American Elsewhere

De: Robert Jackson Bennett

Narrado por: Graham Winton

Some places are too good to be true. Under a pink moon, there is a perfect little town not found on any map. In that town, there are quiet streets lined with pretty houses, houses that conceal the strangest things.

After a couple years of hard traveling, ex-cop Mona Bright inherits her long-dead mother's home in Wink, New Mexico. And the closer Mona gets to her mother's past, the more she understands that the people of Wink are very, very different....

From one of our most talented and original new literary voices comes the next great American supernatural novel: a work that explores the dark dimensions of the hometowns and the neighbors we thought we knew.

©2013 Robert Jackson Bennett (P)2013 Recorded Books

A Lengthy Disappointment

WARNING: Contains a few SPOILERS.

There might be a very good 250-300 page novel somewhere in American Elsewhere but author Robert Jackson Bennett buries it in a book that's over twice that length. At 22 hours, this audiobook ended up being a slog for me. Jackson s-l-o-w-l-y introduces readers to the unusual town of Wink, then tediously reveals the truth behind it's mysteries, truths that any seasoned reader of weird fiction will grasp long before the book comes close to revealing them. When they were finally revealed, I found it hard not to smirk a bit at the combination of Lovecraftian extra-dimenional beings and mommy issues. The whole thing plays out pretty predictably, all things considered, and similar concepts have been handled more efficiently and effectively. There ARE some good moments in American Elsewhere. There was a section in the middle of the book where things really picked up, became original and interesting and got me enthused about listening further. Unfortunately, in the end, I didn't feel that enthusiasm was rewarded.

I give reader Graham Winton an A for effort. His quality performance actually helped me finish the book.

great story

i thought a long time before i got the book. i wish id have got it sooner. loved the story and the narrator was great as well. i recommend it

Excellent!

Reminded me of American Gods. Story was great. A lot of familiar themes, but felt quite original. Lovecraftian cosmic horrors with a bit of Stephen King and some good humor. Really enjoyed it.

magnificent.

this was my first introduction to Robert Jackson Bennett, and now i’m selecting the next. i love urban fantasy, i love humour, i love bent realities, and eldritch horrors. i was extremely impressed with this book. the narrator does a fantastic job of keeping you in the book, engaged, and never even thinking about him. my favourite books have been _the dresden files_, and this is the first time in years that a writer has excited me as much as Jim Butcher.
i wish i could remember which friend recommended this book so i could thank them.

a hood hp Lovecraft Inspired story with some twists

I was looking for a newer hp Lovecraft inspired novel and found it.
the very basic story is women inherent a house from a nice a quiet town. with maybe something darker going on

Interesting premise but way too long

I liked it, the character development was great but I really felt like it could have been just as good if it shaved off several hours.

Body Snatchers

I was a little disappointed in this one. Definitely celebrated its own cleverness a lot. So many "mind blowing plot twists!!!!!" oh my. Stuck with it to the end though, but felt like it dragged in places.

I really enjoyed this book!!!!

Good story flow , like narrative answered all the loose ends just a great story! I recommend this book

Well, I don't know

You know, it was filled with everything I love in a novel: strange happenings, hidden societies, Lovecraftian menace. There as so many things to like about this book but there was really no tension, lots of mystery but for some reason I didn't really care about finding out what or why.
It's probably just me. everyone seems to love it. I'm glad I read it but I would have been fine without it.

Peter Clines' books scratches this itch better for me.

Good, but could have been better 1/4-1/3 shorter.

An interesting book, but just too long. The whole climax lasts 5 hours and could have been more captivating with less. I listened to the last hour at 1.75x speed to get it done.