Donny and Ursula Save the World

By: Sharon Weil

Narrated by: Sharon Weil

Length: 8 hrs and 51 mins

Publisher's summary

Debut author, Sharon Weil, offers up a hilarious, sex-charged, romantic comedy adventure that’s “a fertile cross between Tom Robbins, Kurt Vonnegut and Mr. Toad’s Wild ride.

Can love make you brave? Hopelessly mismatched lovers, Donny and Ursula, are ignited by their mutual attraction to become unlikely heroes well beyond their imaginations or mere neurotic existences. If good sex can melt fear, and love can inspire leaps, then they’re in trouble because poor earth-loving, travel agent Ursula has never had the Big O, and cynical writer Donny’s heart is in hiding.

But, an agribusiness giant is out to own all the seeds of the world, and someone had better stop them! Could it really be these two will save the world? Find out as this story wheels and banks in eccentric glee, as love, sex, seeds and greed collide in outrageous climax. As they fumble their way to bravery, the flaws and foibles of Donny, Ursula, and their crazy rebel friends, (outlaw guerilla gardeners, belly dancing feminists, gun-crazy survivalists and mushroom messengers) are at once surprising, ridiculous, scary, and heartwarming.

The funniest book about love, sex and GMOs you’ll ever read!

©2014 Sharon Weil (P)2014 Sharon Weil

Donny & Ursula Come to Life

Would you consider the audio edition of Donny and Ursula Save the World to be better than the print version?

Yes. Sharon Weil's vocal expression brings the writing to life.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Ursula--because of her sporadically placed pony tails, her jangly bellydancing coins and her love for kombucha.

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

This is my first, but I'd listen to more. I love the way she brings the book to life.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Listening to Sharon Weil's cinematic details brings this book to life even more than reading it. Her imagining of the voices makes me see the characters as she intended. I loved that.

Saving The World According to Weil

Would you consider the audio edition of Donny and Ursula Save the World to be better than the print version?

I genuinely enjoyed both versions. Each version has its own merits. But I loved being able to turn up the volume so I didn't miss any of Weil's words while I was laughing out loud. Reading this book and laughing at the same time isn't so easy...
There's nothing like listening to the author reading aloud her words...Weil's reading/performance did her book justice!

What other book might you compare Donny and Ursula Save the World to and why?

The story of David & Goliath comes to mind...the underdog/loser/little guy takes on the giant and wins! Weil has created an extremely original, quirky & timely tale of an ancient theme...
oh yeah...but she mixes in just the right amount of sex, GMOs and Hyperhidosis...

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

This is the first and I'm hoping for many more to come.

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

Never underestimate the power of an orgasm.

And Yes! Yes! Yes! ...D&USTW would make a fabulous film!

Any additional comments?

Can't wait for the next book that emerges from Weil's outrageous mind and beautiful heart.

Great Read, Great Listen!

The book is an incredibly fun, fast read full of potent emotion and important information. In additon, it is fantastic to hear Sharon Weil, the author, read the text. The nuance and emphasis, which inherently comes through her, offers an added bonus to this creative adventure. TELL EVERYONE - THIS STORY IS NOT TO BE MISSED!

A Quirky Look at Sex & Love, Seeds & Science

If you could sum up Donny and Ursula Save the World in three words, what would they be?

Hip, cool, and groovy

What was one of the most memorable moments of Donny and Ursula Save the World?

When Ursula goes to Belly Dancing class and when Donny goes to Survivalist Camp

Which character – as performed by Sharon Weil – was your favorite?

Ursula, of course. But I identify more with Sheerah because she's so spiritual...and wise, and earthy, and sensual...who wouldn't want to be her?

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

A fresh, new romantic comedy about Mother Nature in all her glorious elements.

Any additional comments?

Sharon Weil reminds me of Tom Robbins. She's funny and irreverent and weaves a story with a social message. Donny and Ursula is a story of now. It's spiritually and socially conscious but the book is so much fun to read you really don't want to leave this weird world Weil has created. Reading Donny and Ursula is like breathing fresh air.

Doing the Happy Dance

Would you listen to Donny and Ursula Save the World again? Why?

I can imagine listening to this over and over, sharing it with friends,and laughing right out loud together.It danced me through some of the scariest things that are happening on the planet right now in an unexplainedly light-hearted and empowering way.

What did you like best about this story?

It doesn't balk in it's presentation of the dangers that surround us. The elephant is not only in the room, it has resurrected its tutu and leaps into view. Fantasia meets reality.

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

Let's face it: some authors can write, but are sorely lacking when it comes to reading--even their own carefully-crafted material.But Sharon Weil's voicing of Donny and Ursula guided me to the inner spirit of the text. Her uplifting tone suggested an attitude that I intend to employ more often as I traverse the mine field of life.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

I generally prefer to listen to audio books in bio-available bites, as my schedule allows. I like the way this text was broken--with lots of spots where I could stop and return later without feeling like I had to run back to find my way.

Any additional comments?

I couldn't help but "see" this story unfolding in my mind's eye as the author read. For me, it really seems like a prime candidate for a movie. I've watched it on the inside of my forehead with my imagination, but it would be lots of fun to see this adventure up on the big screen.

Even More Fun Than Reading

What made the experience of listening to Donny and Ursula Save the World the most enjoyable?

After reading this book, I enjoyed it so much that I bought a lot of books and gave them to my friends. It was EVEN MORE FUN listening to the audiobook in the author's own voice!

What was one of the most memorable moments of Donny and Ursula Save the World?

The way Donny and Ursula talk to each other especially in the beginning and in the end.

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

The fact that the author was reading the book meant so much to me because I understood why she was writing this book from the inflections in her voice. And she's SO FUNNY!

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

I was really scared when Ursula was locked under house arrest, and was so relieved when her e-motions set her free!

Any additional comments?

It was a must read and now it's a must hear!

Weil tells her tale like outrageous gossip.

Would you listen to Donny and Ursula Save the World again? Why?

Yes! Pure Entertainment.

What did you like best about this story?

The characters, the twists and theme is completely contempory.

Which scene was your favorite?

The orgasm.

If you could rename Donny and Ursula Save the World, what would you call it?

DONNY and URSULA TAKE MUSHROOMS

Any additional comments?

I fell in love with the characters while reading the hard copy. Weil's voice gave them ALL new faces.

I Loved Hearing the Writer Read the Book To Me!

Where does Donny and Ursula Save the World rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

It ranks among the top audiobooks I have listened to. I love hearing the book read by the author without any overacting. The characters really come alive.

What other book might you compare Donny and Ursula Save the World to and why?

This reminds me of some of the works by Carl Hiaasen and Tom Robbins. Outrageous quirky characters, absurdly funny situations and dialogue, and all the while tackling some very serious subject matter of - GMOs and the search for the perfect orgasm.

Which character – as performed by Sharon Weil – was your favorite?

Ursala, and hearing her on the audiobook makes her even more adorable.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes. But because it has short chapters, it is perfect to listen over several sittings.

Any additional comments?

I love this book, it has made me laugh out loud. The audiobook gives an extra layer of subtlety and outrageousness to the characters and situations. It's just plain fun. Good for the soul.