Loved it! This was a re-read for me.

To be honest, I wasn't expecting greatness from "Bear, Otter, and the Kid" even though most of my GR friends adore this one. First of all, I try to not read books with kids in them. I can't deal with tragedy and little kids and, inevitably, tragedy befalls them in books where kids play a main role. Not my cup of tea. Also, the title threw me off. I wasn't feeling it. However, I couldn't ignore the amazing reviews so I decided to give this one a try. And, low and behold, I loved this one. Excuse me while I gush a little.

What really struck me was the chemistry between Bear and Otter. It was wonderful and rich and full of pure love. That is really the best way to describe it. They are so pure in the way that they love each other, and it is just magical to read. T.J. Klune manages to pull that off without it coming across as insincere or phoney, which is a very difficult feat.

I also loved the secondary characters. The Kid was so sweet, funny, and observant. He was the perfect innocent voice of reason, and I fell in love with him. I wanted to adopt him myself by the end of the book. Anna and Creed were also fab and really added to the plot.

My only issue with this one was that I don't do well with plot twists meant to drive readers nuts and for the last 20% of the book or so I was tearing my hair out!

Come on! Did you have to do that to me T.J.??

I have heard some controversy over this book and its similarities to the movie "Shelter". I haven't seen the movie, but honestly, I didn't care that it possibly borrowed ideas from the plot of the movie. It still took major skill to pull off writing such a wonderful work of fiction. T.J. Klune just earned himself auto-buy status for me!

As always, the narration from Sean Crisden was awesome. Nicely done.

19 persone l'hanno trovata utile

Nothing But the Best!

I vaguely remember this title previously being given five-star reviews on some known review sites, but admit that such ratings never swayed me before. Truthfully, I bought this book entirely on merit of Sean Crisden being the narrator. He did not disappoint me! Neither did the novel itself. Admittedly, I'm a huge gay-for-you fan and as Sean Crisden is one of my top ten favorite audiobook narrators, I knew I would not regret this purchase.
Even at its angsty-est moments, this novel is a cut above the rest. Personally I found that the storyline reminded me quite a bit of the movie Shelter (2007) and as the previous reviewer mentions, there is an overdone ocean imagery that could have been reigned in. I'm also not the biggest fan of the main characters (incl. the supporting cast!) bursting into tears at any given emotional moment. But all this is forgiveable in light of a well-written, well-narrated story. And it is indeed a well-written novel! I never got bored, never had a moment when I was tempted to skip forward. The pace and the story arc was excellently done, balancing angst with humor very well. To his credit, Sean Crisden does what he does at his best, giving personality to the characters and diving into every scene with such enthusiasm and fearless animation that it was difficult to turn the audio off, and I never really wanted the book to end. With over 12 delicious hours to enjoy, I say forget listening to the sample. Just go ahead and buy this one!

13 persone l'hanno trovata utile

Laugh almost cry and want to strangle Bear

The story is great and less predictable then most male/male romance books in many ways. it is funny, very few books can make me laugh out loud. The Kid quickly became a fav of mine funny smart and perceptive. The ocean metaphor got overdone for me. but that is a small thing. Bear is one of those people we are encouraged to like and I do for most part but some points you want to strangle him for missing what's staring him in the face.

The narrator is not the best is ok and i have noticed if like this type of book you're stuck with him

In short buy this book its cheap and fun and in today's world we all need some escapes

6 persone l'hanno trovata utile

Love this story!

Any additional comments?

The way TJ Klune writes is sublime. He creates a world for the reader. Not of perfect characters with perfect lives, but of imperfect characters that you love because you know someone just like that.

I can re-read his novels time and time again.

I would think it's pretty hard to do narration with a kid who is prominently throughout the story - so I offer kudos to Crisden for his voicing of the Kid.

There are quite a few characters in this, and Crisden definitely gives all the characters their own discernible voices, and it's very easy to follow along with audibly.

While I can't say this is my favorite Sean Crisden narration - I did enjoy it overall.

4 persone l'hanno trovata utile

Too Long!

This audiobook was 200 pages too long. I came in really excited because of the kid angle and I got a book of 5 matyrs.

17 year old Derek "Bear" as his baby brother Tyson couldn't pronounce Derek came home one day to find a note for his mother. She was leaving with her latest loser boyfriend for parts unknown. Since the loser didn't want her kids, she was leaving Tyson "Ty" in Bear's care. She had the presence of mind to print ouf a power of attorney form from the internet, and signed it (though it was incorrectly executed). Then she so graciously left him $137.50...but drained Bear's bank account because she and loser needed start up money.

