Midnight Son

By: James Dommek Jr., Josephine Holtzman, Isaac Kestenbaum

Narrated by: James Dommek Jr.

Length: 3 hrs and 23 mins

Publisher's summary

James Dommek, Jr., an Alaska Native writer and musician, sheds new light on a real-life mystery that pits Native American folklore against the US justice system. In the vast Alaskan Arctic, legend has it there once lived a mythic tribe—Iñukuns—that only existed in rumors and whispers. This changed forever when an actor-turned-fugitive, Teddy Kyle Smith, had an encounter that brought Iñukuns from myth to reality. Smith was an aspiring actor with a promising career until it all came quickly crashing down with a gunshot, a manhunt, bloodshed, and other frightful events.

The story of Smith’s tragic downfall has long haunted James Dommek, Jr., the great-grandson of the last of the Iñupiaq story-tellers. Midnight Son is his journey in discovering who Teddy Kyle Smith was, what he did, and what he really saw. Along the way, listeners will experience the soul of the real Alaska as narrator Dommek, Jr. brings this multilayered and sprawling tale to life. 

Please Note: Midnight Son contains adult language and violent themes. Discretion is advised. 

©2019 Audible Originals, LLC (P)2019 Audible Originals, LLC.

It’s an Inuit Thing. You possibly don’t understand it.

The negative reviews of the audiobook “Midnight Son” make me sad. They criticize everything from the “story” to the authors choice of words. This is not a story. It’s what’s called non-fiction and true crime. It deals with a man who suffers mental and cultural collapse which is not uncommon among indigenous peoples trying to adapt to European culture and mores. Check the statistics on depression,alcoholism,and suicide among naive peoples everywhere. No, this doesn’t happen to everyone, but it happens far too often.

My other problem with the negative reviews is the criticism of the author’s word choice. The big hang up was the use of the “F-bomb.” I’m somewhat shocked to realize that listeners want the author to change his authentic voice to avoid bruising some listeners’ sensibilities. James Dommek Jr. is the tale teller, and he is speaking to us during a long winter’s night as we sit around a fire to hear what he has to pass along. He is speaking from a point of view that European descendants in the lower 48 can’t possibly understand. And that’s what I love about this book. I know little about the contemporary Inuit experience and I welcomed this chance to view, however briefly, life through the eyes of an authentic member of this culture. To me, it is especially important that he trusted me, the listener, enough to speak as if speaking to friends or family members. This is a brief journey to several different worlds, and I welcomed it.

Social Commentary Wrapped in Exciting True Crime

Midnight Son may seem like another true crime story, but it is does more than most other pieces in the genre and does it in a way that stands apart from what I've come to expect from the genre. The narrator's unique style and the unique audio production matches the almost alien setting of the Alaskan Arctic. It's a compelling story of a fugitive on the run, but what I'll remember about the story is the portrayal of native american life in this country in 2019 and the way our criminal justice system continues to interact with a marginalized community.

An investigative true crime podcast on Audible

This is done in the style of a true crime investigative journalism podcasts (like Serial) which is pretty different from the usual Audible original. I loved it, but I also really like this style anyway. The storyteller is very gifted and I thought his use of music and sounds was perfect. I learned a lot about Northwest rural Alaska which I appreciated. The story arc was great. I don't understand why other reviewers said it jumped around; he brought everything together at the end nicely. Also I really don't understand why people were giving poor reviews for his writing style/use of language. I counted 7 curse words which is nothing!! People are being judgy but this deserves way higher ratings.

Language

too many F bombs for me did not finish this one. Storyline was ok, best part was the reader. He did a good job.

Alaskan Native Crime Story

I was excited to see a story about native Alaskans and their folklore as one of this month’s Audible originals, and that it was based on the true crime story of Teddy Kyle Smith who was arrested for shooting two brothers in 2012. The author, himself an Alaskan, was on the search for the reason that Smith, an actor, had supposedly killed his own mother (although the police had yet to charge him with the murder). I am very interested in the legends and lore of the native people of Alaska and of America in general. However, even after listening to the story of Teddy Kyle Smith, I was no better informed about them than I had been before . . . other than to sadly understand that they, like the American Indians, have a drinking problem. . . and a problem evidently speaking the English language without every other word being the f word or other degrading curse word. I wanted to come away with a greater respect for the indigenous
people of Alaska, to understand more about their beliefs and ways, but time was not spent on these things, nor on the beauty of the Alaskan wilderness. This is a sad, sad story of a psychotic individual, bent on destroying his own life and that of those he came into contact with, and the fact that he came from Alaska had no relevance to his actions that I can see.

