Fantastic

even if you don't know nightvale this book is awesome and a great listen. Cecil is an amazing voice actor

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Brilliant story full of lovable characters

Amazing book that I couldn't stop reading!! The story had me in a trance and I can't recommend it enough to people who love the podcast or love a good surreal and touching story.

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As quirky and entertaining as expected

Those not inducted into the off-kilter world of the desert town Night Vale are in for an awakening with the release of the first novel centred around the quirky happenings of this global phenomenon.

Beginning life as a free, fortnightly podcast in 2012, the Welcome to Night Vale series has resulted in world tours of live stage versions – including a tour to Australia earlier this year – and now a novel. The book is a complete story from start to finish, told from an omnipresent perspective, unlike the podcast which is told through a string of community radio announcements and updates by fictional radio host, Cecil.

WelcomeToNightValeAudioPart abstract comedy, part supernatural drama, part science fiction, the Welcome to Night Vale podcast explores the isolated community where there is a museum of forbidden technologies, all angels are called Erica, librarians are dangerous, and the dog park is a gateway to another realm.

The novel is a mystery told with all the quirky humour expected from writers Joseph Fink and Jeffrey Cranor. Their unique ability to turn everyday observations on their head is reminiscent of Douglas Adams’ unique gift to do the same – think Hitch Hiker’s Guide to the Galaxy where Adams described spacecraft which “hung in the sky in much the same way that bricks don’t.”

The story introduces a raft of new characters, with a few cameos by familiar names from the podcast. It follows three people: John is a 15 year old shape shifter who is desperate to find his father; his mother, Diane, is realising that people are vanishing from existence and she’s the only one who remembers them; and pawnshop owner Jackie, who has refused to age beyond 19 for the past forty years, is in search of a man in a tan jacket that everyone knows but no one can recall anything about.

This trio of Night Vale normality come together in search of answers that may be linked to King City, a place impossible to reach but whose name is beginning to appearing on anything written.

With a number of genuine mysteries warping the supernatural haven of Night Vale, it’s near impossible to predict how the story will end.

The audiobook is narrated by the podcast’s central radio announcer Cecil Baldwin with his exaggerated enunciation that adds to the idiosyncrasy of the storytelling. Baldwin knows the Night Vale world inside out and, for the past 4 years, has made it his narrative home. He knows the characters, old and new, and he knows just how to deliver the inspired text. The unabridged audiobook runs for 12 hours and 2 minutes and works particularly well given the audio origins of the Night Vale universe.

As a stand-alone feature, Welcome to Night Vale: A Novel works nicely as an introduction to this highly bizarre world although, as always in this kind of situation, those who continue to follow the podcast will find many pleasing salutes to what has gone before.

Read my full review and other audiobook reviews under the Entertainment section of glamadelaide dot com dot au.

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an intriguing world

loved it. nightvale is an amazing world. for me a continuation of the podcast. Great

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TOP SECRET

I could tell you that this book was the most interesting, fun, and different book I have ever, ever, ever come across ever, but I won't because it is illegal, in fact it is illegal for me to say anything about it. It also mentions angels, though let's pretend you did not know that since it is illegal to talk of angels also.
So in conclusion you could say I may or may not have thoroughly enjoyed this book. I did. but go check with a scientist who will hook me up to a machine, write something on his clipboard then indicate the answer to you using actual words.

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3 people found this helpful

A quirky adventure!

I loved this book. The storytelling was intriguing. Well read and engaging. Akin to the writing of Douglas Adams and just as gripping. A must if you love random, disjointed but also linear narratives.

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More Night Vale? Yes, please.

Wonderful story. Stayed true to the WTNV style, and as always, brilliantly performed by Cecil Baldwin, who captivates the audience with his smooth voice and storytelling. Dylan Marron reprising his role as Carlos, as well as Retta, Thérèse Plummer, and Dan Bittner lending their voices to other characters was a perfect addition. Joseph Fink and Jeffrey Cranor have done a marvelous job of creating a story that feels like an extended podcast episode, while being curteous to those who are new to the Night Vale universe.

All hail the glow cloud.

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Amazing!!!!

So good I loooove Cecil 's voice it made the whole book 10 better I brought the hard Cover then the audio just to listen along with him

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AMAZING!!!

Incredible story telling. Welcome to Night Vale: A Novel brings the Night Vale universe to life like never before, whilst retaining the weird and wonderful story-telling we are so accustomed to!

Cecil Baldwin makes this novel an unforgettable experience with his beautiful, one of a kind voice.

Couldn’t rate this higher!

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fantastic adventure

Fantastic book. I loved listening to it. The narrator is amazing. If your looking for something quirky and different and love fantasy, this if for you. You don't need to know anything about the podcast to understand and enjoy this.

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