Wesley J. Critchfield

Good but not great. Love Jane and will read book 2.

Revisado: 02-11-25

I love the idea of Jane and a lot of her attitude. If you know METAL FAMILY she's a bigger Vicki and not gonna lie that's attractive to me. I love the overall feel of the story, though a lot of the details left me cold.
It's highly derivative of JOHN CARTER OF MARS (no kidding) but it actually pretty much follows a lot of the plot and ideas of those books a little too closely. Even down to the ending (particularly of the last 20 min, movie, which took from the end of the 2nd book)
There's some LGBT elements and just about all the main characters seem to be Bi or at least willing to go the other way if the opportunity presents itself, though Jane is primarily straight.
Personally overall I would have liked Jane to have a little more Moral fiber, a few more rules she lived by. But that's just me. I like characters to have morals even if they are challenged and ultimately gone against.
But I have already bought book 2 and am definitely looking forward to it. The reviews indicate it may even be better than this one.
The narrator in this was FLAWLESS, I wasn't crazy about her at first but as it went in I realized she was perfect and had just the level of tough and soft to be Jane. 5 stars for her.

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A(++++)-PLUS-PLUS,PLUS,PLUS !!!

Revisado: 12-22-24

A wonderful production of a now classic tale.
As a kid I never like A CHRISTMAS STORY nor it's sequels (A Summer Story, It Runs in the Family, Ollie Hopnoodles Haven of Bliss, which are all followups this book) not to mention the direct sequel of A Christmas Story 2 which Jean Shepard had nothing to do with other than "Characters created By")
For a while I think the humor went over my head, and the Trauma it so accurately reflects was still too close (the movie came out in 1983 the year I was born, only really becoming a hit in the late 1990s on TV.) Eventually though it grew on me, and only now with the coming of the book "You'll Shoot your eye out" by Quentin Schultze did I ever think to look if an audio version of the original book "In God We Trust... All others Pay Cash" was available. I was delighted to find it was not only there but narrated by a name I knew (If only from Clips of his talk show with Alfred Hitchcock and others, and a few random guest spots) AND best of all, Fully orchestrated with sound effects! And the Music and SFX DID NOT DISAPPOINT!!
The story is mostly familiar to those who have seen the film, though you will find it largely re-organized to all be before Christmas in the movie, the book starts at Christmas and goes to Easter. But the tales have a lot of color and really feel like Grandpa sitting down and telling you a story. (Even if going from the original release date Ralphie would probably have been about 40 in 1966, which is what makes A Christmas Story Story a great Sequel.
This edition is not the full book unfortunately but does contain all the stories used in a A Christmas Story. Which is what fans are probably primarily looking for, though I hope one day we will get that full version.
But this book feels a lot in some ways, like a slightly more city version of WHERE THE RED FERN GROWS, and the stories of Growing up.
The movie (to me at least) always felt like it happened post WWII. 1950 something. But the book is set during the great depression. (Which actually makes sense given the "hot properties" Wizard of Oz and Snow White are in both.) But the fact that the situation with the Bumpas Hounds (which closes out the book, and with a Ham at Easter) makes the situation all the more tragic.
It's funny as all get out, don't misunderstand, but when (in both versions) Ralph describes all the things that were going to come from that "leftover" meat and that it was going to make eating well possible (being that the food for the last 3 months was rather bland) and now it was "Gone, All Gone!!“ and then that B*****D Amel Bumpus has the nerve to laugh about it and spit on the Hambone. I was screaming a blue streak with the Old Man (Dad).
All that to say this is a GREAT BOOK and worth the money and time!
Dick has a warm and funny style that is a pleasure to listen to. 5/5

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A Passable Parody

Revisado: 12-13-24

Fans of the Sherlock Holmes cannon will find much recognizable material here... possibly a little too much. A good deal of character names and plot(s) and even dialogue are lifted directly from the original stories and reframed slightly under the new paradigm and Supernatural circumstances. One big plus I will give it is that there does seem to be a plan for an over all (macro) narrative, where the original stories were generally haphazard and could be read in just about any order (within certain Eras at least (Era 1 being Study in Scarlet - The Final Problem, Era 2 Being From the Empty Hearse- The last story) Here there seems to be a set order and plan.
The Graphic Audio Cast and Crew However elevate this version and bring both humor and pathos that might have gone unnoticed or under performed in a single reader performance, and they get a BIG 5 stars.
I am interested to see where it all goes, so I will be continuing on to book 2.

