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Alan Partridge: Big Beacon
- Narrated by: Alan Partridge
- Length: 7 hrs and 53 mins
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Publisher's summary
In Big Beacon, Norwich's favourite son and best broadcaster, Alan Partridge, triumphs against the odds. TWICE.
Using an innovative 'dual narrative' structure you sometimes see in films, Big Beacon tells the story of how Partridge heroically rebuilt his TV career, rising like a phoenix from the desolate wasteland of local radio to climb to the summit of Mount Primetime and regain the nationwide prominence his talent merits.
But then something quite unexpected and moving, because Big Beacon also tells the story of a selfless man, driven to restore an old lighthouse to its former glory, motivated by nothing more than respect for a quietly heroic old building that many take for granted, which some people think is a metaphor for Alan himself even though it's not really for them to say.*
Leaving his old life behind and relocating to a small coastal village in Kent, Alan battles through adversity, wins the hearts and minds of a suspicious community, and ultimately shows himself to be a quite wonderful man.
* The two strands will run in tandem, their narrative arcs mirroring each other to make the parallels between the two stories abundantly clear to the less able reader.
PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.
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Story
Broadcaster, writer, philanthroper and one of the first public figures to suggest high-visibility clothing for people manning temporary car parks, the public Alan Partridge is a cherished institution. But what of the unseen Alan? For the first time, this famously private man welcomes us into his home and audibly deshrouds himself for a fascinating series of podcasts.
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Simply genius
- By O. S. on 09-04-20
By: Alan Partridge
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I, Partridge: We Need to Talk About Alan
- By: Alan Partridge
- Narrated by: Alan Partridge
- Length: 6 hrs and 56 mins
- Unabridged
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Journalist, presenter, broadcaster, husband, father, vigorous all-rounder – Alan Partridge – a man with a fascinating past and an amazing future. Gregarious and popular, yet Alan’s never happier than when relaxing in his own five-bedroom, south-built house with three acres of land and access to a private stream. But who is this mysterious enigma? Alan Gordon Partridge is the best – and best-loved – radio presenter in the region. Born into a changing world of rationing, Teddy Boys, apes in space and the launch of ITV, Alan’s broadcasting career began as chief DJ of Radio Smile....
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An Anglican giant among pygmies
- By John on 06-20-12
By: Alan Partridge
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Alan Partridge: Nomad
- By: Alan Partridge
- Narrated by: Alan Partridge
- Length: 6 hrs and 2 mins
- Unabridged
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In Alan Partridge: Nomad, Alan dons his boots, windcheater and scarf and embarks on an odyssey through a place he once knew - it's called Britain - intent on completing a journey of immense personal significance. Diarising his ramble in the form of a 'journey journal', Alan details the people and places he encounters, ruminates on matters large and small and, on a final leg fraught with danger, becomes not a man (because he was one to start off with) but a better, more inspiring example of a man.
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Pointlessness is the point
- By Michael on 10-21-16
By: Alan Partridge
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That Mitchell and Webb Sound: The Complete Series 1-5
- The BBC Radio 4 Comedy Show
- By: David Mitchell, Robert Webb
- Narrated by: David Mitchell, Robert Webb, Olivia Colman, and others
- Length: 13 hrs and 56 mins
- Original Recording
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Welcome to the inside-out world of Mitchell and Webb, a strange and surreal place populated by misfits, eccentrics, talking animals and a few stray Radio 4 arts programme presenters. Included here are all five series of their fantastically skewed comedy show, packed with offbeat sketches and peculiar characters. Meet seedy snooker commentators Ted and Peter; poorly matched crime-fighting duo Angel Summoner and BMX Bandit; a cop who doesn't get results but, by God, he does things by the book; and some nervous Nazis who've just noticed their caps have skulls on them.
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Better Than Fry and Laurie?
- By John on 10-29-24
By: David Mitchell, and others
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Cunk on Everything
- The Encyclopedia Philomena
- By: Philomena Cunk
- Narrated by: Philomena Cunk
- Length: 5 hrs and 39 mins
- Unabridged
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Once in a blue moon, a book comes along that changes the world. The Origin of Species. War and Peace. 1984. And now, Cunk on Everything: The Encyclopedia Philomena, by Philomena Cunk. Philomena Cunk is one of the greatest thinkers of the 21st century, and in Cunk on Everything she turns her attention to our biggest issue: why are there so many books? Wouldn't it be better if there was just one? This is that book—an encyclopedia of all human knowledge, delving into not only life's greatest mysteries but our most important political figures and cultural touchstones.
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Very funny!
