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Big Maria Audiobook
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(4.05) - 171 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
2013 Anthony Award Winner
Imagine Chuck Palahniuk and Don Winslow’s love child—and that would be ribald author Johnny Shaw. His novel Big Maria is an unfiltered, wild romp in which three men get one chance to find a lost gold mine; the only problem is the Big Maria Mine is right in the middle of a US Army artillery range.
There’s gold in them thar hills—or more precisely, in Arizona’s Chocolate Mountains, where one hundred years ago a miner stashed a king’s ransom of the stuff. But times have changed. The world has changed. And now the Chocolate Mountains are the home of the largest military artillery range in the world.
Harry’s living on disability and getting liquored up and beaten down. Frank’s a feisty old-timer battling cancer and a domineering daughter. And Ricky’s a good kid in a bad spot, doing everything for family. Together they’re staking what little they have left on a dangerous quest to the Big Maria Mine—and the gold that can offer them a new beginning.
Unfortunately a meth-dealing biker wants a piece, a trigger-happy AWOL soldier wants to play chicken in a live minefield, two stubborn burros want to go home, a starving mountain lion wants his dinner, and the US Army wants to rain on our heroes’ parade with real bombs.
When you’re all out of crazy ideas, you’ve got to try the stupid ones.
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"I read this while I was visiting Texas. Finished in maybe three sittings. Loved it. Such a dude's tale. The prose was quick and hilarious, not to mention the insane and surreal set pieces. When it comes to the Johnny Shaw Canon, I still find myself preferring "Dove Season", but this book was the perfect hold over until the next Jimmy Veeder Fiasco. Like the best kind of Mexican food, Big Maria goes down spicy and meaty but doesn't stick around for too long. I swear that's a complement!!!"
— AJ (5 out of 5 stars)
Awards
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A 2013 Anthony Award Nominee for Best Paperback Original
Big Maria Listener Reviews
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" A good story, flawlessly told with good humour. "
— Vimal, 2/10/2014 -
" Never laughed out loud so many times while reading a book. Big Maria is one hell of an adventure that is not only hilarious but also very touching. Loved it. Highly recommended. "
— G8tes, 1/15/2014 -
" Loved it. Some of my favorite characters of the year. Hilarious and touching at the same time. One of my favorites of 2012. "
— Brandon, 12/30/2013 -
" exploding donkeys! "
— valpal, 12/24/2013 -
" Really funny book with some great, original characters. Really good adventure story. Looking forward to reading more by Shaw. "
— Justin, 12/21/2013 -
" A hilarious misadventure that proves there is hope for the hopeless. "
— Justinia, 11/23/2013 -
" This was an excellent book. Fast paced and (at times) touching and hilarious. Just go read it. "
— Jon, 11/18/2013 -
" Really fun book, about three losers on a quest to find gold. Made me think of a grown up version of THE GOONIES. Also reminded me of Elmore Leonard. "
— Robert, 9/19/2013 -
" Crazy, unlikely, but oddly compelling. "
— Elaine, 9/19/2013 -
" Funny. Great book. "
— Terri, 7/26/2013 -
" This is an excellent read. I haven't laughed so hard since I read Forrest Gump years ago. Shaw has a gift for quirky, funny characters. "
— Kevin, 6/19/2013 -
" Awesome book, very amusing, it should be a movie. "
— Jackmeister, 6/12/2013 -
" Big Maria is a thoroughly entertaining tail of 3 no hopers on an unlikely treasure hunt. It's laugh out loud funny, exciting and moving by turns and proves that characters don't have to be likeable to be engaging. I really liked it. "
— Oliver, 5/25/2013 -
" Easily one of my Top 5 all time favorite books. Haven't laughed so hard and so often while reading a book. Go Go Gophers!!! "
— Brian, 5/11/2013 -
" Entertaining, in a fun, fast food-ish way. Read like a screenplay for an action comedy. "
— Chris, 3/23/2013 -
" This book was a hell of a lot of fun. Fun, funny, touching at times. Recommended. "
— Max, 1/4/2013 -
" The perfect amount of humor and an excellent story of redemption and humanity. The author is an excellent writer and produces some one-liners that had me laughing more while reading this book than any other I've read. "
— Ryan, 11/29/2012 -
" Started off decent and kimda went downhill "
— Jenny, 10/20/2012 -
" This is the 2nd book of Johnny's that I have read. Loved both of them. Crazy charachters that will make you laugh. "
— Andrea, 9/25/2012
About Johnny Shaw
Johnny Shaw is the author of Dove Season. He was born and raised in the Imperial Valley on the Calexico/Mexicali border. He received his Master of Fine Arts in screenwriting from UCLA. In addition to his work as a screenwriter and playwright, he owns a used bookstore and teaches writing. He lives in Portland, Oregon.
About David de Vries
David de Vries, an Earphones Award-winning audiobook narrator and veteran stage actor and director, spent three years in the cast of Wicked and was the last Lumiere in the Broadway production of Beauty and the Beast. He has also appeared in numerous films and voiced commercial campaigns for companies large and small, including American Express, AT&T, UPS, Motorola, Georgia-Pacific, Delta Airlines, Coca Cola, and Ford, among others. He can be seen in a number of feature films, including The Founder, The Accountant, Captain America: Civil War, and Billy Lynn’s Long Halftime Walk. On television, his credits include House of Cards, Nashville, and Halt and Catch Fire.