Spoonbenders

A novel

De: Daryl Gregory

Narrado por: Ari Fliakos

Teddy Telemachus is a charming con man with a gift for sleight of hand and some shady underground associates. In need of cash, he tricks his way into a classified government study about telekinesis and its possible role in intelligence gathering. There he meets Maureen McKinnon, and it's not just her piercing blue eyes that leave Teddy forever charmed but her mind - Maureen is a genuine psychic of immense and mysterious power. After a whirlwind courtship, they marry, have three gifted children, and become the Amazing Telemachus Family, performing astounding feats across the country. Irene is a human lie detector. Frankie can move objects with his mind. And Buddy, the youngest, can see the future. Then one night tragedy leaves the family shattered.

Decades later the Telemachuses are not so amazing. Irene is a single mom whose ear for truth makes it hard to hold down a job, much less hold together a relationship. Frankie's in serious debt to his dad's old mob associates. Buddy has completely withdrawn into himself and inexplicably begun digging a hole in the backyard. To make matters worse, the CIA has come knocking, looking to see if there's any magic left in the Telemachus clan. And there is: Irene's son Matty has just had his first out-of-body experience. But he hasn't told anyone, even though his newfound talent might just be what his family needs to save themselves - if it doesn't tear them apart in the process.

Harnessing the imaginative powers that have made him a master storyteller, Daryl Gregory delivers a stunning, laugh-out-loud new novel about a family of gifted dreamers and the invisible forces that bind us all.

©2017 Daryl Gregory (P)2017 Random House Audio

Reseñas de la Crítica

"Hilarious, heartfelt and brimming with humanity." (Cynthia D'Aprix Sweeney, author of The Nest)

"Masterful...gracefully balances the outrageous melodrama of Chicago mobsters and shadowy government agencies with the ordinary mysteries of family dynamics.... Readers will emerge from the fray sure they know each Telemachus down to the smudges on their hearts. A skillfully written family drama that employs quirk and magic with grace." ( Kirkus Reviews)

" Spoonbenders is brilliant. With the Telemachus clan, Daryl Gregory has created a family that is part J.D. Salinger and part David Foster Wallace. But the most impressive trick in the novel isn't how they read minds. Gregory's real gift is how he uses them to show the depths of the human heart." (Christopher Farnsworth, author of Killfile and Blood Oath)

Slow start, but patience is your friend here.

What did you love best about Spoonbenders?

Gregory does a great job of weaving storylines and really nails the voice of each character. I just also appreciated the good old fashioned storytelling aspect to this book. He deftly combines realism and magic all while maintaining a sense of humor.

What does Ari Fliakos bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Ari Fliakos is a ridiculously good narrator, the best I've heard. Not only are his voice masks on point, his inflection in every sentence is perfection - it's as though he spends hours prepping each page. I would listen to anything he reads.

If you could take any character from Spoonbenders out to dinner, who would it be and why?

Teddy Telemachus ... I'd like to see some up close sleight-of-hand while sipping my g&t.

Any additional comments?

The first third of the book did not grab me; I couldn't figure out if I liked it. Eventually as the storylines converged and the drama ratcheted I looked forward to listening during my commute home. By the time the denoument hit I was definitely along for the ride. It's a slow burn but worth it.

ABSOLUTELY AMAZING!

Each character unique and so very real, kindly flawed humans in a family and storyline that will stay with me for a very long time.

Stay for the ending

Long exposition and a ho-hum middle but some twists and fireworks towards the end make this trip worthwhile.

not what I expected

I purchased this book a long time ago and finally got around to listening. The narrator does a good job with the voices. A story about a con man who ends up marrying the love of his life, a woman with legitimate extraordinary powers, and their life with children who are also gifted. The story takes place in a time when psychics/ concept of "abilities of the mind" were in the process of being studied by scientists and the government or alternatively being debunked by professional skeptics. The story begins with the kids all grown up and the Telemachus name trashed by a fateful appearance on the Mike Douglas show. Teddy the con man father, has lost his wife some years ago due to an illness and has clearly checked out from real parenting. The oldest daughter Irene, was left to basically raise the family. The current situation finds the family still in turmoil with the grown children still struggling to live with their gifts - gifts that have proved questionable at best in a world full of regular people and are at worst a curse. Maddy, Teddy's grandson, suddenly discovers he also has powers and in so doing sets the stage for an adventure that ultimately tests the familial bonds and what is really important in their lives.

Was all good except

The gender thing was my only qualm. If you're going to put stuff like that in there, there should be a disclaimer. It caused am awkward conversation with kids/parents in the car. I don't care for it but it wasn't enough to spoil the story. it was beautifully written and VERY well paced. I don't think I've ever read a story with a protagonist/hero of this sort which is really refreshing. Hats off to the author and I'll be looking out for more work from them.

Amazing story & performance

Narration was some of the best I've ever heard. the story could be a little hard to follow at times but was so enjoyable that re-listening to sections didn't bother me at all.

Surprisingly suspenseful

I wasn’t sure what to think of this book initially and had run across it a few times. I didn’t think it would be up my alley, boy was I wrong! I couldn’t wait to unwind the mystery of the Telemachus family. Such a fun and endearing read.

Great Choice - Highly Recommend

Would you consider the audio edition of Spoonbenders to be better than the print version?

Haven't read the print version.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Spoonbenders?

Wouldn't want to spoil it!

Have you listened to any of Ari Fliakos’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I have not, but will seek him out, he was fantastic.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

Not all minds are created equal.

Any additional comments?

I spent a lot of time researching which audiobook to listen to next. I was looking for a full cast production, but in my search I came across this book as being very highly recommended not only for it's unique and interesting story but for the narrative performance. Ari Fliakos is great and embodies all of the characters perfectly. It's really a fun story that is so easy to get wrapped up in. When describing it to some people it sounds a little silly, a story about a family of psychics battling the government and the mob, but it truly is a very well thought out story that builds throughout and leads up to a point where you can't wait to find out what is going to happen. The characters are all unique and well written and of course the narrator's performance enhances this greatly. I recommend it to anyone looking for a little something out of the ordinary and that doesn't take itself too seriously and is just a fun read (listen).
Enjoy!

Fun story, good rendition by narrator, happy reader

This isn’t War & Peace, but a really fun read and story you probably haven’t heard a version of...unlike so many I’ve read where you are left wondering if you’ve e read it before. Overall fun book and narrator did a great job.

Exceptionally fun and well thought out story

A blurb cannot do justice to the wonder, hilarity, and surprises Spoonbenders will give you.