Finally! Ever since I finished Ready Player One (one month ago -- yes, I'm behind with my reviews), I haven't been able to settle into a new audiobook. I've tried all of these:
A Dog's Journey by W. Bruce Cameron
Blue Nights by Joan Didion
Calico Joe by John Grisham
Elegy for Eddie by Jacqueline Winspear
My Name is Mary Sutter by Robin Oliveira
The Beginner's Goodbye by Anne Tyler
The Sandcastle Girls by Chris Bohjalian
I'm not just talking about listening for a few minutes or a couple of hours. I've listened to most of these for at least a couple of days! It's been very frustrating to not be able to get engrossed in a good audiobook, especially since this has been a banner year for me. I've listened to so many wonderful books so far (15!), and find that I'm a bit lost when I don't have one to listen to while I drive to and from work, while working around the house, or in those first two hours at the store before we open.
So what has pulled me out of this slump, you ask?
The Passage by Justin Cronin!!! Oh. My. Gosh! This is so good!! (Yes, I just used a ridiculous number of exclamation points!!)
I have the printed version of Cronin's novel in my stacks, and I'm sure I'll refer to it to mark a page here and there, but the audio is exceeding my expectations. As with another fantastic audio production (The Help by Kathryn Stockett), there are three readers for this novel: Scott Brick, Adenrele Ojo and Abby Craden. I've only listened to the first twelve chapters, but the suspense is amazing. Cronin is proving to be a marvelous storyteller and I find I have to remind myself that this is not a Stephen King novel. However, King is most certainly a fan:
I made sure to download the unabridged version. All 36 hours and 49 minutes of storytelling.
"Every so often a novel-reader's novel comes along: an enthralling, entertaining story wedded to simple, supple prose, both informed by tremendous imagination. Summer is the perfect time for such books, and this year readers can enjoy the gift of Justin Cronin's The Passage. Read fifteen pages and you will find yourself captivated; read thirty and you will find yourself taken prisoner and reading late into the night. It has the vividness that only epic works of fantasy and imagination can achieve. What else can I say? This: read this book and the ordinary world disappears."--Stephen King
I have a feeling it won't be long enough.
Not to worry.
This is a trilogy.
The Twelve is due out on October 16th.
With regards to the list of my earlier attempts, are there any that I should try again? Any winners in the bunch?
Isn't it nice to really sink down into a good book on audio? I'm happy that THE PASSAGE is working well for you. I've had this one on my list for forever it seems. Now, I'm tempted to try it in audio.
ReplyDeleteHaven't read any of your "did not finish" list, so no advice there. If you didn't like them, just move on. There are always some other ones to tempt you. LOL
The reader (Scott Brick) is perfect for this novel, Kay. His pacing and tempo help to build the tension, creating quite a suspenseful read.
DeleteYeah, I doubt I'll try any of these audiobooks a second time, although I may give the printed version of My Name is Mary Sutter a try.
Elegy for Eddie didn't really work for me on audio either. I've found that the audios I like the best are told in the first person.
ReplyDeleteHmmm, now to decide if I should go ahead and read this one (in print). I've listened to all but the first in the series.
DeleteI bought The Passage at our library's book sale, but I haven't read it yet. So glad to hear you love it, and now I can't wait to read it myself. You always inspire me about audio books, Les. Did you happen to see the post from JoAnn that audible.com has a free copy of Graham Greene's The End of The Affair read by Colin Firth? Go get it while you can, it's awesome! xo
ReplyDeleteOh, it is SO very good, Meredith!!!! So good that I've been tempted to go back and listen to Part One all over again, now that I'm more familiar with the large cast of characters. Scott Brick is fantastic. I need to see what else he's read...
DeleteI did see JoAnn's post about The End of the Affair. I don't use audible.com, though. I get all my audiobooks from the library. They may have it though, so I'll see about adding it to my queue.
I'm listening to Yes, Chef and am really enjoying it.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Pam! I'll see if my library has it.
DeleteI originally read The Passage in print, but did a reread via audio at the beginning of the year in preparation for the sequel. Can't wait - I REALLY hope my library gets the audio edition. Scott Brick has since become one of my favorite narrators.
ReplyDeleteIsn't it a fabulous audiobook? Scott Brick is amazing. I just discovered his Audiobook Month Blog here. Can't wait to give it a listen!
DeleteSo sorry about your list of duds on audio. But WOO on The Passage being a winner. Your excitement is contagious! :)
ReplyDeleteIt's an amazing book, Joy. I actually went back and started listening to Part One all over again, in spite of my goal to finish this by the end of the month. I really want to revisit the earlier chapters now that I know the characters and see how they all come together at the end of Part One.
DeleteI need to read The Passage. I have The Twelve on pre-order. You'd think I'd read the first one first to see if I even like it . . .
ReplyDeleteI am stumped with my current audio book and think I need to move on. I've been listening to the same book for several months now and keep forgetting to listen to it. Something's wrong with that picture.
I'm not sure how The Passage ends, but since it's the first in a trilogy, I don't know if I'd want to read The Twelve before reading The Passage. Since you're experiencing a similar reading slump, I highly suggest your get The Passage. I can't stop listening!! I have a book (in print format) to read, but I'd rather keep listening to Cronin's thrilling story. I wish I had a long road trip coming up so I could spend the next few days doing nothing but listening to Scott Brick read to me. ;)
Deletehighly suggest *you
DeleteI think I mentioned in my email that we listened to the abridged version and I was so disappointed when we learned that 2/3rds of it was cut! Though it was narrated by Edward Herrmann (Unbroken) who is also a fantastic narrator. Scott is eagerly awaiting The Twelve!
ReplyDeleteAnd I know you're not looking for any King audios right now, but IT seriously is FANTASTIC. Narrated by Steven Weber.
Yes, you mentioned this. What a shame that you wound up with an abridged version! :( My unabridged copy has multiple readers (Scott Brick, Adenrele Ojo and Abby Craden), which makes for a great listen.
DeleteI doubt I'll listen to IT, but I have Under the Dome and 11/22/63 on my tbr list.