"Drunken Fireworks"

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Rrty

Well-Known Member
Jun 4, 2007
1,394
4,588
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.
 

Spideyman

Uber Member
Jul 10, 2006
46,336
195,472
79
Just north of Duma Key
Wish you could have listened to the audio that was available to us constant readers. The Maine accent of the narrator, the beat of the story, the excitement of the next big battle was spot on. The story filled ones mind with the perfect picture ( and Brian's Jake SKMB header only added to enhancing that picture).
I am eager to read the story and see if my mind can possibly re create that accent. I doubt it.:sad:
Not every SK story has to have a "horror" factor. I did find that the story contained something that we associate with the master of horror-- his character development. The ability to draw the listener/ reading into their being. Pick a side- the east or the west of the lake, sit back and enjoy the "explosive" nature of this story.
 

FlakeNoir

Original Kiwi© SKMB®
Moderator
Apr 11, 2006
44,082
175,641
New Zealand
Wish you could have listened to the audio that was available to us constant readers. The Maine accent of the narrator, the beat of the story, the excitement of the next big battle was spot on. The story filled ones mind with the perfect picture ( and Brian's Jake SKMB header only added to enhancing that picture).
I am eager to read the story and see if my mind can possibly re create that accent. I doubt it.:sad:
Not every SK story has to have a "horror" factor. I did find that the story contained something that we associate with the master of horror-- his character development. The ability to draw the listener/ reading into their being. Pick a side- the east or the west of the lake, sit back and enjoy the "explosive" nature of this story.
I wish I could have heard this! Looking forward to the print copy though. :)
 

skimom2

Just moseyin' through...
Oct 9, 2013
15,683
92,168
USA
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.

Curious how you think you can make an informed assessment AND offer suggestions when you haven't even read/heard the damn thing? As an author myself, I find that insulting and wildly nervy of you. I'm flabbergasted by your chutzpah, to be honest.
 
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mjs9153

Peripherally known member..
Nov 21, 2014
3,494
22,165
Curious how you think you can make an informed assessment AND offer suggestions when you haven't even read/heard the damn thing? As an author myself, I find that insulting and wildly nervy of you. I'm flabbergasted by your chutzpah, to be honest.
Was thinking the same thing..am not an audible book fan,so I will wait to see if it comes out on print,but I agree,at least make some effort to see what it is about before offering a judgement.
 

skimom2

Just moseyin' through...
Oct 9, 2013
15,683
92,168
USA
Was thinking the same thing..am not an audible book fan,so I will wait to see if it comes out on print,but I agree,at least make some effort to see what it is about before offering a judgement.
I'm not much for audiobooks. I remember better/more when I read something (ask my kids--lol! I forget things immediately, so they've learned to write down what I need to know :D).
 

Rrty

Well-Known Member
Jun 4, 2007
1,394
4,588
Curious how you think you can make an informed assessment AND offer suggestions when you haven't even read/heard the damn thing? As an author myself, I find that insulting and wildly nervy of you. I'm flabbergasted by your chutzpah, to be honest.

I think in this case there is a lot of information about what the essential DNA of the tale is. Also, if you think about it, isn't it okay for someone to eschew a piece of art based on a trailer that falls flat, or a review that is either negative or extremely descriptive of the product? Based on your argument, you cannot watch a trailer for a film and decide not to like it, and/or evaluate the probability that you will like it.
 
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FlakeNoir

Original Kiwi© SKMB®
Moderator
Apr 11, 2006
44,082
175,641
New Zealand
I think in this case there is a lot of information about what the essential DNA of the tale is. Also, if you think about it, isn't it okay for someone to eschew a piece of art based on a trailer that falls flat, or a review that is either negative or extremely descriptive of the product? Based on your argument, you cannot watch a trailer for a film and decide not to like it, and/or evaluate the probability that you will like it.
I have removed the lengthy story premise Rrty as it had stepped outside of the 'no story ideas' guidelines we have on the MB.
(You're free to ponder such things on a personal blog and could link us to it should you wish to, but we don't allow those types of posts on the MB, sorry.)
 

Walter Oobleck

keeps coming back...or going, and going, and going
Mar 6, 2013
11,749
34,805
Looks like an audio book is available, hey? I'd gone to the page on the date it was available, the 1st? For me to listen to an audio you'd need to bound and gag me, pull my chook over my eyes after removing my glasses so as not to damage them, and then hit play. I don't recall fidgeting in class way back yonder but there's some dim details...report cards...other things, minor events, really, but some people like to make a statement. There was this once, in Walmart, going through housewares I think it was and lo and behold there's an audio of Duma Key, next to some plastic containers to keep your essentials. I hit full stop, things in the cart slid forward, and I picked it up, gave it the once-over, and set it in the cart. First audio ever. Did have, still do have, an Aunt Bea who babysat and played records for us at different speeds, made the recordings sound like the chipmunks? And that's another tangent I best not explore. I did manage to listen to all four five or six CDs of Duma, followed along in the book, too...finger tracing the line to keep pace. Has its benefits. And you can hit stop and then play it again and somehow it knows where it left off...not like reading the book, say if you drop the book and your marker falls out? Some mysteries are best left unexplained.
 

