Listened to AUDIOBOOK on Scribd - Actual rating: 5/5
https://www.scribd.com/audiobook/281644087/The-Life-We-Bury#
AWARDS for this book (he has others for his other ventures):
- Anthony Awards Best First Novel nominee (2015)
- Barry Awards Best Novel winner (2015)
- Edgar Awards Best First Novel nominee (2015)
(NOTE: This author is NOT on Goodreads. The copy of the book on Goodreads is NOT a licensed copy. Please purchase a LICENSED printing or listen to a LICENSED audiobook. I despise copyright infringers!)
okay...I have only a few minutes to write this so let me try to sum it up. I believe....no, I KNOW...I have found a new author to add to my list of favorite contemporary writers. I have a love of all things Anne Rice and Wiley Cash as well as several in my top 10 (Ron Rash, Carolyn Parkhurst, Kristin Hannah, Harlan Coben, Tatiana de Rosnay, and a few others...and, of course, Stephen King, John Saul, and Dean Koontz), but it is rare that one shoots up almost to the upper echelons of the list so quickly.
I listened to the audiobook, narrated by Zach Villa and was riveted by his reading. This book is a work of art. The story is compelling. The characters feel palpable and corporeal.
...but the core of my enthusiasm is Eskens skill with the pen (or keyboard, depending on his writing technique). The ease with which he writes coupled with the absolutely tangible, visceral descriptions of the landscape, the scenes, the action, but mostly the emotions and thoughts of the primary character are just beautiful. The description of the developing and changing relationships between Joe and Jeremy, Joe and Lyla, Joe and his mother, Joe and Carl are exquisitely told. Without giving spoilers, the scene b/w Joe and Lyla, as the relationship changes, is one of the most eloquent tellings of such an experience I have ever read.
Do yourself a favor and read this book or give it a listen here on Scribd. You will not regret experiencing Zach Villas reading. I will be looking to read or listen to other works by Allen Eskens as well as listen to books narrated by Zach in the future.
...and I suspect Allen Eskens will soon be occupying space on my "shelf of faves" in printed form very very soon!
Thank you, Scribd, for including this in your collection and for whatever combination of likes/saves put it on my radar. I am forever grateful.
Happy reading!
p.s. Oh and (again, no spoilers), the box from Virgil at the end of the book = ALL. THE. TEARS. (keep tissues at hand)
