An Arsonist's Guide to Writers' Homes in New England

A Novel

De: Brock Clarke

Narrado por: Daniel Passer

Sam Pulsifer, the hapless hero of this incendiary novel, has come to the end of a very long and unusual journey, and for the second time in his life he has the time to think about all the things that have and have not come to pass.

The truth is, a lot of remarkable things have happened in Sam’s life. He spent ten years in prison for accidentally burning down poet Emily Dickinson’s house–and unwittingly killing two people in the process. He emerged at age twenty-eight and set about creating a new life–almost a new identity–for himself. He went to college, found love, got married, fathered two children, and made a new start–and then watched in almost-silent awe as the vengeful past caught up with him, right at his own front door.

As, one by one, the homes of other famous New England writers are torched, Sam knows that this time he is most certainly not the guilty one. To prove his innocence, he sets out to uncover the identity of this literary-minded arsonist. What he discovers, and how he deals with the reality of his discoveries, is both hilariously funny and heartbreakingly sad. For, as Sam learns, the truth has a way of eluding capture, and then, when you finally get close enough to embrace it, it turns and kicks you in the ass.©2007 Brock Clarke; (P)2007 Random House, Inc. Random House Audio, a division of Random House, Inc.

Honestly not that good

This book wasn’t for you, but who do you think might enjoy it more?

My main problem with the book is that I became very tired of the narrator "bumbling" his way to pain and failure. Those who do not mind listening to someone end up in easily avoidable painful situations may enjoy this book. I honestly have no idea why it became so popular

What was most disappointing about Brock Clarke’s story?

The main character. He was painful to be inside the head of. He was flaccid and useless, letting bad things happen instead of doing anything active. Having taken a class with Brock this is not surprising. He tends to pick books with narrators that are difficult to like let alone relate to

You didn’t love this book... but did it have any redeeming qualities?

It had some decent turns of phrase, but really no, it was pretty unenjoyable

I understand why people dislike this book

Despite many poor reviews I kept coming back to this title in my wish list. Yes, it is a novel that doesn't satisfy, but it also does not completely let you down.

The narrator does not add to the story, neither does the main character, who is whiny and constantly making the wrong choices. You do want to reach out and strangle him.

What saves the story and keeps you listening is the writer's occasionally perfect pieces of figurative language and 1 or 2 universal truths like a person might find when reading a piece of higher literature. I liked the idea that we are all, at some level of consciousness, hoping we are not in our own lives a specific character that we have read. Also, it's intriguing to consider the idea that many people who love to read despise the classics and would relish burning the homes of these classic writers to the ground.

Well written and well crafted

Clarke writes with ease, complexity and humor. The story only gets more interesting as new characters are introduced. The reader does a brilliant job of capturing Sam's innocence and insights.

I am trying to get through it

Maybe it is just me, but this book seems really inane. The main character is so self absorbed, he speculates on every little thing. Maybe I will change my mind if I ever get through the book, but right now it is an ordeal.

Please get the narrator an encyclopedia

OK, I admit, this is super nitpicky, but in the first chapter, the narrator says the two main place names wrong. "Holyoke" is pronounced "whole-yolk" and Amherst has a silent H to anyone who's ever spent time there. I don't know why this is so annoying, but I guess it feels like an indication of a bigger inauthenticity in this book, and a sloppy detail they should have easily caught.

Less than 1 Star

don't waste a minute on this ridiculous novel. It made me crazy just getting through it and, only because I must finish anything I start, did I even go that far.
It just droned on and on and seemed to have nothing meaningful to say. Just taking the time to type a review of it makes me feel as nutty as the main character.!!

A downer of a book

I had read a great review of this book and was thrilled to have found it on audible. However once I started listening I found it was very slow, plodding and exhausting to listen to. At first I decided that the reader's dead pan style was ruining what at times could have been a sarcastically funny narrative. So--I kept at it and finished the whole thing. While the book had an occasional interesting insight -- the "good" parts never materialized and over all it was depressing. Even when the reader perked up a bit it was still deadly. It focused on betrayal of those we love, our families, spouses, friends and most of all ourselves. It presented such as nasty, hateful view of life that I am very sorry I lasted through the whole reading. It lacked any kind of redemption and left a really dark cloud hanging over the heads of the reader, the listener, and the poor characters portrayed. I hope I've learned not to be such a compulsive "finisher" of things I've started. I would have been better off walking away from this one.

disappointing

I expected to enjoy this book, because I am a fan of mysteries, dark humor and literary history. Unfortunately, I couldn't get through the first few chapters. The main character is uncompelling and the action is very, very slow. I'm not sure why this is considered a funny book, since nothing in the first 2 hours is remotely amusing. I think this is only the 2nd audiobook in 3 years that I have not finished.

Felt like burning the book.

The main character was unappealingly flat and almost autistic in nature. He seems such a literalist (Asperger's Syndrome, perhaps?) - so one dimensional - that I found his character difficult to relate to. That's not to say autistic characters can't work as the main voice in a story. The Dog Who Barked in the Night is a splendid example of this. I really kept trying to like this book, as the story line was so original and quirky, but getting through it was a chore for me. Can't recommend this one.

don't miss it!

I cannot understand the reviews of others of this book, I was enchanted and bespelled by this perfectly bizarre story, when I don't have any new books on my Ipod, and I find myself on a plane or something, this is my go to audiobook, I can listen to the story, and the fantastic narrator over and over again. Definitely download this book!