Finally! Someone who can read a Heinlein story!

Would you listen to Job again? Why?

I have listened to Job three times. Of course, I like well-done satire, though it may not be everyone's cup of tea, especially if your ox is being gored by the writer. But I think this story is one of the best refutations of biblical literalism I know of.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Job?

Most memorable moment? That's a tough one. I think it's the confrontation with Satan in Satan's great hall.

What about Paul Michael Garcia’s performance did you like?

Obviously, I like the performance. There are so many BAD performances of Heinlein's work. For example, the reader of Time Enough For Love should be banned from further work. I mean, come on, I could almost hear the page turning. But here, Mr. Garcia plays the main character straight. Alex believes, and Paul Michael Garcia captures his sincerity and gullibility perfectly.

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OK, So I Get The Joke Already...

What can I say about Robert Heinlein that hasn't been said before? How about the man was brilliant, and clearly certifiable. JOB: A Comedy Of Justice traces the story of Alex and Marga as they are dumped between alternate realities with little more than the clothes on their backs (and in a couple of cases with nothing on but their smiles). The story works to a point but, after the first few transitions, I stared to wonder why Heinlein didn't stop. These characters were being tormented until they encountered a Texas rancher who helps them out (and eventually turns out to be a very likable Satan).
I enjoy satire, but I would have expected more subtlety from someone of Heinlein's stature.
The sound quality of this recording was very good and the reading by Paul Michael Garcia was clear and well paced.

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Audio Quality Issues

The volume of this audiobook is very inconsistent. At times the narration is incredibly loud, but a while later it will be so soft that it is difficult to hear. I have over 200 books in my Audible library and have never experienced this before. This appears to be a technical problem, and not an issue with the narrator, who does a fine job.

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Fun read but dated

Written pre-internet pre-cell phone. Has older referenced. Don’t let it be your first Heinlein read.

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Revisited 20 years later!

This is the first book of Heinlein I ever read back in 1997! At the time, it ignited a fiery passion and ferocious appetite for Heinlein books.

So what did I think of it in 2017? Being irreverent about religion and in particular Christianity is nothing new for me so I realise that I have changed a lot from the last time hearing it.

Parts of the book is frustrating as hell. The lead character is a dimwitted misogynist and I had trouble dealing with his dialogue at times. Quite a few times!

But in the end I still felt the story was entertaining enough that I haven't sworn off Heinlein and in typical Heinlein fashion, things pick you up towards the end before dumping you on your head again (in a good way).

I will revisit another Heinlein audiobook in the next few months to see how much of what I experienced boils down to his style and how much has go to do with this book being written after a serious brain-related operation or, option 3, with the fact that I'm twenty years older since the last time I read it!

@drmuso

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SUCH A LOVE STORY - WHODATUNK THAT!

Would you consider the audio edition of Job to be better than the print version?

I never read the print version.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Jerry. He was Alex and Marga's best - and VERY unlikely - ally all the way through!

What does Paul Michael Garcia bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Paul Michael Garcia made me feel like I was sitting with him over several long dinners listening to his personal journey!

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

Who doesn't keep a long and endearing love story for the ages close? I laughed, argued back, took my head set off in anger once, and worried about Alex and Marga.. no tears, well maybe at the end; the joyful kind that happen with great celebration.

Any additional comments?

This was recommended to me by a close friend off and on for over a year. I needed something new, out of the box and boyhowdy was it ever! It is an interesting journey through a life on many many levels -- one that had a much deserved reward. I may pick this one up in print and put it in my personal library, It will be full of little sticky flags and multi-color highlighter marks! It is just a novel, it is one for the ages.

2 people found this helpful

You can't go back!

I remember reading this book about 25 years ago. I loved it. I remember it as one of my all time favorite books. When it popped up on Audible I was so excited to relive it. Well, you can;'t go back. I was bored beyond belief. In the first 15 minutes we establish the basic story, Our two main characters are bouncing around in alternative versions of late 20th century america. After the first few bounces the novelty is over, but you have several 100 more to trudge through. I guess when I was 18 that was enough, now I am 46 and I need a little more. I write more for require spoilers which I hate coming across in reviews. Heinlein is a great writer and perhaps my previous reading spoiled the story for me. I'll finish with saying that the book is dated socially and politically and possibly could offend people. Which I guess means it could be worth listening to anyway.

9 people found this helpful

Book remains amazing.

The story and discussion of Job are great. The narrator? Not so much. He did his best to make the book a difficult listen.

1 person found this helpful

great performance with one exception.

this is my third favorite Heinlein book, I found the experience Alexander and Margrethe to be wonderful.

Now to the performance issue, through the entirety of of the book he mispronounced the name Margrethe as Margareta, good grief!

1 person found this helpful

A bit hard to follow but overall worth a listen

What did you like best about Job? What did you like least?

I really liked the twist in the plot but it was a but hard to follow until the reveal. Also the the ending was a little confusing.

Would you recommend Job to your friends? Why or why not?

I really like Heinlein but this story was pretty different from most of his books. It was still enjoyable and I got to like it more as the story went on.

Overall it is worth listing to but Heinlein has better books.

Which character – as performed by Paul Michael Garcia – was your favorite?

All of the characters were pretty good.

Do you think Job needs a follow-up book? Why or why not?

no the story is pretty complete

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