Alan Moore’s The Great When is a spellbinding journey into a post-WWII London like no other. The intricate world of Long London, where magic and reality collide, is brought to life by Moore’s lyrical prose and sharp wit. Rich in atmosphere and filled with an eclectic cast of characters, this novel immerses readers in a dark, alternate world full of mystery, danger, and wonder. Moore’s storytelling is unparalleled, making The Great When a mesmerizing start to what promises to be an extraordinary series.

A clever concept, but failed to land on an emotional level. The writing style is erudite, reminiscent of Victor Hugo. While that comparison is a compliment on many levels, it jarred a bit for a book set in the 1940s.

*The Great When* is set in 1949 London, where Dennis Knuckleyard, a hapless eighteen-year-old working in a second-hand bookshop, stumbles upon a novel that shouldn’t exist. The book he finds is fictional, a creation from another novel, yet somehow it physically exists in his hands. This strange book originates from the "Great When," a magical, timeless version of London where reality blurs with fiction, and abstract concepts like Crime and Poetry take on physical form as terrifying, wondrous beings. However, this magical London must remain hidden. If Dennis doesn’t return the book to its rightful place, the consequences could be disastrous—even to the extent of having his body turned inside out.

While the premise is fascinating, the first 100 pages can feel slow. Moore’s command of the English language is undeniable; his prose is lush, almost to the point of excess, with constant reminders of his linguistic prowess. As Dennis ventures into the Great When, it’s hard not to draw comparisons to other magical versions of London, such as Neil Gaiman’s *Neverwhere* or China Miéville’s *The City & the City*. But this is Alan Moore, a writer known for taking familiar concepts and turning them on their head. *The Great When* is no exception, with moments reminiscent of *The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen*, blending literary history and folklore with urban realities.

The plot centres around a fictional book mentioned in Arthur Machen's real-life work *N*, which mysteriously comes to life within this story. This is classic Alan Moore: a metafictional twist embedded within a work of fiction. Then there's Long London, the mystical realm of the title, a place as unsettling as it is intellectually stimulating.

Despite some pacing issues, *The Great When* is a rich and imaginative work, one of my favourite books of the year.
My thanks to both NetGalley and the publishers Bloomsbury for a free e-arc and an honest opinion.

The book tells the story of Dennis, an 18-year old war-orphan in post-war London, who has no ambition, no work-ethic, very few friends, and no prospects. He inadvertently becomes aware of a (presumably magical) “alternative London”, knowledge which is apparently very dangerous to have.

I read just under a third of this book. I tried really hard to like it, and feel that I gave it a fair shot – if I hadn’t been reading an ARC version, with the intention of writing a review, I would have given up at about 10%.

The story seemed like it might be intriguing, if it ever got going. The pace was so incredibly slow that at the point where I stopped reading the action was just starting. By this point, however, I didn’t actually care about the main character (or any of the supporting characters) and was unwilling to keep going. Connection with the characters is my primary requirement for enjoying any book.

The other problem with this book, for me, was the writing style. There were just so many words. Everything was described in excruciating detail, using flowery language, and so many words that the story just didn’t flow. It required extreme concentration (and frequent use of my kindle’s in-built dictionary) to make sense of almost every sentence, only to discover that most of these weren’t important to the storyline. That said, the writing style reminded me of some classic literature, bringing to mind The Great Gatsby. Admittedly, it’s been many years since I read that novel and I remember very little of the writing/story itself. However, it left me with the same sense of boredom. Given the enduring popularity of that novel, however, I’m sure that there is an audience who will enjoy The Great When.

The Great When
Dennis Knuckleyard is 18, still wet behind the ears, and living in 1949 London. The Luftwaffe have left their mark in the capital and, aged 9, he witnessed Cripplegate being obliterated.
But despite these terrors, there is one that scares him even more. The female boss of the second hand bookshop in which he works and lives, Coffin Ada. It’s rumoured that the reason why no plants grow in her empty flowerbed is because it’s where she buried her husbands. There is no escape from her for Dennis.
But his life changes, perhaps not for the better, when Coffin Ada sends him out to buy some rare books from a man called Flabby Harrison. In between being batted on the head by Flabby’s Airfix models of airplanes hanging from the ceiling they agree a price. Although Dennis feels that the deal shouldn’t have gone as it did but little does he know how badly its gone.
For he has obtained a book that doesn’t exist. ‘A London Walk; by Rev. Thomas Hampole is a fictitious book that appears in a real novel by Arthur Machen. It’s a guide to another London, The Great When, where all time and eras merge and reality and unreality can be the same.
Dennis soon becomes embroiled with the Other London’s in habitants and its occult labyrinth. Gangsters with nicknames, occultists, the demi-monde and an occult painter, Austin Osman Spare. One gangster, Gog Blincoe, is made of wood, the African Prince Monolulu hands out surefire racing tips and good time girl Grace Shilling puts Dennis up for a few nights.
And then there’s the four unsolved murders…..and Dennis uncomfortably realises that he may have found the killer…..
This is the first book in a planned quintet featuring Long London and I really enjoyed it. I read the author’s recent short story collection and liked that as well so I was keen to read this one. The author has such a witty, humourous style, although it might not be to everyone’s taste. With descriptions such as a ‘passageway that smelled faintly of gin and armpit’ I’m sure we’ve all reluctantly ventured down similar passages and the paragraph with the whelk seller was wonderful. Dennis realises with a shock that Coffin Ada has also visited the Other London and doesn’t want to know any more about it.
I have to say that the only female characters in the book as a dragon of a landlady and a tart with a heart of gold but who knows who or what will appear in the forthcoming books?
The setting, not long after the Second World War, was well evoked as people try to come to terms with what had happened to them and what might be coming next. A character in the Other London metamorphoses into the future as a Teddy Boy – now an extinct species.
I don’t normally read fantasy as I associate it with characters with strange names and pastel colours but this was fantasy that I could relate to and enjoy. As an ex-flaneur, I often felt that there was another London in the capital and if I could just find the right doorway or portal I could step in. It looks if Alan Moore has already found it.

My thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for an ARC.

For those who know Alan Moore and his comic book career, this latest venture will tick all the right boxes and more.
Moore's writing is extraordinary and fascinating, even if, at times it's a long way for a short cut! I can only imagine the editor with their head in their hands as their pleas to trim down the deluge of words were ignored!
Set in a parallel London and filled with phantasmagorical images and characters it is a whirling dervish of a tale.
It isn't exactly my normal genre of writing, but Moore is such a wild and unusual author that I am happy to acknowledge his undoubted talent and go along for the ride!
Will I wait breathlessly for the next in the series? Probably not, but I can bet there will be many afficionados who certainly will!

A fascinating start to a series. The post-war London setting coupled with the utterly bizarre and chaotic other London made for compelling reading, and I’m looking forward to more.

This is a bit….mad…..it did take me a while to get into it to be honest as it is wild, but once I got the hang of it I absolutely loved it.

I felt so sorry for our main character- Dennis - thrust into a series of circumstances through other people, but what a fantastic character - and Coffin Ada! How I loved her!

Overall, this is absolutely mental - brilliant characters, brilliant story - a big pile of crazy!

My thanks to Netgalley and Bloomsbury Publishing Plc (UK & ANZ) for the advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

Was really looking forward to this but in the end it missed its mark by a mile.

Too confused and trying way too hard for me to relax in to. Very wordy, and lack of any real character development meant I just couldn't find my way into it at all.

I really loved the idea of this book, I did however struggle my way through it in parts. Thank you to NetGalley and publishers for the opportunity to read this arc.

I haven’t published this review.

I didn’t like it at all. I really tried but I couldn’t get to grips with the plot, the changing points of view or where Moore was taking the story.

I’ve really enjoyed some of his graphic novels in the past so I know he’s a great storyteller. However whether it is his long fiction or this story in particular I’m not sure but I didn’t like it and couldn’t finish it.

I would not recommend this book.

I liked the sound of this one but reading it I just couldn't get in to it. I think it may be a case of right book, wrong person. I wasn't not enjoying it but I wasn't really taking anything in. I do know a lot of customers and friend who I'm absolutely certain would enjoy it though so will recommend they give it a go

Many thanks for the opportunity for early access.

Fantasy tale set in London in 1949 - engaging and elaborate.

Dennis Knuckleyard lives and works in Coffin Ada's bookshop. His humdrum live is suddenly changed when he comes into contact with an alternative London. His "journey" involves a couple of close friends and some unusual characters met along the way. Without revealing too much about the plot, there are many fantastical moments as he explores both Londons. The language here is probably the most important as it's florid, highly descriptive with vast use of adjectives and adverbs. For those who don't now London, the street directions might be a bit of a waste of time. The book is an engaging read and seemingly the first in a series.. For those who enjoy Alan Moore's writing , this is probably a feast for the eyes. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily..

I genuinely have no idea how one is meant to review this verbose, stylised monstrosity. Set in post World War 2, Dennis Knuckleyard, a know-nothing 18-year-old who works at a 2nd hand bookstore, discovers a book that shouldn't exist. What follows is a bizarre Carrollesque spiral into the Great When, an alternate London where anthropomorphic depictions of Crime and Riots exist, where every aspect of human experience is alien.

