Ed King

By: David Guterson

Narrated by: Arthur Morey

Length: 14 hrs and 47 mins

Publisher's summary

A sweeping, propulsive, darkly humorous new novel by the best-selling author of Snow Falling on Cedars: a story of destiny, desire, and destruction that reimagines Sophocles’s Oedipus Rex for our own era.

In Seattle in 1962, Walter Cousins, a mild-mannered actuary - “a guy who weighs risk for a living” - takes a risk of his own, and makes the biggest error of his life. He sleeps with Diane Burroughs, the sexy, not-quite-legal British au pair who’s taking care of his children for the summer. Diane gets pregnant and leaves their baby on a doorstep, but not before turning the tables on Walter and setting in motion a tragedy of epic proportions. Their orphaned child, adopted by an adoring family and named Edward Aaron King, grows up to become a billionaire Internet tycoon and an international celebrity - the “King of Search” - who unknowingly, but inexorably, hurtles through life toward a fate he may have no power to shape.

An instant classic - David Guterson’s most daring and dazzling novel yet - that brings a contemporary urgency to one of the greatest stories of all time.

Alfred Music Publishing Co. Inc.: Excerpt from “Do You Remember Walter?” words and music by Raymond Douglas Davies, copyright © 1969, copyright renewed by Davray Music Ltd. and ABKCO Music Inc., 85 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10003. All rights on behalf of Davray Music Ltd. administered by Unichappell Music Inc. All rights reserved. Reprinted by permission of Alfred Music Publishing Co. Inc.

"Killer Queen"
Words and Music by Freddie Mercury
© 1974 (Renewed 2002) QUEEN MUSIC LTD.
All Rights for the U.S. and Canada Controlled and Administered by GLENWOOD MUSIC CORP.
All Rights for the world excluding the U.S. and Canada Controlled and Administered by EMI MUSIC PUBLISHING LIMITED.
All Rights Reserved International Copyright Secured Used by Permission
Reprinted by permission of Hal Leonard Corporation

©2011 David Guterson (P)2011 Random House Audio

Very Clever and Entertaining

I admit it took me half the book to clue in to what the novel is based upon, and I was enjoying it anyway. A very human story of hubris full of unforgettable characters with classic flaws.

The narrator did a great job at certain dramatic moments, but there were so many gross mispronunciations that it was distracting. His cockney accent wasn't bad to my ears but Diane's did not sound British and much too posh for her background.

Oedipus revisited with whirlwind intrigue

What made the experience of listening to Ed King the most enjoyable?

familiar, yet spellbinding new twists and intrigue. Outstanding reader in Arthur Morey

Who was your favorite character and why?

Ed King is the antithesis of some technocrats that think that the new technology can solve problems that only humans with their unique attributes can address. He believes that his acquisition of power,f wealth and intellect will overcome some of the graves issues an individual could ever be confronted with. He is very intriguing, yet pathetic.

Which character – as performed by Arthur Morey – was your favorite?

Arthur Morey is a master at characterization and interpretation. I felt that he was equally successful with all of the characters.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

The Oedipus Rex Tragedy as you have never imagined it before.

Any additional comments?

Excellent and timely story! Intriguing from start to finish

Compelling, Humorous Retelling of Classic

Insightful, funny, pop-inspired retelling of the Oedipus story. The Audible version had great narration. No, it isn’t “Snow Falling on Cedars,” but this book brought another side of Guterson’s great writing forward and I enjoyed it.

Preposterous

I really tried to like this one - as D.G. wrote one of the most evocative books I've ever read - Snow Falling On Cedars.
I just couldn't finish this - far too disjointed & wandering. Hopefully I can return it

WRITING DOES NOT GET WORSE THAN THIS

What a self-disservice Guterson has written. Simply cannot believe this is the same author who wrote Snow Falling on Cedars. Spent a lot of time wondering if he was on something. This reads like nothing more than some high schooler's childish fantasy. Worst of all is the quality of the writing. There simply isn't any.

Disappointing

Oedipus Rex, the plot is a given. The parade of characters are shallow, self-absorbed, unlikeable. The descriptions of scenery are Northwest but add nothing to the narrative. The meandering into side topics irrelevant. And that's just the first half of the story I was able to get through.

Guterson Fails at The Classics

Having read all of his prior published novels, this is clearly the least of Guterson's works. I had hoped it would improve, but it did not. While the uninspired reading did nothing to help, there was little to work with. The references to mythology and Greek tragedy were trite. Very disappointing.