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Spooner Audiobook, by Pete Dexter Play Audiobook Sample

Spooner Audiobook

Spooner Audiobook, by Pete Dexter Play Audiobook Sample
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Read By: Tom Stechschulte Publisher: Recorded Books, Inc. Listen Time: at 1.0x Speed 9.83 hours at 1.5x Speed 7.38 hours at 2.0x Speed Release Date: September 2009 Format: Unabridged Audiobook ISBN: 9781440763380

Quick Stats About this Audiobook

Total Audiobook Chapters:

94

Longest Chapter Length:

33:00 minutes

Shortest Chapter Length:

18 seconds

Average Chapter Length:

09:25 minutes

Audiobooks by this Author:

4

Other Audiobooks Written by Pete Dexter: > View All...

Publisher Description

National Book Award-winning author Pete Dexter excels at writing eccentric characters and comical, yet touching, prose. In Spooner, Dexter weaves the tale of Warren Spooner, a troubled boy whose father dies shortly after he's born. When his mother marries Calmer Ottosson, a decorated Navy officer fallen from grace, Warren is saved by Calmer's inexhaustible patience. As Warren grows up, the two men forge a bond that will carry them both through the hard times ahead.

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"I have to give Pete Dexter 5 stars for his way with words. What an amusing guy. He writes unique, thought-provoking phrases in a way that few people can. SPOONER is written in a passive voice for the most part but it's intriguing because the story is unpredictable and, at times, laugh-out-loud funny. This is my first experience with Pete Dexter and I will definitely seek out some more of his writing. I will concede that you may need a particular and slightly warped sense of humor to appreciate the story of this protagonist, but luckily for me, I'm more than a tad warped."

— Anne (5 out of 5 stars)

Quotes

  • “Genuinely touching…Dexter’s journalistic eye for tellingly instructive detail, particularly as it evokes character, still is second to none.”

    — Los Angeles Times
  • “The novel’s premise—that life is one big vale of tears and that writing about it wittily and exuberantly is the best one can do…pays off in spades for Dexter and his tragically conflicted alter ego.”

    — Publishers Weekly

Awards

  • Selected for the September 2009 Indie Next List
  • A 2009 ALA Notable Book Finalist for Fiction

Spooner Listener Reviews

Overall Performance: 3.3 out of 53.3 out of 53.3 out of 53.3 out of 53.3 out of 5 (3.30)
5 Stars: 6
4 Stars: 7
3 Stars: 9
2 Stars: 6
1 Stars: 2
Narration: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 (0.00)
5 Stars: 0
4 Stars: 0
3 Stars: 0
2 Stars: 0
1 Stars: 0
Story: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 (0.00)
5 Stars: 0
4 Stars: 0
3 Stars: 0
2 Stars: 0
1 Stars: 0
Write a Review
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " I was sorely disappointed in this book. It has Southern gothic funny moments, but reads like a very elaborate and rambling memoir. "

    — mgd, 2/13/2014
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Not quite as good as Paris Trout. Truthfully, it's a little odd. Odd in a hard-to-see-where-it's-going way, not odd in a good way "

    — Michele, 1/30/2014
  • Overall Performance: 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " I really liked this book for quite a while, but became very tired of the antihero, Spooner. About halfway through he seemed to definitely be going nowhere, and I put this book down for good. "

    — Wyma, 1/26/2014
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " This epic spans the relationship betwee Warren Whitlowe Spooner and his stepfather, Calmer Ottosson. A fantastic novel touching the styles of John Updike and Ernest Hemingway. "

    — Marci, 1/15/2014
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " This book was very long, with confusing character development. I didn't know how to feel about the characters, so I didn't feel anything. This made the book take forever to read. It was a task to read it, rather than something I looked forward to picking up every night. "

    — Jennb33, 1/13/2014
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " This book was surprisingly excellent. I bought it at the airport in kind of rush so I had pretty low expectations but it was, for me, compulsively readable. It's the story of a strange little boy, who grows into a strange man, and his relationship with his stepfather. It probably sounds a little dull but both the boy and the stepfather are oddly compelling characters and I found myself thoroughly engrossed in their trials and triumphs. I almost gave this book 5 stars, which i seldom do, but there are a few slow points, particularly towards the middle of the book. "

    — Diane, 12/30/2013
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " This deserves six stars. Although it was long, the writing never faltered, and I'm sad for its ending. "

    — M, 12/26/2013
  • Overall Performance: 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " I just couldn't finish it and it's very rare when I can't finish a book. "

