Ryan Nijakowski

Love the Supporting Characters

Revisado: 03-07-25

I chose to listen to the 'Conclave' audiobook after seeing the film, because I was hoping that there would be more background stories of the supporting characters. The Dean was a great main character, however it was the minor characters, specifically Sister Agnes, that I found more fascinating. However the film really did include everything there was to these characters based on the source novel. I did enjoy bothe the novel and film. The story seems tame until you constantly remind yourself what is at stake. I don't believe in God anymore, but I allowed myself to listen to the novel and view the movie as if God was really there. It's no different than watching a horror film and allowing yourself to believe that ghosts are real, even though they aren't in all actuality. 'Conclave' is very different from what I usually read, but I did enjoy it, and I would love a spin-off novel, a prequel, or a sequel. The performance was great, too. The reader had very distinct voices for the many different characters that, if you pay close attention to them, you may find a clue as to what the twist at the end might be. Again... the minor characters are the most fascinating and they seem to steal the show.

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Lack of Information Results in Underwhelming True Crime Novel Experience

Revisado: 11-02-24

I recommend the podcast ‘Killer Psyche’ and its episode on Andrew Kehoe. This book was just okay. The only thing I took from Schechter’s novel ‘Maniac’ was that some cases receive more publicity than even more heinous crimes with no rhyme or reason. The Bath School Massacre happened so long ago, and the perp was also a suicidal family annihilator that there weren’t enough facts about his young life and his family and friends’ interactions with him to fill a five-hour book. The podcast I recommend condenses this work into one 45-minute episode and cites this book as one of its major sources. Schechter is a great historian and true crime author, but I believe his books on Ed Gein (including the graphic novel) are his greatest works. I was underwhelmed by ‘Maniac’ as well as his book on Belle Gunness. I will likely listen to and read more of his works, though.

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Lindsay Crouse CRUSHED it!!!

Revisado: 12-02-23

‘Misery’ is by far my favorite Stephen King novel, and I’ve listened to it several times on Audible. The narrator, Oscar-nominated actress Lindsay Crouse, did an impeccable job. Her Annie Wilkes was so terrifying. She was so good that she actually reminded me of a crazy neighbor lady I used to have. She had the vocal mannerisms down pat!!! I was beyond impressed.

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The Movie Adaptation is Better

Revisado: 11-07-23

I’m sorry to say it but the Ang Lee film adaptation of ‘The Ice Storm’ is a much more satisfying experience than the novel.

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Great, Descriptive Prose; Poor Storytelling

Revisado: 04-14-23

As usual, Joyce Carol Oats succeeds at giving great descriptive detail in her novels, however the protagonist still comes off as one-dimensional and, quite frankly, unbearable. I suppose that’s quite a feat considering how long the novel is. Perhaps that was intentional, but it made it very difficult for me to stick with the story to the end. The premise of the story sounded quite promising when I learned what it was about, and I had never heard of the Oakland Child Killer until the release of this fictional novel, but the tale that Oats spins just wasn’t quite fascinating enough. I would certainly recommend reading other works of Oats, but ‘Babysitter’ took a lot of patience from me, and it just wasn’t worth it.

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Listened To It All In One Glorious Binge

Revisado: 10-14-20

I’ve always loved the film, but up until now I had never felt the need to read nor hear the book for myself. The Novel is just as chilling and suspenseful as I ever could have wanted. It’s interesting how the character of Norman Bates was a fat middle aged man, but in the film was skinny young man. Both Normans are fascinating! The murders are slightly different, but equally as shocking and brutal. Once I started listening, I could not stop until it was over. Great story, great performance by Richard Powers, and, of course, a great film adaptation. Perfect story all the way around.

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