The Everything Box

Everything not for Everyone

Amidst the rave reviews, I'm not sure whether it takes courage or stupidity to publish such an opposing view--but I thought it might help those that venture into genres they wouldn't usually look at when all the reviews are so positive and guarantee you'll "love this book." Cuz I didn't; but I have a friend that hates chocolate and says it taste bitter to her, so I completely understand not liking a sure thing. This type of *absurd fiction* is out of my personal preference zone, though I have enjoyed Christopher Moore, Neil Gaiman, and some Terry Pratchett. Based on great reviews and a summary that sounded promising,, I visualized it as a comic fantasy detective story, clever and innovative due to no restraints other than the author's imagination in such a genre.

Sadly, I thought the book didn't deliver on any level. Kadrey seemed comfortable treading a small unimaginative circle in an immense universe of possibility. I re-read all of the editorial reviews when I finished and wondered if I had read the same book. The humor hit me as flat, scripted, dorky -- anything but hip and creative. *Dumb people* jokes (let's call it naiveté or the *buh*dum*ching jokes) and clichés work okay in movies like Ghost Busters, Beetlejuice, etc., but don't transfer well to the written word, in my experience, and the narrator's delivery lacked a comedian's punch-line timing that would have at least given the allusion of absurd comedy. On the whole, the book reminded me of a Seth Rogen/James Franco movie without the stoner jokes or outrageousness -- that is, unless you count the kid that keeps calling his master "exalted dark high one" instead of "exalted high dark one" ?. In a diverse cast of characters, ranging from little school-girl vamps (yawn) to arch angels and puffer-fish demons, the whole motley crew was surprisingly flat (and not in a good way like Road Kill Man in Beetlejuice).

I've never read any of the author's Sandman Slim novels, but am not compelled to do so after this. I felt like the author had everything at his disposal, but kept what could've been a hugely fun and creative story stuffed into a tiny little boring box. I really disliked this one immensely -- I kept saying that to myself the whole time I listened. Nothing here for me, but I hope I've expressed my personal reasons as to why without offending anyone who did--or might--enjoy this type of read.

65 of 77 people found this review helpful

Clever, funny, thoroughly enjoyable

I think the narrator was the perfect match for this well written, follow the bouncing ball of twisting humor and ironic look at belief. Love this book, author, and narrator.

3 of 3 people found this review helpful

Nice narration for a mediocre book

This is just a quick little review to warn Kadrey fans this is no SMS!
I thought Kadrey's Sandman Slim series was pretty darn good (though the dumb tough-guy act got a little old), enjoyed books by A. Lee Martinez (very amusing), and loved the Johannes Cabal series (by J.L. Howard). So, I thought that another dose of dark humor with a supernatural bent would be fun. Unfortunately, I was disappointed by this tale.
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The Story [D+...maybe C- if I'm feeling generous]: At its heart is a story about a jailbird offered a chance for a big score, which leads to mishaps and a bit of a mystery as he gets wrapped up in a special criminal investigations division. While the idea has obviously been done a few times before, it still has potential. But frankly, I just got plain sick of the book. A Sandman Slim-esque bad-boy/tough-guy main character is only one among the many many MANY characters who seem to do nothing but trade "witty" quips (and calling them witty is either being sarcastic or being kind), insults, and silly one-liners perhaps meant to reflect their sang-froid. Each chapter was just a seemingly endless series of these exchanges. Regardless of whether it was meant to make fun of the Noir genre or pay homage to it, I think it just went too far with the back-and-forth "zingers" that would make an occasional appearance in better movies/books. The plot and pace just get lost in these silly little exchanges; and I felt like, after enough of them, each one got to be akin to being bludgeoned about the head with a club that reads "This character is a smart-ass bad-boy who doesn't give a flying fig!" After a while, I just couldn't bring myself to finish it.
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The Narration [A-]: Oliver Wyman did a very nice job with pace, tone, and enunciation throughout the narration. Wyman also did a great job with the voice acting, making each character distinct, and emulating various states of intoxication in some cases, without ever falling into campy caricatures. While not being as fully immersive as some voice actors (e.g. George Newbern) or hitting that perfect tone (e.g. R.C. Bray), I think that Wyman did a very nice job.

