Initial impressions - The Listener by Robert McCammon - October 2024

[Diane, "Miss Scarlett"]

We begin our discussion here, but please no spoilers.

[Tom, "Big Daddy"]

As always, I have volunteered to provide the Mod Choice selection for October because I like reading spooky stuff from time to time. The first time I picked an October book, Lawyer recommended Boy's Life, by Robert McCammon. It was an exceptional book. This year, it gives me great pleasure to select another book by McCammon, The Listener. This is a new read for me so hopefully we will all enjoy reading it together.

[Tom, "Big Daddy"]

New Orleans, 1934: Curtis Mayhew, a young black man who works as a redcap for the Union Railroad Station, has a reputation for mending quarrels and misunderstandings among his friends. What those friends don't know is that Curtis has a special talent for listening... and he can sometimes hear things that aren't spoken aloud.

[Diane, "Miss Scarlett"]

I'm not much of a horror fan, but I did love Boys Life, it was exceptional, as Tom says. I will read this if I can get the time this month.

[Tom, "Big Daddy"]

Diane wrote: "I'm not much of a horror fan, but I did love Boys Life, it was exceptional, as Tom says. I will read this if I can get the time this month."

I have never been disappointed by Robert McCammon so I'm definitely looking forward to it. His work is not 'horror' in the terms that one would expect. I think it is because he focuses more on the characters than on trying to get a jump out of the readers.

[Tom, "Big Daddy"]

I'm really looking forward to reading this but, if there can be a downside to my trip to Scotland, it took away a lot of my usual reading time and I'm only halfway through a review copy of a new book by the writers of the Expanse series.

[Franky]

The only McCammon I read was Usher's Passing last year because I'm a big Poe fan, and the book was fairly mediocre to me, so I will probably pass.

[Tom, "Big Daddy"]

Franky wrote: "The only McCammon I read was Usher's Passing last year because I'm a big Poe fan, and the book was fairly mediocre to me, so I will probably pass."

Usher's Passing was not one of his best by a long shot. Check out Boy's Life. I guarantee that you will revise your opinion of this author.

[Diane, "Miss Scarlett"]

Franky, Boys Life is a bona-fide classic. I have to echo Tom on that.

[Franky]

I'll have to check out Boy's Life then. I remember when I reviewed Usher's Passing reading a lot of "this isn't his best work" , etc. so I'm encouraged to try reading another work.

[Carol]

I’m 10% of the way in - perfect spooky pick for spooky October! I’m wishing I could just sit down and read it all the way through but super busy …looking forward to the rest of this one.

[Tom, "Big Daddy"]

Carol wrote: "I’m 10% of the way in - perfect spooky pick for spooky October! I’m wishing I could just sit down and read it all the way through but super busy …looking forward to the rest of this one."

I agree. I wish I could take the time to read it straight through. I'm about 20 percent in and am enjoying it immensely. So far, it reads like a 1930s crime novel with no hint of anything paranormal. Lets' see if it stays that way.

[Laura, "The Tall Woman"]

Started the audio and I’m already getting The Gospel Singer and The Night of the Hunter vibes.