Beat the Reaper

A Novel

By: Josh Bazell

Narrated by: Robert Petkoff

Length: 6 hrs and 49 mins

Publisher's summary

Meet Peter Brown, a young Manhattan emergency room doctor with an unusual past that is just about to catch up with him. His morning begins with the quick disarming of a would-be mugger, followed by a steamy elevator encounter with a sexy young pharmaceutical rep, topped off by a visit with a new patient - and from there Peter's day is going to get a whole lot worse and a whole lot weirder.

Because that patient knows Peter from his other life, when he had a different name and a very different job. The only reason he's a doctor now is thanks to the Witness Protection Program-and even they can't protect him from the long reach of the New Jersey mob. Now he's got to do whatever it takes to keep his patient alive so he can buy some time...and beat the reaper.

Beat the Reaper is not just the only work that will be compared to Quentin Tarantino's films, Grey's Anatomy, and Chuck Palahniuk - it's also the most original and entertaining debut thriller you'll listen to this year.

©2009 Josh Bazell (P)2009 Josh Bazell

Good, but not for the squeamish or self-righteous

Bazell's style is brash bordering on poetic. He grabs your attention and never lets go with an equally endearing and unnerving anti-hero who drops the f-bomb in ways that are truly creative yet loves with unreserved devotion. However, brace yourself for gore and violence on a scale that makes Steven King look like a debutante. What is worse though, is that Bazell describes the circumstances and his main character with a grudging sympathy that slips past his reader's moral-guards to make them see the world and heart of Peter Brown in a way which makes all of his acts of gruesome violence seem entirely reasonable if not laudable. You will come away thoroughly entertained, a little grossed out and slightly worried for your own soul.

What a surprise!

I scrolled on to this downloaded book by accident; was initially put off by the language and blood/guts theme, not my thing at all.
But I am SOOOO glad that I stuck to it. Really, really absorbing. I finished listening to it in 1 day, couldn't put it down.
After finishing it, I still dwell on it because it was just that absorbing.

Stunning Thriller

Josh Bazell delivers a fast paced, hard-edged thriller with this debut novel. The hospital atmosphere lends humor and seriousness to the tale. Hands down one of the best debut novels I've read in a long time.

I love Robert Petkoff

Good story. Great narration as always. This book was great for my long car ride.

Loved this book - Download it now!

This was one of the best listens I've had in awhile. Great story line, however inplausible - just enjoy it. For a debut novel, this guy's got a great career ahead of him.

Ridiculous

What did you love best about Beat the Reaper?

I liked the main character and Skin Flick, would have been nice to have a little more back story.

Would you be willing to try another book from Josh Bazell? Why or why not?

Maybe.

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

Well he is the book, without him I would have really mad.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

No.

Any additional comments?

This book was entertaining but the end ruined it! Stupid, its like the author just wanted to stop writing. Bazell even says at the end not to take any of his medical know-how to heart. I see people saying that they learned a lot about medicine, the mafia and Auschwitz. Don't be fooled, it is all an utter crock. Don't waste a credit and do not believe everything you hear.

Godfather meets The House of God

I took this selection because it was listed in Time Magazine's 10 best novels of the year. It is not. But if you can get past the improbable story of a Jewish youngster joining the Italian Mafia as a hit-man and then becoming a Medical Resident through the Witness Protection Program, you will find this an entertaining listen. The cover art supports the notion that this is a graphic novel without the pictures with lots of gratuitous violence, the anti-hero who takes on the mob against all odds, a martial arts expert who just falls short of super-hero skills, and -- execution by sharks at Coney Island. I suspect that Martin Scorsese is bidding for the movie rights. The production values are high and the book is narrated as a drama which suits this novel well and makes it, I suspect, a better listen than read.

Great Book - AVOID THE SEQUEL AT ALL COSTS

Where does Beat the Reaper rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

One of the best! Really fun and dark and different. The narrator was great too!

What was one of the most memorable moments of Beat the Reaper?

Quite a few, but the tibia/fibula part was pretty nasty and amazing!

Which scene was your favorite?

Not sure if I had a favorite scene, but I loved how the character was torn between two completely different worlds.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes, I couldn't get enough.

Any additional comments?

I really liked this book and couldn't wait for more so I blindly purchased the sequel to this book...BIG MISTAKE!

The sequel is nothing like this one and should be avoided.

Very uneven in plot, pacing and language

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

Parts of this book were delightful and interesting, but some sections (the two trips to Coney Island, the fight with the assassin, the deliberation before the final altercation) were maddeningly egregious in the writer's use of excessive detail, exhausting thought processes, and boring tedium. This writer does not belong to the minimalist school of writing. Every movement is described with nothing left out.......slowing the pace to such a degree that I simply left the room to retrieve a cup of coffee, letting the narrative drone on. In addition, I think that many of the sexual references, including one unbelievable scene in the Coney Island "fright scene" are so unreal that the terminology and the actions seem a bit juvenile.....and the sort that would appeal to adolescent males. (I did repeat some of these references to my female friends; none of them were the slightest bit amused.)The earlier flashbacks, the main character's trip to Poland, his earlier life are extremely interesting. In addition, the author's description of many of the medical decisions made by his "doctor" delighted me with the unexpected deductions...and his view of life is undeniably humorous. Some plot devices seemed undeveloped (such as the courtroom scene, the strangely abbreviated love affair, and his stupid, fateful decision to accompany his former friend), but I suspect that this is probably considered to be humor by younger readers.

What was your reaction to the ending? (No spoilers please!)

After the snail's pace of much of the rest of the book, the abrupt ending annoyed me. Also, I didn't understand why the character, who had previously announced that he disliked his profession, now, all of a sudden, seemed anxious to continue. I also was nonplussed that his former mentor, who, earlier was not available for help (for no apparent reason), then offered him tepid advice, all of a sudden showed up at the end to give him some advice (like some things can't be helped) and, bingo! The story is concluded with little plot resolution. (For example, what about his nemesis' gangster father? And what does the character do at the end?) Very Strange.

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

This is the first performance of Petkoff that I have heard. His voice and timbre is excellent.

Do you think Beat the Reaper needs a follow-up book? Why or why not?

I would probably not be interested.

Any additional comments?

This book was so interesting in some parts and so deadly dull or irritating in others that I can only wish that he'd had a better editor.

Fun

Every once in a while there is a need for a book that is just a bit crazy and over the top-not great literature but enjoyable for what it is