John Dies at the End

By: David Wong

Narrated by: Stephen R. Thorne

Length: 14 hrs and 17 mins

Publisher's summary

John Dies at the End is a genre-bending, humorous account of two college drop-outs inadvertently charged with saving their small town—and the world—from a host of supernatural and paranormal invasions.

Stop.

You should not have touched this flyer with your bare hands.

No, don’t put it down. It’s too late. They’re watching you.

My name is David Wong. My best friend is John. Those names are fake. You might want to change yours. You may not want to know about the things you’ll read on these pages, about the sauce, about Korrok, about the invasion, and the future. But it’s too late. You touched the book. You’re in the game. You’re under the eye.

The only defense is knowledge. You need to read this book, to the end. Even the part with the bratwurst. Why? You just have to trust me.

The important thing is this: the drug is called Soy Sauce, and it gives users a window into another dimension. John and I never had the chance to say no. You still do.

I’m sorry to have involved you in this, I really am. But as you read about these terrible events and the very dark epoch the world is about to enter as a result, it is crucial you keep one thing in mind: none of this was my fault.

©2007 David Wong and Permuted Press. All rights reserved. (P)2011 BBC Audiobooks America

It's a David Wong book, of course it's good.

This book and the David Wong books following it have always been my favorite. I've always disliked the idea of Audiobooks, but decided I'd try it with a book I know I like. It wasnt bad. The reader did a pretty good job, though he could have done better. It might not bother most, but I was a bit bugged by the way he pronounces the H in words like what or why. It's a small, nitpicking issue, though. He also has that standard, almost cliche tone of voice throughout the story that you hear in most narrators. Cliches bug me. I cant say much else without spoiling the story, just be prepared to have somebody else's version of how things are said. I wanted to leave a review somewhere between a 3 and 4, but that wasnt an option and I decided it was closer to 4. So I rated the performance with a 4. The book obviously gets a 5. I've grown used to his voice, so I'm really hoping he narrates the next two books.

My Head A-splode

I'd classify this book as SciFi/Comedy/Horror and typically I stay away from horror completely. I was mesmerized by this book! I listened to it in 3 days and immediately started listening again. I really like the narrator as well, much more than the narrator for the sequel, TBIFOS:SDDTI.

To be fair to anyone that doesn't know much about this book - it is seriously messed up. You will think "WTF!?" and probably even say it out loud several times while listening to this amazing work. This is the best thing I've read(listened to) in a long time because it is just so freaking different than anything else I've ever experienced.

I'm so glad I read this book and, unless you're a snoot, you will be too.

Loved this book!

What made the experience of listening to John Dies at the End the most enjoyable?

I loved this book. It is so different, funny, and exciting. It is not a scary or serious book by any means, so don't have any hopes for some type of Grisham or dramatic story. I haven't read/listened to anything like it before and I was not disappointed. Love it!

What about Stephen R. Thorne’s performance did you like?

He did an awesome job differentiating the voices and people. His voices made me laugh ... in a good way!

So, Freakin', Awesome!

If it wasn't for the word limit, I only would've said, "Enough Said." So, yeah.

good book

the story kinda really pulled me in though it took a little while. listened to it straight through.

meh

the book itself was pretty good, funny- but I did not like the ending one bit.

Great book!

I really enjoyed this book. It was shocking and disturbing (sometimes forcefully so I must admit). The narration was stellar, dynamic and emotional. This book is hilarious is such a twisted way that really caters to my darker sense of humour. Great read, 5/5.

great stuff

fantastic narration, awful he didn't return for the sequel. I laughed quite a bit during my commute while listening to this book.

Hilariously Dark with Chilling Twists

Would you listen to John Dies at the End again? Why?

Hell yes I would listen to it again. I actually have. It's one of the few audiobooks that is a permanent part of my iphone audible library and I listen to it at least once a month!

What was one of the most memorable moments of John Dies at the End?

I love the end of the first incident of the book when David, John, and Co fight off the sauce beasts in the Luxor Hotel. John's defense of chair fighting with a Macho Man Randy Savage impression and then his idea of distracting the monsters with Camel Holocaust is one of the funniest parts of the book. "Guys, this is just retarded enough to work." Classic.

Have you listened to any of Stephen R. Thorne’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I've never listened the any of Stephen Thorne's other performances but I would definitely listen to a book he's read again. His distinct voices for all the different characters as well as the perfect portrayal of David's hilarious yet earnest tone made the entire performance believable. Thorne is the only voice I can now picture as David and am not at all sad about that.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Ok. One. SPOILERS. Kind of. The end of the book when David explains the last incident and what happens to him is especially moving since the reader becomes invested in Dave only for that to happen and shake out whole belief in him. We feel for his struggle to come to terms with the new information and ramifications.

Any additional comments?

If you like supernatural horror and dark comedy, buy this book. You won't regret it.

Reads like an acid trip

I am not sure how to even start a review on this book. It is far fetched soup of those most bizarre combination of ideas and plot. It is a unique and entertaining story. It was pretty long and I wasn't sure if I could finish but glad I am glad that I did. I can't recommend it because it is so off the wall you may not care for it. But I plan on ordering the rest of the series.