Attack of the Unsinkable Rubber Ducks

De: Christopher Brookmyre

Narrado por: Billy Boyd

Do you believe in ghosts? Do we really live on in some conscious form after we die, and is that form capable of communicating with the world of the living?

Aye, right....

That was Jack Parlabane's stance on the matter, anyway. But this was before he found himself in the more compromising position of being not only dead himself, but worse: dead with an exclusive still to file.

From his position on high, Parlabane relates the events leading up to his demise, largely concerning the efforts of charismatic psychic Gabriel Lafayette to reconcile the scientific with the spiritual by submitting to controlled laboratory tests.

Parlabane is brought in as an observer, due to his capacities as both a sceptic and an expert on deception, but he soon finds his certainties crumbling and his assumptions turned upside down as he encounters phenomena for which he can deduce no rational explanation. One thing he knows for certain, however. Death is not the end - it's the ultimate undercover assignment.

©2007 Christopher Brookmyre (P)2007 Hachette Audio

Reseñas de la Crítica

'Confirms Christopher Brookmyre's dazzling comic skills, but also reveals hitherto unseen depths of knowledge and analysis... Brookmyre conducts a serious debate in the midst of his usual brilliant mix of absurd plot, extravagant characters and unbounded wit' ( The Times)
'A hilarious and heartening satire on stupidity and an expose of those who know how to exploit it' ( Daily Telegraph)
'A thriller that is thought-provoking, terrifying and hilarious, and possibly Brookmyre's most accomplished book to date' ( Scotsman)
'Excellent plotting, seriously funny twists but still thoughtful' ( Guardian)
'The comedy has plenty of serious implications. Brookmyre's skill in crafting the story out of bluffs and double-bluffs ensures that it's more than a metaphysical jeu d'esprit masquerading as a thriller' ( Sunday Times)
'From the first page I was completely sucked into Brookmyre's multi-layered and intelligent plot' ( Mail on Sunday)

Entertaining from start to finish

I'm a little thick so it took me a few chapters to realize the first person narrative switches between three people - but once that was established I was able to enjoy how well-written, insightful, and witty this book was. Billy Boyd was a lovely narrator although once in a blue moon his Scottish accent slipped through when voicing an American character - this honestly made it sound more charming. If you're looking to buy an easy book which doesn't involve thinking, maybe go in a different direction - there are a lot of political undertones which drive you to do some critical thinking. Overall excellent!

Like sand in your swim bikini

I have tried TWICE to get into this. But the author doesn't appear to know which century he's comfortable in. He also writes across multiple continents when it's clear he's never been or doesn't fully understand the culture in half of them. Really IRRITATING.

BOTH times I've listened, I haven't gotten past Chapter Two. I'm not wasting my time again.