Lost Boys

By: Orson Scott Card

Narrated by: Stefan Rudnicki

Length: 16 hrs and 1 min

Publisher's summary

Step Fletcher, his pregnant wife DeAnne, and their three children move to Steuben, North Carolina, with high hopes. But Step's new job with a software company turns out to be a snake pit, and 8-year-old Stevie's school is worse. As Stevie retreats into himself, focusing more and more on a mysterious computer game and a growing troop of imaginary friends, the Fletchers' concern turns to terror. Young boys, whose names match a list of Stevie's nonexistent friends, have mysteriously vanished from Steuben. And as evil strikes out from the most trusted corners, it's suddenly clear that Stevie is next on the list.

©1992 Orson Scott Card (P)2004 Blackstone Audiobooks

Critic reviews

Audie Award Winner, Science-Fiction, 2005

"Card skillfully uses terror as a background to everyday family life. For Stephen King fans and those who like their suspense mixed with the supernatural." (Library Journal)

My favorite of all of Card's works

I enjoyed this book more than any other that I've read/listened to from this author (including the Ender and Alvin books). Yes, there is a lot of religious content in it, but that is because for an active Mormon, your entire life is built around your religion, and the main characters in this book are a Mormon family. The nice thing this does for the book is add a great deal of depth to the characters.

Fantastic!

This would have to rank as one of the best audio books for adults I’ve heard to date (And I've listened to over 50 books). I would recommend it to anyone. You really get wrapped up in the characters and the story of a Mormon family moving to North Carolina and not having an easy time with the move/adjustment. The heart of the story revolves around their son who is completely isolated at school and is going through some kind of crisis. The end made my heart stop temporarily. You really are pulling for this kid and for the whole family. The whole story seems so real – it’s quiet amazing. The narrator was superb too! One quick criticism, you might get annoyed at the depth in which Orson Scott Card goes into Step’s work (around the third cd)– but stick with it as it is well worth the ride!

Confused

At the end of this book I found myself asking "When". This book is written in with the "paranoia" of all parents and the actual injustices "to" children simply because of their youth, in mind. The plot and theme are logical with several nuggets of "facts without associated relevance" thrown in to keep up the mystique. Sometimes these "facts" appeared to need immediate attention but were put off for later handling so as to create more anxiety. That was fine but did not correlate well with the high level of function of the main characters. Parental behavior was incompatible with the their displayed wisdom. The story does tug at one's emotions with an ending that is consuming. A statement at the end of the book, by the author, is a highlight but nevertheless I do not believe this to be a book on par with the Ender series.

Very good story

Good. Different than Card's other books. Not really sci fi but it does give you a insight into Mormonism.

Emotional

Very well read. Interesting subject matter and a very emotional ending. Not a fast moving novel, but paced well enough to keep me listening.

Very good

I was completely absorbed the whole way through. Blew through it in three days. It’s dark, and at times disturbing, but nonetheless wonderfully executed.
10/10 would recommend

A Great Story

I really enjoyed the story Orson Scott Card told and as I was going through it I kept trying to figure out where it was going. I couldn't. I don't think you will be able to figure it out either, but you too will enjoy trying to. When you get to the end it is a great finish.

Goosebumps in July creepy.

What did you love best about Lost Boys?

Reader clues are dropped like literary breadcrumbs, but I could not fit things together. The ending was unique and unexpected.

What other book might you compare Lost Boys to and why?

The feel is rather Stephen King, but not a specific King novel. Maybe a touch of Sixth Sense.

Have you listened to any of Stefan Rudnicki’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

No.

Who was the most memorable character of Lost Boys and why?

Stevie was an intriguing character. Very conflicted.

Any additional comments?

Also provided an interesting viewpoint on Mormon family life.

Too sad of an ending to recommend.

The ending is too disappointing and heartbreaking to recommend to others. The narrator did a nice job.

Wow

I didn’t look at the genre before reading so I was not expecting horror. It keep me listening every chance I got this weekend. I missed out on some sleep just to finish. Great story!