Author: Pete Earley
Genre: Non-Fiction, Standalone
Published: 2012
Personal Rating: DNF #4
Format/Narrator: Audiobook/Alan Sklar
I listened to 4 of 11 CDs, but could listen no more. It was just too much. The reality of what was filling my head was beyond disturbing. I made it through 4 CDs because I was intrigued with the basic storyline, and was curious as to what the boy and science would gain from these relationships. However, the stories shared by the serial killers were detailed and just plain horrific. I was able to detach myself and also deemed them as untrue (fabricated lies - fantasies), but even with that theory I didn't see any benefit in filling my mind with the gruesome thoughts of serial killers.
When I saw on the sidebar that you were listening to this on audio I thought O.M.G. That cannot go over well!
ReplyDeleteEnjoy is not the right word but I highly "enjoyed" this *but* when reading the book skimmed through some of those serial killer letters. This certainly is not going to be a book for everyone and I can understand not even wanting know about what is in it.
Did you at least get to the parts where Tony died and went to Heaven and tells where God gave him a choice whether to come back or not? The Afterward has a personal message from Tony as well that explains his very Christian attitude toward life.
After my review I actually had a brief email conversation with Tony (He contacted me) and he seems a genuine Christ-centered person, who does this for the families of the missing victims.
Nicola ~ I was interested in what the benefits of such relationships could possibly be, but overall found it highly peculiar and disturbing. It's my understanding that Tony gets exploited as well - no surprise being that he's conversating with serial killers.
DeleteAnd, yes, I did hear when he mentioned his experience with God. That doesn't change my thoughts about him and his family in the least. Putting his choices under the umbrella of Christianity doesn't make them right and/or acceptable. He may have had good intentions, but for me, it was too much.
I don't think I would be able to listen to that either. Just knowing that the stories are real would be too much for me!
ReplyDeleteStaci ~ Listening (BAD IDEA) to letter after letter of cold, calculated killers on my way to working with young children was NOT a positive experience. I did it for two days I believe and had to shake it off before walking in. Ugly stuff.
DeleteWow. I can't believe you couldn't finish this one. I would have thought Cody's books would've desensitized you. ;)
ReplyDeleteLes ~ The main difference is that this was supposedly real. I have read other "real" books about serial killers (Ted Bundy was my most recent) and was disturbed by that story, too, but this was different. This felt like a game -- a horrible, manipulating game with people that have nothing to lose and can say whatever they feel would be most shocking. I certainly could have continued, but I chose not to fill my head with the nonsense of both sides.
DeleteThis sounds like something I'd pick up to read... we'll see if I could stomach it.
ReplyDeleteChrista ~ Oh! I hope you do ... I would like to know your reaction. :)
DeleteIt must have been rough going if you gave up after 4 cds! That's a big time commitment
ReplyDeleteStacybuckeye ~ The beginning sets up the whole pen pal relationships, so most of it was about the boy. I really wanted to give it a chance, but once it kept continuing in the same vein - I stopped.
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