Hollywood Ending

By: Austin Kennedy

Narrated by: Joe Formichella

Length: 6 hrs and 43 mins

Publisher's summary

In his youth, Adam Peppers wanted nothing more than the spotlight. The fame, the fortune, and the glory that came with celebrity. Until his brother stole his dream from him. Angry and bitter, he lets the doldrums of suburban life eat away at him. Until one night, it all changes. He finds his parents dead, himself attacked by a mysterious hooded figure, and his house burned down. With nothing left, he seeks an opportunity to take from his brother what he always knew should have been his. On the way to the revenge he is so consumed with, he meets up with two other societal rejects and together they form a plan to put the Hollywood elite in their rightful place.

©2018 Austin Kennedy (P)2018 Austin Kennedy

What an oddly addictive story...

Disclosure: Hollywood Ending is not a book for the easily offended. You can't be mad about what you haven't exposed yourself to, so save yourself from yourself and just skip this one.

For the rest of you who don't mind cursing, innuendo, soft core antics, and really obscene stories, continue.

The Premise: The core message of this book (I won't spoil it) is one that we should really talk about more with our kids and other impressionable people we are supposed to love and support. Let it sink in. The soliloquy towards the end, you'll know it when you hear it, is an important one. Take notes.

The Writing: The writing is a stripped down look at the mind of a mildly insane individual who has a ridiculous idea and is going to act on it. The author makes no apologies for what his character thinks, feels, and does. I loved that there was honest sarcasm, thoughts, emotions, words... everything. Remember my disclosure... The writing is inappropriate, not PC, and doesn't care one single bit what you think about it. The quality of writing is surprisingly good. The author is self published and, minus the obvious issue of how brazenly obnoxious it is, I enjoyed his style quite a bit. Mr. K seems to be speaking as though he IS the protagonist. I found it refreshing, even if I can't listen to it with my kids in the car.

The Characters: Each character has a true purpose and fulfills that purpose fully within the story arch. They are well developed and explored as much could be expected when the length of the book in considered. Each chapter allows the characters an opportunity to explore themselves. I didn't feel anyone was unnecessary or that any single character was over developed. I liked the dynamic of the reporter and protagonist even after it takes a turn.

The Narrator: Do your math in the beginning and realize that while this story is one of youth, the narrator is an older gentlemen. This narrator, while I was very much not a fan at first, grew on me immensely towards the end of chapter 6. I really started to believe he WAS our protagonist. By the end of the book I was enamored and honestly cannot imagine anyone else narrating this story. Perfect casting.

Overall I enjoyed myself a good deal. Its only a 6hr listen and worth it. Just remember.. it is fiction. Try not to take yourself too seriously when you listen to it.