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The Shrinking Man

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The Shrinking Man

By: Richard Matheson
Narrated by: Yuri Rasovsky
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Inch by inch, day by day, Scott Carey is getting smaller. Once an unremarkable husband and father, Scott finds himself shrinking with no end in sight, the result of exposure to a radioactive cloud. He becomes a national spectacle, a freak that is bullied by teenagers and disrespected by everyone. His wife and family turn into unreachable giants, the family cat becomes a predatory menace, and Scott must struggle to survive in a world that seems to be growing ever larger and more perilous—until he faces the ultimate limits of fear and existence.

This is the terrifying novel that inspired the classic Hugo Award–winning motion picture, also written by Richard Matheson.

©1956 , © renewed 1984 by Richard Matheson (P)2006 Blackstone Publishing Fantasy Horror Science Fiction Scary
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Critic reviews

“A horror story if ever there was one…a great adventure story—it is certainly one of that select handful that I have given to people, envying them the experience of the first reading.”

(Stephen King)

“A classic of suspense as poignant as it is frightening—a mix that only Richard Matheson could pull off.”

(Dean Koontz)

“Matheson’s legendary 1956 sci-fi tale…is beautifully realized by Yuri Rasovsky’s memorable reading. Enthusiastic and compelling, Rasovsky seems predisposed to the suspense master’s style of writing. Capturing the brilliant mix of everyday life and extraordinary horrors that Matheson is so revered for creating, Rasovsky reads with a dry, cool wit that breathes new life into this classic tale. He knows exactly how to relay the tension and anxiety to his audience, and never ceases to raise the stakes and bring the audience to their knees in sheer terror. This is a thrilling and unforgettable experience.”

(Publishers Weekly (starred review))

“Yuri Rasovsky reads with great energy and expression.”

(AudioFile)

“Rasovsky’s malleable voice gets larger and smaller as the novel flits between Carey’s past and present, and his dramatic pacing and facility with regional accents enhance this audiobook.”

(Kliatt)

“Richard Matheson is a wonderfully expressive author, drawing emotion out with every turn.”

(SFFAudio)
All stars
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I loved the film as a child. It always made me sad. The book is even better. The horror, the anger, the sadness. The basic need for survival , comfort and a place in the world but also the big philosophical question - what is a man? Great book and well read. Loved it.

Incredible.

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I generally like Richard Matheson and his imaginative stories but this was a bit off. The idea was interesting, but I found the main character to be unlikeable and therefore did not sympathise much with his plight. There is a section where he is lusting after a young teenage girl who is babysitting and it's uncomfortable and unpleasant reading, specially with a modern eye. I almost abandoned the book at this point. While there are a few interesting parts, overall the book is depressing and I was glad when I finished it. Not a satisfying ending either. But credit to the narrator, who read it very well.

Depressing.

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A lesson in building tension and creating atmosphere with simple language. He is a master writer and this is an extraordinary story. It's impossible not to share every emotion the protagonist goes through.

Wildly imaginative and brilliantly performed.

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Having thoroughly enjoyed a previous Richard Matheson story (I Am Legend - also on audible) I was anxious to see if his other work could measure up to its standards. This story is exciting, intriguing and exceptionally well paced. My initial concerns over the narrator were quickly put to rest as after a while you sink into the story. Incredible!

Incredible!

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One of the best audiobooks on this website and I've gone through a lot of them

A must read

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