Hannah Green and Her Unfeasibly Mundane Existence cover art

Hannah Green and Her Unfeasibly Mundane Existence

 Preview

Get 30 days of Standard free

£5.99/mo after trial. Cancel monthly.
Try for £0.00
More purchase options

Hannah Green and Her Unfeasibly Mundane Existence

By: Michael Marshall Smith
Narrated by: William Roberts
Try for £0.00

£5.99 a month after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Buy Now for £15.50

Buy Now for £15.50

About this listen

An unpredictable, poignant, and captivating tale for readers of all ages, by the critically acclaimed author of Only Forward.

There are a million stories in the world. Most are perfectly ordinary.

This one… isn’t.

Hannah Green actually thinks her story is more mundane than most. But she’s about to discover that the shadows in her life have been hiding a world where nothing is as it seems: that there's an ancient and secret machine that converts evil deeds into energy, that some mushrooms can talk — and that her grandfather has been friends with the Devil for over a hundred and fifty years, and now they need her help.

 Coming of Age Fantasy Fiction Genre Fiction Horror Literature & Fiction Magical Realism Scary Magic Comedy Paranormal

Critic reviews

‘A brilliant book’
Neil Gaiman

‘I couldn't be more impressed with Smith's inventiveness’
SF Reviews

‘An amazing talent’
Bookslut

‘Packs an emotional punch’ 4*
SFX
All stars
Most relevant
Love the story, which has a very satisfying ending. The narrator was great and I could have lived with his mispronunciation of 'eldritch'. However his inability to pronounce one of the protagonist's name correctly meant I couldn't enjoy the book as much as could.

Great story slightly marred by narration

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
The writer was quite sardonic which suits my British sense of humour, although at the beginning that felt like all he had. But as the characters developed I warmed to them. The narrator did an excellent job.

I enjoyed the little philosphies popped in about life is just as it is, the balanced nature, and the struggles we go through. Really liked the ending. Often stories are left for us to decide...I enjoyed knowing how everyone continues with their lives.

slow start

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
Dark whimsy from Michael Marshall Smith with this rum yarn about a young girl becoming embroiled in a sinister tussle between the Devil and a covetous cabal of fallen angels. Stylistically, thematically and structurally, it's all very similar to Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett's 'Good Omens', or to Douglas Adams' Dirk Gently books. Whilst no darker than any of those, it contains a vinegar-soaked streak of cynicism and mid-life regret that makes it less child friendly than first appearances might suggest; throw in some of Elmore Leonard's lowlife chutzpah and you've got MMS on the nose.
At times, the various narrative strands seem more Picaresque than carefully designed, with a couple of odd diversions or sudden shortcuts used to get from one key plot-point to another, but Smith is a sharp, witty writer and it never becomes a chore. To the book's credit, the ending lands well, avoiding the obvious and being neither saccharine nor Deus ex machina.
The narration from William Roberts is an exuberant pleasure, although, it must be said, that as a man of distinguished years, his voices for the Devil and Grandpa are far more convincing than his interpretation of young Hannah.

Better To Rain In Hull...

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
Totally unlike what I normally read but really enjoyed this. A different kind of story but very rewarding.

Brilliant

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I adore Michael Marshall Smith's work, and this did not disappoint. I'm new to audiobooks but the narrator read clearly and kept me engaged in the story.

The story itself was gripping, and I loved the twists and turns. I really enjoyed it.

Which character – as performed by William Roberts – was your favourite?

The Old man in the black wrinkled linen suit and the demon.

Did you have an emotional reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I laughed quite a few times due to Hannah's thoughts and decision making.

Gripped until the end!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
See more reviews