Man with No Name

The Nanashi Series, Book 1

By: Laird Barron

Narrated by: Feodor Chin

Length: 2 hrs and 11 mins

Publisher's Summary

A violent tale of horror from award-winning author Laird Barron, the heir apparent to H. P. Lovecraft's throne.

Nanashi was born into a life of violence. Delivered from the mean streets by the Heron Clan, he mastered the way of the gun and knife and swiftly ascended through yakuza ranks to become a dreaded enforcer. His latest task? He and an entourage of expert killers are commanded to kidnap Muzaki, a retired world-renowned wrestler under protection of the rival Dragon Syndicate. It should be business as bloody usual for Nanashi and his ruthless brothers-in-arms except for the detail that Muzaki possesses a terrifying secret. A secret that will spawn a no-holds-barred gang war and send Nanashi on a personal odyssey into immortal darkness.

©2016 Laird Barron (P)2016 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

I like this

I had no expectations coming into this. I did not hope for any particular outcome. But I know Barron can write a good story. And this is such a one.

Inchoate nonsense

Stream of consciousness bullshit. Horrible. Unfollowable. No talent. Waste of three hours of my life.

Wanted to like it... But did not

I read this book to see if I would like Laird Barron's writing style, which might prompt me to read some more of his works. At first I thought the book was a bit boring, but I figured it would kick up. Then, I started to really like it and had hopes for the direction it was headed in... But it did not.
Instead it took a turn for the confusing and bizarre. I had to go back and re-listen to a parts over and over to figure out what had actually happened.
When it finally made it to the end I was just hoping for a really good payoff...
No. The final little insert in an attempt to make it a horror, or even a thriller, which it wasn't for 90% of the book, was a total waste!
This to me was a perfect example of trying to do too many things and because of it, they all fail.

Maybe not Lovecraft but a Master of Noir Violence

Few writers portray the atmosphere surrounding revenge, violence and mayhem as powerfully as Barron. I should not be so drawn to his explicit scenes, but like all well executed Noir it is captivating.

Four stars with five for the narration. ****/*****

a acid induced day dream

Just as the title says this book was a massive comfussing acid trip of words and interesting imagination. Still not sure what happened at the end lol

I’m satisfied; cool themes in a quick horror romp

It’s a good short story, somewhere between Quintin Tarantino and H.P. Lovecraft. Laird’s writing in an even more highly visual way then usual on this one. Listening to it on tape is almost a cinematic experience if you have a quick imagination.

Satisfyingly Creepy

I always like Laird. I never know what's going on, but that doesn't take away from the story telling.