Epic

I loved this book. The wit, the humour, the pathos, the word play, it doesn't get much better than this oh and Simon Vance the narrator was exquisite. 60 hours of my listening life was a small price to pay. Enjoy.

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3 people found this helpful

Magnificent

My goodness this book by Moore is truly epic.
The range of intertwined stories from the contemporary, historical, mythological and the fantastic is extraordinary. Part family lore, part Enid blytonesque adventure story, bit of fantasy some sci fi, some James Joyce styled sex (I think??) and topped with a commentary on the politics and other ills of the modern age. The whole lot combined to create something of a clear eyed love letter to Northampton.
I also think I have discovered my new favourite character in Alma Warren.
The narration by Vance is also brilliant.
Loved it. 80 odd hours of listening almost wasn’t enough

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Absolutely Extraordinary

This is my first non-graphic novel Alan Moore experience, and it feels like an epiphany.
A mix of history, poetry, myth, biogeography and fiction, it's truly astounding. It seems to be a trend these days for authors to have incredibly detailed explanations that wind into complete irrelevance, and maybe they are trying to do what Moore masters - that is the picture, the representation of the ordinary, the extraordinary and the sublime. I do hope they stop and leave Alan Moore to have his winding tales, his contemplative characters and his mindbending interplay of fantasy and reality.
Telling you what this book is about would do it a disservice. but suffice to say it is a love story for a place, a people, and a class. Part shocking reality, part quest, the story is not one story, but multiple intertwined tales unlike others I have read.
It is graphic, blunt, poetic, even pastoral in the appreciation for a sense of place.
Simon Vance was a perfect choice for narration. adding character and subtly, brutal truth, painful experience and a sense of acceptance by the protagonists of their lot in life.
Honestly, this is a fantastic listen. I don't know how anything can possibly eclipse it... Thank you Alan Moore, and Simon Vance for bringing the words to life.

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A quite extraordinary book.

I’ve listened to the audio book and read the paper book simultaneously. In my opinion Jerusalem represents the greatest piece of writing seen in the English language for many many years. It has officially usurped Ulysses as my favourite book of all time. Allan Moore is the William Blake of our time. A genius.

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Wisn’t wanting it to end.

A great adventure, beautifully written, expertly narrated. I’m bereft to have reached the end.
I recommend the investment.

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