A Visit from the Goon Squad by Jennifer Egan, narrated by Roxana Ortega
Published in print by Knopf, an imprint of Random House
Published in audio by BBC Audiobooks America
Synopsis:
Jennifer Egan’s “A Visit from the Goon Squad” is a series of loosely interconnected story revolving around music industry professional Bennie Salazar and his employee, Sascha.
Thoughts on the story:
I know that wasn’t a very good book synopsis, but it is hard to say much else about “A Visit from the Goon Squad” plot-wise. Really, it is less about plot than about the theme of time – the goon squad – and how it changes everyone eventually. I think that Egan put this book together beautifully. She wove the stories together in a way that made me quickly understand that they were connected but weren’t building to any plot point, allowing me to sit back and let her immerse me in Sascha and Bernie’s past, present, and future. I would love to have an expanded novel all about Sascha, though, she absolutely captivated me in the opening story.
Thoughts on the audio production:
Roxana Ortega did a fabulous job narrating this story. She differentiated characters well with subtle differences in her voices, without making it sounds like she was trying too hard. It seemed that she was also able to keep characters’ voices fairly consistent from story to story, even those with exceedingly small roles.
I was a bit worried that I would find it hard to listen to interconnected stories instead of reading them, since I wouldn’t be able to easily flip back to remind myself of who a character was, but it really wasn’t a problem at all in “A Visit from the Good Squad,” thanks to Ortega’s job narrating and the skillful way that Egan constructed her stories.
Overall
Highly recommended. It was great in audio, but I think it would be equally great in print.
Buy this book from:
Powells: Audio/Print*
A local independent bookstore via Indiebound: Print*
Amazon: Audio/Print*
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YOu are right, audios can be tough with multiple characters and linked stories, but in the hands of a seasoned author and narrator, it can work. I love the term Good Squad! We’ll see if I can get to this…I’ve got about 20 audios loaded on my iPod! (Audiobookweek is to blame!)
This is on I’ll definitely try in audio. Thanks for the review!
This sounds interesting – I bet my son would like it a lot.
Love that cover! Sounds like an interesting read (or listen) too.
Great review! I like books with a musical background. I also grew up in the 60′s and 70′s so I think I would enjoy this book.
I know it is silly, but as soon as I saw the cover I wanted to read this. I guess I’m easily convinced when a book is about music?
I just finished the “A Visit From the Goon Squad” in book form and it was excellent. This was my first by Egan and it will not be my last. She is an amazing writer. Yes, I would think this one would be difficult on audio. How did they manage the Power Point section? It was impressive in print. Thanks again!
There was a little whirring noise between slides and they described what was on each one.
I’m not sure this book is for me, but I think my younger brother would like it. Good to know it works so well in audio.
Always great to hear about a satisfying audio book. I’ll give it a listen as soon as it’s available from the library.
Like Iris, I saw that cover and I was sold. I always feel a little ashamed when that happens.