What's The Blog About, Alfie?

We are avid fans of literature, good literature. We prefer great writing, we'll settle for very good work, but we cannot abide anything less. We will stop reading a book if the author demonstrates mediocrity, writes incompetently, or, worse yet, simply loses our interest. That said, we will always give you our honest opinions about the books we've listened to on Podiobooks.com. We'll tell you why the great ones are great, and why the forgettable ones should be avoided.

We hope, when we've reviewed enough, you will come to this blog to see if a particular book is worthy of your time. We plan to be frank. You have come here to elicit our opinion and we shall not disappoint. Additionally, we hope this blog becomes a resource for PB.com authors to read honest and objective reviews of their efforts; no smoke blown-up the butt at any time. We have observed over time that reviews left on an author's site or iTunes are basically of two types. The first is the pie-eyed-hyperbolic-praise version of a review by a real fan. While excellent for the ego of said author, this form of assessment aids neither the potential listener nor the writer's development. The second type is the snarky-hit-and-run-slap-in-the-face negative review which may contain the kernel of an insight, but is actually significantly less valuable than the first type. Ours will be decidedly neither polar extreme. We will be as fair and complete as possible. An unavoidable off-shoot, indeed a desirable off-shoot, the clever reader will quickly appreciate is that we will undoubtably be squewering a few sacred-cows. If that happens, please keep in mind the fable of The Emporer's New Clothes and the fact that we would not review them in a less-than-stellar manner if they did not deserve it.

Our reviews are not placed on PB.com, iTunes, or any other public site. We do not wish to embarrass or ridicule any particular authors. Many of the authors are our friends, or at least were up till they read our review. We dearly appreciate that each PB.com author has poured their creative guts out for all to see with very little chance of monetary reward. This is not easy. We will not generally say anything but positives on public sites as we, in our alter ego, want the authors, even the poor ones, to have their moment in the bright-shiny sun. At the very least we want them to be happy little fish in their little ponds.

Finally a term defined, a dreaded term, one you wish never to see, one which strikes despair in the heart of any author - WSRH. This is short for "We Stopped Reading Here". Background. Our less than sainted father was a college English professor. When grading essays and term papers, especially freshman courses, we observed him many a cruel time to slash across the page with his red pen. Just below the horrific line, he would write, "I stopped reading here... F." Clearly, papa was a professor, not an editor, so he was an I while we are, well, a we. Hence, ISRH transforms into WSRH. However you begin it, it is not a good thing. Avoid writing something which earns WSRH, you will not be happy with yourself.

Your comments on our comments are most welcome. You may be as frank as we are. Contrary opinions, supported by rational argument not finger-wagging, will help the prospective PB.com readers find the books which are right for them. Bottom line: our comments plus your comments, along with author rebuttals, will in the end benefit us all, and help PB.com listeners choose wisely.

Based on the success of this blog, we have started a Forum where you can share your insights and reviews. The more information and discussion, the better informed we will all be.

Tuesday, September 28, 2010

Dreaming of Deliverance - Delivers And How


This is a fairly new gem on PB.com, and one not to be missed. Dreaming of Deliverance (DoD) is the first novel, and first podiobook in Renee's promising career. As we cite below, reviewing a book in progress is not going to be our norm, but we want to help spread the word on this one early, it's that good. The print copy is out, so technically it's a fet a compli anyway. Here is the author's teaser:

Five years ago when Lindsay Paulson, a naive college student and talented distance runner, was 18, she was convicted of drug smuggling. Now, halfway through a 10-year prison sentence, she begins having what seem to be dreams, in which she leaves her cell in the night and visits another reality called Trae. Dreaming of Deliverance tells of Lindsay’s experiences both in Trae, where she finds herself among people enslaved by terrifying creatures, and in prison where she tries to make sense of what’s happening in her sleep: Is she actually escaping from prison somehow or is she losing her mind?

Our review from PB.com and iTunes, one we wish could be more whole-hearty, but it's a hearty as we can make it:

I generally don’t like to review a podcast till it’s complete, but DoD is so good, I just can’t wait. This is a fresh, well woven story, with credible and empathetic characters, set in dual realities which are adroitly constructed. There is an element of fantasy which spices the mix, while avoiding completely the cliches which liter that genre. Renee’s voice is strong and confident, emoting sufficient feeling to expertly lead the listener along. The sound and technical components are journeyman, and never detract for the story. I for one am looking forward to the concluding episodes and to more of Renee’s excellent writing; strong work.
HOW WE WOULD DESCRIBE THE BOOK IN GENERAL: The author places it under general literature on PB.com, but we think it's definitely more fantasy than straight fiction. Renee creates two parallel worlds, our everyday and a vastly different one where the protagonist must struggle to find meaning. DoD could easily be called speculative fiction, scifi, fantasy, or general fiction, but just don't call it late to be read!

NARRATION: This is one of Ms. Chambliss' long suits. She gifts us with a strong, confident, and thoroughly enjoyable narrative voice. There are no tortured pauses or novice stammering here. She is able to provide us listeners with very nice voice characterizations for the individual players, including not only females, but males and aliens alike. It is very pleasing to lose oneself in her telling of the tale. 20 points for certain.

EDITING/TECHNICAL ELEMENTS: A superb effort, all the more laudable considering its Renee's first sojourn into podcasting a novel. We have it on the up-and-up that her wonderful sound quality is in part attributable to her secret lair; she sneaks away to her young son's tee pee tent and to baffle the sound. You can't hold a good narrator down! 20 points in this category too.

ORIGINALITY OF STORY: It is easy to award the author 20 points in this grouping also. What a fresh, non-beaten-to-dead-cliched-hackneyed story. In a literary landscape unfortunately strewn with endless clones and redo's, DoD stands well clear of the common herd. The concepts are fresh, the characters unique to this novel, and the plot twists are new. Very nice! When we read any book and come away wondering where the ideas came from, we are both pleased and grateful.

QUALITY OF WRITING: Novels are about the writing, and Ms. Chambliss certainly has the chops. The writing is tight, streamline without being sparse, and depicts her imaginative visions expertly. We find no neophytic misadventures or burdensome leaps. She leads us cleanly along the story's path and never wanting for more details. Fouls language and corporal scenes are handled tastefully, non-gratuitously and are appropriate in their number and positioning. Real journeyman writing which portends well for her fan's future happiness. 20 well scripted points handed out, with our applause audible in the background.

WOW FACTOR: As in a poker game, we are all in with 20 big ones here in spades. Why wow? Wow, what a fresh, well told story. Wow, what technical and production effort, first time out of the gate. Wow, the confidence and professionalism already manifest in Ms. Chabliss' initial efforts. Wow, are we in for some treats in the future. Wow, to relay to the readers such a wondrous and epic a tale with such prowess. Wow, nice use of incidental music, not over done and blending in perfectly. In short we mutter, "Wow!"

TOTAL SCORE: A perfect 100, doubtlessly. Get out there and download this one before your friends do, then you can one up them with this FTW title.

You can find out more about R. E. Chambliss at: http://bit.ly/bayqls

ADDENDUM MAXIMUS: We have listened to and consumed with gusto the finished podcast, and trust us, it only gets better. Now stop reading this and go download this peach!
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