Josh

The words and wisdom of J. Krishnamurti penetrate delusional thinking like a spear. The narrator delivers a pleasant neutral tone that is very easy to listen to. The production, however, suffers from poor editing as many first lines are repeated. Even if Krishnamurti had intended that, which is doubtful, the effect is still awkward and jarring. This recording deserves to be re-edited if possible and re-uploaded.

This is James Joyce fired out of a cannon. An impressive demonstration of narrative athleticism by the talented John Lee does not compensate for a lengthy difficult listen and lack of nuance. It may possibly have been compressed in post production on the other hand to squeeze it into a certain time frame in which case they should de-compress it and re-publish. The nuance might bloom once it has air. 60% speed should do it. Then you might have a great audio.

I'm giving this 5 stars because I prefer authors reading their own work. No one can be as authentic or know the character's psychologies as well. Such is the case with this rendition. Stevenson's tough but ironically funny delivery delivers detective Strachey in pure form. The text is as compelling as a Hammett or Chandler. I only wish Hammett recorded his own material. This will be a classic.

If you are a fan of the late Ron Silver you will love this audio. Its as if Roth wrote a one man show tailor made for Mr. Silver who brings the audience to their feet with this. The dialogue passages are about as good as audio books get the most notable being when Jerry Levov lights into his star younger brother. Its heavy on the drama, grim in some cases, but always riveting.

If you love Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis you will love this. But without the suggestion that the pseudonyms in the book are really D&J it would be hard to stay with it.

For one thing the sex scenes which border on soft porn are not in keeping with the narrative as if an editor thought they should be in there for selling points. It gave the narrator an unnecessary sluttish quality that was inconsistent with the femininity of the character as well as the tone of the woman who was reading the text. Do women really talk, let alone write with crude sexual candidacy like men in a sport bar after a few beers? My wife says no way. Also the scenes at Disney land are redundant.

On the other hand the sense of location, biographical details (if they are not fictionalized) and the characters of Dean and Jerry are all very real. That much is good writing and it is all excellently read.