Beast Audiobook By Paul Kingsnorth cover art

Beast

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Beast

By: Paul Kingsnorth
Narrated by: Simon Vance
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Beast plunges you into the world of Edward Buckmaster, a man alone on an empty moor in the west of England. What he has left behind we don't yet know. What he faces is an existential battle with himself, the elements, and something he begins to see in the margins of his vision: some creature that is tracking him, the pursuit of which will become an obsession.

This short, shocking, and exhilarating novel is a vivid exploration of isolation, courage, and the search for truth that continues the story set 1000 years earlier in Paul Kingsnorth's bravura debut novel, The Wake. It extends that book's promise and confirms Kingsnorth as one of our most daring and rewarding contemporary writers.

©2016 Paul Kingsnorth (P)2017 Tantor Fiction Genre Fiction Literary Fiction Psychological Thriller & Suspense

Critic reviews

"A tour de force, reminiscent of the best of John Fowles and David Mitchell." ( Kirkus, starred review)
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The journey of finding—not one’s self, not even of truly finding answers. The journey of garnering wisdom. The hero’s journey, the grail journey, the journey of finding inner union. An important responsibility that some are given, and upon returning to reality, are loaded with the difficult task of trying to put was has occurred into words. Paul Kingsnorth has done a brilliant job and Simon Vance was the perfect narrator to do the journey justice.

The journey of finding.

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I’d read The Wake several times, and thought it was amazing and immersive and surprising and just found out there are two more in the series. Thrilled to find this second one in the plus catalog, and WOW. Not sure what I was expecting after the wake. But this was both different and felt very in keeping with Kingsnorth’s mind and the world and the character. Time and reality are bendy, and it reminded me at times of Ishiguro’s buried giant and the unconsoled in the way he moved between EB’s various povs. Will be re-reading soon, and can’t wait for Alexandria to be released!

WOW

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Just to let all the “seeking historical fiction” fans know, this is not a LINEAR sequel to The Wake, it is an existential one. Literally. The main character—who may or may not be our Edward Buccmaster—is a direct echo of John Gardener’s magnificent Grendel, as both wander solipsistic swamps and explorer of the meaning of existence. So. It is THAT kind of novel, and it is AMAZING and quite powerfully moving and does have an engrossing narrative—just not a “story” per se. Especially since the narrator himself may or may not exist, lol. It’s a fascinating intellectual and emotional ride, I heartily encourage everyone to put on their big-kid pants and buckle up!!!

Guys, it’s an Existential Novel…

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Don’t waste your time on this one. The author hides an infantile tantrum within his writing.

Lack of a coherent plot

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How is this a sequel to THE WAKE? The only thing I saw the same was the character’s name. I couldn’t make heads or tails of this book. It didnt even take place during the Norman Conquest. It might have been ok had it just been a stand alone book - but it claimed to be a sequel to THE WAKE. It sure didnt seem that way to me. WTF?

I love historical fiction. Thats why i read THE WAKE. I enjoyed it. I have to say Mr. Kingsnorth has COMPLETELY lost me. Dont know if I’ll read the third book in the Trilogy (if there ever is one).

WTF

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The narrator did a great job, but had very poor material to work with. The Wake was one of the most interesting books I’ve listened to in a long time, but this follow up was complete incoherent nonsense.

Loved The Wake, but Beast was awful

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I have no idea what this mess is about other than a complete waste of time. Don’t waste your time.

I’m clueless

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