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This Is How Audiobook by M. J. Hyland
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Title: This Is How
Author: M. J. Hyland
Narrator: Rupert Farley
Format: Unabridged
Length: 11 hrs and 21 mins
Language: English
Release date: 04-01-10
Publisher: Whole Story Audiobooks
Ratings: 2.5 of 5 out of 3 votes
Genres: Fiction, Contemporary
Publisher's Summary:
When his fiancée breaks off their engagement, Patrick Oxtoby leaves home and moves into a boarding house in a remote seaside town. But in spite of his hopes and determination to build a better life, nothing goes to plan, and Patrick is soon driven to take a desperate and chilling course of action.
Members Reviews:
A difficult read that stays with you
I almost didn't make it through the first third of the book. The protagonist is so ill at ease in the world, I felt his agony was becoming contagious. The writing was effective, but it was almost too hard to be with this character.
As the book shifts in its focus, the power of the character is magnified further and the story becomes impossible to put down. Avoiding plot spoilers here, suffice it to say that the character's experience is fascinating, hard-breaking and, ultimately hopeful. A terrific book and well worth the read.
Surprised by a Great Read
I agree with the other commenters. This book took me by surprise. I read the entire thing over the weekend, finding it hard to put it down. The compact style keep the movement of thought and deed moving at an engaging speed. After finishing the book, I immediately looked for more books from this author. Without reservation, I recommend this book.
Dismal tale of a doomed life
Having enjoyedHow the Light Gets Inby the same author, I decided to give this book a chance, despite misgivings from reading the blurbs. I can respect the author and her empathy for the lost souls of the world, but I can't say that I enjoyed reading This Is How.
Our "hero", Patrick, is the epitome of the lost soul. He lacks self-awareness, and his unrealistic expectations constantly set him up for disappointment. He experiences social interactions with hallucinatory vividness; so much hangs on each exchange. Hyland so skillfully portrays the week before his crime that I wanted to shake Patrick through the pages of the book. It seems odd, however, that Patrick knows with confidence that he is a good auto mechanic and a good pool player. These gifts, naturally, do not translate into any sort of well-being or patience with the world. They seem instead to hasten his demise.
It is to be expected that most of the characters in the novel are male and unlikeable. This makes it hard to recommend the book to anyone except perhaps women (like the author) who are intrigued by male pathology. The few female characters are a welcome break from the overall gloom that pervades.
The ending is a bit unsatisfying. It feels like a desperate reach for some kind of insight, some kind of hope that Patrick will become more whole in the future, despite facing the horrors of life imprisonment. Good luck with that!
Superb work.
A superb writer.
Spare and incisive.
Heartbreakingly beautiful
Two Stars
Good writer, boring story
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Title: This Is How
Author: M. J. Hyland
Narrator: Rupert Farley
Format: Unabridged
Length: 11 hrs and 21 mins
Language: English
Release date: 04-01-10
Publisher: Whole Story Audiobooks
Ratings: 2.5 of 5 out of 3 votes
Genres: Fiction, Contemporary
Publisher's Summary:
When his fiancée breaks off their engagement, Patrick Oxtoby leaves home and moves into a boarding house in a remote seaside town. But in spite of his hopes and determination to build a better life, nothing goes to plan, and Patrick is soon driven to take a desperate and chilling course of action.
Members Reviews:
A difficult read that stays with you
I almost didn't make it through the first third of the book. The protagonist is so ill at ease in the world, I felt his agony was becoming contagious. The writing was effective, but it was almost too hard to be with this character.
As the book shifts in its focus, the power of the character is magnified further and the story becomes impossible to put down. Avoiding plot spoilers here, suffice it to say that the character's experience is fascinating, hard-breaking and, ultimately hopeful. A terrific book and well worth the read.
Surprised by a Great Read
I agree with the other commenters. This book took me by surprise. I read the entire thing over the weekend, finding it hard to put it down. The compact style keep the movement of thought and deed moving at an engaging speed. After finishing the book, I immediately looked for more books from this author. Without reservation, I recommend this book.
Dismal tale of a doomed life
Having enjoyedHow the Light Gets Inby the same author, I decided to give this book a chance, despite misgivings from reading the blurbs. I can respect the author and her empathy for the lost souls of the world, but I can't say that I enjoyed reading This Is How.
Our "hero", Patrick, is the epitome of the lost soul. He lacks self-awareness, and his unrealistic expectations constantly set him up for disappointment. He experiences social interactions with hallucinatory vividness; so much hangs on each exchange. Hyland so skillfully portrays the week before his crime that I wanted to shake Patrick through the pages of the book. It seems odd, however, that Patrick knows with confidence that he is a good auto mechanic and a good pool player. These gifts, naturally, do not translate into any sort of well-being or patience with the world. They seem instead to hasten his demise.
It is to be expected that most of the characters in the novel are male and unlikeable. This makes it hard to recommend the book to anyone except perhaps women (like the author) who are intrigued by male pathology. The few female characters are a welcome break from the overall gloom that pervades.
The ending is a bit unsatisfying. It feels like a desperate reach for some kind of insight, some kind of hope that Patrick will become more whole in the future, despite facing the horrors of life imprisonment. Good luck with that!
Superb work.
A superb writer.
Spare and incisive.
Heartbreakingly beautiful
Two Stars
Good writer, boring story