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The Book of Elsewhere

By: Keanu Reeves, China Miéville
Narrated by: Allan Corduner, Asia Kate Dillon, China Miéville, Edoardo Ballerini, Joshua Manning, Lily Rabe, Michiel Huisman, Keanu Reeves
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Publisher's summary

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • An “action-packed [and] profoundly stylish” (Los Angeles Times) epic from Keanu Reeves and China Miéville, unlike anything these two genre-bending pioneers have created before, inspired by the world of the BRZRKR comic books

She said, We needed a tool. So I asked the gods.

There have always been whispers. Legends. The warrior who cannot be killed. Who’s seen a thousand civilizations rise and fall. He has had many names: Unute, Child of Lightning, Death himself. These days, he’s known simply as “B.”

And he wants to be able to die.

In the present day, a U.S. black-ops group has promised him they can help with that. And all he needs to do is help them in return. But when an all-too-mortal soldier comes back to life, the impossible event ultimately points toward a force even more mysterious than B himself. One at least as strong. And one with a plan all its own.

In a collaboration that combines Miéville’s singular style and creativity with Reeves’s haunting and soul-stirring narrative, these two inimitable artists have created something utterly unique, sure to delight existing fans and to create scores of new ones.

©2024 Keanu Reeves and China Miéville (P)2024 Random House Audio
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Critic reviews

“A philosophical, violent thriller about an immortal soldier pondering the nature of his existence, The Book of Elsewhere has an elegance that might surprise you for a pulp thriller. . . . [Miéville’s] presence as Reeves’ narrative collaborator . . . immediately makes it more interesting, even for those who aren't already fans of the comic.”—Polygon

"Action-packed, ultraviolent and morally ambiguous . . . a profoundly stylish and beautiful approach to the trials and tribulations of the ancient warrior who cannot die . . . an enjoyable action-mystery cut through with moments of existential melancholy . . . [the] brimful imagination and impeccable style make it a deeply pleasurable read.”LA Times

“A surprisingly, even rattlingly good read . . . A blood-spattered, era-spanning action thriller, The Book of Elsewhere manages to lift and twist its unbelievably sanguinary source material into a meditation on the cyclical nature of violence.”The Sunday Times

Editorial Review

John Wick meets weird fiction
When it was announced that the universally beloved multihyphenate Keanu Reeves would be cowriting a full-length novel with acclaimed speculative fiction writer China Miéville, I was all-in immediately. I’ve been counting down the days until I can sink my teeth into The Book of Elsewhere, a cerebral, ambitious listen nestled within the inventive world of Reeves’s BRZRKR comics. The story follows the mysterious warrior now known only as “B,” an immortal figure of legend who has long grown weary of his inability to die. But to other self-interested martial parties, what B views as a burden is a massive boon. Probing big philosophical questions about war, memory, the weaponization of power, and the meaning of life in the absence of death, and buzzing with a wholly original narrative style that wanders through the story like its protagonist does through lifetimes, this listen is set up to be like nothing we’ve heard before.— Alanna M., Audible Editor

What listeners say about The Book of Elsewhere

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    5 out of 5 stars

Stuck to my chest…

I’ve been thinking on this book for a long while after finishing it. I think it is one I will return to many times. The writing is compelling, and the narrative is complex and engaging. But I think the larger themes of the story are what keep replaying long after I put the book down. I cannot wait to read more works from this author, and I will definitely be checking out the BRZRKR comic series too!

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1 person found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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I enjoyed it

I've heard mixed reviews. I liked it. I like world building, and there certainly was that.

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    3 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Disjointed

Multiple narrative threads were not helped by multiple narrators in the audio version. As others have mentioned, the central conceit of the story -- an undying supernatural force deals with its own nature -- has been done better elsewhere with far more finesse and much less grandiose violence. Still, I remain a fan of both authors and will continue to look forward to all their separate and future joint creations

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4 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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welp, Keanu Reeves wrote a book and it, too, is great.

original, dark, philosophical, existential, critical of humanity and religion. at once cyberpunk and steampunk and historical science fiction.

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Great read (listen)

I found it a bit confusing at the beginning and a bit confusing at the end, but it’s a fascinating story. Also interestingly philosophical. Even had to look up a few words. Really enjoyed. I might read a hard copy.

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    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

the actors were good

i feel like if this were a movie keanue would be in it . actually couldnt stop listening loved whole cast

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Confusing at first but quite amazing

The first few chapters are very confusing and I even had to get the ebook to read slowly, but once you get who the characters are the rest of the book is easy to follow. The narrations are excellent and really help to understand what the chapter is about. Once everything starts to flow it’s extremely hard to “put the book down” so to speak.

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    3 out of 5 stars
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series of un related events

I don't know what this is. Tis book has a lot of short stories that are suppose to connected but feel like pointless flashback.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

took a bit to get into it

loved the concept, but I wonder if not having all read the comic made it a little more difficult to get into. once it started to flow, however, the story is quite compelling. the narration style sometimes felt a bit jilted, but again I think that was only initially. overall, a truly enjoyable listen.

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    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Amazing narration of a cool story

Overall an excellent and enjoyable audiobook. Outstanding narration.

Cool to see the comic hatched in another format and take on a life of its own.

A well written story that is perhaps a bit purposefully disjointed.


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