Board Stiff

By: Piers Anthony

Narrated by: Matthew Josdal

Length: 13 hrs and 47 mins

Publisher's summary

Be careful what you wish for... "I'm actually a smart girl who would make any man an excellent wife. But no man sees that. No man is interested in my mind or personality, just my whatevers. So here is my wish: I'm board stiff. I want Adventure, Excitement, and Romance."

So begins Piers Anthony's 38th Xanth novel, in which Irrelevant Candy looks at her reflection in the water of the shallow well and sees luxuriant midnight-black hair reaching down to her breathtakingly slender waist, matching the dark eyes in her lovely face. A torso that comes close to absolute perfection. She is man's desire. That is part of the problem. In the shallow magic of the well, she asks that her wish be granted. Something happens. A sudden whirlwind surrounds her, lifting her up and ripping off her clothing. She is changing somehow. Then she falls flat on the ground. Literally. She has been transformed into a flat, stiff board with two knotholes for eyes.

©2013 Piers Anthony, This edition published in 2014 by Open Road Integrated Media, Inc. (P)2014 Audible Inc.

Ghost Writer

I’ve been a fan of Piers Anthony since the mid 90s this doesn’t sound at all like him. I was deeply disappointed. The storyline was weak and underdeveloped. I pray this was a ghost writer!

Great book

I haven't read a story in the Xanth Series in a long time but this one has made me want to catch up on all I've missed.

Good

A good book if you want something very light. I would recommend to teenagers or pre-teens to start them reading

Takes me back to the good ole' days...

I stumbled upon Piers Anthony in my early teens when a PC game for Xanth was released with a full copy of a Xanth tale (back in the early 90's when anything digital was a thing of the future). I was immediately hooked and from that day on swooped up every Land of Xanth book I could get my hands on. So seeing these on audible brought up many a good memory.

Some of the puns get lost between the written word and audio versions simply because it's all in the spelling of things... (ie: "Isle of View" vs. "I Love You") but I would still gladly use a plethora of credits (there are around 40 novels altogether) if audible would produce more than just the 3 works they currently offer. Especially if done in the hands of expert narrators. Matthew Josdal was a decent narrator, reminding me a lot of Nick Podehl who is one of my favorites, however it may fare better to have someone with a broader range of voice acting for the wide array of characters.

In any event, I was rather pleased with this title overall and will continue with the other two books offered at the moment. If you've never read a Xanth novel before you may want to read a physical copy of one of the beginning novels to familiarize yourself with the fantastic world Anthony has created. Believe me, you won't be sorry.

great read

it was nice to get back into the Xanth stories. Up to usual quality.

Fool's day book club

Perfect for a Fool's day book club. Lots of twists and turns and full of puns, just as you would expect from Piers Anthony.

The book is great...the audio not so much

Piers Anthony's Xanth series is well known for humor and obscure funny refeences to those "who know". Board Stiff is both laugh out loud funny and an occasional "groaner" as he plays with words and imagery. Sadly, the audio fails the book...it's as if the person reading the book has no understanding of the English language. Many of the funniest parts are delivered completely flat, and the "dialog tags" (i.e. "he said", "she muttered", "they explained") were spoken in such "broken" English as to actually detract from the story. His Canadian accent was obvious in the first 2 minutes, and it should have enhanced the book...but the delivery was void of any of the hallmarks of good theater, with very little attempt at consistent (or even interesting) vocal characterization. I hate to say it, but it's almost as if the reader was himself "Bored Stiff".

not for kids

this was a good book.. I felt it ended a little quickly with a strange sort of shortness to it but it was easy listening. the subject is something I would or let kids listen to.. it is by no means adult just a little much for a child.

nice story, won't pickup the series

the premise is interesting the premise is interesting. the word play is entertaining. the setup is somewhat predictable. the teaser for the next book is not as entertaining as this book

been reading xanth since I was 19 and I'm 54

I have always th pierd Anthony was one of the most phenomenal authors to be able to go from fantasy to science fantasy to science fiction to any other genre you would like..love him