Comments on: Now I Know Why the Vampires Are Here

By: Brett Bothwell

Brett Bothwell — Mon, 05 Jul 2010 17:40:29 +0000

My version of the book was horribly edited or horribly printed, one or the other.
The book was fantastic; the writing fantastic. The reading was horrible for quite a bit of the book. There were a number of times when the names were wrong – the one I remember the most was Wolfgast(?) – Wolgast. Additionally, there were between 10-30 pages where the next page repeated the end of the last page or just skipped ahead, obviously skipping something. I almost stopped reading because it was very discouraging and incomprehensible for such a great book. A couple of examples: “wheels of the semi-trailers… Peter watched from above as they ap-” (end of page 268 and beginning of page 269). VERY CONFUSING!
Next example: “he sat on his mat in the Big Room… The World, he” (end of page 270 and beginning of page 271).
Last example: “Sara flicked her heels and rode briskly through the gate, leaving him alone.” (end of page 269). “up? What force drove the mysterious impulse to return?” (beginning of page 270).
I do read very critically when I read, but there were a large number of unforgivable mistakes in the book; these were just a few of too many.
New York: Ballantine Books
Copyright 2010
ISBN: 978-0-345-50496-8
First Edition

By: Dannielle

Dannielle — Wed, 30 Jun 2010 05:10:25 +0000

700+ pages and that is the ONLY comment you have. You want your money back? I am stunned.
This is an incredibly well-written, engrossing story that so many writers would give their eye teeth to have been able to write. I haven’t enjoyed a book this much in years.
Justin Cronin is a genius.
Take your agenda elsewhere.

By: Jon VanZile

Jon VanZile — Fri, 25 Jun 2010 14:52:04 +0000

Interesting! I was pretty much hooked by the end of the first page, for the exact same reason you mentioned: it was clear that Cronin was an excellent writer. He took care with his details; he wasn’t in a hurry to soak the pages in blood. In fact, I was glad throughout that he had the restraint to never dwell on gore—I usually find that lazy—but still created a horrifying story.
I actually reviewed The Passage today … but mostly, thanks for this window into the process.

By: Sean Dixon

Sean Dixon — Thu, 24 Jun 2010 22:07:07 +0000

The ed, eh? how’d you let such a sabre-rattling bit of offensive schtick like ‘iranian jihadists’ slip through?
The Iranians are a sophisticated, highly educated and cultured people labouring under the strictures of an oppressive regime. They’re also Shiites, not Sunnis or Wahhaabis or Taliban or Al Qaeda. You contribute to a grave international misperception, aggravated by the fact that it comes off the cuff from a best-selling book about vampires in the interest of added ‘colour’.
I want my money back.