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The Curmudgeon and the Wormhole
Norman Dohring doesn’t own a smartphone. He’s driven the same truck for twenty years. He’s tough, hardworking, and self-sufficient. For a human.
When a wormhole transports Norman to the planet Bomba, he encounters a species that’s bigger, stronger, and able to handle Bomba's scorching weather and 31-hour days. Norman struggles to survive. But he'll have to because there's a person on Bomba who needs his help. It's someone he knows, someone he loves.
To reach them, Norman will have to cross a hostile landscape that's home to a species who despises humans and their filthy habits. It'll be the hardest trek of Norman Dohring's life, but he might just be stubborn enough to make it.
When a wormhole transports Norman to the planet Bomba, he encounters a species that’s bigger, stronger, and able to handle Bomba's scorching weather and 31-hour days. Norman struggles to survive. But he'll have to because there's a person on Bomba who needs his help. It's someone he knows, someone he loves.
To reach them, Norman will have to cross a hostile landscape that's home to a species who despises humans and their filthy habits. It'll be the hardest trek of Norman Dohring's life, but he might just be stubborn enough to make it.
ebook
Published March 13, 2020
71 people are currently reading
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About the author
J.F. Wiegand
6 books6 followersJ.F. Wiegand is a software developer, author, and the creator of WordCounters.com, a resource for writers. His books include Pilgrimage of an AI Girl, Teleportation Battle, The Forgotten Earth, I’m Not Weird, I’m Just Quiet, and The Curmudgeon and the Wormhole. In his free time, he likes hiking, biking, and making homemade beverages. He lives in Mount Airy, MD with his wife and three children.
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
October 1, 2020
Bomba bombed!
A forgettable story, the characters are definitely forgettable as well, I can't think of any one of them I found relatable to, the narrative is good for the average layman but I found it a little too mundane, with all the elements of an American mentality, the typical meat eater, can't live without sports so for and so on. I would not recommend it to anybody since there's no message to infer, nor a memorable passage or note to refer to and get excited about, this is a just a lame story, the bigotry, the descrimination, the prejudice, the sports, plus all the violence are things I would not consider reading about when I pick a book, those are the things I want to escape from when I inmerse myself into my reading, too bad, I had greater expectations from this novel since the word "wormhole" is part of the title, so I was expecting a truly work of fiction with plenty of science, one star for effort.
A forgettable story, the characters are definitely forgettable as well, I can't think of any one of them I found relatable to, the narrative is good for the average layman but I found it a little too mundane, with all the elements of an American mentality, the typical meat eater, can't live without sports so for and so on. I would not recommend it to anybody since there's no message to infer, nor a memorable passage or note to refer to and get excited about, this is a just a lame story, the bigotry, the descrimination, the prejudice, the sports, plus all the violence are things I would not consider reading about when I pick a book, those are the things I want to escape from when I inmerse myself into my reading, too bad, I had greater expectations from this novel since the word "wormhole" is part of the title, so I was expecting a truly work of fiction with plenty of science, one star for effort.
March 1, 2022
AUDIOBOOK REVIEW -
This was a very interesting and engaging story. Norman is an ex-Navy, stuck-in-his-ways, anti-automation kinda guy who was raised on 'putting in the work'. A no-nonsense master of his own domain until he gets thrown into an alternate universe where he becomes a second-class citizen working slave labor for brutish humanoids. As we watch him struggle, new things come to light and his motivation becomes heartfelt and the stakes were high. The secondary characters were genuine and Brandon was hilarious. (though this opinion not likely to be shared by people younger than say, 35)
Norman's struggles seemed genuine and I felt invested in his journey. The alien world wasn't too crazy and the ending did not end up 'riding off into the sunset' - which i appreciate.
The author-narration is always a plus and this did not disappoint. The Bomba language was a great touch in presentation and added great flair to the story.
This was a very interesting and engaging story. Norman is an ex-Navy, stuck-in-his-ways, anti-automation kinda guy who was raised on 'putting in the work'. A no-nonsense master of his own domain until he gets thrown into an alternate universe where he becomes a second-class citizen working slave labor for brutish humanoids. As we watch him struggle, new things come to light and his motivation becomes heartfelt and the stakes were high. The secondary characters were genuine and Brandon was hilarious. (though this opinion not likely to be shared by people younger than say, 35)
Norman's struggles seemed genuine and I felt invested in his journey. The alien world wasn't too crazy and the ending did not end up 'riding off into the sunset' - which i appreciate.
The author-narration is always a plus and this did not disappoint. The Bomba language was a great touch in presentation and added great flair to the story.
September 13, 2020
Great read!
It's been awhile since I've enjoyed a book for its pure creativity. This one hits all the high points. Great world building, a character you can root for, bad guys you love to hate while still wanting to know more about them, a wise mysterious stranger, and a peppering of every character in between! It's also nice to see a main character that isn't a twenty-something with all the skills needed to overcome the enemy. The main character, Norman, is very believable, and takes more than his fair share of lumps in his journey. His annoyance with numerous things is entertaining and provides credibility to the book's title. If you like old school science fiction, you'll enjoy this book. I know I did!
It's been awhile since I've enjoyed a book for its pure creativity. This one hits all the high points. Great world building, a character you can root for, bad guys you love to hate while still wanting to know more about them, a wise mysterious stranger, and a peppering of every character in between! It's also nice to see a main character that isn't a twenty-something with all the skills needed to overcome the enemy. The main character, Norman, is very believable, and takes more than his fair share of lumps in his journey. His annoyance with numerous things is entertaining and provides credibility to the book's title. If you like old school science fiction, you'll enjoy this book. I know I did!