cat in a bag

Well-Known Member
Aug 28, 2010
12,038
67,827
wyoming
Wish you could have listened to the audio that was available to us constant readers. The Maine accent of the narrator, the beat of the story, the excitement of the next big battle was spot on. The story filled ones mind with the perfect picture ( and Brian's Jake SKMB header only added to enhancing that picture).
I am eager to read the story and see if my mind can possibly re create that accent. I doubt it.:sad:
Not every SK story has to have a "horror" factor. I did find that the story contained something that we associate with the master of horror-- his character development. The ability to draw the listener/ reading into their being. Pick a side- the east or the west of the lake, sit back and enjoy the "explosive" nature of this story.
:clap:

I very much enjoyed the story and the reader. I have a few audiobooks, this one will definitely be added to my collection, because it was just perfect.
 

skimom2

Just moseyin' through...
Oct 9, 2013
15,683
92,168
USA
I think in this case there is a lot of information about what the essential DNA of the tale is. Also, if you think about it, isn't it okay for someone to eschew a piece of art based on a trailer that falls flat, or a review that is either negative or extremely descriptive of the product? Based on your argument, you cannot watch a trailer for a film and decide not to like it, and/or evaluate the probability that you will like it.

Sure, you can use trailers and reviews; that's what they're for. But to decide that you can do better without actually seeing the movie or reading the book is ridiculous. What if it's a bad trailer? What if the reviewer has an axe to grind? Cliff's Note-ing your way through life is a waste--without reference to the actual work, suggestions are baseless.
 

skimom2

Just moseyin' through...
Oct 9, 2013
15,683
92,168
USA
'
Looks like an audio book is available, hey? I'd gone to the page on the date it was available, the 1st? For me to listen to an audio you'd need to bound and gag me, pull my chook over my eyes after removing my glasses so as not to damage them, and then hit play. I don't recall fidgeting in class way back yonder but there's some dim details...report cards...other things, minor events, really, but some people like to make a statement. There was this once, in Walmart, going through housewares I think it was and lo and behold there's an audio of Duma Key, next to some plastic containers to keep your essentials. I hit full stop, things in the cart slid forward, and I picked it up, gave it the once-over, and set it in the cart. First audio ever. Did have, still do have, an Aunt Bea who babysat and played records for us at different speeds, made the recordings sound like the chipmunks? And that's another tangent I best not explore. I did manage to listen to all four five or six CDs of Duma, followed along in the book, too...finger tracing the line to keep pace. Has its benefits. And you can hit stop and then play it again and somehow it knows where it left off...not like reading the book, say if you drop the book and your marker falls out? Some mysteries are best left unexplained.
'Chook' is slang for chicken in Australia. I got lost imagining you with a chicken over your eyes :D
 

mjs9153

Peripherally known member..
Nov 21, 2014
3,494
22,165
'

'Chook' is slang for chicken in Australia. I got lost imagining you with a chicken over your eyes :D
th
 
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doowopgirl

very avid fan
Aug 7, 2009
6,946
25,119
65
dublin ireland
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 never base an opinion on what other people think. Not everything appeals to everyone. I personally am not a fan of audio books. I like music when I'm driving or something else. I listened to the excerpt and was intrigued enough to be interested in the print version. I think you need to find out for yourself unless you've decided not to like it based on something someone else said.
 

Walter Oobleck

keeps coming back...or going, and going, and going
Mar 6, 2013
11,749
34,805
'

'Chook' is slang for chicken in Australia. I got lost imagining you with a chicken over your eyes :D

Chook in the U.P. is a...what would you call it? Mispronunciation of the French word toque...I think that's how it is spelled. And it is what I'm wearing in the pic. Not visible are my deerskin "choppers" or the insulated green rubber "swampers". I only recently (maybe ten-twenty years) learned the origins of "chook"...never questioned it. Ma would scold, put on your chook! and look! your choppers are all wet! you should have put them by the register...we wore 'em with wool liners. Nothing like the smell of wet wool drying on a cast iron radiator, the radiator smacking and popping from time to time, chewing on wool.
 

skimom2

Just moseyin' through...
Oct 9, 2013
15,683
92,168
USA
Chook in the U.P. is a...what would you call it? Mispronunciation of the French word toque...I think that's how it is spelled. And it is what I'm wearing in the pic. Not visible are my deerskin "choppers" or the insulated green rubber "swampers". I only recently (maybe ten-twenty years) learned the origins of "chook"...never questioned it. Ma would scold, put on your chook! and look! your choppers are all wet! you should have put them by the register...we wore 'em with wool liners. Nothing like the smell of wet wool drying on a cast iron radiator, the radiator smacking and popping from time to time, chewing on wool.
Walter, you are one of my favorite people here. Thanks :)
 

Pucker

We all have it coming, kid
May 9, 2010
2,906
6,242
62
There is something particularly American about a "mine-is-bigger-than-yours" story.

Or did I miss the point?
 
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carrie's younger brother

Well-Known Member
Mar 8, 2012
5,428
25,651
NJ
Now this one was classic SK! I just love when he pits townsfolk against one another. I have to admit I was expecting just a bit more from the ending, but the telling of the story was hilarious and just bizarre enough to keep you turning the pages. Loved it!