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Neon Lights

By: Manuel Gonzales
Narrated by: Timothy Andrés Pabon
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Publisher's summary

A cinematic parable about love, desire, and vengeance, Neon Lights is a thrilling short story by award-winning author Manuel Gonzales.

Nicole has wanted to own a haunted car her entire teenaged life, and when she finally finds one - a junker of a Chrysler Neon with its own tragic backstory - her best friend, Johnny, has some serious doubts. Would a demon even want to possess a Chrysler Neon? But when the two of them take it for a test drive, Johnny’s doubts begin to fade: The steering wheel burns hot, the car traps Johnny in the back seat, and is Nicole even driving? Or is the car driving itself? They soon find themselves forced to face the potential evil controlling the car, and possibly even themselves.

Please note: This audio contains strong language and descriptions of violence that some listeners may find upsetting. Discretion is advised.

©2021 Manuel Gonzales (P)2021 Audible Originals, LLC.

About the Creator

Manuel Gonzales is the author of The Miniature Wife and other stories, winner of the Sue Kaufman Prize for First Fiction and the John Gardner Fiction Book Award, and the author of the novel The Regional Office Is Under Attack!, which received the Alex Award from the Young Adult Library Services Association. He teaches literature and creative writing at Bennington College and is a core faculty member of the Bennington Writing Seminar MFA program.

About the Performer

Tim Pabon has narrated over 300 audiobooks on Audible and was honored with a 2015 SOVAS nomination (Nonfiction), a 2014 Earphones award (Ensemble Cast), and Earphones award in 2018, and an Audie nomination in 2020. He’s been seen on House of Cards seasons 3 - 6 as Mark, a White house press correspondent; as Reverend Phil on Ward 8, Jose Rivas in Born in the Game, and on The Wire. As a stage actor he has worked Off-Broadway and all over the East Coast. Tim is bilingual (English and Spanish); he is the proud father of two children, and a member of AFTRA/SAG and Actor’s Equity.

What listeners say about Neon Lights

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  • Overall
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Pretty Cool

Easy quick listen and narrative was good. References were made to the movie Christine. I thank God Jesus has been protecting me in my car. I had an ex that ran me off the road more than once and the last time I should have hit the tree.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    2 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Jimmy Fallon is that you?

So, the narrator’s rendition of Nicole is reminiscent of Jimmy Fallon’s portrayal of the girl with braces saying, “ew”. It was a little distracting and maybe slightly comical, but he tried. Fortunately the story was short while also managing to be a bit disjointed, the story line tried to piece together some historical aspects within the present time. The author was attempting to provide context but I’m not sure it was necessary.

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7 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Pretty good

I especially liked the part where he said kicked him in the nutsack. Narration was good

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Unresolved Story, Had Potential

Set up and characters were interesting and had lots of potential but just tapered out at the end. A decent story that could have been really good if the author had just added five minutes or had a clear picture of where he was going with it.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

im not leaving reviews

stop trying to force us to write a story just to rate a book its total bullshit audible is trying to force this. Ive got a great idea start listening to the customers and stop doing all this woke bullshit.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Wicked

I found this story to be intriguing especially with the mention of facts about other possessed cars. The book is decently written the only part of it that I didn't like was that it ended with so many unanswered questions.

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

No completion

I know that there's a warning about language. I was aware that they would cuss, but 17-year-olds cussing like that isnt realistic. Also there was no completion to the story. What happens to Nicole?!

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

repeat

same story line as The Car. would have been better with a bit more action. the narrator wasn't the best

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Very detailed

Haunted cars have always been a fascination of people. Regardless of the scary stories we’re told, we still find them so damn intriguing. So what would you do if you bought a car that turned out to be haunted? Are we responsible for the actions of the car? Would you keep it or sale it? The author did a wonderful job detailing this storyline. The images of blood splatter and sound of crushing metal is easy to bring to mind when listening to this book.

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Wouldn’t Mind a Sequel

This story was alright. I wouldn’t mind a sequel to see what happens to the girl.

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2 people found this helpful