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Harlan

By: David Whitman
Narrated by: Tim Campbell
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Publisher's summary

"....there are times where they probably will punish you for asking. But that only means that you're having an effect on the system." —Harlan Sexton

Harlan is about a suicidal, death-obsessed teenager by the name of Harlan Sexton. Turning himself into a ticking bomb, he has decided to kill himself at the end of the school year unless his closest friend, Julian, can find a way to change his mind. And that's just the beginning - the tension is amped up by the return of his abusive redneck father, a town serial killer stalking his female classmates, and an all-out violent war between Harlan and a jock bully from school. If John Hughes had directed a movie inspired by the Columbine tragedy, it would be like this book.

©2002 David Whitman (P)2011 David N. Wilson
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What listeners say about Harlan

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After school special

What did you like best about Harlan? What did you like least?

The reader was very good. The story was nice just a little too juvenile for my taste. It would be a great read for a teenager.

What was most disappointing about David Whitman’s story?

It really went nowhere. From the synopsis I thought there would be a lot of tension and conflict, but even the serial killer aspect of the plot left me flat. Really, just nothing happened. It continued exactly as it opened - the diary ramblings of a depressed angst-ridden teenage boy.

Which character – as performed by Tim Campbell – was your favorite?

Harlan. Tim Campbell has a great voice. If it were not for him I probably would have stopped listening after chapter 5.

If this book were a movie would you go see it?

No. Maybe when I was 16.

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Listener received this title free

I LOVED THIS BOOK!!!

NO SPOILERS! First off the narrator Tim Campbell is fantastic!

The story is more of a coming of age story centered on a teenage boy with a lot of angst and family trauma.

The story is NOT about suicide or school shootings. Even though the story is very dark, it made me laugh in places and I came to care about Harlan.

This book should also be classified under young adult and psychological. The story has complex characters and I enjoyed getting to know them. I am an adult but my son overheard the book and was very intrigued so I think it would attract anyone in high school.

It also says on the cover that the story is part of a “scary redneck series.” Had I noticed this before purchasing I wouldn’t have bought it, however the story has an eloquent protagonist and there was nothing redneck about the story at all.

I only wish I didn’t binge listen in one sitting. I’d love to hear more.

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Harlan

I really thought this was going to be just a teen age suicide story.It is not.It is a well thought out book with so many twists and turns,it is hard to keep up.From bullies and kids just not dealing with them anymore,to a killer,turned serial killer,it is a very good read.Tim Campbell was a fine narrator.I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.' 

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I was surprised that I enjoyed this story so much

I did not expect that listening to a story about a suicidal teen could be so compelling. The character grew on me as the story unfolded. The narration was very fine. A well told story.

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