Gogmagog
The First Chronicle of Ludwich
by Jeff Noon; Steve Beard
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Pub Date Feb 13 2024 | Archive Date Feb 13 2024
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Description
Gogmagog tells the story of an epic journey through the sixty-mile long ghost of a dragon. We travel by boat, a rickety steam launch captained by Cady Meade, a veteran taxi pilot on the river Nysis. In her heyday she carried people and goods from the thriving seaports of the estuary into Ludwich, the capital city. But that was years ago. Now she’s drunk, holed up in a rundown seaside resort, telling her bawdy tales for shots of rum. All that’s about to change, when two strangers seek her out, asking for transport, one of whom – a young girl – is very ill, and in great danger. The other, an artificial being of singular character, has secrets hidden inside his crystal skull. And so begins the voyage of the Juniper.
The Nysis is unlike any other river. Mysteries unfold with each port of call. Not many can navigate these channels, not many know of its whirlpools and sandbanks, and of the ravenous creatures that lurk beneath the surface. Cady used to have the necessary knowledge, and the powers of spectral navigation. But her glory days are well behind her now.
This might well be her final journey.
File Under: Fantasy [ Peake Fantasy | Secret Mythologies | Take Me to the River | Another London ]
Available Editions
| EDITION | Other Format |
| ISBN | 9781915202826 |
| PRICE | $18.99 (USD) |
| PAGES | 400 |
Available on NetGalley
Featured Reviews
Maria H, Media/Journalist
Loved this fever-dream of a book. It's like a weird and dark and surreal Wonderland/never-was version of England, peopled by strange beasts and strange people. Glorious and intricate, and absolutely mesmerizing the deeper I got into the world and into the mind and history of Cady. Cannot wait for the next book!
Scott R, Media/Journalist
An immersive and engrossing experience! This book felt like a twisted creation of the classic Jim Henson films mixed with Guillermo Del Toro. Readers are transported into an incredibly strange world where ‘people’ are not people but ‘other’ things. Mythic lore and magic runs rampant throughout and all the while you’re seeing it through the lens of a bitter ‘old lady’ who had journeyed many time and doesn’t take any crap from anyone.
The world is the highlight here. There’s not much to keep you grounded in reality, so if you truly want to escape into a strange universe Gogmagog is the way to go.
I really did enjoy it and the audiobook narration was also exceptional.
Definitely for the fans of Gaiman, VanderMeer, and even a touch of Tolkien for the depth of the lore.
Stacey S, Bookseller
Utterly brilliant! The world is so well thought through and complex and so beautifully brought to life!
Our main character Cady Meade is a foul mouthed, outspoken, retired sailor. She is utterly disgusting but that’s why I loved her!
A robotic humanoid and a young alien girl are looking for Cady. Renowned for her navigation and skill sailing on the River Nysis, they need Cady to sail them safely through the sixty mile long ghost of a dragon. (Yes, you read that correctly. And literally too! Through the brain, through the kidneys, all of it! It’s truly magical)
However this ghost has taken ill, and so the river is perilous, but the young alien girl’s life may depend on this journey.
Most of the novel is set on one day. The journey itself upriver. You will meet a variety of bizarre creatures, some gone mad with the sickness. The characters are so well rounded, thought through and brought to life. You can picture aliens you’ve never heard of before, see the coast of a land you’ve never been and feel the emotions of these characters and they truly become a family during this journey.
The ending is very much up in the air. Cady is conflicted by everything that she has learnt on their journey, and we leave them as they approach the gates to the city. I cannot wait for the next book in the series! I need to know what happens next!!
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