September 23, 2020
This was a well written novel. It was actually rather unique in that the aliens were alien, humans were near slaves, are survival on a strange planet was risky at best. But a father's love pulled our MC through. There were two problems with the book. First was that although the book ended not quite on a cliffhanger, it was close. So, here's hoping there are future books. the second problem was with the audio recording (if one listened to the book). Although the author did a very good job narrating, there were no audio pauses between scenes from the past and scenes from the present. Often I stumbled in my head as a quick transition left me behind as I tried to determine where we were in time. It was utterly distracting.
November 16, 2020
Original story
I enjoyed the original story line and creative world building. The main character was consistent, but pleasurable because of how one dimensional he was. There were a few instances of gratuitous political jabs at Democrats that detract from the storyline... while this is in keeping with the character, there are better, more elegant ways to convey a character's values and worldview without pulling the reader from the story with sidebar editorial opinions that ultimately do not contribute to the plot. The theme of redemption from a hard-ass conservative ex-military guy to business owner who cares about his staff rings very hollow.
I enjoyed the original story line and creative world building. The main character was consistent, but pleasurable because of how one dimensional he was. There were a few instances of gratuitous political jabs at Democrats that detract from the storyline... while this is in keeping with the character, there are better, more elegant ways to convey a character's values and worldview without pulling the reader from the story with sidebar editorial opinions that ultimately do not contribute to the plot. The theme of redemption from a hard-ass conservative ex-military guy to business owner who cares about his staff rings very hollow.
September 8, 2020
ORMA PAHVA!
“Ahhpp Aba … mo Mafa Ahh, mo Mafa Bah, mo Mafa Fah.” “Ahhpp Aba … huma.”. Orma Pahva! If you read this funny, unique & interesting book, you'll understand what all of that means.. Really, I promise.
Being a curmudgeon myself, I throughly enjoyed this story.. If you're looking for something to read that's unlike anything you've ever read, then this books for you. I'm looking forward to the sequel....
“Ahhpp Aba … mo Mafa Ahh, mo Mafa Bah, mo Mafa Fah.” “Ahhpp Aba … huma.”. Orma Pahva! If you read this funny, unique & interesting book, you'll understand what all of that means.. Really, I promise.
Being a curmudgeon myself, I throughly enjoyed this story.. If you're looking for something to read that's unlike anything you've ever read, then this books for you. I'm looking forward to the sequel....
May 23, 2020
This was definitely one I didn't want to put down!
The alien world of Bomba came to life so vividly and I came to care & root for the Curmudgeon and somehow even for the skinny jean wearing newcomer. This planet, the inhabitants and how the humans lived on it was described vividly and a times made cringe a bit. This is a quick read and it left me wondering what happens next J.F. Wiegand!
The alien world of Bomba came to life so vividly and I came to care & root for the Curmudgeon and somehow even for the skinny jean wearing newcomer. This planet, the inhabitants and how the humans lived on it was described vividly and a times made cringe a bit. This is a quick read and it left me wondering what happens next J.F. Wiegand!
June 4, 2020
Surprisingly unique story.
Besides a couple of inconsistencies this was a great read and a page turner. Character development was solid where it needed to be and minimal when it wasn't.
Besides a couple of inconsistencies this was a great read and a page turner. Character development was solid where it needed to be and minimal when it wasn't.
August 5, 2020
Unexpectedly different
Interesting plot and interestingly developed characters, although maybe his descriptions of local flora and fauna could be a little more padded. I would like to read more fiction works by this author
Interesting plot and interestingly developed characters, although maybe his descriptions of local flora and fauna could be a little more padded. I would like to read more fiction works by this author
June 26, 2021
Nice read.
Pretty nice story. This is a good plane ride book. Engaging story. Characters worth investing in. Norman definitely IS a curmudgeon. Brandon is infuriating. Would like a little more on the backstory of the original human though. And some more on Sanctuaria.
Pretty nice story. This is a good plane ride book. Engaging story. Characters worth investing in. Norman definitely IS a curmudgeon. Brandon is infuriating. Would like a little more on the backstory of the original human though. And some more on Sanctuaria.
July 26, 2021
Fun wormhole book
As someone who kept a flip phone until recently, I enjoyed the life logic that the main character used. This was a fun story and an interesting take on wormholes and people and aliens.
As someone who kept a flip phone until recently, I enjoyed the life logic that the main character used. This was a fun story and an interesting take on wormholes and people and aliens.
September 9, 2021
Very Original Plot
The plot was very original and not derivative. However, I could not give five stars because except for the main character, the rest were not drawn strongly enough for me to really care about or relate to them.
The plot was very original and not derivative. However, I could not give five stars because except for the main character, the rest were not drawn strongly enough for me to really care about or relate to them.
August 1, 2020
Good story
Good, interesting story. Well written with good characters. This is character driven fiction rather than sci-fi and I will be reading more from this author..
Good, interesting story. Well written with good characters. This is character driven fiction rather than sci-fi and I will be reading more from this author..
September 8, 2020
Ambivalent appreciation for an engaging premise and characters. Treatment of race and objectification somewhat off putting at times. A more thorough proofreading would also be helpful.
November 8, 2020
Good read.
Kept it interesting all the way through. Worked all the characters in with good background on all of them. Good read.
Kept it interesting all the way through. Worked all the characters in with good background on all of them. Good read.
January 29, 2021
Page turning tale !
Well written story that pulls you into the pages. Feels like you are experiencing this wild adventure first hand. Great read!
Well written story that pulls you into the pages. Feels like you are experiencing this wild adventure first hand. Great read!
July 12, 2020
This was a good, fast paced book. The characters were likable and had enough depth to make me care for them.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews