Justin Cronin's The Passage impresses with its imaginative premise and rich character development. Critics laud the book's engrossing story and intricate world-building, though some note its length can be daunting. While the narrative pacing and depth are commendable, the complex plot may challenge some readers. Overall, it's a compelling read for fans of dystopian fiction.

Readers who relish gripping post-apocalyptic tales with deep character development will love The Passage by Justin Cronin. Comparable to Stephen King's The Stand and Cormac McCarthy's The Road, this novel appeals to those who enjoy a blend of suspense, horror, and a compelling, expansive storyline.

The Passage by Justin Cronin follows FBI Agent Brad Wolgast as he becomes entangled in Project NOAH, a government experiment aiming to cure disease but instead creating powerful and dangerous beings. Wolgast escapes with a young girl named Amy Bellafonte, who becomes central to the story's survivalist saga that spans nearly a century as humanity battles the resulting viral outbreak. The novel contains references to spousal and child abuse, sexual assault, suicide, infant fatality, sex work, and nuclear warfare.

Mysterious / Dark / Suspenseful / Challenging / Emotional

- The Passage by Justin Cronin originally gained attention when the manuscript was part of a bidding war, which concluded with a substantial publishing deal from Ballantine Books, reportedly worth $3.75 million.
- Stephen King, a master of the horror genre, praised The Passage, describing it as "engrossing" and "terrific," further boosting its popularity and anticipation among readers.
- The book was inspired by Cronin's daughter, who challenged him to write a story about a girl who saves the world, a prompt that eventually expanded into the trilogy starting with The Passage.

Justin Cronin

Adult

Novel

The Passage

Fiction

Guide

Study Guide

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Overview

Get ready to explore The Passage and its meaning. Our full analysis and study guide provides an even deeper dive with character analysis and quotes explained to help you discover the complexity and beauty of this book.

The Passage Summary

Background

The Passage Background

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Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Part 1: “The Worst Dream in the World”

Part 1 The Passage Part 1 Summary & Analysis

Part 2: “The Year of Zero”-Part 3: “The Last City: 2 A.V.”

Parts 2-3

The Passage Parts 2-3 Summary & Analysis

Part 4: “All Eyes: First Colony San Jacinto Mountains, California Republic, 92 A.V.”-Part 5: “Girl From Nowhere”

Parts 4-5

The Passage Parts 4-5 Summary & Analysis

Part 6: “The Night of Blades and Stars”-Part 7: “The Darklands”

Parts 6-7

The Passage Parts 6-7 Summary & Analysis

Part 8: “The Haven”-Part 9: “The Last Expeditionary”

Parts 8-9

The Passage Parts 8-9 Summary & Analysis

Part 10: “The Angel of the Mountain”-Part 11: “The New Thing”

Part 10-Postscript

The Passage Part 10-Postscript Summary & Analysis

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Character Analysis

The Passage Character Analysis

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Themes

The Passage Themes

Symbols & Motifs

The Passage Symbols & Motifs

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Important Quotes

The Passage Important Quotes

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Essay Topics

The Passage Essay Topics

The Passage

Before You Read

Reviews & Readership

Review Roundup

Who Should Read The Passage?

Reading Age

Book Details