John

I was intrigued by this book and the movie versions, but had not made the jump until it came up here.

I was not disappointed. This is a beautifully written and intelligent story. I was drawn in right from the beginning. The narration is outstanding - although it is really a performance - it is more like a wonderful radio play. The story does end somewhat abruptly without a neat resolution - that is the intent - the story is thought provoking. I loved it, although it is also disturbing in parts. I agree with the reviewer who said it could have been written last week, apart from minor issues. These do not detract from the story at all. This book will be read for many, many years to come. It is a classic.

This is Audible at its absolute best. This story will not be for everyone, but it deserves a very wide audience. Highly recommended.

This is another book that benefits so much from a wonderful reading performance and Joe Barret delivers - does he ever. Like some people, I found the book is a little slow to get started. I am not sure if it is the story itself, or the narration. Owen Meany's voice is intense at the beginning, but it is not long before you cannot imagine Owen Meany's words delivered in any other way. Joe Barret becomes Owen Meany - among many other fine characters.

This is a story that inspires you to contemplate the wonder of our lives. There are political comments sprinkled throughout, but I cannot imagine being so parochial as to be put off by them. Statecraft is all madness. Forgive those who may prattle on a bit regarding one side or the other. Enjoy the story and the characters. They transcend such puny concerns as politics. Owen Meany puts many things in perspective and so will this magical performance of a book worth reading and rereading.

Or so smart and sexy.

Kristen Johnston's voice is one that I could listen to for hours on end. As soon as I sampled this audiobook, I knew I had to get it. But as a serious and responsible adult, I passed it by for a few months to purchase the tofu and vegetables of my normal purchases - business, physics and philosophy etc.

After one of my crappiest days in a long time, I decided it was time for an audiobook version of a cheeseburger, fries and a large chocolate shake. I immediately downloaded Guts and began listening.

Oh no! This is so good and only four and a third hours long! I was captured by Kristen and her book in the first few seconds. This woman is smart as a whip, charming, funny and so expressive. It's a joy to listen to her performance.

But performance doesn't really capture it - it's really an intimate conversation she has with us. Her voices were spot on and so entertaining. And boy can she write and tell a great story.

This is a celebrity book, and an addiction book, but it is so much more - Guts is a very human story of a brave and good person. I found it very inspiring and so sweet, but very strong at the same time.

Now Kristen - a small request - please write and perform more. I need more of this stuff - the world needs more of this. If you really want to get inspired Kristen, you could download The Complete Essays of Montaigne, the great essayist from the 16th century. I think you have the potential to be a great and entertaining essayist too. I could so listen to 49 hours and 39 minutes more of Kristen Johnston.

In the meantime, I am looking forward to listening to Guts again with my wife on a road trip next weekend. This is why I subscribe to Audible. Kudos to everyone and I mean everyone involved - you too Schultz. Readers and listeners will understand.

This book is all about survival, life, the universe, and everything (with profound apologies to Douglas Adams). It is a moving meditation on what it is to be human and applies to all of our existence even though we usually ignore our mortality and the functioning of our minds. The adventures and misadventures Laurence Gonzales chronicles reveal our human condition better than anything I have ever read. This is not a simple adventure book so some may be disappointed. It is so much more. I understand Gonzales has another book along similar lines due out in September of 2008. I hope it come to Audible and I hope that Stefan Rudnicki narrates that one as well. He is brilliant. His narration of "On Intelligence" was excellent - his intelligent speech highlighted that book as well as this.

Bravo Gonzales, Rudnicki and Audible - well done. Thank you!

I can add little to the previous reviews - I agree with them all - a very enjoyable listen. The writing, characters and narration are wonderful. All I ask is for a lot more offerings from this author from Audible, with the same narrator. Truly intelligent erotica, scrimping on neither.