Ed King Audiobook

" A clever take on Oedipus the King. I didn't realize what was happening in that regard at least until the second half of the book. David Guterson is a good writer, and I want to read more by him. "

" I enjoyed this book at the beginning, but it was really getting grating by the mid point. This book is based on the Oedipal story, so they story line is basically known from the start. Add to that a bunch of unlikable characters and unbelievable coincidences, and you have a book with not much going for it. As a resident of Seattle, I was also distracted by the author using real places in the book. I also wondered why he made up the name of the kids' middle school, but not the names of anything else. Minor, I know, but when he's using the real names of everything else, it did make me curious. "

" This is the first of Guterson's books I've read, no doubt picked up because of a magazine book review. While the story of Oedipus Rex is one worth telling, as lessons about pride and hubris are always needed, I'm not sure I was convinced that this re-telling was worth my time. The characters, intentionally soulless, are interesting, though perhaps too flawed. Neither main character has a redeeming quality, per se. Additionally, the language tends to be long on exposition and short on dialogue. While this works in classic literature sometimes, not so much in its modern iteration. Props for trying, but its hard to twist a sensational Greek tragedy and still have it be relevant and coherent. "

" ultimately I couldn't finish it. It was too long and too sad. "

" Power, sex and hubris combine for wickedly funny, fast moving entertainment. --Lee "

" The Oedipus Rex is almost too tortured a literary device here but general entertainment value overcomes that "

" When I read this book, I was really glad I didn't read the description on the back first--that would have been a big spoiler for me. This book was like a guilty pleasure. Darkly funny, amazing writing and great plot. "

" The premise of this book was so interesting, and I love the approach to the Oedipal complex in a modern setting. I was just disappointed with the lackluster ending that seemed like an anti-climax to me. The book was a solid 4 until I got to the end! "

" Started out really well, but turned into ridiculousness (if it's not a word, it should be) halfway through. I kept reading to find out how it ended, but it wasn't worth the effort. "

" This was between a three and a four. it was a compelling book in a sick kind of way. The last 30 pages were hard for me to read. "

" So very, very, very boring. "

" If you liked Oepidus Rex, you'll like this one. It was slow to start out but got better the further along you went. I give it a 7 on my 10 scale. "

" This modern-day Oedipus story is good...the author sometimes wanders a bit, but it was a good listen-to book and I was quite engaged. "

" What can I say, I'm a sucker for old tales told in modern times. I thought this was well done. "

" Somehow, this book was interesting and predictable at the same time time. The characters were, of course, interesting, but at times did things I didn't find realistic. "

" Weird...not worth reading. "

" eh. Not impressed. I found myself just plodding through the end, got bored about midway. "

" It must have held my interest because I finished it, but I did not like the story much. I did not understand the characters and sometimes the time line confused me. "

" I love that I didn't know what this book was about before I started it. "

" Guterson is one of my favorite writers and for me, this novel didn't come close to measuring up to his others. Maybe my expectations were too high. For me, this was a well written novel with a ridiculous soap opera storyline. "

" Very clever plot. Learned a lot about the details of the Oedipus Rex story. "

" Pretty disappointing. Guterson spends time on details, and then rushes through important plot points - and it ends WAY too soon. I like what he is saying about technology and human tragedy, but unfortunately I won't be recommending this book. "

" Loved it! Best thing he's ever written. Dark. "