Sum up 'The Trip' in 3 Words: What an adventure!

Would you consider the audio edition of The Trip to be better than the print version?

I thought the author did a great job narrating - especially trying to play the part of so many characters. It was interesting him speak the variety of parts. Great voice. I also drive a lot so being able to listen to the book via audio was very helpful. I don't have much time to read sitting down. So the audio edition was great!

What did you like best about this story?

I really liked the unexpected ending. It totally caught me off guard.

Which character – as performed by Sean Donovan – was your favorite?

Hoku! His story was amazing and what he endured - Wow!

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

I did --- I had to listen to it in chunks of time but I didn't want to STOP! Great job.

Any additional comments?

The book started off slow with lots of build-up and character development, but quickly turned into a very captivating story. I think many people, including myself, have dreamed of taking a life-changing trip and getting away from it all - good concept for a story. The unpredictable plot really drives home the point of how quickly things can change, both in and out of one's control. I also liked the points on being sustainable and environmentally friendly. I think this book would make an excellent movie!

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Took The Trip and Loved It

If you could sum up The Trip in three words, what would they be?

TAKE THE TRIP!

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Trip?

Undeniably, Hoku's story is the most memorable of The Trip. This multi-dimensional character lives the unthinkable.

Have you listened to any of Sean Donovan’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

Yes. I first became familiar with the author's non-fiction works on Audible, both of which approach health and personal development from a unique perspective, unlike typical books within these genres. Naturally when the author released this fiction piece, I was anxious to read it and I connected with the author on a completely new level. I prefer authors to narrate their own book; in this case the author had done so in all of the books I listened too. For me personally, it helps to build a rapport with the author. It is difficult to make a comparison here as the author's other works are non-fiction, whereas The Trip required character performance in addition to narration.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

The story alone is quite captivating, furthermore I found myself in reflection, pausing several times throughout the pages. Emotions connected to love, regret, tragedy, resiliency, fear, family bonds (or lack thereof) and specifically fear of the unknown weighed heavy as I read the book. In addition I continued to ask myself "What would you do if ...?"

Any additional comments?

A stellar read for anyone who wants to take an EPIC trip, or better yet, is preparing to take one. Pack this in your suitcase!

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1 person found this helpful

Excellent Mix of Suspense, Adventure and More

Where does The Trip rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

I'd say that The Trip is one of the best books I've read/listened to. I'd give it a 9.5 out of 10 compared to the other books I've read. I mostly read non-fiction, so this fiction---or is it?---book was a great breath of fresh air for me.

What did you like best about this story?

The story of Hoku was a suspenseful as he battled the Matains at Mata Utu.

What does Sean Donovan bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

He has a certain deep cadence in his voice that is perfect for audio narration. You can hear his humbled tone and inflection.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Absolutely! I didn't want to stop listening while he talked about his solo adventure with the Mareva. The story of Hoku had me on the edge of my seat.

Any additional comments?

Donovan does an excellent job at captivating the beauty of the island and its people along with a breathtaking finale that actually had me gripping my pillow in anticipation. I look forward to listening to more of his books. Thanks!

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Bill and Ted's Eco Adventure

Would you try another book from Sean Donovan and/or Sean Donovan?

No, poor writing, bad dialogue, cliches, and naive thought process pretty much kills it. I will probably ask for a refund on this mess.

What do you think your next listen will be?

On Combat by Dave Grossman

How did the narrator detract from the book?

Sounds like Keanu Reeves channeling Bill and Ted after a long weekend with a hookah. Authors should not read their own books. At one point it sounds like he dropped the book, had to find his place and repeated the last sentence.

What character would you cut from The Trip?

All of them. Very one dimensional characters. The main character is the worst. Self absorbed with illusions of altruism.

Any additional comments?

Overall it reminded me of an adolescent fantasy about green, eco, island living fueled by to much tofu, yoga and pot. Throw in a bit of end of the world nonsense, pseudo Eastern philosophy and stir in a good shot of stale bong water, surfer lingo and endless reggae references and you have a book barely fit for composting.

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Poor

This book wasn’t for you, but who do you think might enjoy it more?

No one

What could Sean Donovan have done to make this a more enjoyable book for you?

I'm not sure he could. It's poorly written

How could the performance have been better?

This book reinforces my previous opinion that authors should NEVER read their own books. I failed to notice he was reading his own book or I would have never bought it. I'm sure there are exceptions but this is not one.

Any additional comments?

This book reads like it was written by a sad lonely nerd that wants to make himself the best of society and has no idea that real popularity is.

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