The Night Boat

By: Robert R. McCammon

Narrated by: Ray Porter

The Night Boat, Robert McCammon's third published novel, first appeared as a paperback original in 1980. Following on the heels of Baal and Bethany's Sin, it offered further proof that a writer of great narrative power and limitless potential - a writer who would achieve a significant position in modern popular fiction--had arrived.

The story begins with a vividly written prologue in which a German U-boat--sometimes known as an 'Iron Coffin'--attacks an unsuspecting merchant vessel, and is itself attacked by a pair of Allied sub chasers. The action then shifts to the present day and to the idyllic Caribbean island of Coquina, where life is about to change in unimaginable ways. David Moore, a young man with a tragic and haunted past, is skin-diving in the waters off Coquina, searching for the salvageable remnants of shipwrecks. He accidentally detonates a long-unexploded depth charge, uncovering and releasing a submarine that has lain beneath those waters, virtually intact, for decades. The battered vessel that rises to the surface contains a bizarre and terrifying cargo that will transform a once peaceful island into a landscape of unrelenting nightmare.

The Night Boat is a story of cannibalism, ancient voodoo curses, and shambling, undead entities filled with a bottomless rage and an equally bottomless hunger. But it is also the story of a past that refuses to die, that lies in wait just beneath the surface of the unsuspecting present. Furiously paced and viscerally frightening, this horrific early gem is both an outstanding entertainment in its own right and a harbinger of the masterpieces to come.

©1980 Robert R. McCammon (P)2013 Audible, Inc.

Like a 1980's horror movie.

Any additional comments?

This is a very forgettable horror novel from the early 80's. However, it was written by the great Robert McCammon who has wrote some of my favorite books. I only listened to this because I'm trying to get through the entire McCammon library. While I can't recommend this book in particular, I want to implore people to check out some of McCammon's other work. So, instead of a review of The Night Boat, I'm going to make this a Robert McCammon Review.

I first discovered McCammon when I read Swan Song (a post appocalyptic book) and loved it. Then I was blown away by Speaks the Night Bird. This is an historical fiction novel about a witch trial in colonial America. It is one of my all time favorite novels. It is also the first in a seriries of novels know as the Mathew Corbett novels. The other books in this series are; The Queen of Bedlum, Mister Slaughter, The Providence Rider and The River of Souls. All the ones that I have read so far have been brilliant.

Robert McCammon's book, Boy's Life, was also amazing. I've never had a book take me back to my childhood the way that one did. I enjoyed his book, Stinger, as well. There were some creepy moments in that one. Also check out Gone South for something a little different.

(Keep in mind that I read most of these and have not heard the audio versions)

McCammon books I didn't like include They Thirst, The Five and The Night Boat. There are nothing wrong with these books (some are rather old and kind of dated) they just weren't my cup of tea, I guess.

Great narrator

The story is just ok. This is the first book by McCammon that I found to be a weak offering. With that said, he has made it well known that he is not proud of this book.

Ray Porter on the other hand did an amazing job. 5 star performance right there.

Intense

I love the overall story and Ray Porter makes it pop with his narration. I won’t make any suggestions to the story because I am not an author. But I plowed through the story over a two day binge.
I have read several of McCammons books and I can say this one is probably top two or three of his best.

A solid book

Entertaining, especially that Ray Porter is an excellent narrator, but it's McCammon's second book. Not as good or immersive as his other works. Still entertaining.

very stephen king but simpler

I can certainly tell this is one of his early books. the speaks the night bird series is brilliant. this one not so much.

Along the lines of Pirates of the Caribbean.

The narrator does a great job with the Jamaican voices. If I imagined the zombie/nazis as sort of like the "Pirates of the Caribbean" pirates, then I enjoyed it. A good story. I like this author.

Coolest book I’ve ever read.

This is just a fun read. It has good characters, great antagonists, and an awesome conflict.

Mix of John Carpenter's THE FOG & Dawn of the Dead

What made the experience of listening to The Night Boat the most enjoyable?

I read the boat more than 20 years ago & have always had a fondness for it. To hear it was like listening to a movie. First time I read it, I loved it. Reminded me of the 1979 film The Fog by John Carpenter, Then you see the zombie side come out in the story. This novel should be turned into a movie.

Love that Robert McCammon!!

Really easy to listen to! Ray Porter has a talent for voices! He dix a splendid job switching between people with different Caribean & Jamaiican accents. I really thought there were several people talking into the mike! Great job, Ray!!

Classic McCammon

This classic horror novel and was well narrated and quite enjoyable. If you are fan of McCammon, give this a listen.