Edward Unspooled

De: Craig Lancaster

Narrado por: David Otey

Change keeps stalking Edward Stanton. He and his new wife, Sheila, have retreated to his small house in Montana after an unsuccessful attempt at operating a motel in Colorado. That failure has left wounds, especially for Sheila, and now they face a bigger challenge: pregnancy and impending parenthood.

Edward begins penning notes to the child (ever precise, he refers to the gestating being as "Cellular Stanton"), as he navigates married life with Sheila, who is unhappy and unfulfilled in Montana; a work partnership with his friend Scott Shamwell, whose own life is teetering; and the emergence of a long-buried family secret, and the effect of this revelation on his relationship with his overbearing mother.

Even as Edward's world expands, he must confront questions about whom to let in, how much to give, the very definition of family, the fragility of hope, and the expanses of love.

©2016 Craig Lancaster (P)2016 Craig Lancaster

First two were better.

This book wasn't bad. It just wasn't as good as the first two.
The narration was a bit disturbing. Luke Daniels perfectly gave voice to Edward and the other characters. Again, this narrator wasn't bad but as soon as the book started, I had a "That is not what Edward sounds like" moment.
While the changes in Edward's life are realistic, a few of the storylines are unrealistic. His mother marries the lawyer for one. His mother overall has changed from an overprotective, controlling woman into a harpy.
Overall, still a pleasant story. It's just not quite as good as the first two.

I love Edward

Would you consider the audio edition of Edward Unspooled to be better than the print version?

Yes

What did you like best about this story?

Edward is delightful

Would you be willing to try another one of David Otey’s performances?

No

Any additional comments?

Should have stuck with the original narrator. Luke Daniels was so, so, so much better. But, I did like the story

Bring back the other narrator

I did end up getting used to this narrator’s voice but I like the narrator who did the first two Edward books

excellent narration, wonderful continued story

It's been a while since I listened to books 1 and 2 - so the change in narrator has no effect on me - and David Otey did a great job with the narration.

I love the idea of writing a story in a letter-to-someone style. I think the Screwtape Letters were my first introduction to this style of story telling, and there is a very intimate feel that is enhanced with this style of writing.

I loved this installment of Edward's story. I don't know if there will be another, but would certainly listen to it if there was.

For anyone else who enjoys people-based stories with this style of writing, I recommend The Guernsey Literary Potato Peel and Pie Society audio book. It too is a book about human beings, how they relate to each other, and also has quiet humor throughout.

Wait 6 months after the first two to listen to it.

Well i waited more like a year but the point still stands. To be honest I wasn’t going to listen to the third book because of the narrator change. You can listen to the sample and just feel it is not the same and it is not the Edward we have grown to love.

I’m glad I changed my mind. This third book was so wonderful and emotional and after waiting a year I honestly forgot how my old Edward sounded and the new narrator was okay then. I can tell you i still wish it was the old narrator but it’s not and that’s okay. It’s not a good reason to give up on this last Edward book because it provides Edward with his most beautiful growth yet as a human. I loved it and I’m glad I waited and came back. Thank you Edward for teaching me a few things over your story.

You Are Going to Laugh Out Loud

Craig Lancaster continues the hilarious, honest, and moving story of Edward Stanton, a man with Asperger's Syndrome. The focus in this novel is on family and the many faces it possesses. Much of the story is written in diary entries, which was a brilliant tool allowing us to get much deeper into Edward's head and his socially awkward character.

"Edward Adrift" was the funniest book I have ever listened to on Audible, and this one was as funny with one exception. Narrator Luke Daniels brought Edward to life with humor and honesty in books one and two. His individualized voices for each character were consistent and believable.

David Otey, narrator of this novel, did a good job, but Luke Daniels IS Edward. Edward is a huge character with an incredible sense of presence, so the lack of continuity in narration was disappointing. It wasn't a poor performance, it just wasn't Edward.


Do yourself a favor and meet Edward- he wants to tell you about his bitchin' iphone.

Emotional

I was surprised at the emotional depth of the characters. I have enjoyed all three books, and while it was hard to have a new narrator in this installment, I found Edward just as endearing in Mr Otey's voice.
I am so happy to have met these characters and shared their journey. I feel like I have learned how to be a better person along the way. I hope that the author is further inspired to continue this amazing story.

Edward Evolving

Would you consider the audio edition of Edward Unspooled to be better than the print version?

Yes. The vocalization of Edward and Sheila and the other characters enhanced my enjoyment of the book. Edward's growing ability to open up to others - a remarkable evolution of the main character - comes across so well in the narrator's voice. Edward becomes warmer and more tuned into his emotions as the story develops.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Edward, of course! Craig Lancaster's depiction of Edward's autism in the earlier books (his need for structure, his difficulty with relationships and his resulting anger) makes the character's development in this third book truly remarkable. We readers are pulling for Edward all the way! Sheila and Scott and Hugo are all authentically drawn. And then there's Edward's mother, predictably self-centered but not entirely unsympathetic. To sum up, Edward has a terrific supporting cast.

What about David Otey’s performance did you like?

David Otey's delivery of the dialogue - or rather, the letters to the "kid" - was superb! Along with excellent diction, he has the ability to allow the characters to talk in a conversational, down-to-earth voice. Both Edward and Sheila open up about their own experiences and their anxieties and hopes for their child, and this vulnerability is respected in Otey's delivery. The humorous bits are handled well, too. It must have been hard for the narrator to refrain from chuckling at the "diet soda and Viagra diet" or the scene when Edward gets drunk. Both humor and pathos were delivered believably and well.

If you could take any character from Edward Unspooled out to dinner, who would it be and why?

I would take Sheila out to dinner. She obviously loves Edward deeply but probably has some frustrations she would likely air. I don't think there would be a lack of conversation over dinner!

Any additional comments?

Thanks to Audible for making the audio version of Edward Unspooled so easily accessible and technically excellent. I'm certainly recommending it to my friends.

Loved it!

The story & characters kept my attention & curiosity beginning to end! A great depiction of autism’s quirky expression.

✫✫ 3.5 Stars ✫✫ for narration change

Besides the narration change on the audiobook, I loved the ending to Edwards story. This was mostly written in letters and at first I wasn't sure about it but I did end up enjoying it as much as books 1&2. Seeing the world through Edward was truly eye opening and I did love that he grew so much from the beginning showing that with a little love and friendship, things were different for him. I'm sad it's over but it was a beautiful ride!

The narration was disappointing for me. Not because he wasn't a good narrator but because I listened to these one after another and already had Edwards voice in my head. Changing after 2 books just doesn't work for me. This narrator was ok but he was very robotic sounding and that was hard for me to get past.