- By Scott E on 09-28-23
By: Philomena Cunk
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Dishonesty Is the Second-Best Policy
- By: David Mitchell
- Narrated by: David Mitchell
- Length: 8 hrs and 11 mins
- Unabridged
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David Mitchell’s 2014 best seller Thinking About It Only Makes It Worse must really have made people think - because everything’s got worse. We’ve gone from UKIP surge to Brexit shambles, from horsemeat in lasagne to Donald Trump in the White House, from Woolworths going under to all the other shops going under. It’s probably socially irresponsible even to try to cheer up.
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Meant for UK listeners
- By Maggie May on 11-19-19
By: David Mitchell
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From the Oasthouse: The Alan Partridge Podcast (Series 1)
- An Audible Original
- By: Alan Partridge
- Narrated by: Alan Partridge
- Length: 6 hrs and 44 mins
- Unabridged
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Broadcaster, writer, philanthroper and one of the first public figures to suggest high-visibility clothing for people manning temporary car parks, the public Alan Partridge is a cherished institution. But what of the unseen Alan? For the first time, this famously private man welcomes us into his home and audibly deshrouds himself for a fascinating series of podcasts.
-
-
Simply genius
- By O. S. on 09-04-20
By: Alan Partridge
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I, Partridge: We Need to Talk About Alan
- By: Alan Partridge
- Narrated by: Alan Partridge
- Length: 6 hrs and 56 mins
- Unabridged
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Overall
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Performance
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Story
Journalist, presenter, broadcaster, husband, father, vigorous all-rounder – Alan Partridge – a man with a fascinating past and an amazing future. Gregarious and popular, yet Alan’s never happier than when relaxing in his own five-bedroom, south-built house with three acres of land and access to a private stream. But who is this mysterious enigma? Alan Gordon Partridge is the best – and best-loved – radio presenter in the region. Born into a changing world of rationing, Teddy Boys, apes in space and the launch of ITV, Alan’s broadcasting career began as chief DJ of Radio Smile....
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An Anglican giant among pygmies
- By John on 06-20-12
By: Alan Partridge
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Alan Partridge: Nomad
- By: Alan Partridge
- Narrated by: Alan Partridge
- Length: 6 hrs and 2 mins
- Unabridged
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Overall
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Performance
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Story
In Alan Partridge: Nomad, Alan dons his boots, windcheater and scarf and embarks on an odyssey through a place he once knew - it's called Britain - intent on completing a journey of immense personal significance. Diarising his ramble in the form of a 'journey journal', Alan details the people and places he encounters, ruminates on matters large and small and, on a final leg fraught with danger, becomes not a man (because he was one to start off with) but a better, more inspiring example of a man.
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Pointlessness is the point
- By Michael on 10-21-16
By: Alan Partridge
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That Mitchell and Webb Sound: The Complete Series 1-5
- The BBC Radio 4 Comedy Show
- By: David Mitchell, Robert Webb
- Narrated by: David Mitchell, Robert Webb, Olivia Colman, and others
- Length: 13 hrs and 56 mins
- Original Recording
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Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Welcome to the inside-out world of Mitchell and Webb, a strange and surreal place populated by misfits, eccentrics, talking animals and a few stray Radio 4 arts programme presenters. Included here are all five series of their fantastically skewed comedy show, packed with offbeat sketches and peculiar characters. Meet seedy snooker commentators Ted and Peter; poorly matched crime-fighting duo Angel Summoner and BMX Bandit; a cop who doesn't get results but, by God, he does things by the book; and some nervous Nazis who've just noticed their caps have skulls on them.
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Better Than Fry and Laurie?
- By John on 10-29-24
By: David Mitchell, and others
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Cunk on Everything
- The Encyclopedia Philomena
- By: Philomena Cunk
- Narrated by: Philomena Cunk
- Length: 5 hrs and 39 mins
- Unabridged
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Overall
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Performance
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Story
Once in a blue moon, a book comes along that changes the world. The Origin of Species. War and Peace. 1984. And now, Cunk on Everything: The Encyclopedia Philomena, by Philomena Cunk. Philomena Cunk is one of the greatest thinkers of the 21st century, and in Cunk on Everything she turns her attention to our biggest issue: why are there so many books? Wouldn't it be better if there was just one? This is that book—an encyclopedia of all human knowledge, delving into not only life's greatest mysteries but our most important political figures and cultural touchstones.
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Very funny!
- By Scott E on 09-28-23
By: Philomena Cunk
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Dishonesty Is the Second-Best Policy
- By: David Mitchell
- Narrated by: David Mitchell
- Length: 8 hrs and 11 mins
- Unabridged
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Overall
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Performance
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Story
David Mitchell’s 2014 best seller Thinking About It Only Makes It Worse must really have made people think - because everything’s got worse. We’ve gone from UKIP surge to Brexit shambles, from horsemeat in lasagne to Donald Trump in the White House, from Woolworths going under to all the other shops going under. It’s probably socially irresponsible even to try to cheer up.