For the first 50 pages, I was riveted like someone witnessing a car accident. I was filled with unease mixed with morbid curiosity. Then the plot settles into Dennis's life and the people he meets and interacts with. I loved Dennis as a protagonist because it's so fun to follow a character who understands the real world so little and then descends them into a world that barely resembles our own. One thing to be warned about is this book's writing is obtusely verbose; it reminded me of Bradbury in using language and metaphors that makes me almost impenetrable to understand. Nevertheless, this exudes character, charm, humour, and pure unrestrained, bombastic imagination that it's hard not to fall in love.

I'm not generally a reader of the Fantasy genre in novels but have read the authors graphic novels as I do read a lot of comics so therefore decided I'd give this a bash. I took a while to get through this which is generally an indication that I'm not really gelling with the content. In was reluctant to allow this to be a DNF so plugged away with it.

The storyline was decent enough but it just didn't grab my attention the way that other stories would and without giving any spoilers I'm very indifferent regarding the ending of the book. Glad to have finished it and I'm sure it will appeal to fans of the genre but it wasn't really for me. I'll still give it 3/5 on the basis that there was definitely the foundation of a good story.
Thanks to the the author, publisher and NetGalley for my review copy.

The first thing that convinced me to read this book was the idea of a Mirror London , the second thing was the presence of the sorcerers. Did this book disappoint me ? Not at all! I admit that at the begging the writing style of the author wad a big challenge, but once I got accustomed with it ,it felt magical, particular and rich of humor and metaphorical! I simple loved this book and I Definitely recommend it!

The striking cover and description are what drew me in but sadly it's a dnf at 25%.

This is definitely for specific type of reader and unfortunately that's not me.

Thank you to the publishers and NetGalley for the digital copy.

The Great When immediately reminded me of classic Michael Moorcock novels. Surreal, humorous and with a great cast of characters, the world Moore has built here is certainly an intriguing one!

Moore’s writing style won’t be for everyone, but I found it to be beautifully descriptive, if overindulgent. The scenes in “regular” London were highly entertaining with the Great When adding a claustrophobic and jarring edge to the story.

Overall, The Great When won’t be for everyone but fans of dystopian fantasy should love this.

Thanks to Bloomsbury Publishing and NetGalley for the ARC.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bloomsbury for my digital review copy.

DNF at 42%, 4/10 chapters read.

I may have forced myself to read as much of this as I did when it clearly wasn't for me.

I just couldn't gel with it.

It's bizarrely overwritten that it feels like a slog to get through and some of the overwritten humour is funny, but I find most of it to be a pain and an excess of words used to describe things I now know isn't for me.

I realised I couldn't mesh with the main character. I feel like he has no characterisation compared to the almost cartoony caricatures that some of the side characters.

The chapters in this are also incredibly long. My kindle had the anticipated reading time for them to be around 40 - 50 minutes, which isn't really what I'm used to seeing when reading a book (which probably also added to the fact that each chapter that I read felt like a mountain I had to tackle.)

The worldbuilding in this was very slow, with almost nothing of real substance given in the 40% that I read. I know this is the first book in a series, but I don't think this is for me (despite it being set in a post-war Britain and having strange parallel Londons, which are things I know I usually like.)

I also don't care for the plot enough to continue. I know it's setting up the parallel Londons and that this is the first one in a series, but it's just not engaging me. There were also quite a few lines that I read that took me by surprise by their jarring content (one example of this is a character has eyes described akin to urinal cakes...)

I may try to read this again one day in the future.

A young man in post war London finds a hidden version of the city by means of a fictional book from an Arthur Machen story which has somehow manifested itself in our reality,
Neil Gaiman used the concept of secret version of London in Neverwhere but where he gave us a fantasy version of the city Alan Moore gives us the full, terrifying platonic truth of the metropolis.
The parts set in “the other” are written in a flowing, surrealist prose that demands concentration from the reader. But in turn, we the readers are rewarded for our patience with a vison that is truly breathtaking at times.
The “normal” London is populated with a wonderful cast of characters. Moore fills the story with magicians, gangsters, artists and bohemians.
Time and again I was forced to pause my reading and dive in to the numerous rabbit holes a simple google search for a character opened up.
Moore uses real life figures in the book and they are a fascinating bunch. Like the self styled african prince Monolulu who makes a living selling racing tips or the surrealist painter and occultist Austin Spare who I’d never heard of before this book.
This is by far the best fantasy novel I’ve read this year and I wait for the next installment in what I hope will be a great series.