The Suicide Collectors

By: David Oppegaard

Narrated by: Robertson Dean

Length: 7 hrs and 12 mins

Publisher's summary

In one of the most stunning debuts to come along in years, reminiscent of Philip K. Dick's best work and P. D. James' classic The Children of Men, David Oppegaard gives us a world whose near future presents some terrifying realities.

The Despair has plagued the earth for five years. Most of the world's population has inexplicably died by its own hand, and the few survivors struggle to remain alive. A mysterious, shadowy group called the Collectors has emerged, inevitably appearing to remove the bodies of the dead.

In the crumbling state of Florida, a man named Norman takes an unprecedented stand against the Collectors, propelling him on a journey across North America. It's rumored that a scientist in Seattle is working on a cure for the Despair, but in a world ruled by death, it won't be easy for Norman to get there.

“The Suicide Collectors takes us to a startling theme we haven’t encountered before, with every page a thrilling new surprise.” (Stan Lee, cocreator of Spiderman)

©2008 David Oppegaard (P)2008 Books on Tape

GRIPPING!

If you could sum up The Suicide Collectors in three words, what would they be?

WORK OF ART!

What other book might you compare The Suicide Collectors to and why?

I HAVE NOT READ ANYTHING COMPARABLE HONESTLY.

What about Robertson Dean’s performance did you like?

I LOVED THE WAY HIS VOICE SET THE PACE OF THE STORY, AND THE TONE SAID MORE THEN THE WORDS AT TIMES. HE DID NOT JUST READ IT, HE PERFORMED IT.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

YES!

Has Seppuku (Suicide by disembowelment)

The Suicide Collectors is like a mix between The Road and Earth Abides. A plague of depression called the Despair, threatens to end mankind by its own hand. This is a great book and a really easy listen, the narrator does well making the main guy Norman sound the part of a man fighting despair. The two other reviewers dislike the ending, but it was well done and left you to make your own guesses and a since of hope. This is well worth a credit and a great listen for any one who likes Post-apocalyptic books.

A Nightmare Unfulfilled

Oppegaard's well-developed characters survive a nightmarish journey across a desolate landscape only to find there are no answers to their questions about WHY the Despair has taken their loved-ones' lives and, weirdly enough, their bodies. What did the mysterious "Source" want with bodies and the destruction of mankind? Our protagonists never find out, and neither will you, the listener.

Disappointing

I enjoyed the book up until I was 3/4ths the way done. The ending was extremely disappointing. I wanted answers, but found none. When you put time and belief in characters, you want an ending that won't make you scratch your head and go "Huh?" Don't waste your time or credits.