Wild Thing

A Novel

By: Josh Bazell

Narrated by: Robert Petkoff, Stephanie Wolfe

Length: 8 hrs and 40 mins

Publisher's summary

It's hard to find work as a doctor when using your real name will get you killed. So hard that when a reclusive billionaire offers Dr. Peter Brown, aka Pietro Brnwa, a job accompanying a sexy but self-destructive paleontologist on the world's worst field assignment, Brown has no real choice but to say yes. Even if it means that an army of murderers, mobsters, and international drug dealers - not to mention the occasional lake monster - are about to have a serious Pietro Brnwa problem.

Facing new and old monsters alike, Dr. Brnwa's story continues in this darkly funny and lightning-paced follow up to Josh Bazell's best-selling debut.

Also listen to the first book, Beat the Reaper.

©2012 Josh Bazell (P)2012 Hachette

Critic reviews

"[Bazell's books] are hard-boiled thrillers, written in one of the most distinctively entertaining new fictional voices I've run across in years, in any genre. There is a massive density of information in [ Wild Thing]...but Bazell wields it with wonderful lightness. Reading him is like being able to monopolize the attention of the most interesting person at a party...It's so rare that you see a really brilliant writer who is committed, 100%, in every sentence, to giving you a good time. Bazell is, and he does." (Lev Grossman, Time)

"Carl Hiaasen fans will relish Bazell's frenetic sequel to 2009's Beat the Reaper...Bazell expertly blends action, farce, and political satire, and his wide-ranging imagination bodes well for the future of the series." ( Publishers Weekly, Starred Review)

"The book is composed in Bazell's propulsive, profanity-laden style, peppering startling violence with detailed footnotes that cover subjects like tooth reinsertions and human cryogenics...Props to Bazell for not cranking out an idle retread of Beat the Reaper. A funny, unexpected journey for our hero that sets up the next installment with finesse." ( Kirkus)

Not like Beat the Reaper

What would have made Wild Thing better?

A consistent story line. Less gratuitous sex and language.

What could Josh Bazell have done to make this a more enjoyable book for you?

It could have been more like his first book, "Beat the Reaper."

How did the narrator detract from the book?

No, good narrator.

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

Total disappointment

Any additional comments?

I loved Beat the Reaper, but I couldn't even finish this book.

Don't waste you're time.

Horrible 2nd atempt, total political drivel, not worth bothering with, especially if you're at all conservative. I prefer my books to be non-political, it's supposed to be a break, but not in this case! First book was enjoyable, this was not well written, not a good second attempt. Writer was so busy being political he forgot to actually write an enjoyable story. Returning, was a waste of money...

What a waste.

I don't like to be beaten to death by an author's political views, from either side. In this case it just became silly. In the first two thirds of the book it was only sporadic, but then the listener gets beaten to death. That is if you can take it, I did.
Yes Bazell is probably smarter then I am, but I doubt he's ever tried to start a business, create jobs and make payroll.
I gave "Beat the Reaper" 4 stars.

Extremely Disappointing

What could have made this a 4 or 5-star listening experience for you?

Taking out the far left political rant. I loved Beat the Reaper and when I saw a sequel I leaped on it. The story was implausible and over the top. That would have been okay but for half the book I had to listen to political diatribe that detracted from what little story there was.

Would you ever listen to anything by Josh Bazell again?

No! I would get my money back for this if I could. If the author had decided to stay off his soapbox he could have sold me more just to see what happens. I don't like being preached to at any time and I surely don't want to pay for a progressive rant.

Have you listened to any of Robert Petkoff and Stephanie Wolfe ’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

No.

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

Extreme disappointment and anger both.

Any additional comments?

I hope the author thought expressing his views was worth it because he has lost a reader (listener) for life.

What Happened?

I LOVED Beat the Reaper. I bought extra copies for the nurses on my unit I enjoyed it so much. I wouldn't recommend Wild thing to anyone. What a disappointment. I'm not sure what was worse. The disconnected characters or the bizarre addition of Sarah Palin to the story. After the main character, Pietro complains, about Palin's fame I just kept thinking "Well, she might go away is you nitwits would stop writing about her." Ya think? Save your time and your money.

Seriously , this is crap.

Would you try another book from Josh Bazell and/or Robert Petkoff and Stephanie Wolfe ?

No, I would not.

What character would you cut from Wild Thing?

Cut them all, they were awful, I wasted a credit on this.

Any additional comments?

I waited a year for the new Josh Bazell book and get this, it was awful. His first book was wonderful. This book was nothing like the first, it was just fantasy for a 12 year old. And if that wasn't enough you have to listen to a liberal oration at the end.

DUMB!

Why DUMB as a review title? Because when I reviewed Josh Bazell's first book I loved it and I named my review SMART! Because I thought it was. This book insulted my intelligence, though. Don't waste your credit or your time. From his gratuitous use of profanity and vulgarity, to its overabundant use of clinical terms. Just stop already. It doesn't make the author or the characters sound smarter or more interesting. It just bores you to the point of annoyance and disappointment, because you had such high hopes for his follow up novel.

The narration was good, but not great. If you can't talk like someone, please don't try. Oh... and did I mention that I would prefer not to have an author's political views shoved down my throat? Whether I agree with them or not.

I'm bummed. I was so excited about this book and it was a gigantic let down.

Couldn’t finish

The author should try leaving his politics and smug disdain for other people’s faith out next time. It finally became too annoying to continue.

A real let down after Beat the Reaper

Would you try another book from Josh Bazell and/or Robert Petkoff and Stephanie Wolfe ?

Not after Wild Thing.

What was most disappointing about Josh Bazell’s story?

Was not even in the same league as Beat the Reaper.

What three words best describe Robert Petkoff and Stephanie Wolfe ’s performance?

Good performance

If you could play editor, what scene or scenes would you have cut from Wild Thing?

All of them.

Any additional comments?

Really disappointing after Beat the Reaper. Did I say that already?

Liberal political analysis?

What disappointed you about Wild Thing?

The ending was a bit disappointing, but I was OK with it. I was surprised however when the story ended and there was a 20 minute liberal, political rant. I paid for a mind-candy fiction novel and am very disappointed that my time was hijacked to rant about liberal politics. This will affect my decision to purchase another audiobook by this author.

If you’ve listened to books by Josh Bazell before, how does this one compare?

Beat the Reaper was a better story and did not have the political rant at the end.

What does Robert Petkoff and Stephanie Wolfe bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

The performance was good.

You didn’t love this book... but did it have any redeeming qualities?

It was entertaining.