Kings of Infinite Space

By: James Hynes

Narrated by: Adam Grupper

Length: 12 hrs and 10 mins

Publisher's summary

James Hynes is the author of three New York Times Notable Books of the Year. That same publication praises Kings of Infinite Space as “unspeakably funny!” This offbeat novel satirizes an experience ubiquitous to modern times—office life. With a defeated sigh, ex-college professor Paul Trilby faces the downward spiral that is his existence. After his wife and three subsequent girlfriends dump him, and he loses just as many jobs, he’s sure he’s a pawn in some vast conspiracy. Worse still, he may be losing the only thing he has left—his mind.

©2004 James Hynes (P)2006 Recorded Books, LLC

Not Expected

I picked up this book after listening to lecture on writing fiction by the author. It was, as I expected, creative and well written. A good book with an interesting plot.

Might be fun as a movie but not a good book

This might be a funny movie with the right actor (opportunity for lots of sight gags) but it isn't a really good book. I'm surprised it got so many good ratings. You're basically inside the head of a neurotic, paranoid office worker. It isn't an interesting story line and I don't relate to any of the characters as a boss or co-worker. Glad I only paid a couple dollars for it, it would have been a waste of a credit.

Strange

Would you try another book from James Hynes and/or Adam Grupper?

Maybe, the narration was good, the writing wood but story...strange. I don't knw what I really expected but it wasn't this.

Would you recommend Kings of Infinite Space to your friends? Why or why not?

Uhm, maybe to my weird friends.

What about Adam Grupper’s performance did you like?

Good, he kept in character well letting the listener transition between characters well.

Do you think Kings of Infinite Space needs a follow-up book? Why or why not?

Not really. Wouldn't interest me.

Any additional comments?

I bought this book along with ninteen others during Audibles $5 sale. I'm glad I didn't pay full price for this particular one. Others I bought during the sale have been great and a real bargin. It all equals out I guess.

Too wordy.

This story needed tighter writing. Too long and drawn out to get to an end that had few true surprises.

A fun listen, even with the weak ending

Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?

If the movie "Office Space" had a baby with the tv show "The X-files", this would be it. The work-place angst and the eerie atmosphere of misplaced ceiling tiles and ghostly desk-jockies is completely enjoyable. The main character is a snob and a stereotype, but he doesn't realize it. There were times when I wanted to slap him, but on the whole I enjoyed following him through this tale. All that said, I probably won't listen to this a second time. Like many of the X-Files' "Monster of the Week" episodes, the secret behind all the creepy happenings is not incredibly interesting.

One Weird Book

Would you try another book from James Hynes and/or Adam Grupper?

Yes

Would you ever listen to anything by James Hynes again?

Yes

Which scene was your favorite?

None stands out.

What reaction did this book spark in you? Anger, sadness, disappointment?

Interest in the process of story telling.

Any additional comments?

The weirdness of this book, the way it transitioned from realistic to fanciful, reminded me of Neil Gaiman. I'm left wanting when the protagonist can't slam the door shut on that other world in the end. Nonetheless, it was well written and the narrator was quite good.

Tedious

From the description this sounded interesting, but I didn't realize it really was science fiction. I don't usually read science fiction, so it has to be very well done for me to like it, but this was just tedious and silly. The narration was good which was probably why I stuck it out to the end in the vain hope it would get better.

Unsatisfying

What a weird book... I enjoyed some parts, but overall it left me feeling unsatisfied.

Narrator's voice acting was great.

Nothing like what I expected!

I usually love my audible choices...not this time. I actually went back and read the description of the book and trust me the book is nothing like the brief overview. I thought who wouldn't love a book about a washed up and paranoid professor? However, most of the book is taken up with a disgusting story line of pale men who chant something about men being in control and then sacrifice and eat women...really! The narrator was actually quite good I can't imagine why he signed up to read such a lame book.

Biggest waste of time EVER

Would you try another book from James Hynes and/or Adam Grupper?

No. The narrator had a very annoying voice. Very nasal and whiny. Yuck. And if I ever hear about someone fixing their gaze on someone else I will go ape on them.

Would you ever listen to anything by James Hynes again?

Absolutely not

Who would you have cast as narrator instead of Adam Grupper?

Elmer Fudd would have been better

What character would you cut from Kings of Infinite Space?

All of them. Not a single character was memorable. I have never been so ready for a book to be over.

Any additional comments?

I'm sorry!! I hate writing bad reviews. I've never written or narrated a book so I can only imagine how hard it is. But holy guacamole this book stunk worse than a week old fish taco.