Nicole

Intensely beautiful, heart-wrenching tale of a family trying to find themselves and each other

Reviewed: 02-22-24

I didn't read most of the reviews prior and I am so glad that I didn't. The audio version gives the reader a perspective I imagine you wouldn't find in the paper version; this ability to easily slip into the mind of every member and feel their love, their pain, their heartache. Each of them is voiced by their own distinct actor, so that there is never a question as to whose head you are in at any moment. And each voice has their own unique struggle and while, yes, those struggles can be difficult/painful to read or reconcile, they are real. Their feelings, their actions, the consequences, they are all so real, so possible, that you as the reader will feel all of it so intensely that perhaps it hurts.
This is what makes a great novel. A story that grips you, pulls you in with a blazing fire so intense you may wish you could let go, let it drop to the floor so it can't burn you. But it is in your ears, with a back and forth that swings you from one story to the next, intertwined so seamlessly that you become a character yourself. A ghost, a silent family member looking on.
I saw reviews saying they didn't like the characters but I feel as those people are missing the point, or maybe reading the wrong kind of novel. Characters, like normal people, are not perfect. They have flaws, they make bad choices, have thoughts that they would never want spoken aloud. There is a reason people go to marriage counselors, why teenagers have a bad reputation. It would be easy to find terrible qualities if you had access to anyone's deepest, most personal thoughts. Having fatal flaws only made their stories more realistic, more relatable and all the more compelling
As for the ending, I couldn't imagine a better one. I understand that some readers found it frustrating to not know exactly what happens in those last, frenetic, terrifying moments, but no matter what the true ending was, it would have been devestating. Whichever path the author could have chosen the outcome would have been the same. In fact, I may have loved this last chapter best. The buildup of these different voices, previously split into their own chapters, are given lengthy stretches to tell their part. Then as the story builds, the intervals between each perspective shortens, until this last chapter: a back and forth between all of the characters. (Again, having a different narrator for each voice makes these switches, typically a daunting task in audio format, simple to follow and all the more intense). I found myself holding my breath, standing still in the middle of midtown Manhhattan, unable to move in case I might miss something. Yes, the ending is not typical, everything isn't tied up neatly with a little red bow. But I wouldn't want that ending. I didn't need to know exactly what happened in order to feel the raw emotions, desperation, love, hope and fear, coursing through these characters in these final moment. I felt those emotions right along side of them (and couldn't stop bawling, again, in the middle of 34th street). To say more would give too much away, but whatever path was chosen, they all would have lead to the same, inevitable and awful conclusion.

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1 person found this helpful

Surprise captivating read for and ADD reader

Reviewed: 01-03-24

As a former devour of the written word I have been dismayed in the past few years to find I have a much harder time paying attention, and especially to audio books that allow me to complete other activities simultaneously. This was why I started with audiobooks 15+ years ago. But lately every book I pick up gets put down again, forgotten, unable to hold my interest for more than an hour at most. Until Inside Jobs. These stories were perfectly timed, characters fully pieced together-with no need for the usual chapters long set up before getting into the real meat of the story. All three tales were wonderfully written, completely different from one another, and all captivated my attention the moment they began. Haven't enjoyed a novella this much in years. Going to look up more Winters titles as soon as I finish this review

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Been a long time since I've openly wept

Reviewed: 01-18-23

Just lovely. Poignant and sweet and just so relevant. Anyone with parents getting older, parents they've already lost, or family that you just love and couldn't imagine what life would be like without them would be touched by this short little reminder of how precious and fleeting life is. Beautifully written, wonderfully narrated and so thoughtful.

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why are headlines optional if I have to write one

Reviewed: 01-15-23

Sweet tale that crosses generations, makes you laugh and smile, and maybe feel a little more hopeful (about everything) when it's over.
I would read again in a heartbeat.

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took a little while to get into it but worth it

Reviewed: 12-13-22

Just an unexpected delight. Maudlin look back on life and its meaning as it relates to memory. Also a look back on our often cringe-worthy behavior in our youth. with a little twist ending.

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listen to again and again

Reviewed: 02-23-20

Difficult to explain as each story is different. so very different from each other and from others. But all leave you thinking, and the ability to listen to this book again and again, all while never losing its momentum, makes it a great read (listen) every time.

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1 person found this helpful

Quick but painful (in a good way)

Reviewed: 10-01-18

Tough to hear but good to know. As a constant co-dependent, I can say the author has the role down pat. Knowing how your other half is thinking and staying 2 steps ahead allows for the possiblity of escape. Hopefully by seeing your own own role in an unending cycle of dependency, you can pull yourself out in time, or at least recognize enough bad behavior to get out before the pain is too great. Interesting switch of perspective-made for an easy listen and comprehension.

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Keep a second pair of pants nearby

Reviewed: 09-08-18

Have no clue how I was lucky enough to find this, but I couldn't be happier. I was already madly in love with half of these comedians and follow their podcasts and various other works. This is basically a wonderful way to hear them all in the same place, telling a ridiculous story, with a ton of great characters and insane plot lines. It keeps the hilarity and intrigue going until the very end. Please do more of these. And bring in an even larger cast...

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18 people found this helpful

Meh...

Reviewed: 06-03-18

Reminded me of an adult, less supernatural based, version of It. It was entertaining ay least, but all loosely tied together at best, and the core relationships that the reader is meant to appreciate, like those in aforementioned It, never truly pique the readers interest. I barely batted an eyelash over the poor fortunes that befell these characters. I'd recommend just reading It again as the story though lengthy, is much more engaging at least and you can save yourself the cost of having to buy a newer King novel.

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12 people found this helpful

what a fabulous surprise

Reviewed: 07-16-17

I've been looking for something to lose myself in for a while. Came across this randomly. I am now going to find every PKD book that exists. Also anything narrated by Luke Daniels.

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