Preview
  • Past Perfect, Present Tense

  • New and Collected Stories
  • By: Richard Peck
  • Narrated by: Various
  • Length: 4 hrs and 44 mins
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars (8 ratings)

Prime logo Prime members: New to Audible?
Get 2 free audiobooks during trial.
Pick 1 audiobook a month from our unmatched collection.
Listen all you want to thousands of included audiobooks, Originals, and podcasts.
Access exclusive sales and deals.
Premium Plus auto-renews for $14.95/mo after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Past Perfect, Present Tense

By: Richard Peck
Narrated by: Various
Try for $0.00

$14.95/month after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Buy for $14.36

Buy for $14.36

Pay using card ending in
By confirming your purchase, you agree to Audible's Conditions of Use and Amazon's Privacy Notice. Taxes where applicable.

Publisher's summary

Though Richard Peck is best known as a novelist, he has been writing rousing, provocative, and thoroughly entertaining short stories throughout his career. "Priscilla and the Wimps", his first, is perhaps the most-read children's short story of all time. Others have inspired his award-winning novels: A Long Way from Chicago and A Year down Yonder began with a tale called "Shotgun Cheatham's Last Night above Ground", and "The Electric Summer" was the jumping point for Fair Weather.

Compiled for the first time, here are all of Richard Peck's stories: eleven previously published tales and two brand-new ones. He has also written engaging notes about the stories, an informative introduction about the genre, and tips on how to write short stories, including "Five Helpful Hints" that will be a valuable aid to aspiring authors.

Vibrant and varied - from comic to supernatural, from historical to modern-day romantic - there's something for everyone in the collected stories of Richard Peck.

©2004 Ricahrd Peck (P)2012 Listening Library
activate_Holiday_promo_in_buybox_DT_T2

What listeners say about Past Perfect, Present Tense

Average customer ratings
Overall
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    4
  • 4 Stars
    4
  • 3 Stars
    0
  • 2 Stars
    0
  • 1 Stars
    0
Performance
  • 4 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    3
  • 4 Stars
    3
  • 3 Stars
    2
  • 2 Stars
    0
  • 1 Stars
    0
Story
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    5
  • 4 Stars
    3
  • 3 Stars
    0
  • 2 Stars
    0
  • 1 Stars
    0

Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.

Sort by:
Filter by:
  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Advice to Writers

The stories left you spellbound. The 'scary' stories though somewhat un-nerving were quite good. I loved Mrs. Dowdell and wish he had written more about her.

Mr. Peck's advice to writers was much appreciated.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Great for Peck fans

Would you consider the audio edition of Past Perfect, Present Tense to be better than the print version?

I haven't read the print version. It was nice to hear Richard Peck speak, though.

What did you like best about this story?

I am surprised to admit, that I love the sections where Peck explains his writing. I love his stories, but it was great to hear his motivation. Like his novels, his explanations are very approachable for the younger reader, too.

What aspect of Various’s performance would you have changed?

The girl! There is one story in particular (Waiting for Sebastian) where she took on a British accent, and it was HORRIBLE! I was so distracted, I couldn't enjoy the story. She should have just stuck with her American accent. It wouldn't have detracted from the overall feel.

If you could take any character from Past Perfect, Present Tense out to dinner, who would it be and why?

The obvious choice would be the author, but thinking of his written characters, I would have to say Grandma Dowdell, although she probably wouldn't share much! I love a salty character.

Any additional comments?

If you already love Richard Peck, definitely worth a listen! I don't know if I would start with this, if I hadn't read any of his novels, but definitely quality stuff just like his novels.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!