A complete unknown, like a rolling stone

A first person memoir of a very strange story and a very amoral journalist, Andy Pointer is all about the story and the money, but is fairly self reflective and a lonely soul. he carries most of the story till the abrupt change of gears that is the ending. this is a bit like 50th 60th science fiction, not too bloody or horror driven. If you find this horrific I suggest you do not open today's newspapers. The moral dilemmas are also from a different period I think people are a lot more jaded now.

but if you like Twilight Zone this book works pretty well and is interesting enough mostly because of andy being a likable person, in a strange way.

The author makes some comments at the end of the book that I think do not help the book he feels that the open endedness of some of the questions are like Rendezvous with Rama a first encounter story where the aliens totally disregard humanity, but in his book the first contact is all about the essence of what makes us human and interacting with humanity so using Rama as the reason for the luck of answers feels like an excuse.

The book has a good pace and is enjoyable, it kept me interested in the story till the very end, so if you like Science fiction go for it, but if you are looking for horror this is too timid for me.

Now, I think the reader was exceptional, he made the book shine and a joy to listen to. One of the best audio interpretations of a book.

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8 people found this helpful

Took a Punt and was pleasantly surprised

Any additional comments?

The John Wyndham comparison in another review hits the nail on the head. Within a Chapter that was the thought I had. I liked this so much I have bought 3 physical copies to be give as Christmas gifts because I want to spread the word about this self-published writer. I will be dipping into his other books at the next opportunity.

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2 people found this helpful

Aliens land in Coventry!

If you're British and you like SF you'll probably really enjoy this. The landscape and culture are familiar but the plot makes you think about the UK very differently. Very atmospheric - this is my first book by this author but it won't be the last. And I love the open ending - another nice, non-US aspect. Great narration too.

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2 people found this helpful

A fast-paced, compelling read

Would you listen to The Stone Man again? Why?

Yes, I would listen to this book again in time. I had a some time off work so I listened over two days and thoroughly enjoyed it. The Stone Man is very well written and I do love a good wordsmith.

What other book might you compare The Stone Man to, and why?

It might be compared to John Wyndham, it has a 'Quatermass' feel about it. Howerever it isn't an 'old fashioned' style book by any means and feels modern rather than 'quaint'. Dr Who only without the wobbly sets and lame endings (and with a lot more swearing), This book has guts.....

What does Matt Addis bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you had only read the book?

Matt Addis is an excellent narator, his interpretation of the text and the different characters is superb. I prefer the English accent when listening to an audiobook for some reason and Mr Addis does have a lovely voice.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

I became rapidly engrossed in this book, the story is well written by an author who knows how to keep his readers hooked. I would have listened to it in one sitting if I had had the opportunity.

Any additional comments?

Although The Stone Man may be categorised as a 'Sci-Fi/Fantasy' book....I would say that it fits into more than one genre. It is a stomping good yarn and I heartily recommend it.

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2 people found this helpful

Great writing and narrative

Great listen, but not sure how to move on with my day now that I'm finished. It's the kind of book that gives you a 'book hangover ' and keeps you thinking. leading up to it, I wasn't sure I'd enjoy the ending, but it was well written. It also makes for a great audio book as most of it is meant to be a recording and the narrating is very well done and believable.

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Nice alternative to the norm!

Great story and concept, room for a sequel Luke! I did the review you get the pen out and give us some more!

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Tense, clever and original

If you could sum up The Stone Man in three words, what would they be?

Gripping, original, human

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Stone Man?

Difficult without giving spoilers but I found myself quite attached to the characters and it's not always a happy outcome for them....

Have you listened to any of Matt Addis’s other performances? How does this one compare?

I have not heard him before, this was a first. He is a very good narrator though, I'll be inclined to listen to more of his work.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

It moves quite fast and I digested it quickly. A tell-tale sign I'm enjoying an audiobook is when I listen to it whilst NOT driving, doing the washing up and so on. I found myself just sitting listening to this without using it as a distraction, so it must have been good!

Any additional comments?

Some might be put off by the Science Fiction / Horror label - although this is appropriate, I think that those who prefer a mystery or thriller would also find this perfectly enjoyable. There are some interesting human interest / morality elements and the horror is down to a fear of the unknown and the unstoppable single minded nature of the Stone Man, not gore and violence. It's genuinely very original, well written and gripping.

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1 person found this helpful

Reminded me of old classic British SF

Any additional comments?

Something about the pacing and the very British feel of the book reminded me of some of the classic SF TV I grew up with, like "Doomwatch" or "Sapphire and Steel". The actual action is quite slow paced, and the characters spend a lot of time talking and thinking about what is going on. I was very engaged right from the start, I was looking forward to my morning commute every day to see how the story developed.

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Fantastic book - totally loved it.

I honestly wasn't sure where this story was going and had no idea how it would end! I really liked Kill Someone (enough to go on to purchase this one), but I was completely gripped by The Stone Man from the first to last word!

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Welcome back originality!

Any additional comments?

I read a LOT of books and although many a great, they don’t always have anything particularly fresh about them.

So when I stumbled upon ‘The Stone Man’ (thanks Audible daily sale), I was frankly shocked!
From the outset, it felt different, like Luke Smitherd wasn’t content with going through the usual tropes.

With this book, he’s put together a compelling story that you really feel, reads like it would, if (when) this happens.

I also have to say, hats off for the ending!
To many times do we get a saccharin, tide with bow endings that really wreck a great story. So the fact that Luke had the balls, to end things the way he did, has to be commended.

Matt Addis did a fantastic job as well, with his narration!
So many audiobooks are ruined through bad narrators. So getting Matt to do this was excellent thinking.

I’ve enjoyed this book so much, I will be checking out more of Luke Smitherd’s offerings!

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