Men Behaving Badly

De: Tim O'Leary

Narrado por: David Bosco

O’Leary’s new collection is a frank, unflinching follow-up to 2017’s successful DICK CHENEY SHOT ME IN THE FACE. Here O’Leary does the impossible: dive into the psyches of the most destructive men– a stalker, a Klansman, public shooters— and creates narratives that neither rationalize, nor over-empathize. Refreshingly, these stories deliver both valuable insight, and perspective-enhancing humor.

Employing fiercer social commentary and broader imagination, these new stories are concerned with justice, redemption, mockery of a decaying and violent culture and the often greedy men behind it. But for every grubby and disastrous man, there’s hope in the form of the unexpected: a centenarian whose invisibility is a weapon, a retired Montana rancher, a California tomato farmer, an elderly Black woman from Brooklyn with some powerful knitting needles, two fly fishermen–even the Earth herself.

While nostalgia, humor, and blunt delivery hook the reader, O’Leary is dead serious about calling out liars, the indignities of American retirement, contagious gun violence, and other social and political ills.

©2023 Tim O'Leary (P)2024 Tim O'Leary

Fantastic listen

I highly recommend this read, I absolutely love the humor and how well the Author brings this audio to life, I highly recommend it, Shauna Joesten me and my husband share this account Richard Joesten

Entertaining short stories, excellent narration!

Men Behaving Badly by Tim O'Leary and narrated by David Bosco is an entertaining listen. If you enjoy short stories that have hints of darkness/naughtiness to them, give this book a listen. Some stories will have you pondering, others will have you laughing, and a few will probably remind you of people you know or have known. There’s a variety of tales that will maintain your interest. I can’t say I’ve come across a book quite like this in my life- that’s a good thing.

David Bosco’s narration is wonderful. Voices are spot-on (inflection, pace). The music at the beginning sets the tone for what’s to come (Tarantino/Dick Dale vibes) and the music used elsewhere fits (not a distraction).

“An entire community playing footsie with the grave digger.”
“I discovered the power of dishonesty while growing up in Billings, Montana.”
“Who goes to a concert at 3PM?”
“But remember I’m a product of a different generation.”
“He fought his temptation to confront the blowhole.” (I don’t know why I laughed so hard at this one, but I suspect it’s a combo of not hearing this word since I was a child and David nailing the narration).
“What knowledge did a seventeen year old from Missoula, Montana possess that warranted them being revered across the planet for their wisdom?”
“Too much alcohol seldom improves relationships.”

A brief description of each story and their runtime (no spoilers):

1) Made Men (40:40)~ An Arizona retirement isn’t quite what a man expected.
2) Raging (27:58)~ A futuristic look at society.
3) AnneMarie (19:00)~ One man’s obsession.
4) A Very Brady Funeral (35:16)~ A more realistic version of The Brady Bunch.
5) The 100-Year-Old-Sheriff (37:47)~ Don’t F*** with a 100-year-old sheriff.
6) Raping The Goddess (25:48)~ When nature reclaims what is theirs.
7) The Pass List (8:28)~ A wife’s surprise.
8) Secret Creek (41:32)~ Nature, generational differences, supernatural, and probably a little more.
9) The Klansman (19:20) ~ An eye for an...eyeish
10) Public Servant (19:36)~ A public servant discusses the power of dishonesty.
11) Reunion (22:54)~ Memories resurface.
12) What Are The Odds (33:19)~ An uncle and his nephew both trying to beat the odds.
13) The Impersonator (24:03)~ A deceiving experience.

This would be a good one for book club discussions as there’s plenty to chat about in each story. Overall, I highly recommend as the stories are entertaining and the narration fantastic.

Trigger warnings/parental advisory (not all are listed, but you get the idea with the book title):
***possible spoilers below***
************************
shooting, death, animal death, Sandy Hook/Parkland mentions, racial slur, drug mentions, stealing, rape that resulted in child (not told in detail), some swearing.

*I was given a free review copy of the book at my request and have voluntarily left this review. Thank you for allowing me to listen and review!