Monster

A Novel

By: A. Lee Martinez

Narrated by: Eric Michael Summerer

Length: 8 hrs and 37 mins

Publisher's summary

Meet Monster. Meet Judy. Two humans who don't like each other much, but together must fight dragons, fire-breathing felines, trolls, Inuit walrus dogs, and a crazy cat lady - for the future of the universe.

Monster runs a pest-control agency. He's overworked and has domestic troubles - like having the girlfriend from hell.

Judy works the night shift at the local Food Plus Mart. Not the most glamorous life, but Judy is happy. No one bothers her, and if she has to spell things out for the night-manager every now and again, so be it.

But when Judy finds a Yeti in the freezer aisle eating all the Rocky Road, her life collides with Monster's in a rather alarming fashion. Because Monster doesn't catch raccoons; he catches the things that go bump in the night. Things like ogres, trolls, and dragons. Oh, and his girlfriend from Hell? She actually is from Hell.

©2009 A. Lee Martinez (P)2011 Audible, Inc.

Critic reviews

"Martinez pokes at big-picture questions, like the nature of the universe and the meaning of life, with abundant, zany humor in this charming tale." (Publishers Weekly)

Quirky and fun

What did you love best about Monster?

It's truly hard to find something a little bit different, and this was it. I listened to Automatic Detective and was impressed with it, too, so thought I'd try Monster. Such a sense of fun in the writing and story.

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

Pretty much did - kept walking around with it at work and plugging myself in whenever I had a spare minute or two. :)

I want more!!!!!

What did you love best about Monster?

Great story and great performance!!

What did you like best about this story?

A complete universe and strong character development!!

Which character – as performed by Eric Michael Summerer – was your favorite?

Ed and Chester!!!!

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

Almost

Any additional comments?

I just wished this was a series.... =(

Understated and hilarious!

What did you love best about Monster?

The characters are a wonderful mix of the disenchanted working class and fantastic that at some point we all wish we had. The juxtaposition of the 2 makes the mythical almost believable.

Who was your favorite character and why?

The 2 main characters are very relatable in the working-middle-class kind of way and, at the same time are kicking fantastic-beast ass.

Have you listened to any of Eric Michael Summerer’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I have not heard this narrator before but, he did a wonderful job of portraying the characters and this personalities through inflection alone.

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

There is a lot of character growth as well, spurred on mostly by a non-corporal entity inhabiting the body of a paper gnome, but growth none the less. The characters' ennui about life is replace by resolve as they are pushed around by forces greater than themselves that is inspiring to all of us.

Any additional comments?

I wish there was a sequel.

A Monster of a Fun Story

Super fun world and characters that bring to mind the wicked humor of Christopher Moore and Chuck Palahniuk's Madison Spencer series. Looking forward into checking out the author's other novels.

Awesomtasticnomenal!!!

If you could sum up Monster in three words, what would they be?

A MUST READ!!!!!

Who was your favorite character and why?

Monster. . . the ideal anti-hero with a character depth and revelation of internal struggle. the concept of changing colors uncontrollably to acquire different powers, yet at the whim of the universe, who is conciously controlling destinies to correct a mistake by creating the universe in the first place. . .which initially started with a glowing rock! What ingenuity, creativity, and well written to make things that seem unrelated. . .relate. I am buying all of A. Lee Martinez's books! So far have read three and am overwhelmed at his creativity! He is a literary genius. His subtle nuances that seem to mean nothing . .. means everything!! Foreshadowing, crisis, internal and external conflict, etc!!!

Which character – as performed by Eric Michael Summerer – was your favorite?

Monster!

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

Yes!!

Any additional comments?

Keep it coming, Martinez!!

PS. Chris Aeilo and Fred Berman are the best!!!

Decent

The storyline was solid but the delivery was very underwhelming. So much teenage angst coming from 30 something year olds. The abrupt, half-assed ending was the ultimate insult to injury

fun story

Monster was a fun novel with a story that was easily one of the most interesting I've read this year.

brilliant as good as Terry Pratchett, in my eyes

What made the experience of listening to Monster the most enjoyable?

We took a holiday up to Port MacQ (nsw, Aussie) and had a fun drive whilst listening.

What other book might you compare Monster to and why?

I love Tom Holts books and the overall fun use of fantasy is very enjoyable. The way the story weaves around the characters to give the metaphorical appearance of Aesculapius.The Staff being the story and the characters wrapping themselves around giving the reader a journey of enjoyment.

Have you listened to any of Eric Michael Summerer’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

no

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Both my wife and I loved the book and decided to drive 250 kms the long way home to listen to the end of the story.
Joined the authors Fansite and wrote that we were gonna buy the rest of the books and audiobooks.

Any additional comments?

thanks for a great phone app. I do a lot of driving walking and the audio book has become a good companion.

amusing

very imaginative and creative without losing me. magical world with funny life references to culture.

so much fun!

Could be a great movie. Chris Pratt as Monster and Donald Glover as Chester. Good fun!