The Passage by Justin Cronin

[elle_chris]

For those that have read it, did you like it, what were your thoughts on the time jump and the ending?

What started off as an epic book (at least to me), soon took a nosedive when it jumped to "the colony" after 250 or so pages.

I was terribly let down by the ending as well and didn't know it was the first book in a trilogy. Had I known, I never would of started it.

 

[athenaworth]

I read it, and bascially you've written exactly what I would've written. I was very disappointed in it. I felt like the author decided about mid-way through the time jump that he was going to make it a triology and then started making loose ends. I don't like that. By the time the rest of the books come out, I'll have forgotten all of it.

 

[elle_chris]

I'm wondering if i'll give in and get the next book when it comes out. Hoping I'll forget it by then.

 

[athenaworth]

Well, now I have to. He hooked me and I have to find out what's going on. I just wish I would've found out about the books when they were all done, like with Twilight (yes, I admit I read those) and the Harry Potter books. I just sat down and devoured those in about 3 weeks.

 

[Brown.Eyed.Girl]

I read it when it came out, and I feel the way you do Elle. Despite, or perhaps because of, all the hype surrounding it, I was pretty disappointed.

 

[Liane]

I've been thinking about it; the book's gotten a pretty enthusiastic reception in the SF/F circles I follow.

Will probably wait for the paperback, which will probably come out around the time I can read a doorstopper like this. I might have to re-calibrate my expectations a little in light of this thread, but I'm still expecting it to be a pretty good read.

 

[lyra]

This was my favourite book of the year. Same for my daughter. But in all fairness, this is my favourite genre, post-apocalyptic horror. I was dismayed at the 2 time jumps in the book, yes. I was really loving the pace and story and was thrown a bit. But in general this was a book I just couldn't put down and I breezed right through it on my Kindle. It was the first time in a very *long* time that a book has shaken me up and spooked me. I laugh at that now, but I remember for a few days being freaked at the thought of monsters lurking in trees, that I could not outrun. It was fun! It's very rare for me to really like a book in this genre because I've read so many and so few are worth it. This one was worth the hype. I can't wait for the next installment.

 

[Brown.Eyed.Girl]

Lyra, have you read The Strain yet? Or, in the genre of post-apocalyptic horror (which I love too) World War Z? Loved both of those (though WWZ is not nearly as "literary" as The Passage!)

 

[elle_chris]

I can totally see how some people loved it, and others like me.. were like WTH? I hate reading a book, not knowing that it's the first in a trilogy.

B.E.G. I think I said it another thread, but I really enjoyed The Strain. More so The Fall. The ending didn't leave me scratching my head going "is this it"? lol..

I'm on a Kindle roll and finished World War Z not too long ago. Loved it. Totally surprised me too because I'm not into zombies. But I loved the way it was written.

Currently I'm reading Oryx and Crake. Another post-apocalyptic book. Just started it so can't comment yet.

 

[lyra]

Lyra, have you read The Strain yet? Or, in the genre of post-apocalyptic horror (which I love too) World War Z? Loved both of those (though WWZ is not nearly as "literary" as The Passage!)

Yes, I've read the first 2 books in The Strain trilogy, plus WWZ last year. Loved The Strain and The Fall too, although not quite as much as The Passage. If you love the genre, Simon Clark has some of the best books out there. His first 5 books were amazing. He's not writing as much nowadays though. I don't love zombies so much, but zombie vampires are awesome! Hehe.

 

[Brown.Eyed.Girl]

I can totally see how some people loved it, and others like me.. were like WTH? I hate reading a book, not knowing that it's the first in a trilogy.

B.E.G. I think I said it another thread, but I really enjoyed The Strain. More so The Fall. The ending didn't leave me scratching my head going "is this it"? lol..

I'm on a Kindle roll and finished World War Z not too long ago. Loved it. Totally surprised me too because I'm not into zombies. But I loved the way it was written.

Currently I'm reading Oryx and Crake. Another post-apocalyptic book. Just started it so can't comment yet.

Elle, I need to get started on The Fall! Maybe on Halloween...

I loved World War Z. I've reread it a couple of times since I got it two or so years ago, and it freaks me out each time (for a few days after reading I always get paranoid about a zombie apocalypse). I know I cried during the account about the dogs, and the one about the Japanese kid that had to escape the apartment building really freaked me out (since I was living in a high-rise reading this in a VERY populated city!). I think it's because of WWZ that I want to get a katana someday.... I'll look up Oryx and Crake!

 

[Brown.Eyed.Girl]

Lyra, have you read The Strain yet? Or, in the genre of post-apocalyptic horror (which I love too) World War Z? Loved both of those (though WWZ is not nearly as "literary" as The Passage!)

Yes, I've read the first 2 books in The Strain trilogy, plus WWZ last year. Loved The Strain and The Fall too, although not quite as much as The Passage. If you love the genre, Simon Clark has some of the best books out there. His first 5 books were amazing. He's not writing as much nowadays though. I don't love zombies so much, but zombie vampires are awesome! Hehe.

Simon Clark huh? I will definitely go look - I'm always up for something to scare me silly (I have a very overactive imagination). Zombie vampires???

 

[Lynnie]

I didn't read the responses - I just started reading it, am on page 200 or so now. It's okay so far - I don't know if I like how they're just killing people off so quickly, though... lots of death so far, and I'm sure there's plenty to come

Reminds me a little of The Stand, which I find was a little easier to read, and more entertaining.

 

[elle_chris]

It's not a bad read. In fact, I was hooked for the first 250 or so pages. I couldn't put it down. Then it all went to hell for me..

In fact, I have to admit that it made some kind of an impression on me as I'm still angry and it's been a few months since I've read it.

 

[gardengloves]

Thanks all for the great suggestions. I was going through these library threads, and picked up the suggestions- So recently read The Passage, I really liked it, the follow up should come out in 2012, so looking forward to it. I had no problem with the change up from page 250 on, just had to switch gears and follow the lead which tied in and delivered. Thanks Elle, I never would have found this book without this thread

Also read The Breed Series, The Strain and The Fall, but what happened to book 3, this was supposed to be a trilogy.

So following up in this post apocalypic genre, I found Margaret Atwood's "Oryx and Crake" and "The Year of the Flood"- great writer, thought provoking, where is science leading us, genetics, cloning, gene splicing? some crazy outcomes ... a very dark mood but hilarious moments with the creation of a new and improved species of humans, mating rituals based on birds and primates but the most docile friendly wonderful beings, when the old human remnants of a depopulating plague meet the new and improved species it's crazy

One more, very disturbing, but incredible writer, "Never Let Me Go'--- I saw the movie and was so intrigued read the book which of course was a thousand times better - again the theme of cloning and science run amok, children breed for organ transplants in a brave new world- beware - this book will make you very sad

Thanks PS readers for the awesome suggestions

 

[Smo]

I really liked book and can't wait for the next one. I thought it was such an epic story and I have to say it got even better when they got to the colony. To think that one person had this story in their head is just amazing to me. I am really looking forward to the rest of the series.

I have started to read the Strain but have to admit that it has not sucked me in the same way the Passage did. In fact I have kind of stopped reading it as I just wasn't enjoying it.