so.

Worth a listen!... Good family book.

This story started a bit slow at first, but built momentum to become a very interesting story. Give it an hour and you'll be hooked til the end!

The author had a great ability to teach about human weakness, love, trust of self, a historical time in WWII history, truth, and other nice lessons.

Martin, the main character, travels back in time to London England during WWII and witnesses events that aren't well documented in modern day history. Events that have been twisted by members of his immediate community during modern times. His father is an alcoholic, his mother a doormat and his sister a strong young woman. As Martin's confidence in himself grows, those around him change for the better as well.

If Martin was my son I'd be mighty proud of him!

I love it

This book is amazing and I had to do a book report and I picked this book and I’m so glad I did I love this book and I would recommend this book for anyone it’s amazing

Totally unexpected

Nothing bad to say about this book. Story and narration are both very well done. Good on ya.