NOS4A2

A Novel

By: Joe Hill

Narrated by: Kate Mulgrew

Length: 19 hrs and 41 mins

Publisher's summary

The spine-tingling, bone-chilling novel of supernatural suspense from the number one New York Times best-selling author of The Fireman and Horns - now an AMC original series starring Zachary Quinto, Ebon Moss-Bachrach, and Ashleigh Cummings.

"A masterwork of horror." (Time)

Victoria McQueen has an uncanny knack for finding things: a misplaced bracelet, a missing photograph, answers to unanswerable questions. When she rides her bicycle over the rickety old covered bridge in the woods near her house, she always emerges in the places she needs to be.

Charles Talent Manx has a gift of his own. He likes to take children for rides in his 1938 Rolls-Royce Wraith with the vanity plate NOS4A2. In the Wraith, he and his innocent guests can slip out of the everyday world and onto hidden roads that lead to an astonishing playground of amusements he calls Christmasland.

The journey across the highway of Charlie's twisted imagination transforms his precious passengers, leaving them as terrifying and unstoppable as their benefactor.

Then comes the day when Vic goes looking for trouble...and finds her way to Charlie. That was a lifetime ago. Now, the only kid ever to escape Charlie's evil is all grown up and desperate to forget. But Charlie Manx hasn't stopped thinking about Victoria McQueen. On the road again, he won't slow down until he's taken his revenge. He's after something very special - something Vic can never replace.

As a life-and-death battle of wills builds, Vic McQueen prepares to destroy Charlie once and for all - or die trying.

©2013 Joe Hill (P)2013 HarperCollins Publishers

Critic reviews

"Quite simply the best horror writer of our generation, Joe Hill’s masterful storytelling is on full display in NOS4A2. It is by turns terrifying and hilarious, horrifying and full of heart, and relentlessly compelling." (Michael Koryta, New York Times bestselling author of The Prophet)

"Fascinating and utterly engaging, this novel is sure to leave readers wanting more. One thing is for certain, however. After reading this book, readers will never hear Christmas carols in quite the same way again." ( Library Journal, starred review)

"[A] new take on the fantasy-horror genre...Highly recommended." ( The Sun Herald Sydney, Australia)

Great read over winter break

Got this during a two for one sale on audible and it was amazing! Kate Mulgrew did an excellent job reading this story and had me hooked from the beginning!

I just couldn't get into it...

I wanted to like this book. I really did. But every time I thought I was starting to like it, something happened that caused me not to like it. I just couldn't get into this book. 5 hours in and barely anything happened other than I disliked the main character more and more. This is the 2nd Joe Hill book I've read, the first being Heart Shaped Box, and I wasn't really crazy about it either. The premise of the stories sound amazing, but I'm just not a fan of his writing style. I'll be honest, despite it sounding blasphemous, but I've decided I'm not a huge fan of Stephen King either. his stories, although very detailed and amazing and concept, are just not portrayed in a manner that I enjoy. The funny thing is, I love horror, thriller, mystery books. Anyway, if you like Joe Hill then you should probably check this book out.

I loved this book

What did you love best about NOS4A2?

The complexity of the story and the narration.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Victoria McQueen because she was a strong mother, caring and had faults and struggles. She was completely human and I was able to relate to her.

What about Kate Mulgrew’s performance did you like?

I knew instantly which character was speaking because her voice characters were so rich.

If you could rename NOS4A2, what would you call it?

Journey to Christmas Town

long winded.

story could have been four plus hours shorter. listen to this book at speed 1.45. characters had unrealistic behavior. could always figure where plot was going.

Loved every second-Listened to it straght thru

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Plucked from a different cloth of storylines, full of strong characters with gripping emotions and back stories. Perfect amount of horror, drama, and emotions. This is my first Joe Hill novel and I am now an official groupie.

What did you like best about this story?

The unexpected plot line that immediately grabbed my attention. I was instantly invested in all the characters both good and evil.

Which character – as performed by Kate Mulgrew – was your favorite?

Pretty sure Lou, Victoria's husband. Dude, he (she) was awesome.

If you could take any character from NOS4A2 out to dinner, who would it be and why?

Wayne. For reasons only I know.

Any additional comments?

Step out of your comfort zone or it will close in on you. I took a chance on this incredible delight and won more that i could have even imagined. Kudos to both Joe Hill and Kate Mulgrew

It's Haverhill (Haverill) not Haver Hill

I don't know that I can finish this book because of the narration. Not only is it way over the top, but, the name of the town is pronounced wrong. Do they not check into these things before they do a whole book??? The second H is silent. Apparently neither Joe or Stephen listened to this before it went to publication.

I believe in putting your own twist on things and giving the characters interesting voices and quirks, just not to the extremes that are gone to here. It's totally unnecessary.

Guess I will read this book instead of listening to it. I love the concept and would like to finish the book.

The best narration yet!!

Would you listen to NOS4A2 again? Why?

I loved NOS4A2 it was a great read! so much so that i had a hard time putting my phone down to stop. Kate Mulgrew is an AMAZING narrator, she brought the book to life made you feel the character had a personality.

What did you like best about this story?

The fact that the author brought fantasy and real life together to make it relate-able to the reader, Vic (the main character) sounds like any woman who has gone through trouble with growing up facing the world and "reality". Parenting is a scary thing and this is obvious with our main character, like so many other parents she doesn't make the greatest decisions but her love is obvious when met with the challenge to save her son Bruce.

Which scene was your favorite?

Hmm my favorite scene? its hard to say there were so many parts that had me on edge, had me laughing or brought some type of emotional aspect out of me that i thought wouldn't.

Who was the most memorable character of NOS4A2 and why?

I would say (other than the obvious ,it being Vic) Lou was a great character I know how much women complain( me being a woman myself) how hard it is to find a good father, someone who wants to be there for the family and loving. Lou is a dream come true to many woman, even though he wasn't a "good" looking man according to the author, many people should look for whats inside the heart and not what's on their face.

Love Captain Janeway reading!

Kate Mulgrew is an awesome narrorator. It sounds crazy but her voice brings me back to those awesome shows about Voyager. I was younger and her reading adds a cozy quality to this well written horror novel. I love Stephen King and now I adore his son, Joe Hill. So much talent!

Christmasland for one and all

Joe Hill has crafted a far reaching tale spanning many years, multiple states and multiple dimensions. Characters are created to be fallible whether they are good or evil. You can sympathize with these horrible villains even as you wish them to die a horrible death. The plot is unique and interesting, pulling you along to find out what is going to happen.
I really did not like the narrator though. Shrill whiney voice

Phenomenal narration and story

I loved the suspense and the characters were so detailed. Kate Mulgrew's narration made it hard to stop listening!