The Loop

By: Roberto Scarlato

Narrated by: Michael Robbins

Just when you thought it was safe to take the train....

It was supposed to be an uneventful trip. A three-day visit to Chicago to attend a funeral. But Eugene Pharrell has just stumbled into a maddeningly treacherous journey back home. One that has pitfalls, phantoms, lost worlds and, possibly, no way out.

©2018 Roberto Scarlato (P)2018 Roberto Scarlato

Time Loop

Time Loop
I listened to the audio version of the book. I recommend listening to the story two or more times. I listened to the entire story twice, and got more out of it the second time. This is not the run of the mill story, it is a bit different. The author created layers, sometimes I did not catch until a second listening. I really enjoyed this book, and am interested in more works by this author. Narration was well done. I received a free copy of this audiobook and am voluntarily leaving a review.

Train ride to hell aka the Twilight Zone

This review is based on a complimentary review copy of the audiobook. Something happened to my PC as I started to type this review. MS Word suddenly disappeared, taking all I had typed so far. To add to the frustration, I launched Word again and this time,it froze, with the NOT RESPONDING error message. That everything is going to hell is the story of "The Loop". Full disclosure: I couldn't take the book anymore after the first 30 minutes (but will sneak a peek at the end when I've calmed down). A present day novelist takes the train for the first time to go from Flint, Michigan to Chicago to attend his uncle's funeral. The train trip back is the one to hell, or the Twilight Zone. The main character finds himself repeatedly exiting a train, only to find himself back in one, only with different other people and situations, including going back to Chicago. As with the song "Hotel California" the TV serial "The Prisoner", or movie "Groundhog Day" the guy can never leave. It's enough to drive one, this reviewer, nuts. Do yourself a favor and give this audiobook to your worst enemy, your revenge will be sweet.

A Brief, Endless Loop Novella

This peculiar novella (not even 1-1/2 hours long in audiobook format) has a Groundhog Day vibe with occasional sinister, otherworldly twists. The protagonist has learned of the recent death of a beloved uncle and is taking the train to his funeral. But this is not your average train ride! The hero meets strange people and is forced to repeat variations of this trip, leaving the train several times without truly getting off. The character doesn't understand what is happening and doesn't quite know how to break out of the cycle or endless loop he’s trapped in. I found the story confusing and hard to follow at times, as this is a decidedly unreliable narrator. It feels as though the author is attempting literary fiction, but its purpose was not clear.

A wild ride that will take you for a loop!

*This book was given to me by the author at my request, and I provided this voluntary, unbiased review.*

3.6/5, rounded up

This was a wild ride, and a really quick listen for me. The whole concept of the loop had me for... wait for it... a loop! Time is an interesting concept, one that is bent and displayed in a strange manner in this book. There isnt much time for robust character development, such as the antagonist, but at least we got *some* answers. By the end, I it was thrilling and I did enjoy it, even if the story was a bit rough around the edges.

Interesting concept, kind of Twilight Zone-ish...

The Loop by Roberto Scarlato was interesting. That being said, it wasn't really my cup of tea, but those that like the Twilight Zone type of stories will love this. The Loop is best described as Groundhog Day on a train, with a Twilight Zone type story happening throughout. There's more to it but that's the easiest way I can describe it. Poor Eugene can't get off this dang train that he's riding. He's introduced to some interesting characters and finally learns from his mother what exactly he needs to do to get out of this loop...or does he? Again, like I said, I think there are those that will love this short story. It just wasn't for me. That being said, it you like a good Twilight Zone type story, I would definitely recommend it. I don't think it's poorly written at all. Just not for me.

Michael Robbins did a good job narrating this twisting, crazy tale. He did a great job bringing Eugene and the others to life and read with the perfect amount of emotion for the characters. I'd listen to more book narrated by him in the future. I was voluntarily provided this free review copy audiobook by the author, narrator, or publisher for an honest review.

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