7 of 8 people found this review helpful

thinks it is funnier than it is

there are very few laugh out loud moments here. the plot contains some food for thought. I cannot for the life of me figure out what the hero and heroine saw in each other. there is quite a bit of extra characters that only seemed looped in to make the climax scenes more complicated. not as good as others in this genre but not terrible.

11 of 13 people found this review helpful

Dresden files meets good omens

Title says it all. Loved the book. Other descriptions I read didn't fit as well as mine imho.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Hoping this is the start of a new series!

Remember those movies that had a huge cast of characters all vying for the same prize? It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World? The Cannonball Run?

This book is like that...except it's wittier...and snarkier...and has supernatural creatures, magic, interdimensional microwaves, end of the world bake sales and burritos. It's laugh out loud hilarious.

Oliver Wyman does a superb job. It's a pleasure to listen to him. Each character has a unique voice and the subtle nuances of their dialog is captured beautifully, so much so that several exchanges in the story had me grinning, then struggling, and failing, to maintain my composure in the quiet office environment where I work.

***WARNING***Anyone that does not like religious icons lampooned or religion on the whole treated with a tongue in cheek irreverence should avoid this book...and anything else written by Richard Kadrey.

8 of 10 people found this review helpful

Unbelievable First Chapter but....

Any additional comments?

The first chapter is one of the best I've ever read; funny, captivating, clever. From then on it just got more and more boring with a few witty comments here and there. I couldn't finish it. Maybe just not my kind of book.

5 of 6 people found this review helpful

Everyone wants the box

This is a funny story of several groups of bumblers all in search of the same prize. A box that will destroy the world. It's laugh out loud hilarious, as we get a good look into each searcher and their journey. It somewhat reminds me of a Carl Hiaasen caper done urban fantasy style, and of course all the loose ends tie together eventually.

5 of 6 people found this review helpful

Great 1st story of a series

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I got this audio because of his prior work Sandman Slim, I listened to the preview and I was hooked, I would recommend this to anyone who liked Sandman

What did you like best about this story?

The flow and action was very good as well as the humor

Which character – as performed by Oliver Wyman – was your favorite?

Wyman is a master performer, all his renditions of characters are fantastic. I really liked Phil.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

This starts out with a bang

This starts out with a bang. Right from the beginning there is hilarity and an angel loosing the one weapon that would have finished off mankind. Talk about sucking the reader into the story! Easily reminds me of Terry Pratchett, although a bit darker, like Clive Barker. The mix is intriguing urban fantasy that is fun to read and even better to get lost in.

In this world there is all kinds of magic and magical creatures. Coop is my favorite character. Definitely the anti-hero and I just love him from the minute he's introduced. The things he has to go through to get a break, and just recently out of jail, so he's desperate but wanting a change in his life. He takes what seemingly is a simple job and it turns into a complete mess.

Where I was a little lost was with all the characters and side characters. There is a lot going on in this! There are everything from angels and demons, which is totally expected, to vampire girl scouts! The hilarity of it all keeps the plot moving nicely even when it start seeming like a myriad of characters may start bringing it down.

This could end, all the plot lines are neatly tied up, but I think fans will want a book two. I'm glad I took the time to listen being new to Richard Kadrey and to Urban Fantasy all together. It's a fun book that will keep you laughing and entertained.

The narration and audible was great. I don't think I've listened to Oliver Wyman before. He is so good that this could be thought to have multiple narrators! The accents and voices are very distinct and easy to distinguish. The audio itself did not have a hiccup. It was smooth and easy to listen to.

Audiobook was purchased for review by ABR.

Please find this complete review and many others at my review blog

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7 of 10 people found this review helpful