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The Meaning of Night

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The Meaning of Night

By: Michael Cox
Narrated by: David Timson
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About this listen

 Shortlisted for the British Book Awards, Book of the Year, 2007.
Shortlisted for the Costa Coffee Book Awards, 2006

A cold October night, 1854.

In a dark passageway, an innocent man is stabbed to death.

So begins the extraordinary story of Edward Glyver, book lover, scholar and murderer. As a young boy, Glyver always believed he was destined for greatness. This seems the stuff of dreams, until a chance discovery convinces Glyver that he was right: greatness does await him, along with immense wealth and influence. And he will stop at nothing to win back a prize that he now knows is rightfully his.

Glyver's path leads him from the depths of Victorian London, with its foggy streets, brothels and opium dens, to Evenwood, one of England's most enchanting country houses. His is a story of betrayal and treachery, of death and delusion, of ruthless obsession and ambition. And at every turn, driving Glyver irresistibly onwards, is his deadly rival: the poet-criminal Phoebus Rainsford Daunt.

Thirty years in the writing, The Meaning of Night is a stunning achievement. Full of drama and passion, it is an enthralling novel that will captivate listeners right up to its final thrilling revelation.

Includes an exclusive recorded interview with the author.

©2006 Michael Cox (P)2006 W F Howes Ltd Genre Fiction Historical Literary Fiction Mystery Suspense Thriller & Suspense Fiction England Exciting Crime Feel-Good

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All stars
Most relevant  
I had put this in 'My next listen' a while ago and downloaded it to my iPod, so when I started to listen, I had forgotten about it and why I'd chosen it, so everything came as a surprise. From the first few minutes I was absolutely captivated and at several points my heart rate increased dramatically! I began to wonder if this was written by a modern author or whether I was actually listening to a genuine Victorian novel as its period was so convincingly portrayed, and the style of language so authentic. I loved all the antiquarian background and warmed to many of the characters, whom I found very convincing.

My first impression of the central character was not a favourable one, but the author successfully manipulated my emotions to the extent that I felt utterly led by the nose through every highway and byway until I was rooting for 'G' with all I was worth!

Beautifully narrated, too.

A book I have no doubt I shall return to again and again.

Utterly Captivating

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It has been a long time since I enjoyed a book like this one. I was totally taken away by it. Poor old E. G. One can see his mistakes happening, and you want to shout at him or, telephone the studio or something ridiculous. And of course it is all so inevitable. The thing about Michael Cox is that, he has mastered the victorian art of telling a story. Certainly, some of the devices are a bit obvious and long drawn out; it simply isn't possible to tell a complete story in this way in front of the fire with a cigar in your hand. But, what the hell, it is a magnificent story, and I for one loved it. I have even contemplated buying the actual book, just for the pleasure of seeing it on my shelves. Yes, I do read as well. And oh joy, Michael revealed in the interview at the end of it (who was the interviewer? She ought to go back to school) that there is to be a sequel! I for one cannot wait. Come back Mr. Glyver, all is forgiven.

TrueVictoriana.

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Normally after I listen to a book on my ipod, I remove it and replace it with the next one. The Meaning of Night is permanently on my ipod and I regularly dip back into it. Michael Cox's delivery is perfect, capturing the mood and personality of the main character. Love it!

I love this book

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A wonderful book superbly narrated by David Timson who managed to maintain a different voice for each character.

It's unfortunate that the chapters in the audiobook are arbitrarily separated and bear no relation to the underlying book's sections and chapters.

Immersing

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What a great book. Kept me totally enthralled in my lovely villa in Greece. It was one of those books that you did not want it to end. I would recommend this book to anyone who likes to be kept in suspense all way through the book.

Gripping and Wonderful

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I loved this book - took me completely by surprise as I rarely like historical dramas. Also I was very impressed with the narrator, he made the characters come alive. I would thoroughly recommend this to anyone.

Great book and the best narrator I've heard

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If you could sum up The Meaning of Night in three words, what would they be?

Fascinating historical novel.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Meaning of Night?

There were too many to pick one.

Any additional comments?

I would like to hear Charles Palliser's The Quincunx on Audible, as it had brilliant reviews when it was published and is set roughly around the same Dickensian time period as The Meaning Of Night.

One of the best Audible books I've heard

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In my opinion this book will become regarded as a classic, set around 1850 in both the seedier streets of London and a rich country estate in Northamptonshire.
Anyone listening to this audio book could easily believe that it was written a hundred years ago by an author of historical note,
In fact the author, who is interviewed at the conclusion of the story, was fighting cancer and the loss of his sight whilst writing this amazing story. His first novel!
You won’t be disappointed if you choose this book.

A real page turner

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Beautiful and very knowlegable descriptions and great use of the Victorian 1st person, but some of the plot devices grate a little. A bit like when Le Carr? has a character expiring all day from a mortal wound, but they just live long enough to deliver half of an enigmatic clue. The worst example was when a character armed with all of the necessary paperwork to finish the story in the next two pages, knowing that he is in mortal danger, says ?I won?t give you this stuff now I?ll just ride home through this dark forest and see you tomorrow?. There are some great parts to it though.

Curate's egg

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I would heartily recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a long and developed story. The characters are rich and varied and many storylines run side by side but are all in some way connected. Only 4 stars though because in some places too long winded, repetitive and could have done with less of the sex!

A really good story

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