August 2003 Audiobook Reviews

The Gunslinger
by Stephen King, George Guidall

Penguin Audio

ISBN# 0-1428-0036-8
Suggested Retail Price: $25.95 or as low as $9.73 from Amazon.com!

King considered this whole series to be one mammoth novel. The story spans more than thirty years. King began the first line of the first book five years before he wrote his first book, "CARRIE."

The whole thing is a magical mix of science fiction, fantasy, and horror. King gives us unforgettable imagery and unforgettable characters. He has always drawn dark pictures using a minimum of words in a way that bring chills to his readers.

In the first book you meet the enigmatic hero, Roland of Gilread. He is the last gunslinger, and he's on a journey through good and evil as he pursues a man in black. Along the way he meets an alluring woman named Alice and a young boy from New York named Jake.

Follow the tale as Roland steps through a door in time and joins up with two strange people. As you continue through the series, The Last Gunslinger gets closer to the Dark Tower, and those of us who are faithful fans of King get closer to needing the next two episodes which will come out in the fall. These next titles are "Wolves of the Calla" and "Song of Susannah", then you have to wait for the seventh volume until 2004.

These are top-of-the-line recordings that present a top-of-the-line saga from the one and only Stephen King. These fine audiobooks will keep you entertained - and wide awake - for hours!

The Fugitive Pigeon
by Donald E. Westlake, Nick Sullivan

Audio Partners

ISBN# 1-57270-217-6
Suggested Retail Price: $24.95 or as low as $5.61 from Amazon.com!

The story of "The Fugitive Pigeon" is full of giggles and fun. We meet Charlie Poole. Charlie is a bartender in his gangster uncle's bar. Basically Charlie isn't much of a worker. One day a couple of hit-men began to take after him, and now Charlie is on the run and totally confused as to why he is a target. He has to learn how to handle his uncle and a beautiful woman who has saved his life. Most of all, he must learn to stand up for himself.

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
by J. K. Rowling, Mary GrandPré, Jim Dale

Listening Library

ISBN# 0-8072-2028-0
Suggested Retail Price: $45.00 or as low as $11.00 from Amazon.com!

J.K. Rowling's third book was 897 pages long, and every word is here in this unabridged audiobook. Performed here in audiobook form by miracle-voiced Jim Dale, you are in for a wonderful listen. Dale had to invent 134 voices, all of them different, in order to do this wonderful presentation. He does it with an excellence that draws the listener into this rich tale.

We all know Harry by now. He is the young wizard who is attending Hogwarts, a school of magic, and everybody there is a wonder of a character to meet, even the baddies. At school, Harry must build a defense again the teachers whose course of Dark Arts he attends. One threat comes from a house-elf who is treacherous. It is getting to the end of term and there are tests to be taken and a big time game of Quidditch to win.

J.K. Rowling is a miracle herself. Of course, the Harry Potter books have swept the world. Young folks are devoted to their books with a passion. Not only the young folks love Harry. So do adults. The films are great too, but you will still want to read the books enjoy them again in this fine audiobook edition.