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V for Vendetta Audiobook
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(4.01) - 875 listener ratings
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Plot Summary
V for Vendetta was originally a comic book by Alan Moore and David Lloyd which was later adapted for film with a screenplay by the Wachowski Brothers.
This is a dystopian tale set in London, where the ruling party Norsefire has eliminated all opposition by placing them in concentration camps. The story begins when a young woman, Evey Hammond, who works for the state-run television station, is attacked by the secret police. She is rescued by "V", an enigmatic vigilante who wears a mask to hide his identity. V then takes over the tv station to broadcast his plans for revolution: he asks the British citizens to join him outside the Parliament building in one year on November 5 to watch its destruction and take a stand against the government.
Next, V takes Evey back to his lair, but she doesn't stay once she finds out he has been killing government officials. Escaping, she finds safety at her boss's home, where he Gordon Deitrich reveals his subversive artifacts, items which the government is unaware of. Within days he performs a satire on television and the police raid his home. Captured after the raid and tortured, Evey develops new reasons to be loyal to V. She considers whether to help him with his plans to stage a revolt on November 5th before the House of Parliament and the British citizens.
The original comic book series V for Vendetta was published between 1982-1989 and was released in 10 issues. Though the setting for the film and this audiobook is in the 2030's, the comics were staged for the 1980's through the 1990's. Alan Moore, who contributed the writing for the series also wrote the comics the Watchmen, and The League of Extraordinary Gentleman. Alan considers himself an occultist, a ceremonial magician and an anarchist.
This novelization, based on the graphic novel, was written by Steve Moore.
"Outstanding! This is a novel based on (or a novelization of) a movie. The movie is based on a graphic novel (high quality comic book). I have listened to the audiobook of "V" a couple of times. I saw the movie first, which I thoroughly enjoyed, and it enticed me to read (listen to) the novel. I was not disappointed. Now I want to watch the movie again as I've read that the book follows the movie dialogue closely. That is fine, but this novel is not an after-the-fact description of a movie. It includes that but is so much more. Like many novels written before a movie it gets into the heads of the characters, describing their thoughts and internal conversations. The book gets philosophical about the events occurring. It has depth of meaning. IMO it's as good as if it was written before the movie. Story-wise both the book and movie are a great near-term futuristic, collapse of democracy, extreme totalitarianism reigns plot. I highly recommend them. Read other reviews for more story-line to pique your curiosity."
— Johnrh (5 out of 5 stars)
Publisher Summary
Imagine a Britain stripped of democracy, a world of the not-too-distant future in which freedom has been surrendered willingly to a totalitarian regime which rose to power by exploiting the people’s worst fears and most damning weaknesses.
This is the setting for the parable of Evey, a young woman saved from death by a masked man calling himself V. Beguiling and dangerous, V ignites the fuse of revolution when he urges his fellow citizens to shed the blanket of tyranny and oppression that they have permitted themselves to be cloaked in. While those in power take steps to neutralize the threat, police pursue the mystery of V, unaware of the terrible truth that awaits them. But it is Evey who, with V as her enigmatic guide, sets out on the painful path of deception and self-discovery, deconstruction and re-creation, vindication and vengeance.
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Quotes
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“It is a good book, it is smart, and there’s no doubt that it remains relevant.”
— Guardian (UK) -
“Set in a future totalitarian England, this chillingly evocative graphic novel from the writer of Watchmen follows an anonymous revolutionary hell bent on using anarchism to destroy fascism.”
— O, The Oprah Magazine -
“A landmark in comic-book writing. Alan Moore has led the field in intelligent, politically astute (if slightly paranoid), complex adult comic-book writing since the early 1980s…Skillfully plotted, V is an essential read for all those who love comics and the freedom, as a medium, they allow a writer as skilled as Moore.”
