The World of Pondside

By: Mary Helen Stefaniak

Narrated by: George Newbern

In a game of life or death, the seniors at Pondside Manor risk it all.

With help from Pondside Manor’s quirky, 20-something kitchen worker Foster Kresowik, resident Robert Kallman creates The World of Pondside, a video game that delights the nursing home’s residents by allowing them to virtually relive blissful moments from days long past—or even create new ones.

One-legged Duane Lotspeich is overjoyed when he can dance the tango again. Octogenarian Laverne Slatchek cheers on her favorite baseball team from the stands at Candlestick Park with her beloved husband—who died years ago. Even the overwhelmed Pondside administrator escapes her job by logging into a much more luxurious virtual world.

Robert’s game enlivens the halls of Pondside Manor, but chaos ensues when he is found dead, submerged in the pond, still strapped into his wheelchair. If any resident witnessed his death, they’re not telling—either covering up or, quite possibly, forgetting. And it’s far from clear to anyone—including the police—if the death of this brilliant man, who suffered from ALS, was suicide or murder.

When Robert’s video game goes dark, its players grow desperate. The task of getting it back online falls to young Foster, who enlists help from a raucous group of residents and staff. Their pursuit—virtual and real—has unintended consequences, uncovering both criminal activities and the secret plans of Foster’s friend Robert. From Pondside Manor, this unlikely bunch of gamers embarks upon an astonishing journey—blissful, treacherous, and unforgettable.

Packed with sharp wit and compassion, Mary Helen Stefaniak has written a rousing, perceptive, and utterly original novel.

©2022 Mary Helen Stefaniak. The Epic of Gilgamesh translated by N. K. Sandars published by Penguin Books. Translation (P)2022 Blackstone Publishing

Critic reviews

Publishers Weekly Pick

CrimeReads Pick

Excellent story. Perfectly written characters.

I absolutely fell in love with these characters. They are so real, if you can't identify more than one with a counterpart in your own life, then you just haven't met that many people. The story is engaging and has just enough mystery to keep you guessing. It never quite reaches edge-of-your-seat suspense, but it's fine because it's not that kind of story. Nothing that happens in this story is outside the realm of possibility, so it feels very real. It does leave you with a few questions, but I think they are perfectly unanswered, leaving you to interpret them however you want. Overall, a very enjoyable listen, and the narration is perfect.

Twisty & unique

This is one of those books that’s difficult to describe, because it’s complex: delightful, thought provoking, mysterious, sad, hilarious, relatable, sympathetic, and memorable.

At nearly 13 hours it’s a long listen, but there are so many characters and Stefaniak does such a thorough yet compelling job of weaving them all together that it didn’t feel like a burden. Each of these characters was so well constructed and realistic that it was impossible not to see someone I know in each of them. I became an NPC in the Pondside Assisted Living community.

Robert found a way to create a fantasy world via the alternate universe that was the game, The World of Pondside. When Robert dies of suspect cause, the residents and employees become embroiled in a variety of real world and virtual escapades. The mystery resolution felt a bit anti-climactic, but to me that wasn’t the central theme of the book as much as an adventure for the characters and listener. (The Cake is a Lie!)

Overall an enjoyable listen.

Narration:
George Newbern was excellent. There was a HUGE cast of characters of a variety of ages, personalities, and emotional events. He did a great job helping to differentiate them all. I loved his performance.