    — Brittany, 12/13/2013
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " I would like to give this book a 4+++. I really enjoyed it. There were scenes that were laugh-out-loud funny, there were characters that were quirky and wonderful, and there was superb writing. I will read other books by Dexter as I like his style and way of writing. "

    — Pam, 12/12/2013
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " this one kept me occupied for the last 2 weeks or so, but it reads like a run-on sentence, like many short stories all tied together with two interesting but ultimately un-understandable characters. I was waiting for a great aha at the end. more like a thud. "

    — Cathy, 8/30/2013
  • Overall Performance: 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Strong Finish, but hard to read. "

    — Yvonne, 5/17/2013
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Couldn't put it down. I fell in love with every character. "

    — Jennifer, 3/13/2013
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Hilarious & moving. "

    — Adam, 12/27/2012
  • Overall Performance: 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Recommended as hilarious and I found it pretty tiresome. The characters are rough and loose and lead a life that's a bit unbelievable. I'm sure I'm an old goat who missed all the jokes because I didn't spend much time laughing. "

    — Sheelah, 9/9/2012
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Very slow start but liked the second half. "

    — Christen, 9/2/2012
  • Overall Performance: 1 out of 51 out of 51 out of 51 out of 51 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " I wanted to like it, I gave it 100 pages but I've never been a fan of rambling plot lines. Also, was not sure I bought the reason Warren was expelled from kindergarten, but I am not an expert on 4 year old boys. "

    — Mary-Michelle, 8/6/2012
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Spooner never quite materialized for me--the book skipped so quickly through his life. I did like Dexter's writing, but overall I felt confused and just wanted to finish and move on. "

    — Misha, 4/24/2012
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " I thought this was a pretty good book. The main character was really strange which kind of kept the story going...an easy read and good story. "

    — Samantha, 2/11/2012
  • Overall Performance: 1 out of 51 out of 51 out of 51 out of 51 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " With painful effort I dragged myself through the first four chapters before giving up on this piece of poorly written pablum. If it has any distinction at all it must be setting a record for length of run on sentences. "

    — Brett, 8/11/2011
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Loved this book, so quirky & honest!! I also loved Paris Trout, gotta read his other books.... would definitely recommend. "

    — Joye, 5/18/2011
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Spooner is a unique character. The story begins when Spooner is born and at this time he is in his early 30s. Each page is interesting. While spooner is bizarre, his story is believable. Story ends when Spooner is in his 40s and his step-father is dead. "

    — Rhonda, 4/18/2011
  • Overall Performance: 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Very different from anything I've read before. Not sure how to feel about it... "

    — Tina, 4/15/2011
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " At first I thought I wouldn't like this book, mostly due to its very masculine nature. But it grew on me, and I ended up experiencing it as a master description of life and the quirks that make us human and lovable. "

    — Rachel, 4/9/2011
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " I think I found a new author to follow! One of the reviews described it as a poignant memoir with a "Garp"-ian twist. So true. Dexter is hysterical yet relatable and Spooner is such a lovable protaganist. "

    — Liz, 4/5/2011
  • Overall Performance: 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Warren Spooner and his older sister Margaret become Calmer Ottoson's stepchildren. Later he and Lily have 2 of boys their own. The story is of Calmer's attempts to understand and salvage the life of Spooner. "

    — Momm, 4/1/2011
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " A little tough to take at the start but Dexter's gift for character development and sense of humor encouraged me to finish and actually like the book. "

    — Cindy, 3/30/2011
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Peter Dexter is a master at creating complex, hilarious sentences. "

    — Mark, 3/12/2011
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Don't miss the acknowledgements in the back. Hilarious! "

    — Janell, 3/3/2011
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " i thought it was great. i don't feel like i ever really knew Warren Spooner, but i don't think i was supposed to. "

    — Sheryl, 2/27/2011
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Quirky characters. Quirky story. I enjoyed it a lot. "

    — Glenn, 2/25/2011

About Pete Dexter

Pete Dexter is the author of the National Book Award–winning novel Paris Trout, among others. He has been a columnist for the Philadelphia Daily News and the Sacramento Bee and has contributed to many magazines, including EsquireSports Illustrated, and Playboy. His screenplays include Rush and Mulholland Falls. Born in Michigan, he was raised in Georgia, Illinois, and eastern South Dakota. He now lives on an island off the coast of Washington.

About Tom Stechschulte

Tom Stechschulte (1948–2021) was an acclaimed narrator and winner of the prestigious Audie Award for Best Narration. He had been a college athlete and business major when a friend dared him to audition for a play. He got the part and traded the locker room for the dressing room, eventually taking him to New York City and to recording audiobooks.