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Meant for UK listeners
- By Maggie May on 11-19-19
By: David Mitchell
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Knowing Me Knowing You with Alan Partridge
- BBC Radio 4 comedy
- By: Steve Coogan, Patrick Marber
- Narrated by: Patrick Marber, Rebecca Front, Steve Coogan
- Length: 3 hrs and 55 mins
- Original Recording
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Aha! Six BBC Radio 4 episodes featuring the king of chat Alan Partridge (Steve Coogan) in a series of hysterically excruciating encounters with guests played by Rebecca Front, David Schneider, Patrick Marber and Doon Mackichan. Also included are two bonus programmes: a spoof behind-the-scenes feature, Knowing Knowing Me, Knowing You, and In Conversation with Steve Coogan. Duration: 4 hours approx.
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no really an audiobook but still good fun
- By PJC on 12-04-20
By: Steve Coogan, and others
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Toast on Toast
- Cautionary tales and candid advice
- By: Steven Toast
- Narrated by: Matt Berry - as Steven Toast
- Length: 3 hrs and 50 mins
- Unabridged
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In Toast on Toast - part memoir, part "how to act" manual - Steven Toast draws on his vast and varied experiences, providing the reader with an invaluable insight into his journey from school plays to RADA and from "It's a Right Royal Knockout" to the Colony Club. Along the way he reveals the secrets of his success. He discloses how to brush up on and expand your technical and vocal skills, how to nail a professional voiceover, and how to deal with difficult work experience staff in a recording studio....
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Glorious performance from Matt Ber-Ray.
- By Stanley McHale on 11-18-16
By: Steven Toast
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David Mitchell: Back Story
- By: David Mitchell
- Narrated by: David Mitchell
- Length: 9 hrs and 25 mins
- Unabridged
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David Mitchell, who you may know for his inappropriate anger on every TV panel show except Never Mind the Buzzcocks, his look of permanent discomfort on C4 sex comedy Peep Show, his online commenter-baiting in The Observer or just for wearing a stick-on moustache in That Mitchell and Webb Look, has written a book about his life.
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One of the Funniest, Clever Brits around
- By Delia on 08-30-13
By: David Mitchell
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Blackadder: The Complete Collected Series
- By: Ben Elton, Richard Curtis
- Narrated by: full cast, Rowan Atkinson, Tony Robinson, and others
- Length: 15 hrs and 3 mins
- Original Recording
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Through the ages of Britain, from the 15th century to the 21st, Edmund Blackadder has meddled his way along the bloodlines, aided by his servant and sidekick, Baldrick, and hindered by an assortment of dimwitted aristocrats. Now the complete history of Blackadder is collected together, including the four TV series: The Black Adder, Blackadder II, Blackadder the Third and Blackadder Goes Forth.
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If you know the show well, You'll Love its Audio.
- By addie on 04-01-20
By: Ben Elton, and others
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Unruly
- The Ridiculous History of England's Kings and Queens
- By: David Mitchell
- Narrated by: David Mitchell
- Length: 11 hrs and 39 mins
- Unabridged
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In Unruly, David Mitchell explores how early England’s monarchs, while acting as feared rulers firmly guiding their subjects’ destinies, were in reality a bunch of lucky bastards who were mostly as silly and weird in real life as they appear today in their portraits.
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Hugely Entertaining (If You Like English History)
- By Jean Ogg on 10-09-23
By: David Mitchell
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Garth Marenghi’s TerrorTome
- Garth Marenghi’s TerrorTome, Book 1
- By: Garth Marenghi
- Narrated by: Garth Marenghi
- Length: 8 hrs and 14 mins
- Unabridged
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When horror writer Nick Steen gets sucked into a cursed typewriter by the terrifying Type-Face, Dark Lord of the Prolix, the hellish visions inside his head are unleashed for real. Forced to fight his escaping imagination - now leaking out of his own brain - Nick must defend the town of Stalkford from his own fictional horrors, including avascular-necrosis-obsessed serial killer Nelson Strain and Nick's dreaded throppleganger, the Dark Third.
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Truly visionary
- By Nishanth R on 11-18-22
By: Garth Marenghi
What listeners say about Alan Partridge: Big Beacon
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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- Buretto
- 12-16-23
More of the same... still quite good
If this were my first Alan Partridge experience, I might likely be more effusive in praise for this book. Steve Coogan is a brilliantly clever writer and performer, and those skills are on full display here. But after numerous iterations of the character, the familiarity of the formula begins to tax the audience's attention. As mentioned in the headline, it's still funny, but Alan over-explaining double entendres, or saying something inappropriate, then being told by an assistant that it's inappropriate, and him responding with something more inappropriate, have become well-worn tropes. If only we all could have such reliable revenue streams. Still, it's a comfortable pair of shoes before moving on to the next book.
