Paradise

By: Chaz Brenchley

Narrated by: Sam Devereaux

They call it Paradise - an inner-city danger zone, starved of resources, starved of hope; run-down housing, run-down lives. Then a miracle happens. A dying boy is healed by the touch of a charismatic young man. And that's only the beginning. Richard brings light into the darkest places.

©1994 Chaz Brenchley (P)2015 Audible, Inc.

Major Disappointment

I normally don’t purchase a book unless it has been thoroughly reviewed. I made an exception for this book and was reminded why I insist on reviews. While the characters are well developed that is the only redeeming feature of the book. The whole point of the story seems to be to convince the reader that humans are frail, fallible creatures that live inevitable lives. Half way through the book I considered asking for a refund but kept listening believing that it had to get better. It didn’t.

Deconstruction Teachings.

The author has written a long rambling story that helps kill any hope of mankind, of a better tomorrow, of an authentic Christianity. Had doubts about the authors writing from beginning, but kept hope it would turn good in the end. No, it seems to be a long, rambling decline to a depressing end. This is the first book I've listened to by the author, and probably the last. I'm sure in our upside down, rebellious, and empty society there will be some who like this style and subject. I suggest giving the name a change to "From Paradise to Purgatory“.

Slow and plodding, gave up midway through

This book starts out well, with a nice little character intro scene and an interesting setup for whatever mysterious thing is going on with one of the other central characters. But it goes off the trails after that, and just turns into a slow, meandering story that feels like it takes forever to get anywhere. I was having trouble staying invested, and the very low-key narration doesn't help at all. This feels like a good book to listen to if you have insomnia, you can just nod off for a while listening to the show, quiet narration, and when you get back, you don't feel like you've missed much.

I always feel bad about reviewing a book when I haven't finished it, but this one's tough enough to get through that I think I'm justified. It'd have to make a pretty unlikely turnaround to retroactively salvage the amount of slow material I've been through, and judging from the other reviews here I don't think I'm guessing wrong. Just not a recommend.