Profoundly Witty and Charming

What made the experience of listening to Reincarnation Blues the most enjoyable?

I've been reading and listening to books for a very long time. But every once in a while, a new book can still knock me over with the feather of unexpected delight. Expect the unexpected, and then forget about expecting anything at all. Pure enjoyment will do the rest.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Reincarnation Blues?

This question essentially asks reviewers to ruin the best surprises. On behalf of the author's most amusing and clever gifts to his audience- no thanks.Instead, I will simply say that my mind smiled all the way home. As a story based on reincarnation, Reincarnation Blues is neither serious nor not serious. This is not a work based on any Buddhist or Hindu text. It is instead a brilliant riff on the concept itself, playing the notes of the most deeply-felt human truths throughout.Because Reincarnation Blues is so richly imagined, it can be equally enjoyable for those who believe reincarnation is true, for those who hope it is- and for those who hope to hell it isn't.

What does Mark Bramhall bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

The narrator brings the depth of enchantment and laconic humor of this story perfectly to life- and death. A match made in heaven, on earth, and everywhere in between. As an audiobook production, this one has excellent karma.

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

I did and I didn't. I didn't want to stop but I didn't want it to be over either. I have settled for forcing myself to make it last as long as I can. It won't be long enough.

Any additional comments?

Yes. May the author live a very long and productive life this time around, enjoy his work as much as we do, and perform his literary dharma easily and often. As his richly rewarded audience, we will do our part as well.

32 people found this helpful

Now THAT was fun!

**Warning: there may be spoilers ahead**

After reading the brief synopsis, I decided to give it a try. A guy's been reincarnated thousands of times and STILL hasn't achieved perfection? He's in love with Death who goes by the name of Suzie. This sounded like fun...and I was right!! Milo's lives on Earth and his life in the afterlife are all intertwined in such an amazing way that I couldn't tell which story I wanted to follow. His relationship with Suzie was so beautiful that I couldn't wait for him to die on Earth so he could be with her again. But when they are separated from each other after Suzie quits, I stopped listening for a few days. I was so heartbroken they were torn apart that I didn't want to hear another word, because this way in my mind they are still there on the couch, reading the newspaper with their legs all twisted together. I almost started all over because I wanted to relive the good parts all over again. But I powered through and continued until the end. His last life, and her first, got really dark. I couldn't believe how horrible it was. I did like though, how she remembered who they were before he did. and I was really excited when he finally clicked on.

For me this was a nice change of pace from all the Baldacci and Meltzer I've been listening to. A breath of fresh air. I'm a visual thinker and I could see this as some sort of mini series on HBO or something like that. Or as a movie where I can see the last chapter like bumpers during the end credits. But it would have to end with the exact lines the book ended. That was... perfection.

14 people found this helpful

Fantastic

I am an English professor, and this is one of the best books that I’ve read in a long time. Poore’s writing is both hilarious and truly thought-provoking.

13 people found this helpful

Unique view on life.

This book was worth a credit for entertainment purposes and unique outlook of how life could possibly be. Was a fun read, but was sometimes frustrating to listen to at times, making me want to skip a few minutes from redundancy and obviouse foolishness. The characters where memorable and all unique. the world building and story lines where very well thought of and portrayed. The narrator did an excellent job and had a wide range of voices for each character which were easily decipherable and likeable. I would recommend this to anyone with an open mind that can appreciate a different perspective of life and spirit. I have no books that come to mind that I know are similar.

12 people found this helpful

WAY more intense / disturbing than I expected

Brilliant story and great, non-distracting narration. However, most of Milo's earth lives (particularly the future / dystopian ones) are extremely disturbing. I wasn't prepared for this based on the description or other reviews. I loved the concept, the message, the characters and the writing. But I also had nightmares. Read at your own risk.

23 people found this helpful

read it

incredibly poignant at times, hilarious and creepy at others. Absolutely worth the short time it takes to read.

9 people found this helpful

Simply fantastic!

The worst part of a book like this is finishing it and knowing it will be awhile before you find another of its' like.

With dark, intelligent humour, and what could be dozens of short stories all linked to a common goal, Poore weaves a tale spanning the ages, with our hero Milo only wanting to find his everlasting paradise with the grim reaper, Death, his girlfriend Suzie.
Filled with pop culture references, wit and charm, there aren't many books that I've found like this. In fact, it is now strongly in my top ten, or maybe top five.

Each chapter represents a new and vastly different life - from 5000 BC to the fourth millénium, in the far reaches of space, from being a tree, a turtle, murderr and a coloniser of planets. Each chapter is loaded with adventure, and definitely holds one's interest. In fact, as each chapter neared it's end, I was apprehensive and wished that that story-line could go on, but was always happy to follow Milo into the next stage of his journey through his multiple lives.

This book is highly recommended.

15 people found this helpful

I'm still so confused

I liked the premise of reincarnation. I do not like how the book time jumped back and forth so much.

The performance was the best I've ever heard any one narrate.

There is one brief incident of animal cruelty and torture. It's not overly detailed but I felt it was worth mentioning.

18 people found this helpful

Second review

This is the second review I've written in ten years and 500 titles from audible. This book moved me. It is beautiful, funny, realistic and fanciful at the same time. Simply wonderful.

16 people found this helpful

Hard to Follow

i thought the premise was interesring, but ultimately i found the plot unexciting and dull. The main character Milo is reincarnated over and over so he can evolve and join something called the oversoul. i just found it impossible to follow Milo's many lifetimes and whatever goal he was pursuing. I was hoping for something with more humor.

9 people found this helpful