Hangry Bear

This is about the hell that accompanies drug addiction

Revisado: 10-12-22

This story wasn’t really about ghosts; it was all about the hell that accompanies drug addiction, with a smidge of “White Privilege” lamentations sprinkled throughout like spores riding an air current through a crack house. Don’t waste your time or your Audible credit unless you’re looking for encouragement to escape your addiction(s) or help a loved one do the same.

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Hated reading it in high school, loved reading it as a proper adult

Revisado: 01-30-21

I first read Pet Sematary when I was a freshman in high school at an all boys Catholic school in Buffalo, New York in the late 90s. I hated the story because I was forced to read it; that’s it. Now, as a husband and father, I have finally reached the appropriate level of maturity to appreciate this story.

When Gage ran to the road, his little toddler legs speeding him into death, my heart ached because, for a long moment, I imagined seeing my daughter running toward that stretch of asphalt and getting creamed by the semi.

What would I do if that happened to my child? Well, if I had a profane burial ground with the mystical power to bring the dead back to the land of the living, you can certainly bet I’d take my child’s body there. It would be wrong, of course. But I’d make repeated assurances to myself that “it’ll work for me,” and will be well and good.

I’d forget that, in the Bible, it takes the power of the son of God to bring one man, Lazarus, back from the dead. The dead must stay dead, unless you’re the son of God and you need to prove a point, and any attempt to mirror God’s power to resurrect the dead is blasphemous.

Now, I don’t mean that resuscitating someone whose heart stopped is blasphemous, of course. But, going to their final resting place to dig them up and bring them back to life certainly is.

When you’re dead and properly prepared for burial, you’re worm food. As I observed in this story, resurrection performed by a mortal man only resurrects the ugliest aspects of our humanity because the act is performed for purely selfish reasons.

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So That’s What The “H” Means!

Revisado: 05-25-18

I’m glad I stayed with this audiobook all the way to the end because it was worth hearing how Henry Jon Benjamin regaled my virgin ears with the sloppy details of a tumultuous drive from LAX to Pasadena after a bacchanalian first class experience. This anecdote was, by far, the most descriptive telling of a rolling brownout scenario that topples Tucker Max’s Sushi Pants debacle in I Hope They Serve Beer in Hell.

Bravo, Henry Jon Benjamin. Bravo.

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Friendship, Sacrifice, and a Gift

Revisado: 02-23-17

Warning: SPOILERS AHEAD!

This story was as exciting as it was saddening, combining analogous or otherwise relatable characters from children's literature to illustrate the stark differences between the vagaries of childhood and of adulthood. I see Ursula Monkton as an embodiment of some of the vilest characters in The Jungle Book; specifically, Shere Khan and Tabaqui for their cruelty, Kaa for his ability to hypnotize (as Ursula was able to hypnotize the unnamed family, except the unnamed boy). Taking the analogy a bit further, Lettie embodied Bagheera, the wise panther, except for when she sacrificed herself to the Hunger Birds to save the boy; in that act, and in her apparent survival (albeit on another plane), she embodied Baloo. Overall, this was a lovely story, and I have read it three times over the last few months.

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The Bedtime Stories Everyone Else Copied From

Revisado: 10-20-15

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

This is a book that I listened to over the course of commuting between northern Virginia and western Maryland. Each way is approximately two hours, and so I finished it in just a couple of days. Todd Haberkorn's performance was riveting, and for me the narrator is a make-or-break factor in being able to finish an audiobook.

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A Watered-down After Action Report

Revisado: 01-02-13

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

I read the print version of this book, and thought that listening to the audiobook version would be just as interesting. I was wrong. As it says in the headline, it is A Watered-down After Action Report that should have been kept in print form.

What other book might you compare World War Z to and why?

The Zombie Survival Guide is an easy comparison to make to World War Z, as they go hand in hand. Luckily, I have not listened to that audio version.

What did you like about the performance? What did you dislike?

I liked that star performers were used to narrate each chapter, rather than having one narrator change his or her voice to accommodate the characters/

Do you think World War Z needs a follow-up book? Why or why not?

World War Z does not need a follow-up book. Though the last of the zombies have not been eradicated, simply recounting the troubles of the outnumbered living human beings will be a bore.

Any additional comments?

I do not have any additional comments.

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Killing, Revenge, and Pabst Blue Ribbon!

Revisado: 01-02-13

Would you consider the audio edition of Men in Green Faces to be better than the print version?

I have stopped buying print versions of novels in which I am interested, so I must admit that the audio edition of "Men in Green Faces" stands as my favorite by default.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Willie was my favorite character because, like my affinity for Arthur Dent in Douglas Adams's "The Restaurant at the end of the Universe," he brought a bit of humanity to the war in Vietnam for Gene. When he died and Gene started to unravel into a homicidal maniac bent on revenge, the truth of war being hell became vivid.

Have you listened to any of Jeff Gurner’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I have not listened to any of Jeff Gurner's other performances before, but I look forward to listening to another.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

Blood. Rain. Killing. Loss. The endless cycle of war in Vietnam.

Any additional comments?

I have no additional comments.

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Vince Flynn is a Master of Political Deception

Revisado: 01-02-13

Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?

I would certainly recommend this story to a friend. (Spolier Alert!) I really enjoyed how "the egghead" - the traitor who seemed to think he could think his way out of a dire situation which he created - got his just desserts at the very end.

If you’ve listened to books by Vince Flynn before, how does this one compare?

This is the first book by Vince Flynn that I have listened to, so for now this novel is where I will set the standard.

Have you listened to any of George Guidall’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I have not listened to any of George Guidall's other performances before so, as with Vince Flynn, this performance is where I will set the standard.

Was The Last Man worth the listening time?

The Last Man was worth 8 hours of listening time. I found the end a bit difficult to finish, as I think the author was lacking prose that was as gripping as the first 8 hours.

Any additional comments?

I have no additional comments.

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Boring Story, Boring Narrator

Revisado: 05-01-12

Any additional comments?

The story was difficult to focus on, considering the spotty narration performed by Todd McLaren. I hated the affected accent he took hold of when quoting characters and so, after 20 minutes of gritting my teeth out of sheer boredom, I stopped the file from playing.

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