I haven't listened to the story, but I will read it when it comes out in the printed collection.
I have, however, read enough reviews to pretty much know what it is about (at least, I think I do). I also read one review that seemed to reflect my probable opinion of the tale once I do read it: there isn't much to it, and it doesn't say much.
Please forgive the negative assessment, but at this time, I think that the story probably won't be another The Jaunt. That's okay, of course, as I am sure many other readers/listeners will like it enough.
I was thinking, though, how the story could have been something I would have loved with an alteration. Imagine if, during this battle to be the king of fireworks, the Devil gets involved. In exchange for a soul (or whatever), the Devil offers the protagonist some special fireworks.
Something like that would have given it that needed King-like element. It still could have been a summer tale filled with humor, but one that contained something that we usually associate with the master of horror. I'm not sure if this is an apt comparison or not, but as it stands now, this is just a story that perhaps a modern Mark Twain would have written.
I have, however, read enough reviews to pretty much know what it is about (at least, I think I do). I also read one review that seemed to reflect my probable opinion of the tale once I do read it: there isn't much to it, and it doesn't say much.
Please forgive the negative assessment, but at this time, I think that the story probably won't be another The Jaunt. That's okay, of course, as I am sure many other readers/listeners will like it enough.
I was thinking, though, how the story could have been something I would have loved with an alteration. Imagine if, during this battle to be the king of fireworks, the Devil gets involved. In exchange for a soul (or whatever), the Devil offers the protagonist some special fireworks.
Something like that would have given it that needed King-like element. It still could have been a summer tale filled with humor, but one that contained something that we usually associate with the master of horror. I'm not sure if this is an apt comparison or not, but as it stands now, this is just a story that perhaps a modern Mark Twain would have written.