Enjoyable story and well read!

What made the experience of listening to The Fireman the most enjoyable?

A great twist on a potential global pandemic - told from the perspective of Harper, a nurse who is instrumental to the story.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Fireman?

John Rookwood has mastered how to control the spore - what he does with his skill (and how he hides it) is fantastic.

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

Kate gives subtle nuances to all the character voices - so you do know who is speaking, even before she reads out the name. She tries a British accent , and nearly gets it!

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

The book kept me excited throughout.

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A little different from the usual storyline

An unusual story extremely well read although I doubt I’d want to read any further editions if it were a trilogy as is common. I do like the way characters are not always preserved which gives it a nice edge.

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Another great story

I'm a fan of Joe Hill and this story doesn't disappoint. Brilliantly read. Loved every minute.

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it flavoured my nightmares for days

A very good story from the first to the last.

I'm a long time fan Joe Hill's father and am happy to say he has inherited his talent to weave a tall tale, I would even hazard to say he is apt to better his father with time and experience behind him.

Definitely worth the price

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Overall very good, except...

I am from the UK and I am apalled at the "English" accent for John. Did no one check that the accent wasn't ridiculous? I couldn't get over it as no one talks like that here! It made me feel like he wasn't a real person in the book. Other than that, interesting story 👍

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Words fail ( actually they don't really!!) as so excellent

This is one of the best apocalypse/survival book I have ever heard. Some of the book premises stretch credibility but Joe Hills' attention to detail is sooooo good that you buy into his vision. Storyline consistently interesting which doesn't apply to some less imaginative authors. Kate Mulgrew provides an excellent sound track and has the rare ability of giving each individual their own character ... No mean feat when there are so many ... Making it easy to follow. Dramatic interpretation is excellent.

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5 people found this helpful

Fantastic narration!

I absolutely loved this book when I read it. I have had mixed experiences with audio versions of books I’ve loved reading but this one I can’t recommend enough. Kate Mulgrew puts real feeling into her narration. I was absolutely spellbound the whole way through and listened to it over two days because of this! Joe Hill’s writing is wonderfully descriptive without becoming lost in metaphor, the story moves along at just the right pace to keep you interested but not lose your way. I would highly recommend this audio book to anyone who loves a good dystopian tale.

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1 person found this helpful

Wonderful, heart wrenching story

Hill has yet to lose it and Mulgrew is perfect for the narration. Definitely recommend to any Joe Hill fans.

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pleasant enough, but some poor points

silly characterisation of Jacob, but other characters well enough rounded. Works ok as a journey story.

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An Excellent Apocalyptic Listen

After listening to the wonderful Kate Mulgrew read NOS4A2, it was a pleasure to hear her narrate another of Joe Hill's novels. I've read or listened to a fair few apocalyptic books, but this one still managed to preserve some originality in an increasingly oversaturated genre. The concept of spontaneous human combustion has been the subject of endless interest and fascination, and in this work of fiction Hill makes it a reality. One that has, literally, gone viral and threatens to destroy whole civilisations both in terms of lives lost and cities and infrastructure brought to ruin - in this case, these twin elements of destruction go hand in hand. And yet, despite what could have turned out to be a very gloomy tale in someone else's hands, Joe Hill manages to keep the darkness at bay even while the proverbial hounds of hell keep snapping at his characters' feet. There is whimsy here in the mentions of Mary Poppins and Julie Andrews, of Dumbledore and one or two of JK Rowling's other fictional devices that existed in the Harry Potter-verse. There is mention of celebrities and references to books by other authors as well as well known songs by artists familiar to the reader. All this goes a long way to making this book relatable even as the frightening prospect of a near-future apocryphal disease is as real to the characters as the blood in your veins. As I listened to her reading, I became convinced that Mulgrew truly enjoyed the story she was entrusted with to bring to life so ably. This is a remarkable book read by a lovely and talented reader and actress, and I would highly recommend listening to it.

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