— Amazon.com -
“Story-wise this is the best version of V for Vendetta...Simon Vance is my new favorite British narrator. The Shakespearean inspired ‘V-speech’ that he delivers near the beginning of this audiobook is without parallel in my experience. It's deliciously composed, elegantly constructed and, with Vance's performance, wonderfully delivered…There isn't enough praise to go round for this one…An SFFaudio Essential.”
— sffaudio.com -
“Compelling…Vance draws listeners into his grim, scary world in which an iron-fisted ruler controls every thought and action…The story is powerful from start to finish, and Vance delivers it with astounding skill.”
— AudioFile -
“Whether voicing the bravado persona of V, the frustrated Evey, or the inquisitive Finch, Simon Vance delivers an astounding performance. His choice of voice for V fits with V’s exotic personality and attitude…V himself exudes elements of overdramatization that Vance delivers cunningly without overkill. His narrative talent propels the story forward with mood and atmosphere that strongly grip the listener for the entire tale.”
— Curledup.com -
“Vance, his voice naturally suited to dark novels, does a fine job here, differentiating his characters, keeping the pace moving, and heightening the tension and the terror as Evey and the readers work out the nature of dissent. Engrossing and instructive.”
— Kliatt
Awards
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Winner of the Prometheus Hall of Fame Award
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An Oprah’s Book Club Selection of 20 Dystopain Novels Everyone Should Read
V for Vendetta Listener Reviews
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" The strength of ideas. "
— Jeffrey, 1/26/2014 -
" Listened to this one over about 4 weeks. Loved the reader because he is the same guy who read Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. I really enjoyed the story. I know I've seen the movie before, but don't remember much about it. I'm guessing it doesn't go into near the detail that the book does. Either way it was a good one. "
— Jocelyn, 1/13/2014 -
" Great story about desire of freedom and fight against opressive state similiar to Germany in Nazi years or USSR. "
— Anna, 12/13/2013 -
" The novelisation was as brilliant as the film. Granted I listened to it and the reader sounded very similar to Hugo Weaving as "V", but I don't think I would have enjoyed it as much had I read it. Personally, I like that I had already seen the movie. The imagery was still very well done, but I expected nothing less as it was adapted from the screenplay. Overall, I would definitely recommend it! "
— Hannah, 12/12/2013 -
" Not quite as good as 1984, but it seems to be kind of an updated version almost. In the movie V for Vendetta John Hurt plays the Big Brother like dictator. In 1984, he plays the protagonist Winston Smith. Kind of an interesting role reversal. Anyway, good novelization although I would recommend the graphic novel written by Alan Moore. "
— Greg, 12/11/2013 -
" I found this on the shelf of a friends house recently - i loved it - i thought the movie was amazing, but having read the book, i now realize, that, as usual, the book is far superior "
— Liddy, 12/5/2013 -
" I adore this movie with such a passion but the novelisation lacked a fair bit of depth. "
— Emma, 10/17/2013 -
" I read it 5 years ago or so and I think it's about time I do so again.....Looooved it! "
— AnaΣtaΣia, 10/16/2013 -
" Oh fuck - the Tories are back. "
— Spazzy, 10/9/2013 -
" Ok so I dug this book. People have trashed it as being a direct copy of the screenplay for the movie, but I thought the author did a great job with the material he had. I'm glad it's out there for me to read. And that's all I'll say. "
— Christen, 9/17/2013 -
" Engrossing futuristic fantasy with societal message. A bit immature but enjoyable "
— Kandas, 3/27/2013 -
" Simon Vance is the narrator of the audio version of this book. Very good. "
— Terry, 3/24/2013 -
" A good novelization. Exactly the same as the movie but it gives you some inside the characters head during some spots. "
— SirShucky, 7/16/2012 -
" Awesome story! I couldn't put it down. Riveting from start to finish. "
— Alyssa, 7/2/2012 -
