The Wizard's Butler

The Wizard's Butler, Book 1

By: Nathan Lowell

Narrated by: Tom Taylorson

Length: 12 hrs and 10 mins

Publisher's summary

Winner of 2021 Voice Arts Award, Audiobook Narration — Fantasy

"He thinks he's a wizard," they said.

For five grand a month and a million-dollar chaser, Roger Mulligan didn't care how crazy the old geezer was. All he had to do was keep Joseph Perry Shackleford alive and keep him from squandering the estate for a year.

But they didn't tell him about the pixies.

©2021 Nathan Lowell (P)2021 Podium Audio

One man's nothing is another's everything.

I had read several reviews before listening to this book, one struck me as odd. It had said that their was no plot or storyline. That it was just a day to day account. I don't see that, I see a detailed introduction to a series that Nathan Lowell has just begun. That introduction includes the story, the characters and the world itself. In all of Lowell's works he seems to create an entire world to explore and his books if lacking anything is lacking the time to explore it in its intirety. I love to get lost in these places and feel as though I'm making new friends with every book.

It Should Have Been Terrible

By all rights, this should not have been a good book. The plot was very thin and the story could have been told as a short story. A full three quarters of the book was low grade filler that went into excruciating detail on such things as cable and internet installation and vehicle purchases, and tea being served every other paragraph.

And yet, I gave it four stars. Why? The characters were well written and fully developed, and since that is the heart of any good story, they carried the book. While I still think this could have been done much better, if you approach it more like the slower moving stories from yesteryear about the landed gentry, you will be in the right frame of mind to enjoy it.

Another aspect that helped to carry the book was the reading of it. The narrator did a great job, and I have no complaints there. I think if you just want a nice, heartwarming book to listen to while you go about your day, this is as good a choice as any as long as you are in no hurry.

Such a sweet, wonderful story.

I was hesitant to spend a credit on this, it isn't my usual type of book. But, with over 1200 books in my library, many of which I've relegated to the "life is too short to spend time on this" pile, I finished this in one go.

Yes, there is a plot. Roger, a man with some trauma from his Army days, is hired as a butler for a reclusive man who supposedly has dementia. The man claims to be a wizard, and Roger, though skeptical, throws himself at the job. There are the promised pixies that dust, and fairies that do gardening that Roger can't see but, but Roger becomes the best butler he can. He gets butling books, he learns to cook, he goes headfirst into figuring it all out, and builds a sweet relationship with the old man.

There is a plot/subplot of some nasty family trying to commit the old man to get at his massive fortune, and everything that goes with trying to stop that. There's the buying of cars, the installing of internet, and, though mundane, it wasn't boring. The characters stand out, and as the relationship builds between the main characters, you find yourself hoping that Roger and Mr. Shackleford live happily ever after as butler and employer...and friends.

Why I loved this I don't know. It wasn't boring, but was mundane at parts. Almost like one of those reality shows, where a supremely unqualified man gets a job as a butler. It was sweet and almost calming. I really began to love the characters. I hope there's a second book.

Not up to snuff, Mr. Lowell - SPOILER ALERT

I am listening to this book and I can't get around the fact that this story makes no sense. The wealthy tycoon is trying to protect his home and assets from his last living relative before he dies. Lets face it, the pixies and fairies are just a side bit. In order for this story to not exist is for the tycoon to marry somebody -- ANYBODY, and with a strong pre-nup in place, the relative gets squat because he leaves everything to Barbara, his wife.
Sorry, I could not suspend belief any longer. I am 2 hrs and 43 minutes away from the end of this book, and I really can't concentrate on the story because the obvious answer is so OBVIOUS.
I have thoroughly enjoyed Nathan Lowell's other books about Ishmael - I have waded in up to my neck in the first four books and intend to get the Captain and Owner books when I get some credits. Based on the quality of those stories, I thought to wait out these coupla days with the Butler yarn. No can. Nathan Lowell, you can do so much better. I will wait until you do.

Entertaining

I enjoy this books fresh approach and creativity. It was a nice change of pace.

We should be able to give this book more than five stars.

We should be able to give this book more than five stars. It’s subtle and beautiful like all of Lowell’s stories. Take my advice, let this tale warm your soul.

It was good

I mean, it was pleasant and diverting. Very well written. And also interesting. But I kept waiting for something more to happen, however, not a whole lot happened. But still a pleasant and intriguing book. I guess there are a couple more after this, so maybe it will serve as more of an introduction for the other two which I am willing to check out.

loved it

I've been a fan of Nathan's for over 10 years. He has not let me done yet. I am looking forward to the next in this series.

Way better than it has any right to be

I didn't realize that slice-of-life was a story style that I was interested in until I read this book! Taylorson does a great job with voices, pacing, and putting appropriate energy into the narration and voices. His pacing is leisurely, but not slow, and he makes even the slower parts of the story interesting.
Honestly, this is such a cozy story. I've been listening to it while crafting and I'm definitely not on the edge of my seat, but I'm definitely immersed in the story.

A solid story from the perspective of a butler.

A very good story. There is no action, but it does have a little mystery, and drama. I didn't enjoy some of the fluff the author added as it didn't add anything to the story or plot. But overall an enjoyable story and I'm looking forward to the next book.