Harbor Audiobook By John Ajvide Lindqvist cover art

Harbor

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Harbor

By: John Ajvide Lindqvist
Narrated by: Julian Rhind-Tutt
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From the author of the international and New York Times best seller Let the Right One In (Let Me In) comes this stunning and terrifying book which begins when a man's six-year-old daughter vanishes.

One ordinary winter afternoon on a snowy island, Anders and Cecilia take their six-year-old daughter, Maja, across the ice to visit the lighthouse in the middle of the frozen channel. While the couple explore the lighthouse, Maja disappears - either into thin air or under thin ice - leaving not even a footprint in the snow. Two years later, alone and more or less permanently drunk, Anders returns to the island to regroup. He slowly realizes that people are not telling him all they know; even his own mother, it seems, is keeping secrets. What is happening in Domaro, and what power does the sea have over the town's inhabitants?

As he did with Let the Right One In and Handling the Undead, John Ajvide Lindqvist serves up a blockbuster cocktail of suspense in a narrative that barely pauses for breath.

©2008 John Ajvide Lindqvist and ©2010 Marlaine Delargy (Translation) (P)2011 Macmillan Audio Horror Scary

Critic reviews

“John Ajvide Lindqvist is rightly seen as one of the most exciting writers working in the horror genre at the moment - a rival, indeed, to Stephen King.” ( TheScotsman.com )
All stars
Most relevant
I've listened to every Lindqvist novel translated into English. I saw this one and thought "Whoa, how did I miss this one?!" Then after listening to the first few chapters about 5x each I remembered why I hadn't already bought it. I had read a review saying that this isn't good for listening. Unfortunately, it's true.

The story skips back and forth through time which is probably even a bit difficult reading the book. Lindvquist, speaking as the narrator in the story, even apologizes for this but says it's necessary. In an audiobook, though, it's just too hard to follow. I had to pay strict attention every second or I found myself lost.

Anyway, knowing Lindqvist, I'd say this is probably a great book! I'll have to read it physically to confirm, however.

Probably Good Book - Not A Good Audiobook

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Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

Ultimately, the pacing of this book was too slow for me, and the core premise isn't interesting enough to merit my investment. Other people might enjoy this book, but to me it's just another Creepy Isolated Locals with Occult Secret tale stretched out very thin with a dash of pretentiousness.

What do you think your next listen will be?

I think I'll go into more science fiction. I've had several runs with disapointing horror recently.

What about Julian Rhind-Tutt’s performance did you like?

He is good at bringing regional flavor and low-minded malice to characters.

Was Harbor worth the listening time?

On the whole it didn't satisfy me. It's not necessarily a bad book, but it took too long for me to reach an unsurprising turn of events.

An uninspired tale well told?

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Lindqvist's prose is wonderful and his storytelling is meticulous -- it unfolds so gradually that one may not notice a turn in the story until it's well underway. What a crafty writer! Great book!

Really loved this book!

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I really loved this book. I was dubious after reading some of the reviews but I'm so glad I got it. Great story.

One of my favorite finds

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Where does Harbor rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Low middle

How would you have changed the story to make it more enjoyable?

Make the lines between magical realism and the real clearer. Don't apply rational ideas to magical realism and don't lend magic to the moments of reality.

Which scene was your favorite?

Finding Maia

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

Andres

Great Writing Lame Story

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