" Tended to get a tad over explanatory. Suspecting that the graphic novel would be better. "
— Madyha, 6/7/2012 -
" NEVER read a BOOK based on a MOVIE. *EVER*. I should have known by now. It's so awful it can't even qualify as a story. "
— Raiveran, 5/29/2012 -
" Who doesn't like their leading men to be burn victims who commit crimes in cosplay? "
— Christy, 4/10/2012 -
" nice book easy to read. nothing breathtaking but like an enjoyable action flick you don't have to think hard just sit back and enjoy "
— Nesman89, 4/5/2012 -
" Awesome. Really, how can you not like this book? I loved it, as I loved the movie. Truth is, I am quite obsessed with V. "
— Alice, 2/27/2012 -
" Interesting enough but not really my cup of tea. "
— Sarah, 12/31/2011 -
" The Watchmen was so dated that I couldn't really get into it, but this is one of those rare books that I started reading while I was killing time in Barnes and Noble and bought because I wanted to find out what happened. "
— Max, 10/29/2011 -
" This was surprisingly good for a novelization of a screenplay. I enjoyed the story and the characters. "
— Bracken, 10/21/2011 -
" This book is, unfortunately, more relevant to the UK of today than it was to Thatcher's Britain. We need a V.<br/><br/>Brilliantly written, gorgeously drawn and even better than the movie, even if Alan Moore is mental.<br/> "
— Heather, 5/17/2011 -
" As far as dytopian fantasy graphic novels go, this anti-Thatcherism example is clearly a high water mark in both writing and execution. The movie adaptation was comparatively thin soup. "
— Martin, 5/13/2011 -
" Read it after the movie and although I still liked it, I prefer the more political themes of the movie rather than the graphic novel. "
— Carlos, 5/10/2011 -
" I'm no judge of comics and not much of politics, but I was impressed by the experience that reading V for Vendetta led me into. That's all I really have to say. <br/> <br/>Oh, and: WAY better than the movie. "
— Swallowfeather, 5/10/2011 -
" I am forced to give this book 4 stars only because, after having read Watchmen, this book was a bit of a "let down". But when it comes to Alan Moore, even books that aren't his best are exceptionally magnificent. V for Vendetta is an excellent read. "
— Caitlin, 5/10/2011 -
" awesome. just awesome. wish i had read this before seeing the movie. the size of the illustrations in the absolute edition really add impact. "
— jonathan, 5/6/2011 -
" Probably my top favorite graphic novels. I love the artwork and the storyline. "
— Steph, 5/3/2011 -
" Freedom, Forever. A masked vigilante who believes that justice,fairness and anarchy are not just words, they are perspectives "
— Dipa, 4/23/2011 -
" A fantastic book that I liked for the same reason I liked the movies. However, in some ways, I think the movies was a bit smoother; the dialog was a bit snappier and some of the characters a little more tightly woven.<br/><br/>Still, this was great, and I'm glad I read it. "
— Richard, 4/23/2011 -
" Lebih terpesona dengan versi layar lebarnya :) "
— Asfarian, 4/15/2011 -
" Well-written, but hard to get past the unapealling artwork-- particularly the feather-haired protagonist. "
— Gooby, 4/14/2011 -
" Darker than the film, but I actually liked that about the graphic novel (e.g. the end of Finch's story). In such a world as that, there are no heroes. The style of the artwork seemed just this side of dated, which detracted from the dark-n-gloomy atmosphere for me. "
— Jenae, 4/13/2011
About Steve Moore
Steve Moore is a prolific British comics writer credited with introducing acclaimed comic book writer Alan Moore (no relation) into the business. The two have since collaborated on multiple projects.
About Simon Vance
Simon Vance (a.k.a. Robert Whitfield) is an award-winning actor and narrator. He has earned more than fifty Earphones Awards and won the prestigious Audie Award for best narration thirteen times. He was named Booklist’s very first Voice of Choice in 2008 and has been named an AudioFile Golden Voice as well as an AudioFile Best Voice of 2009. He has narrated more than eight hundred audiobooks over almost thirty years, beginning when he was a radio newsreader for the BBC in London. He is also an actor who has appeared on both stage and television.