The Incurables

De: Jon Bassoff

Narrado por: Richard Rieman

The year is 1953. Disgraced in the psychiatric hospital where he'd practiced for nearly 30 years, Dr. Walter Freeman has taken to traversing the country and proselyting about a very new kind of salvation: the transorbitol lobotomy. With an ice pick and a hammer, Freeman promises to cure depression and catatonia, delusions and psychosis, with a procedure as simple and safe as curing a toothache.

When he enters the backwater Oklahoma town of Burnwood, however, his own sanity will be tested. Around him swirls a degenerate and delusional cast of characters: a preacher who believes his son to be the Messiah, a demented and violent young prostitute, and a trio of machete-wielding brothers, all weaved into a grotesque narrative that reveals how blind faith in anything can lead to destruction.

©2015 Jon Bassoff (P)2016 Jon Bassoff

Creepy and captivating

Great thriller lots of blood and gore. Moderate story with creepy characters. Decent Plot twists. Will keep you listening. A few of his other books have been made into movies. Very interested in checking those out. I received this audiobook from the author narrator or publisher for free via audiobookboom in exchange for an unbiased review

Not bad, but not great

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

This book is well written and thought provoking, and I did listen to it to the end. I didn't dislike this book, but at the same time it did not make my favourites list.

I did enjoy the various bleak themes in this book. The stories flow at a good pace, and I was pleased when the stories of the different characters finally converged.

What was the most interesting aspect of this story? The least interesting?

My favourite character in this book is Scent. She is a teenage prostitute that does not know a life beyond destitution. She hates having to prostitute herself in order to just barely make ends meet, and she grows increasingly desperate for a chance at a better life.

Least interesting aspect... there is a lot of preachy Christian moments in this book that I had to skip over. I skipped a few chapters and ended a few chapters early because of that.

What did you like about the performance? What did you dislike?

Jon Bassoff's performance was okay. There were a few moments where he narrated the voice of Scent's mother (baby) that made me cringe, though.

Do you think The Incurables needs a follow-up book? Why or why not?

No. I actually liked the ending for this book (though I do love grim endings to horror stories), and I thought everything was wrapped up nicely.

Any additional comments?

This audiobook was given by the narrator at no cost in exchange for an unbiased review via Audiobook Boom.

Good, but left me a lot of questions.

What made the experience of listening to The Incurables the most enjoyable?

The narration was very well done.

What was the most interesting aspect of this story? The least interesting?

Interesting to think of the times when these labotomy procedures were common. Scary, what was done.

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

Not a whole lot. I think of myself as a reader, not a listener. This audiobooks experience is new to me.

If you could take any character from The Incurables out to dinner, who would it be and why?

Anyone of the people at the end that called him the messiah. I love the whole subject of the messiah and his coming. I would love to hear other's take on the subject and why from there perspective.

Intense, dark pyschological thriller

Would you recommend The Incurables to your friends? Why or why not?

Although this story is well-written, I found it too dark and intense to qualify it as an entertaining book for the general audience. I believe die-hard fans of the horror genre may be more receptive to the author's style.

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

Dr. Walter Freeman seems as tormented as some of his patients, and this story documents his foray into the insanity of his patients and the residents of Burnwood, OK.

This are many layers and complex dynamics to this story that prompt the reader to confront beliefs on everything from the morality of medical treatment to religion. Some of the elements were too grim (and too real) for my taste.

Any additional comments?

The narration was performed well, and the story is compelling, My score reflects my opinion that this book is not suited to all readers, but fans of the dark horror are encouraged to sample this author.

This audiobook was provided by the author, narrator, or publisher at no cost in exchange for an unbiased review courtesy of AudiobookBoom dot com.

I enjoyed it

I love a good twisted book and this is one of those. I would listen to this author again. The narrator did a great job I love his voice and cadence. I did receive this book for free for my unbiased and honest thoughts.