Going Home

De: John Isaac Jones

Narrado por: Tom Zainea

Archie Johnson thought he was prepared to meet his death in the electric chair. The sentence had been read; he had had his last meal and the prison chaplain had asked God to have mercy on his immortal soul.

Then, just as they were strapping him into the chair and about to pull the switch, he suddenly realized there were a few things he wanted to do before he left this earth. This is Archie's story.

©2016 John I. Jones (P)2017 John I. Jones

A wishlist of last things to be done

Set in 1961 Alabama, it’s time for Archie to finish out his sentence: death by electrocution. As he’s walked into the room and then strapped down, he really narrows down the things he wishes he still had time for.

Back in Peach Tree, Georgia, he’s got family, friends, favorite places, and Big Betty (a prostitute who he favors). Considering the book’s description, I wasn’t expecting this tale to be, well, so gentle. Archie was once a very questionable person with some anger issues but he doesn’t come off that way now. I do appreciate the author giving us little nuggets of info as to why Archie was on death row and some of the tussles he had been in over the years.

That description of the peach pie was mouth-watering. I really want pie now, but not just any pie. I need pie that someone’s granny made, not store bought pie. Jones has a way with words that elicits these more subtle emotions from the reader.

The ending was a little surprising but fitting. Archie had to pay his dues before he could get to any reward. This is a tale fit for all company and gave me a little chill. So if you like a lunch-time story with a little bite to it, this would be a good fit.

I received a free copy of this book.

The Narration: Tom Zainea was a really good fit for this book. He had the southern dialects down as well as keeping each of the characters distinct. His female voices were believable too. I think he also liked the description of the peach pie because I swear he was also pining for a slice by the end of that little scene. There’s some subtle emotions going on in this story and Zainea did a good job capturing those as well.

A well written and pretty good short short

Going Home is a well written (and narrated) short story of a man facing his mortality as he is strapped into the electric chair. The story itself was well done, but I kept awaiting a big revelation or redemptive event, but it never occurred…and then it was over. Could have used a little longer format and a little more oomph.

May sound like I didn’t like it, but I did. Just needed it a wee more “juice” to make the work pop. It is obvious the author knows how to write and I would definitely read and/or listen to more of his work.

*I received a complimentary copy of this audiobook from the author and have voluntarily left this honest review.

Going Home

Would you do things differently if you were given a second chance? Can 11 years in prison change a man? This was a very thought provoking short story about what happens to a man as he is taken from death row to the electric chair.

Another powerful short story by John Isaac Jones.

Going Home

A good story!You may be surprised by the ending!Won't give anthing away. Tom Zaines was a wonderful narrator.“I was voluntarily provided this free review copy audiobook by the author, narrator, or publisher.

Loved it!

I even loved/hated the twist at the end. how can such a short story be so detailed and so good?

great job again John Jones!
the narrator did a fine job telling this story to me!
I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.