The Free Fall of Webster Cummings

The American Odyssey Collection

By: Tom Bodett

Narrated by: Tom Bodett

In this epic drama from beloved radio personality Tom Bodett, a host of unforgettable characters from the end of the road - Alaska - venture to the lower 48 to discover an America they barely recognize.

The first to arrive is Ed Flannigan, who has one arm, no job, and not a clue about how to get on with his life. Somehow he winds up in Quartz Creek, Oregon, contending with New Age colonists, organic vegetables, and a cranky old farmer who gives him peculiar and good advice about growing peaches.

Meanwhile, Lloyd and Evelyn Decker leave home and hit the road in a powder blue Road Ranger to find their wayward children; Oliver the Dreamer, a soft-spoken amnesiac, finds a home and a family under a bridge in Seattle; and Webster Cummings, a statistical research analyst, survives a fall from a commuter plane to bring together these and other strange and wonderful characters for an unexpected revelation that alters all their lives.

©2009 Tom Bodett (P)2009 Brilliance Audio, Inc.

Amazing

Tom Bodett made me cry in spots here and there. Great book, great read. Thoroughly enjoyable journey.

Wonderful, as usual!

The author is a wonderful narrator. He should have also read the chapter names. The style of those brief inserts was misplaced and not pleasant.

At least my 4th time through

I love this set of audiobooks, combined here. I've never understood why it hasn't become a classic work of American fiction. Bodett captures so much of our human condition with his gentle words and phrases that nevertheless reveal the depths of the disparate characters you'll find here.
Garrison Keillor was very popular when I first listened to this collection, and I couldn't figure out why he was more well-known than Tom Bodett, who has similar gentle humor, but much more depth. Every time I go through it, I see new things, and am always moved. just a beautiful work.

You'll Love the Americana

If you could sum up The Free Fall of Webster Cummings in three words, what would they be?

Engaging, Witty, Smart

What other book might you compare The Free Fall of Webster Cummings to and why?

Like no other I have ever read

What does Tom Bodett bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Tom Bodett paints vivd images with metaphor and weaves a tale like no other author. While his voice may seem somewhat monotone, it suits his material and style of writing so perfectly, it makes it feel familiar, like you are listening to an old friend tell the story, and leaves you believing you know the people in the stories.

Any additional comments?

Tom Bodett is one of the Great American Story Tellers. Don't miss this or any of his wonderful tales.

Intriguing Tom Bodett Story

It was a bit long, but it strung together many of the people in the sage of a family separated

Always a pleasure

I love Tom Bodett’s work. Whether it is his End of the Road series or stand alone stories or novels. He simply one of the best American writers around.

Tom Bodett goes long on the short story

I enjoyed this audible book immensely. Each chapter is like a short story but the author weaves the stories together in the most magical way to create a longer tale. Bodett’s Reading is magical also; The timing and intonation bring out the poignancy of each scene. He doesn’t tell us what the characters are feeling but rather gives us a vivid handle on there on their inner life by his pristine description of their actions and the setting. The plot is full of improbable coincidences but we are happy to go along. He avoids the neat ribbon that ties all the stories together, yet we have a feeling at the end that it all makes sense. I recommended strongly as a listen, and I’m left wondering if it is as superb without Tom providing the voices.

Classic Bodett

loved it! had a very good storyline & the characters all connected in some way or another. very very good

Tom Bodett is the most underrated modern author

Amazing heartwarming and inspiring. Tom Bodett captures the heart of the American in his down to earth easy going way. His wonderful delivery only compliments an already wonderful story.

Characters growing.

Just that. The evolution of characters and what helped them grow or not as sympathetic people.