Seth MacFarlane's A Million Ways to Die in the West

A Novel

By: Seth MacFarlane

Narrated by: Jonathan Frakes

From the creator of Family Guy and director of Ted comes a hilarious first novel that reinvents the Western.

Mild-mannered sheep farmer Albert Stark is fed up with the harsh life of the American frontier, where it seems everything and anything can kill you: Duels at high noon. Barroom brawls. Poisonous snakes. Cholera-infected drinking water. Tumbleweed abrasion. Something called “toe-foot.” Even a trip to the outhouse. Yes, there are a million ways to die in the wild, wild West, and Albert plans to avoid them all. Some people think that makes him a coward. Albert calls it common sense. But when his girlfriend dumps him for the most insufferable guy in town, Albert decides to fight back—even though he can’t shoot, ride, or throw a punch. Fortunately, he teams up with a beautiful gunslinger who’s tough enough for the both of them. Unfortunately, she’s married to the biggest, meanest, most jealous badass on the frontier. Turns out Albert has just discovered a million and one ways to die in the West.

Great Book

I loved the book! Jonathan Frakes was easily able to give each character a voice!

Funny

The premise is funny and the story is funny, but what makes this book a gem is the frequent and surprising laugh-out-loud funny one-liners. Twice in the grocery store this afternoon, people I don’t know shied away from the crazy man with earbuds, laughing right out loud.

One of the all time great reading performances

Hilarious book that makes a lot of specific Wild West jokes actually if you are into the subject. Loved it.

Prepare to constantly adjust your volume

What did you love best about Seth MacFarlane's A Million Ways to Die in the West?

The author. It is so refreshing to see a visual entertainment artist have the chops to put words on paper in an engaging and interesting novel. He's talented and his book shows it.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Anna, by far. I'm sure the upcoming movie will reflect this as well.

How could the performance have been better?

THE NARRATOR DOES NOT MAINTAIN A CONSISTENT VOLUME! It is terribly frustrating how the narrator reads dialogue in a loud booming voice and story narration in a quiet one. I have to CONSTANTLY change my volume to accommodate him, which is frustrating by itself, but even moreso how his booming dialogue narration scares the crap out of me when I'm not expecting it. Plus, I'm listening with other people around so I'm trying to be considerate and that's made more difficult as well by having to adjust the volume after the fact.

Who was the most memorable character of Seth MacFarlane's A Million Ways to Die in the West and why?

This question is too similar to "who was my favorite character" and I don't feel like answering.

Any additional comments?

I feel like I just filled out a homework assignment worksheet... :)

Just as good as the movie!

just as good as the movie and with Jonathan Franks narrating it is just hilarious!