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DEFINITELY NEED A VOLUME 2!!!

Revisado: 11-12-24

ABSOLUTELY FANTASTIC!!! There is nothing here not to love, even to a lover of Ghosts Stories such as I there were a few stories that were entirely new to me, and even the old favorites were well read and the sound design really added to the atmosphere. The only real complaint I have is IT WASN'T ENOUGH!!!
I NEED a LONGER Volume 2. Making this an Annual (or Bi-Annual) Volume release would not be too little. There are so many more classic and obscure stories (public domain) to tell that wouldn't cost much if anything to include in the collection.
*Crowd chant* VOLUME 2!! VOLUME 2!! VOLUME 2!!!

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Koontz does it again!!

Revisado: 10-23-24

In an exciting blend of Action, Magical realism, and palatable truth telling, Dean has once again presented an excellent tale of a REAL woman fighting for her home and justice for the slain. Dean's books are always a treat and a gut check. Prepare to have your principles challenged and being forced to make sure that you are living up to them.
January LeVoy is always a delight. 5/5

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A cute but bland retelling

Revisado: 09-22-24

I know this is meant for little children, but come on guys couldn't we flesh it out a little? This is basically just the dialogue reprinted with minimal words to fill in the rest. This could have easily been about 1 hour, with a few little descriptions. Give us a little insight into what Dipper (and others) was thinking and feeling. Give a little background about who the characters are! Tell us that the Mystery Twins have come to Gravity Falls to stay with their weird old Grunkle, describe the weird stuff around the Mystery Shack!
And they cut out 2 of the best parts!
The Lyrics of the Lamby Dance, and Mabel's Sugar Visions!!!
Rewritting GRAVITY FALLS (in association with Alex) and adding some details as I've listed above would be a great way to revisit the show... and perhaps add some more *MatPat* LOOOOOOOOOOOOOORRRRREEE!!!!

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The Trauma of Afghanistan

Revisado: 09-20-24

Its been said that Afghanistan is where the world goes to LOSE wars. Going back even to Sit Arthur Conan Doyle's Dr Watson, it has been a place holder for a place of terror and slaughter. In this story GM focuses on what happens when that terror and Pain comes home.
Have to admit I saw the ending coming a mile away, but not the VERY end, which made what I would have considered a bad ending a VERY good one.
Well worth the time and credit (even if at the time of listening it is currently Free in Audible + catalog) If you like horror this is a good one.

The narrator on this story was EXCELLENT one of the better female narrators I've heard! She did the voice changes well, to the point I forgot at times it wasn't a multi Voice recording.

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Another Masterwork from Cahn!

Revisado: 09-07-24

A great insight into the nature of evil in our world and study of the enemy. Also a clear and succinct study of the history and rebirth of Israel and how the two will collide in the future (and are even now), and finally of the victory to come.
If you want to show your friends and family just why Israel is in the right and the rightful owners of the Holy land , this is the book for them.
The narrator is clear and precise, if a little bland, lacking the exuberance of Johnathan when he actually speaks, but all things considered that may not be a bad thing.
BUY THIS BOOK!!!

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I don't get dog people...