Gripping

I finished this book in one day, it was extremely well written and narrated. It evolved from an interesting story about true crime, to a bit of a lesson about native alaskan history, to a small political message. Left me wanting more of James Dommek Jr.'s story telling.

Fantastic book!!!

This is my very first review of a book on Audible. That says a lot. I have never even given a book stars because I just didn’t care to. But this book is different!

I was so gripped by this book, I didn’t even want to go to sleep last night which was when I started listening to it. I even had dreams about it. And listening to the rest of it was the first thing I did this morningI.

I have only one complaint...I wish I hadn’t listened to this book at all so that I could hear it for the first time again.

Thank you James Dommek Jr. This is my kind of story and you told it well.

Started off interesting...

The beginning had me hooked. Then then the story went down hill as did the writing. Just felt like the author was grasping for material IE he'd run out. I hoped there would be more exploration into the myth. A decent podcast.

Solid narration by Dommek.

A road to nowhere.

This is another try at a true crime tale trying to create intrigue from a story that far more sad and depressing than it is intriguing. VERY surprised to see ratings so high. Makes me suspicious of where the ratings come from on Audible Originals. If this was not free I would ask for a credit refund for sure.

Not the best case to illustrate the problem

As others have mentioned, I also genuinely enjoy Native American stories, folklore and history. Unfortunately, this author cynically uses the native mythology as an excuse for the defense of Teddy Kyle Smith, against a non-native judicial system. A defense he doesn't even believe. To reject irrational spiritual beliefs as mitigation for attempted murder is not a sign of cultural insensitivity. There are plenty of examples of oppression without inventing one.

The other issue pointed out by other reviewers is the language. I am in no way a prude, but I have to say that the language was just amateurishly unnecessary. It's the same kind of young male "dude-bro" banter that can be found everywhere, regardless of ethnicity. Perhaps the author felt it lent authenticity, but he should have focused on being a better storyteller.

Fantastic Storytelling

Excellent story/research/narration/music. Clearly and calmly points out the inequality suffered by indigenous people within the judicial system of the USA which I was quite startled by as had no clue. Will follow the author for other broadcasts.

Really good story well narrated

An excellent story, well told, I was completely engaged from start to finish. Somewhere between a detective story and a documentary

Midnight Son

A truly riveting and fascinating read. A tragic story, that would have been 100 times better told without all the swearing. Totally spoiled the story.

James Dommek Midnight Sun

Fascinating listen, right from the get go it captures your interest and holds it, if only that could be said of every Audiobook! Dommek narration is great from such a young sounding author! Well done young man.

If there was one negative was the swearing, but who am I to judge that, but it didn’t detract from the storyline.

Thoroughly enjoyed it….

top draw

fascinating from start to finish, listened to it a few times now. and still can't believe this actually happened!

Five Star Listen

Fascinating story and great execution. The script was on point and delivery was very good.

midnight son

ì really enjoyed this, actually I couldn't stop listening although the narration was a little slow, it wasn't uncomfortable I've only got to listening (no joke) for a minute or so for me to go slam!!! Well with my ears!!!

good story

this was a good story that kept your attention the whole way through. it was well researched and I loved the original audio from interviewees and from court. my only problem with it is the narrator's unnecessary swearing throughout. if you don't mind the F bomb being dropped I would recommend this audiobook

Really Well Done!

This wasn't my typical choice book. Thought I'd give it a try. Loved it. The description the author painted resonated in me. I felt connected to the land, wondered about the spirit of the legend. I've planned a trip to Alaska because this book. Also, don't like books with music and sound bites but it worked- immerse yourself, listen to it. Can't wait for another Novel. Thank you to to the author James.