Lost Boys

By: Orson Scott Card

Narrated by: Stefan Rudnicki

Length: 16 hrs and 1 min

Publisher's summary

Step Fletcher, his pregnant wife DeAnne, and their three children move to Steuben, North Carolina, with high hopes. But Step's new job with a software company turns out to be a snake pit, and 8-year-old Stevie's school is worse. As Stevie retreats into himself, focusing more and more on a mysterious computer game and a growing troop of imaginary friends, the Fletchers' concern turns to terror. Young boys, whose names match a list of Stevie's nonexistent friends, have mysteriously vanished from Steuben. And as evil strikes out from the most trusted corners, it's suddenly clear that Stevie is next on the list.

©1992 Orson Scott Card (P)2004 Blackstone Audiobooks

Critic reviews

Audie Award Winner, Science-Fiction, 2005

"Card skillfully uses terror as a background to everyday family life. For Stephen King fans and those who like their suspense mixed with the supernatural." (Library Journal)

A marathon-paced heart wrencher

The story is somewhat slow, but the relatable detail typical to Scott Card along with Stefan Rudnicki's reading style makes it hard to get bored. And you're rewarded by the conclusion. This isn't the "Enders Game" story, this is something much deeper. Prepare to experience some real emotion. If you like the author or the narrator, you won't be disappointed.

Possibly the most powerful OSC book I’ve read

As his one and only book that delves into the autobiographical parallel of his life. It is a brief look into Mormon life that is equal parts thriller, nerd fiction, and heart-wrenching chronicle of parenting, from child-birth to child-loss. I was on the edge of my seat and anxious with every change in the lives of the Fletchers.

Stick with it...

After listening to the first 3/4 of the book I thought I wasn't going to like it. It wasn't what I was expecting. However, once I got to the end I loved it. It was amazing and the interview with OSC at the end was very heartfelt.

Decent Story but a Few Problems for Me

As far as the story goes it was interesting. The ending made the whole story for me.

However, there are a few things that distract from the story. I am Mormon and the narrator mispronounces 4 different words that are common in Mormon vernacular. It is clear that the author was not consulted or any Mormon for that matter in these words. That was disappointing but not book ruining for me.

As a narrating voice though I have no complaints.

I was also a bit surprised at how much swearing there was in the book. None of the heavy weight swear words but too many of the light weight ones. It did distract from the book for me.

This and the sexual content keeps me from recommending this to my 12 year old son.

One of OSC's BEST stories! & I've read them ALL!

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes! Definitely!

What did you like best about this story?

The entire thing! lol.... I love that I loved the family. Even their mundane moments felt very real. This is some of OSC's best character building, to date!

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

Stefan Rudniki is the reason I love audiobooks. period.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Not really... I was very impressed though.

Any additional comments?

So, I need to say this.... this book is HEAVILY steeped in Mormonism. However, if you are one to let that discourage you (as I was), please don't! it's not preachy, it's just life for this family, and it's so well done that you can't help but love them more for their devotion to their faith! Not only does it not get in the way of a really great story, it makes the story better! I skipped over this story for way too long because I'm just not that into religious overtones.

I just wanted to clear that up for anyone who had that same apprehension. If you love OCS's work, and you love a good character driven story, you'll love this book!

Emotional and accurate

A lot happens in this book even before you realize that a lot has happened. You feel like it’s just a story of any regular family with a child dealing with a move to a new state.

Then the out of the ordinary things move to unexplainable. By that point you think you know but you don’t.

Very emotional ending.

I can attest to the fact that is book, although fiction, is a medium one can use to under stand the culture of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (Mormons). The inner thoughts of the parents. How they feel about each other, themselves, their beliefs, and the other members . The crazy sister is over dramatized but interactions like those depicted happen all the time but on a much smaller scale.

Conflicted

The book is just ok to me. The main issue I found was that it took SO LONG to get into the book. It starts off as a story about a family moving into a new town and the struggles they face. But nothing really happens mystery wise until the last 3 hours of the book. And the ending was honestly.... Sad? But also a huge bummer. Without spoiling it, I felt that Card could have gotten justice for the characters without what happened... It was just ok for me.

Absolutely amazing book

Get this, it is really good, I am very glad I found it. I'm not going to give away any details.

Great ending

The story is well done. As good as The 6th Sense and more easily read.
Read at 1.5x no distortion

Not at ALL what I expected

This book was NOT AT ALL what I expected from this author or from the description. It was not that I didn't like it, but it wasn't until about 2 hours from the END of the book that it started to even closely resemble what the book description said it was about. I kept listening only because it was Card. The narrator was good, but the book was HEAVILY about the mormon religion although not a religious book per se.

I must say that I have really mixed feelings. If I compare it to what I expected it to be, I'd have to say I hated it, but since I listened to the whole thing, I'd say it was a well-written book about the mormons with a strange twist that gets thrown in at the end.

All-in-all, if I knew then what I know now, I would NOT have bought it, but it was OK...