Revisado: 08-29-24

Don't misunderstand I don't hate dogs in general. But in my experience they are messy and get in your face all the time. They need constant attention. I've always been more of a cat person.
But that said I was 100% on board with this bonkers premise. There's a meme out there about "The world not Being ready for the Adventures of Captain Fuzzy Britches and The USS Scruffy!" or something like that, and that is what this feels like, it knows it's fun and silly, but just give yourself to it and hang on for the ride.
I do have to warn as with most of JRs more recent books that the language is most certainly NOT for kids and should be listened to only when alone, especially since Jerc is constantly talking about his sex life as a Randy little mutt. But it's mostly played for laughs, and it's a dog.
This is a fun and funny entry in the JR multiverse. But don't be surprised if it tugs a heartstring or two as well.
The narrator is FANTASTIC and does voices well enough that you can not only follow who is speaking, but you forget you are not listening to a muti-cast recording, (which under less talented circumstances this definitely should have been, as should most of JRs latter books. ) But this reader handles it masterfully and is up there with Jim Dale for diversity of voices and maintaining them. 5 stars!! 🤩

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A delightful collection of Halloween Treats... and 2 Tricks.

Revisado: 08-04-24

All the readers are fantastic. Some of the best in the business.
I thought I would go through and give you a *spoiler free* review of the collection.

1 With Graveyard Weeds and Wolfbane seeds: 6/10
Not a bad "Let's go Wreck Haunted House story, with foreseeable results

2 Dirtmouth: 5/10 Wives, you can't live with them and you can't *live* with them. [Sic] Pretty Gross and sad.

3 A Small Taste of the Old Country: 10/ 10. "We were just following orders" Possibly the best in the book.

4 Week's End : The First of 2 Stories in the book to primarily deal with the "Legend of Jack Of The Lantern" Predictable but fun 7/10

5 The 17 Year Itch. 4/10 What if Fear was a Fungus.... Gross.

6 A Flicker of Light on Devils Night. Parenting can drive you mad. Probably the Worst in the collection. Gross and sad... Yet strangely identifiable. 2/10

7 Witch hazel: A tale of Witchery and madness (and maybe Zombies?) 5/10

8 Nos Colin Gahoff (sp?) I fell OUT of a burning ring of fire!... Based on the Legend of the Cutty Black Sow. 6/10

9 We're Never Inviting Amber Again!!!
Party games on Halloween Night summon others through the Veil. 8/10

10 Sisters: What it's like to be a ghost (or demon) getting ready for Halloween. Odd 6/10

11 All Through the Night: Rumpelstiltskin... Kinda. Sad. 7/10

12 A Kingdom of Sugar Skulls and Marigolds. Regrets on the Day of the Dead in Mexico. CORRECTION: THIS IS THE WORST. R-Rated content the whole way through (and the "scary" stuff is the least of it) Would not read again, and RECOMMEND YOU SKIP... Unless you like stories about Mexican gangs attacking LGBTQ folks... While portrayed as bad, it goes on for quite a while... Though "Saint"does remind me of Skully from the Wizard Game...

13 The Turn. 9/10 One of the best. "The Suspense is Terrible.... I hope it will last." Despite what some may see as a bad ending (which imo is actually very good) this Story is a banger.

14 Jack : Another take on the "Jack Of the Lantern" tale. GHOSTBUSTERS! 8/10

15 Lost in the Dark : The Longest and possibly best story in the collection. Think of it as Before, During, and After the Making of the BLAIR WITCH / AS ABOVE SO BELOW if it (basically) really happened. The only story with "Chapters" and clearly broke the length rules the editors set out with, but who cares?! Great story and I want a movie!! It would kind of need to be a movie within a movie and it would be odd. But it could be great in the right hands. (Mine lol) 12/10

16 The First Lunar Halloween: The only entry not to take place on Earth and (maybe) involve Aliens. Not great but short 6/10...
(Side note *slight spoiler*): This actually reminds me of the last track on the "Disney's Chilling Thrilling sounds of THE HAUNTED HOUSE album from the 1960s "Mmm that was delicious! I wonder what it was!!“
(13:00) Min mark.)
Overall a great collection of Original stories and worth your time and credit.

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