Eating Trees

A Piece of Total Fiction

By: Jeff Koppelson

Narrated by: A. T. Al Benelli

Eating Trees is a rags-to-riches-to-rags story of an ordinary working guy who suddenly has an extraordinary idea.

Nick Cerelli has always been "big-boned," as he and his family refer to their tendency to put on weight. He works hard as a laborer but never seems to get ahead until he makes an observation one day while working on a construction job: Fine sawdust feels like flour.

"See, my big idea was to make some kinda diet Twinkie outta sawdust. Really. And why not? Lucky just showed me sawdust that looks and feels like flour! Fine enough to powder a baby's rear end. Talk about lucky!"

Knowing that sawdust can't be digested, he speculates that if he could somehow make an appetizing cookie out of the sawdust, he could cash in on the diet craze and finally make his fortune; dieters could enjoy the cookies and not put on weight unless, in his words, they were termites.

Nick enlists his friends and family in the scheme to invent an artificially flavored and sweetened sawdust cookie and starts up his own company, Beaver Brand. For a brief while, Beaver Brand becomes the latest Big Thing, and Nick and his crew get to experience the sweet taste of success until people eating too many of his delicious cookies start to have digestive issues.

Nick relates his story in the first person, speaking in the colorful dialect of his New York neighborhood. Anyone who has battled weight issues or dreamed of "hitting it big" will relate to and laugh at Nick's preposterous idea as he thinks it through and decides that this is it: This is going to be his ticket to the good life.

©2014 Jeff Koppelson (P)2014 Jeff Koppelson

Funny Story Made Hilarious by Expert Delivery!

Have you listened to any of A. T. Al Benelli’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

Al does it again! This is second book I've listened to with Al as the narrator and I'll continue to seek out his titles! While this story is very funny and is full of positive messages the funniest and best material can be destroyed by poor delivery; Al's performance, by contrast, increases the audience's enjoyment of Jeff Koppelson's work. I look forward to listening to Al's next work!

A Hoot and a Howl!

Where does Eating Trees rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

In the top 5 for sure! This was my first comedy audiobook and I'm sure people must have thought I was a touch crazy when I laughed out loud on the train... hope they saw my earbuds!

Who was your favorite character and why?

Nick... I can think of so many guys he reminds me of... but he mostly reminded me of Joe Pesci in "My Cousin Vinnie"... I guess because of the way the narrator acted the character. Very Funny!

What does A. T. Al Benelli bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

The voices were great! I guess when you read you kind of make up voices in your head... like background thinking. Benelli relieves the listener of that burden and the way he switched from one to another and back again was very impressive. It sounded like a cast of characters on a radio show. It sort of conjured up mental images of Robin Williams or Jonathan Winters... Is he a little off? Who cares... the performance was very entertaining.

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

I didn't really intend for it to go that way... but it did! I figured a 90 minute commute but after dinner I went back to it and let it run completely through. The story is one you can't really walk away from... I kept saying, "One more chapter" but then I wanted to see where things were going. Very well written. I'll let my sister listen tomorrow on the beach! It should keep her quiet for a while. lol

Any additional comments?

I've listened to another of the narrators books before. That's how I found this one... from the link.

Interesting

I enjoyed listening to this book. Enjoyed the New York accent!! Getting ready to listen to another book by this performer.

Wanna relax with a fun story ?

Eating Trees was a fun, entertaining jaunt through the lives of colorful characters. Al did a great job of keeping the story flow moving and wanting me to hear each succeeding chapter and story.

Just imagine the possibilities!!

Where does Eating Trees rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Since this was the first audiobook I've listened to, I was surprised that it had me captivated from the chute. The story progresses on an easily-relatable level, and I found myself giggling to myself about ideas and thoughts that, before now, had been intimately personal!

What did you like best about this story?

The humor from the experiences in Mr. Sorelli's cookie business put me in his life for the duration of this audiobook. I found myself cheering for his success, and shaking my head when things didn't go his way. The Atlantic City excursion was my favorite, as the description of the events placed me right next to Nick and Connie. We've all been there!

Which character – as performed by A. T. Al Benelli – was your favorite?

I enjoyed listening to all of the voices of the different characters, but I thoroughly enjoyed Nick Sorelli, the guy next door!

If you could rename Eating Trees, what would you call it?

Paper cookies? A Lesson Learned ... or Not?

Any additional comments?

This was a fun start to my audiobook experiences. I enjoyed listening to Al Benelli's narration, and found myself listening more closely when the voices changed. As a North Dakota girl, Al's accent made me smile from Word One, and I would love to hear what else he's got out there! Thanks for the listen!

Hilarious!

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

Oh definitely... This was sooooo fun to listen to... All my friends at one time or another... have dreamed of making it big... Have been on some kind of diet... Have fallen in love with Italians and their food... Have run across a character like this...

What other book might you compare Eating Trees to and why?

Is there a book version of "My Cousin Vinny"? I mean... it's just like that! If you liked that movie with that little Italian mob guy as the lawyer... you're gonna love this.

Have you listened to any of A. T. Al Benelli’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

Yes. I'm a fan and follower of his. I would put this up as one of his BEST... if not THE BEST! I see it won an Earphones Award...

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

It has to be at the end when he argues his case with the other lawyer... Only Italians have that kind of "logical" thinking. I laughed out loud...

Any additional comments?

Other than the occasional 'cuss words" this would make a great family movie. As it is I wouldn't give it to young kids... but for teens on up? Hell Yeah. Fuhggeddaboudit!

A marvelously fun story

Would you listen to Eating Trees again? Why?

I have listened to Eating Trees three times now and never get tired of how Al Benelli brings Jeff Koppelson’s characters to life. Al has done a masterful job of bringing Nick and company alive with his ability to show their true character with his talented voice.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Eating Trees?

There are many memorable parts of Eating Trees starting with the very beginning as we learn who Nick is to his never ending optimism at the end. My favorite part was Nick dealing with the lawyer who was trying to get his statement prior to going to trial over his cookie venture. Classic stuff.

Which character – as performed by A. T. Al Benelli – was your favorite?

No question, Nick. You have to admire his never ending optimism.

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

I laughed like hell. I was a little sad about how it ended but that’s life and Jeff Koppelson told the story of a typical dream gone bad very well.

Any additional comments?

I look forward to more great stories from Jeff Koppelson and Al Benelli. They are both great talents in their own rights.

A must to listen to. Great light hearted story.

Easy listening story about a guy trying to make it big. Narrations were wonderful.