Greyhound

By: Steffan Piper

Narrated by: Nick Podehl

Sebastien Ranes’s single mom and her feckless boyfriend can’t be bothered to take care of a stuttering 12-year-old. Banished to live with his grandmother on the far side of the country, the boy can barely understand a bus schedule when he gets dumped at the Greyhound station in Stockton, California. Given $35 and a one-way ticket to Altoona, Pennsylvania, Sebastien must cross the country - alone, without a clue how to fend for himself.

Filled with youthful anger and naïveté, Sebastien heads out into the "Morning in America" of Ronald Reagan’s 1980s, encountering temperamental bus drivers, charming, shifty, and downright dangerous strangers, the music of Daryl Hall and John Oates, and an ex-con named Marcus, who takes the boy under his wing. In an unforgettable trek that evokes Oliver Twist and The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, the unlikely pair lurch from one misadventure to another, tumbling toward an elusive understanding of where and how, in a troubling world, to look for light.

©2012 Steffan Piper (P)2012 Brilliance Audio, Inc.

Beautiful story of disappointment and friendship!

Greyhound is a story about a 12 year old boy sent from Stockton CA to Altoona PA alone by a self absorbed mother on a Greyhound bus. He had very little money. It is set in the 1980's. The boy is being sent to live with his paternal grandparents and sister. It is ultimately about a friendship with a recently released prisoner(and others) along the way. It is also about disappointment and how it is handled, It is really a simple story about life's lessons well learned. The big question is, "What is in his two large suitcases?" This is one I would definitely listen to again. Nick Podehl does a great job of narration.

A real ride

A ride you can't help enjoy with a young man who grows with the tests of life on a cross country Greyhound bus. Fascinating trip with fascinating people! Reader and story I will visit again.

A Refreshingly Satisfying Story

After reading reviews, I had a feeling I would enjoy this book. I was not disappointed. Right from the beginning, your heart breaks for this boy, and an unlikely friendship forms between two people who are not so unlike eachother, despite being from very different backgrounds, and a wonderful story ensues. As the book ended, I found myself happy, but wishing there was a sequel. A book like this one would make a wonderful movie. Loved it.

Greyhound adventures

Would you consider the audio edition of Greyhound to be better than the print version?
Probably so

What other book might you compare Greyhound to and why?
None

Which character – as performed by Nick Podehl – was your favorite?
Marcus-loved his voice and genuine care and concern for his traveling companion.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?
No remote extreme reaction. Just a pleasant story to read multiple times.

Any additional comments?
A good novel to listen to for cleansing one's mine after listening to murder mysteries and other thrillers

Extremely good, original story.

OMG. Hard to believe this is a true story. It's a very unique tale! AWESOME
narration also.

Great read. WONDERFUL narrator!

Wasn't sure about this book but was very pleasantly surprised at how much I loved it.
The narrator was the best of the 50+ books I've listened to. He changed voice characters effortlessly.

Captivating & Funny Tale of Hard Realities

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

Yes. The depth of characters, their flaws and sometime redemptions were all told so well. A tale of diversity told through the eyes of a boy too downtrodden to dismiss anyone as a potential friend. Despite his treatment, he has maintained his compassion for others.

What other book might you compare Greyhound to and why?

I really can't. I don't usually read this genre of books but I may start.

Which scene was your favorite?

The cafe scenes were all magnificent. New city, new cafe, new funny scenes.

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

Yes! I took my ipod everywhere. A great escape.

Good Adventure

great story full of adventures overall good book would recommend it to friends and
family

A fun simple heartfelt journey.

Enjoyed the listen. Great narration. Brought all the characters to life. Glad I listened. A fun journey, well described.

Keeper

This is a story that takes hold of your heart, making you realize all of us shape the lives of those we touch even briefly. The narrator is wonderful.