The Passage cover

The Passage

The Passage • Book 1

by Justin Cronin

Narrated by Scott Brick

4.14 ABR Score (245.0K ratings)
★ 4.05 Goodreads (224.1K) ★ 4.3 Audible (20.9K)
36h 49m Released 2010 Sci-Fi

Why Listen to This Audiobook?

Justin Cronin wrote a 37-hour audiobook, and somehow the hardest part isn't starting it — it's pausing it.

  • Great if you want: epic sci-fi that blends horror, thriller, and literary fiction
  • Listening experience: slow-burn first act that accelerates into relentless, mounting dread
  • Narration: Brick's commanding baritone carries the massive scale without fatigue
  • Skip if: you need closure — this is Book 1 of 3, and it shows

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About This Audiobook

A government experiment unleashes terror upon the world when deadly creatures escape from a secret military facility, transforming civilization into a nightmare landscape where humanity teeters on the brink of extinction. In this sweeping post-apocalyptic epic, FBI agent Brad Wolgast becomes the unlikely protector of Amy, a young girl whose connection to the catastrophic project makes her both a target and perhaps humanity's last hope. As they navigate a world overrun by predators that hunt in darkness, their journey spans decades and continents in a desperate search for sanctuary and answers.

Scott Brick delivers a masterful performance that captures the epic scope and intimate emotions of Cronin's ambitious narrative. His measured pacing allows listeners to absorb the rich world-building and complex character development, while his ability to shift seamlessly between multiple perspectives keeps the sprawling timeline coherent and engaging. Brick's nuanced voice work brings depth to both action sequences and quieter character moments, making the audiobook's substantial runtime feel purposeful rather than daunting. The audio format enhances the story's cinematic quality, transforming long commutes into immersive journeys through Cronin's haunting vision of survival and hope.