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- Anonymous User
- 04-30-24
Perfection
I didn’t think something so long could feel so short.
More words vigorously as i need to.
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- Amazon Customer
- 11-09-23
Classic Alan
As good as it gets really.. Worryingly I admire Alan.. Five more words required. Thanks
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- D Davies
- 02-02-24
Richard Keys and Andy Gray... hilarious work.
it's basically like watching Alan partridge, you know the character so well, with characters like this, Saxondale and others he never uses anymore, Steve Coogan shows us in this book the raw British Talent that will make him one of the all time great comediansnin British History.
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- Anonymous User
- 10-12-23
Rhinocerene
Like a man who consumed too much Viagra and cornflower.....
I want the amount of caffeine Jason Statham would order... a very strong black coffee, with milk
So many laugh out loud moments, you know why you are here, reading these aren't going to stop you enjoying Partridge's peerless production.
Another Oasthouse coming next year too, I can listen to Partridge now pretty much all day and never get bored!
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2 people found this helpful
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- John R. Davis
- 12-06-23
Bombast; tempered by the absurd
This book renews and expands on the tempered bombast of Alan Partridge. His character is slightly unaware of his weaknesses but the memory of his failures build a creeping maturation and change.
Is he learning and hugging his way to enlightenment? Nah. But he is moving and aging. Bravo Steve Coogan.
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- York Underwood
- 01-07-24
Alan has got to try stand-up!
During the Christmas break here in Iceland, I found myself stuck out in the countryside, about 70 km west of Akureyri, in a small summerhouse. As you can guess from the name, it was not particularly suited for winter.
With no internet, no hot water, and 3 small JBL portable speakers—but no charging cable!—I had only my iPhone 11 Pro Max with charging cord for company.
The JBLs were at various stages of charge: two dots, one dot, and four dots out of a possible five. With a full charge lasting roughly 4 hours on medium to medium loud volume, I figured we had about 7 Hrs and 51 minutes of play time, between the 3 JBLs, before the whole summerhouse fell radio silent, leaving me to my thoughts in the dark Icelandic winter night or day as the sun doesn’t really rise.
The lack of service left me with very limited listening options: I had accidently downloaded or “make available offline”-ed Adele’s debut studio album “19”. Then, of course, there was this spectacular epic “Big Beacon” with a running time just under 8 hours that might just work with the expected battery life of my JBLs (combined).
However, I did start with a little listen to Adele and 4 hours and 27 minutes later I had drained my 3 JBLs—over three hours less running time than I predicted. This can be explained by my insistence that Adele’s always be played at full blast snd linking my JBLs in parallel to create a kind of “Adele everywhere” surround sound experience.
Luckily, I had completely forgot about the internal speaker of my iPhone 11 Pro Max, so I was able to listen to Big Beacon seven times in a row before being rescued by the regional snow clearing service.
It was a joy from the first moment. I was forced to hold the phone to me ear because of pocket crumb induced speaker damage and this made the ecperience even more intimate—like I was having a nearly 60 hours conversation with the man himself, Alan Partridge.
I am forever grateful for this wonderful audiobook. What could have been a tedious stretch, snowed in at a summerhouse by myself over Christmas, became instead, a rollicking goodtime—like being snowed in at a summerhouse over Christmas with a famous person who only speaks to you in the same 8 hours of prepared material, repeated again and again, and-dare I say?—more moving each time.
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1 person found this helpful
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- Kindle Customer
- 12-29-23
Steve Coogan has spent a lot of time I a recording studio lately…
Between Big Beacon and two seasons of the From The Oasthouse podcast, Steve Coogan has been writing and recording a ton of Alan Partridge material and I honestly think it’s some of the best work we’ve gotten from the character. Big Beacon is fun and the dual narrative format keeps things pretty fresh.
I would put Big Beacon on par with I, Partridge, and above Nomad. If you are a fan of these at all and haven’t checked out the podcast, definitely get those too. I drive a lot and the Oasthouse podcasts have been a lifesaver for me.
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- Valerie Nuzzo
- 11-25-23
So good!
I loved it! Also, something in the bonus material, no spoilers, made me laugh harder than I have ever laughed in my life. I needed this book!
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- A. M.
- 01-27-24
A Masterpiece!
These audiobooks are getting better and better… I’ve only ever listened to the audiobooks but I’d imagine Steve’s performance is half of the enjoyment of these books. Keep up the good work Steve!
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