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Summer of Night

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Summer of Night

By: Dan Simmons
Narrated by: Dan John Miller
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About this listen

It’s the summer of 1960 and in the small town of Elm Haven, Illinois, five twelve-year-old boys are forging the powerful bonds that a lifetime of change will not break. From sunset bike rides to shaded hiding places in the woods, the boys’ days are marked by all of the secrets and silences of an idyllic childhood. But amid the sun-drenched cornfields, their loyalty will be pitilessly tested. When a long-silent bell peals in the middle of the night, the townsfolk know it marks the end of their carefree days. From the depths of the Old Central School, a hulking fortress tinged with the mahogany scent of coffins, an invisible evil is rising. Strange and horrifying events begin to overtake everyday life, spreading terror through the once-peaceful town. Determined to exorcize this ancient plague, Mike, Duane, Dale, Harlen, and Kevin must wage a war of blood against an arcane abomination who owns the night....

©2011 Dan Simmons (P)2011 Brilliance Audio, Inc. Horror Supernatural Suspense Thriller & Suspense Scary

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Critic reviews

“Impressive...combines beautiful writing and suspense into a book for which Dan Simmons deserves the bestseller status of King and Koontz.” ( The Denver Post)
“One can only wonder what Simmons will do next, now that he’s shown us he can do everything the best writers in horror and science fiction can do.” ( The Philadelphia Inquirer)
“It stands with the best of King and Straub in the traditional modern horror genre.” ( Seattle Post-Intelligencer)
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I loved The Terror by Simmonds and wanted to love this but it wasn't to be, sadly. basically felt like a knock off Stephen King novel, not bad, but not great either 3/5

Not terrible, but basically a poor man's Stephen K

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I have read this book several times and I am not disappointed with the audible version. Five 12yr old boys and one girl got together for their Summer holidays after their old school closed down for good. It takes place in the 1960s in a small town called Elm Haven. They expected to spend their summer riding their bikes and spending time in the clubhouse they had build in the woods. Something is happening only the children realize. Holes appear in the ground. Dead people are spotted walking around. People go missing. It's up to them to investigate. It's all down to an old cursed bell which still hangs in the old school. Can this group of children risk their own lives to save the town. Good narration and holds the listener to the end.

A good coming of age horror story

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Well written, well narrated, exciting, adventurous- the goonies on acid - absolutely amazed I would love it more than IT

Better than IT

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Whatever the genre, he hits it out the park every single time.

Finished in a few days, it’s incredible ☺️

Simmons is a genius.

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Definitely on a par with Steven King and "It". A romp of a story, excellent

Summer of night

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This is the first Dan Simmons book I have read. It won't be the last!!!

First

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Just brilliant storytelling and narration. Up there with Stephen King James Herbert and Richard Layman

Stunning

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Good cast of characters, heart warming and nostalgic. Horror elements are well done but not pulse pounding but that’s mainly due to the narration.

The narrator has a pleasant voice and is good on the ear but at times when there’s peril and danger and some urgency needed it just sounds like he’s describing a whimsical scene from The Wonder Years. That laid back quality neutered the horror, excitement and tension in places.

Decent story slightly let down a bit by narration.

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Easily as good ad (or better than) "It", Simmons works on so many levels all at once: coming of age, loss of innocence, true horror, intermixed with a very intellectual, observing and yet never condecending narrative that is easy to read.

I read "Summer of Night" some 20 years ago and recently discovered "A Winter Haunting" on Audible. But I soon realized I would enjoy it more if I reread Summer. That was a credit well spent and I will bow return to Winter.

I recommend this book to any horror fan.

One of then best coming of age horrors ever

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A really good coming of age tale, with likeable characters and a fast moving story. The narrator was amazing, I think had I read this book myself I wouldnt have rated it so highly.

one of the best narrators I've listened to

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