Luckily Bear was turning 18 in a couple of weeks, and had been planning to go away to college. Now he was stuck with an 8 year old boy and he was petrified. Thus began Bear's journey as "Brother-parent" as well as finding himself as a man. Luckily, he had some friends who stood by him and pitched in where they could. Bear's best friend Creed, Creed's older brother Otter, Anna--Bear's girlfriend, Mrs. Paquin, Bear's neighbor all became an adopted family that rallied around Bear and Ty. In the process Otter became more than a best friend's older brother too.

I don't know if there was much that I really enjoyed except Otter's longsuffering and patience. He was awesome. I actually liked the kid too. I mean seriously, how many 8 year olds religious watch Anderson Cooper and are vegetarians based solely on his own research into animal cruelty. He was wise beyond his age.

What I didn't like: Everyone was a matyr..well except for his deadbeat mother. Also, there was a lot of flashback, going from first person narrative to third person and a lot of monologue. This story could have been told in 150-200 pages. It was way too long. It wasn't angsty at all. It was just meh for me. I wouldn't be reading book 2.

4 persone l'hanno trovata utile

Silly title, incredible book

What made the experience of listening to Bear, Otter, and the Kid the most enjoyable?

The perfect narrator for this story. Sean Crisden.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Bear, of course. Followed closely by Ty and Otter. Even the secondary characters were wonderful.

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

Sean narrated all but the first two in Abigail Roux's Cut & Run series. Loved them. All stellar performances.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Oh, you mean all the times when my heart was ripped out through my ribcage?

Any additional comments?

The story was heartwarming, gut-wrenching, sweet, hot, hilarious... a rollercoaster of emotions. Very well written and brilliantly narrated, especially Bear's internal dialogue. The secondary characters were nearly as well developed as the three main characters. A solid five-star story and performance.

4 persone l'hanno trovata utile

Loved it!!

I've always loved Sean Crisden as a narrator! He just makes the characters come to life...I will always be a fan of his...this story was so good I found myself becoming emotional...
I know when a story is good is when I shout at the characters!

4 persone l'hanno trovata utile

Engrossing from step one.

I have to say - before anything else - that the narrator, Sean Crisden, absolutely nailed this one. Every character has a voice, and those voices built upon the characterization that T.J. Klune gave them, and brought them even more to life.

Not that they needed any help. Bear, the Kid, and the cast of characters that surround them (especially Anna and Otter, of course) are so richly designed that they live and breathe for the reader (or, in my case, listener.)

Without giving anything away, the situation is this: At eighteen, Bear is left with guardianship of his younger brother because his mother takes off with her boyfriend. His entire life narrows down to the realization that he needs to take care of his brother - the wonderfully written Kid from the title, who is barely six or so at the time. That his best friend, his best friend's bother (Otter) and his girlfriend Anna are there to help - not that Bear feels he can trust anyone ever again.

This is the crux of the story, that Bear can't open himself up to accept help without mallet to the head, and that trust for him does not come easily.

Also - there's the way he feels about his best friend's older brother - Otter - not that he wants to think about that at all.

T.J. Klune spins a wonderful story here - it's engaging, it's enraging (seriously, Bear is so incredibly infuriating at times, but in a way that makes you keep going), it's sexy, it's emotionally disarming (the Kid is freaking adorable), and - frankly - it's completely engrossing. I was absolutely hooked on this story from step one.

I'm definitely finding more T.J. Klune.

3 persone l'hanno trovata utile

Heart Warming

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

YES! I already have. This was one of the sweetest most heart warming stories that I have heard in a long time. It was totally worth the purchase and I will be listening to it again and again!

What was one of the most memorable moments of Bear, Otter, and the Kid?

There are so many...but I think my favorite part, with out giving too much away, was Bear and the kid sitting in the tub to be safe from the "Earthquakes"

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

No I haven't, but this was pretty good. He has a good voice and he really seemed to portray everything the way it should be. The only negative thing I have to say is that sometimes his voice got so low that the word he was saying seemed to be whispered and was kind of hard to hear.

3 persone l'hanno trovata utile

Don't judge a book by its title

Would you consider the audio edition of Bear, Otter, and the Kid to be better than the print version?

The print version was better only because I liked the sound of Kid's voice in my head better than the narrator's attempt.

Who was your favorite character and why?

I like Bear the most because of the voices in his head that he argues with. I can relate.

What about Sean Crisden’s performance did you like?

I didn't really care for Ty or Otters voices. I liked Creed and Bear. He portrays emotion really well

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

The fight for him is all he's ever known...

Any additional comments?

I Would like to hear the next book.

3 persone l'hanno trovata utile