Surrender - Book 2

By: Chris Baum

Narrated by: Andy McCain

Length: 4 hrs and 53 mins

Publisher's summary

Surrender can mean many things to many people, even animals. In this fictional story, a fairy-tale satire about a Sasquatch (Bigfoot) named PoBo, we learn what it can mean on many different levels. On one level, he is displaced from his family at a young age amid a war initiated by humans. But with an unyielding spirit to be reunited with his kin - and with music being his best motivator, at least at first - the hairy bachelor decides to set off on a dangerous quest to find them.

He knows the journey will be fraught with danger because he knows he and his family are on the endangered list - a constant struggle to survive. But like an adage he once read in a book, “nothing ventured, nothing gained,” he is steadfast to not give up on his goal.

Fortunately, and unexpectedly, he gets some assistance from two animals, one of whom is far bigger in his faith than his physical size. PoBo encounters many obstacles along the way, and his own faith is tested repeatedly as time runs out to fulfill his quest. What he at first thinks is the true meaning of his journey becomes redefined as a desperate yearning to achieve three things: Faith, family, and love.

When we’re broken and we realize we are not in complete control, it’s time to surrender.

©2017 Chris Baum (P)2020 Chris Baum

I definitely surrender!

I don’t know what I was expecting when I read the description... satire for sure. A fantasy setting definitely. A quest.

But this was neither the book nor the narrator for me. It is full of jarring juxtaposition. For example, the character lives in a cabin, chops wood for heat, but smoked weed in the 70s when he was a hippie and now owns an MP3 player... and the humor is largely ‘potty humor’. By the middle of chapter 2 (my point of surrender) we’ve already had 4 discussions of those bodily functions...

If you’re a fan of movies like Dumb and Dumber or say, Adam Sandler... you will adore this book and find it hilarious.

I received this audiobook for free in exchange for a review

So many wonderful voices!

The narration was top notch! This guy clearly had a ton of fun coming up with different character voices (I think Petey the pot-smoking parrot might have been my favorite). You hear from Pobo, Jake, and Petey the most, but it was really fun when they got to NYC and started interacting with a bunch of ancillary characters; it really showed off the voice actor's range and I got a big kick out of it. Pobo at a human Halloween party supplied quite a few laugh out loud moments.

The story felt somewhat meandering. I think I forgot halfway through why the animal gang was headed to New York, and it seemed like there was a greater interest in the stories that Pobo and Jake were swapping with each other, rather than the action of what they were doing and where they were going. There's a fair amount of potty humor in the first half of the book and then at one point, Pobo and Jake start talking about being Christian, which reeeeeaally starts to get laid on heavy towards the end. I'm not saying that bodily functions and Gospel can't belong in the same narrative, but I suppose your mileage may vary.

But a lot of care and imagination was put into the hidden worlds of these animals, whether it's the Underground, the Rat Pack, or the danger that comes from living as a sasquatch, and I thought that all was pretty clever. I never thought I'd have a whole new level of empathy for the rats of NYC, but here we are!

meaning and purpose found

I liked the comraderie and acceptance among the trio. The stories and banter were enjoyable and entertaining. Impactful for all ages and peoples. I voluntarily listened to a free copy of this and am giving an honest review. The narrator did a great job with voices and expressions.

Hilarious!!

Very funny! A joy to listen to. Narrator does a great job with the different characters.

Pobo and the gang are a hoot!

Loved listening to this story! Narrator did a fantastic job separating each character as their own voice, which really helped the experience.

Fun Listen!

Great narration with fun characters! Good as a stand-alone or part of the series.

Epic new adventures

This book chronicles an unlikely motley group of characters by the names of PoBo (an intelligent Sasquatch), Jake ( a slick New York City rat), and Petey (a not all there parrot) on a journey that will test their faith and survival skills. I loved this well written book it was descriptive, funny, adventurous with a touch of religion. The friendship may be strange but the bonds are strong and well developed throughout the story. I do not recommend this book for kids unless listen to with an adult. I do highly recommend this story to anyone else who may be a little low on faith. I absolutely loved this book and this is my honest unbiased review.

Interesting and kinda fun

I kinda struggled with parts of this book. The Storyline was fun... and there was a lot of interesting little things to make you think. There were some parts that I thought were unnecessary and distracted from the quality of the book... Some minor sexual nuances. The Narrator did an excellent job.