Abysmal

David Dukes ruined a book in one of my favorite series' with his monotone narration and his propensity to mispronounce every word more complicated than Hawk. Paul Giacomin was a huge disappointment in this book as well. Parker went way too far to create the juxtaposition in the father son relationships between Spenser and Paul and the Broz's Joe and Gerry. Paul develops a sudden anxiety about his mother that had been absent in previous books including his introduction in Early Autumn. He also reverts to being almost as diffident and whiny as the fifteen year old train wreck he was then. Still this one was a pretty decent book and with Joe Mantegna as the narrator it would have been an enjoyable listening experience; unfortunately it's quite likely that this reader could screw up the best or simplest literary work.

Merci. Votre vote a été pris en compte.

Vous avez donné votre avis sur cette évaluation !

7 personnes ont trouvé cela utile

I love Parker but...

First, the narrator was completely wrong for this. Susan's voice made me cringe every time I heard it. Hawk's voice, forget about it. This sequel compared to Early Autumn, was very weak. It seemed like an experiment by Parker. Overblown description was cringe-worthy too. I liked Paul better when he was ten years younger, and had a real reason to act pathetic. All he did here was whine like a baby about how it hurt, and after Spencer had trained him. I didn't feel it the pain. The pieces didn't add up and it seemed mellow dramatic. The real gift Parker had generally, was how his books didn't seem mellow dramatic when they could easily have, or should have in the hands of another writer. This book showed how Parker was balanced on the razor's for most of his books, and pulled off regularly. This one made me appreciate the fine craft in his other works, and his ear tuned like a master French Horn player.

Merci. Votre vote a été pris en compte.

Vous avez donné votre avis sur cette évaluation !

4 personnes ont trouvé cela utile

David Dukes needs to be replaced

This is the first book by Parker that made me want to stop listening.
The narrarator was horrible.
No chapters, phony voices, I thought this book would never end.
I only hope that the next book is better but if Dukes is narrating it will be a total waste of time.

Merci. Votre vote a été pris en compte.

Vous avez donné votre avis sur cette évaluation !

4 personnes ont trouvé cela utile

the narrator is terrible

Would you be willing to try another one of David Dukes’s performances?

no

Any additional comments?

I usually like Robert Parker's books but David Duke isn't as good of a narrator as Michael Prichard

Merci. Votre vote a été pris en compte.

Vous avez donné votre avis sur cette évaluation !

3 personnes ont trouvé cela utile

Not up to par

What would have made Pastime better?

A more energetic narrator

What could Robert B. Parker have done to make this a more enjoyable book for you?

It's probably a good book but Mr. Dukes reads it in such a monotone and so slowly that Spenser doesn't even resemble the character he was in previous books.

How could the performance have been better?

Go back to the previous narrator

Any additional comments?

I love the Spenser series but this was just really bizarre. I wasn't able to get into the storyline very easily - I finished it but it was tough

Merci. Votre vote a été pris en compte.

Vous avez donné votre avis sur cette évaluation !

2 personnes ont trouvé cela utile

Great story but I disliked the reader

I miss the previous narrator. I may stop listening of this one continues. Great Story.

Merci. Votre vote a été pris en compte.

Vous avez donné votre avis sur cette évaluation !

1 personne a trouvé cela utile

David Duke blows

He simply doesn’t get it and doesn’t care to.

Someone should take him out back and smack him around.

This audiobook should be re-recorded with someone who does suck.

The only advantage to David Dukes reading this book is now I have to read it again to get the stink of his garbage voices and poor choices out of my head.

Merci. Votre vote a été pris en compte.

Vous avez donné votre avis sur cette évaluation !

1 personne a trouvé cela utile

Great story, really bad narration.

What would have made Pastime better?

David Dukes overdoes Spenser's voice, and maims Hawks voice. Avoid this audiobooks guys!

Did the plot keep you on the edge of your seat? How?

plot is fine

How could the performance have been better?

see above.

Merci. Votre vote a été pris en compte.

Vous avez donné votre avis sur cette évaluation !

1 personne a trouvé cela utile

Just average

Nothing special here. Laconic and unpleasant narrator clearly has contributed to my displeasure with this book, the first one I have actively disliked.

Merci. Votre vote a été pris en compte.

Vous avez donné votre avis sur cette évaluation !

Surprised

If you are a Spenser fan, you will enjoy.

The story's ending was a bit of a surprise and a bit weaker than Parker normally presents. I prefer Joe Montenga as a narrator

Merci. Votre vote a été pris en compte.

Vous avez donné votre avis sur cette évaluation !