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Title: The Learners

Author: Chip Kidd

Narrator: Bronson Pinchot

Format: Unabridged

Length: 6 hrs and 28 mins

Language: English

Release date: 03-27-08

Publisher: Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Ratings: 3.5 of 5 out of 93 votes

Genres: Fiction, Historical

Publisher's Summary:

Written in sharp, witty prose and peppered with absorbing ruminations on graphic design, this stand-alone sequel to Chip Kidd's previous novel, The Cheese Monkeys, again shows that Kidd's writing is every bit as original, stunning, and memorable as his celebrated book jackets.

Critic Reviews:

"[A] beautifully composed paean to pre-computer graphic design...Kidd's ebullience and generosity in unpacking the art and practice of graphic design carry the novel." (Publishers Weekly)

Members Reviews:

Not Really a Comic Novel

I truly loved The Learners for the first third or so. It was charming, witty, and at times laugh-out-loud funny. Bronson Pinchot is a fantastic narrator, performing every voice so that I felt like I knew those people. His reading is certainly a 5-star performance, even though his material fell short.

The problem I had with this book was its inconsistency of tone. About a third of the way through to book, it abruptly turns from a light-hearted read (with a few weightier moments) into a maudlin presentation of a series of depressing events. I didn't expect the book to be "happy" all the time, but such a disparity was startling. The product description told us that the main character would face something devastating, but the change in tone just took it too far.

I certainly am not advocating staying away from this book. I am still glad I got it--if for nothing more than Pinchot's narration. But you should know what you're getting. If you like the sample, the narration is that fanststic consistently. If you're looking for the book to maintain that tone-- it won't.

Not much to like

The author is clearly in love with graphic design, advertising, and how it was practiced in the pre-digital age. That passion does bring a nice level of detail to the book, but that's about the only nice thing I can say. Well, I could also add that Pinchot does do a fine job with the reading.

The humor of the book falls flat as do the cardboard cut out wacky/tragic characters. The whole thing reads like a pale imitation of Cofederacy of Dunces. There is not much believable, charming, or funny about any of them or the situations they get into.

disappointing, jarring

Without revealing anything specific I can only say that this sequel was a jarring segue from The Cheese Monkeys, which I loved. It's less of a sequel and more of a macabre digression.

Performance makes this book

Bronson Pinchot brings this book to life! The story is interesting, but Pinchot lends an added 'umpf' to make this are really fun listen.

animated read

interesting departure from usual best seller reads, with super animated narration.