The Great When
A Long London Novel
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3.9 • 16 Ratings
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- $14.99
Publisher Description
From the New York Times bestselling author and legendary storyteller Alan Moore, the first book in an enthralling new series about murder, magic, and madness set between two Londons-one recovering from World War II, and one a secret world unlike any other.
"Extraordinary . . . very funny . . . It does what fantasy does best which is show us something beyond our experience." -Susanna Clarke, New York Times bestselling author of Piranesi and Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell
In 1949, amidst the smog of London, Dennis Knuckleyard, a hapless eighteen year-old employed by a second-hand bookshop, discovers a novel that simply does not exist. It is a fictitious book, one only existing within another novel. Yet it is physically there in his hands. How?
Dennis has stumbled on a book from the Great When, a magical version of London beyond time and space, where reality blurs with fiction and concepts such as Crime and Poetry are incarnated as wondrous, terrible beings. But this other, magical London must remain a secret: if Dennis cannot find a way to return this book to where it belongs, he risks facing gruesome and grave repercussions.
So begins a journey delving deep into the city's occult underbelly and tarrying with an eccentric cast of sorcerers, gangsters, and murderers – some from legend, some frighteningly real, and all with plans of their own. Soon Dennis finds himself at the center of an explosive series of events that may alter and endanger both Londons forever . . .
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Bestseller Moore (Illuminations) brings the rich detail and intricate plotting familiar to his fans to the first epic fantasy in his Long London series, set in 1949 and premised on the notion that "there might be a higher world concealed behind our own." That hidden truth is revealed to an entertainingly unprepossessing protagonist, 18-year-old Dennis Knuckleyard, who works in a used bookstore owned by his landlady, Coffin Ada. Dennis encounters the supernatural while on a quotidian errand: he's sent to another book dealer to purchase a lot of rare Arthur Machen books, hopefully at a bargain. But the haul includes an additional title, Reverend Thomas Hampole's A London Walk: Meditations in the Streets of the Metropolis, which, Coffin Ada reveals, is not a real book: "It's not in catalogues. It's not in libraries. Arthur fucking Machen made it up in a cough cough cough novel.... This shouldn't be here. This comes from cough cough cough somewhere else." Possessing this little piece of a parallel universe soon proves deadly dangerous, and could break down the barriers between the "real" London and the one Dennis lives in, which, it turns out, is just a shadow of the other. The worldbuilding is extraordinary and the plot is utterly gripping. Readers are sure to be sucked in.
Customer Reviews
London fantasy
I recently read The Great When by Alan Moore, and I would confidently give it a solid four stars. This novel showcases Moore’s signature blend of intricate storytelling and rich, immersive world-building. The narrative unfolds in unpredictable ways, keeping me engaged from start to finish. His prose is both poetic and sharp, with moments that linger long after reading.
One of the highlights is how Moore weaves together multiple perspectives, creating a layered experience that rewards careful attention. The characters are vivid and complex, each grappling with themes of time, memory, and identity in ways that feel both original and deeply human.
However, the story can sometimes feel overwhelming due to its density and nonlinear approach. Some passages meander and require patience, which might not appeal to every reader. Still, the payoff is worth it for those willing to immerse themselves in Moore’s intricate style.
Overall, The Great When is an ambitious and memorable read that balances challenge with reward. While it may not be perfect, it’s a remarkable showcase of Moore’s talent and creativity, earning a well-deserved four-star rating.