Darrin's life has been going downhill ever since his girlfriend Bridget walked out on him without a word of explanation six months ago. Soon after losing her, he lost his job, and his car, and eventually his enthusiasm for life. He can't imagine things getting worse - until he sees Bridget again, for the first time since she walked out, just moments before she leaps to her death from a bridge.
In his quest to find out why Bridget took her own life, he encounters a depressive (and possibly immortal) cult leader; a man with a car that can drive out of this world and into others; a beautiful psychotic with a chrome shotgun; and a bridge that, maybe, leads to heaven. Darrin's journey leads him into a place called the Briarpatch, which is either the crawlspace of the universe, or a series of ambitious building projects abandoned by god, or a tangle of alternative universes, depending on who you ask. Somewhere in that disorderly snarl of worlds, he hopes to find Bridget again.
©2011 Timothy Pratt (P)2012 Timothy Pratt
"A fun experience, as expected from Pratt"
I really enjoyed my trip into the Briarpatch. The world was built well, and the characters were interesting to watch develop which did a good job of making me feel sympathetic toward them. There were a few points where I couldn't follow a characters logic, or they reacted in a way that I found hard to believe, but it was usually amusingso it didn't bother me much. Plus they're in a fantasy world so unexpected reactions are expected at times.
I also really enjoyed Dave Thompson's reading, he really gave me a feel for the characters.
I hope to see more from the both of them, maybe even more trips into the Briarpatch.
"Very original story with a great narrator"
I downloaded this book after listing to a podcast by the narrator and was not disappointed. I thought the story line was very original with plot twists and turns. The book did what I want a book to do: Take my mind to a different reality. This was my first Tim Pratt book, and I liked this enough to seek out more of his writing.
"Awesome."
I have every intention of listening again. In fact, I had read the book already when I bought the audiobook, I love the story that much. Dave Thompson narrating Tim Pratts words is a perfect match.
Darrin is a wonderful character. Certainly flawed, somewhat tragic, but someone that is easy to root for.
Arturo and The Wendigo, however, bring some wonderful humor to the story.
I've been a huge fan of Mr. Thompson's narrations through PodCastle and jumped at the opportunity to listen to a full length audiobook. I am thrilled that he has more to choose from!
As I mentioned above, I had already bought and read the print version. I laughed AND cried.
You will not be sorry buying this audiobook. Seriously.