Went back and read #01 again after listening to 2 and 3. The shootings were hard to take, but they should be. The introduction of Henry after such sadness brought a smile!
Apr 22, 2023·edited Apr 22, 2023Liked by Ben Wakeman
Hey Ben, decided to give the audio version a try, nothing like hearing an author's own emphasis and interpretation - was so pleasantly surprised by the amount of feeling and subtle changes in accent/inflection - a future in audio narration as a gig? I don't usually listen when I can read, but slowing down was a good call.
I'm hooked. The opening was chilling - I have rarely pictured for more than a moment based on news stories what it must be like to experience that nightmare, but you sustained the horror and the realism well. It's hard to take, but I think we must not look away. Magdalena's journey afterward with her father through school to the meeting with Henri was smooth, and Henri the character is fascinating out of the gate. Very well done! Glad I'm on board.
Thanks so much for the detailed and thoughtful feedback Troy. It was hard to write this opening for the book and I debated for a long time whether or not to start in such a grim way. Ultimately, I decided it had to start there because the event is the crucible that creates Magdelena‘s character. I’m glad you’re enjoying the narration.
Ben I have enjoyed hearing your narration as well! Your book definitely has my attention. I am in middle school education, 8th grade, and you might guess the subject matter is hitting close to home. I look forward to continuing this journey with you.
Awe thanks Lynn! So glad to have you here with us. I'm sure that opening scene was not an easy one for you to read as a teacher. It gets lighter, don't worry!
Oh wow, Ben. This is really good. I love your style and though the content of the prologue was really hard to stomach, it was really well-written. I’m very, very eager to read more.
Hi Ben. I was worried that listening to your book, though that's my favorite way to "read" books these days, would be a distraction. Mostly,I thought it would distract me to hear someone I know reading his own book! But I realized about halfway through chapter one that I'd forgotten all about you and was just really into the story. I'm with the other commenter who mentioned that Henry came along at the perfect time. You're a good narrator/reader, btw.
Thanks so much Kristin! So glad to have you as a reader/listener. I've been concerned about the narration so I'm glad to hear it's working for you. I end up having to do a number of voices very different from mine.
Intriguing opening chapter, Ben. You introduced the novel in your Substack saying it had many relevant themes -- but I wasn’t expecting gun violence and AI to both appear in Ch1!
Hooked! Despite the gruesome and unimaginable beginning, your characters draw us so well into the story - Dr Choo so eccentrically imaginable… love the audio Ben.
Went back and read #01 again after listening to 2 and 3. The shootings were hard to take, but they should be. The introduction of Henry after such sadness brought a smile!
Doctor Henry Choo should have a book all to themselves.
They were a really fun character to write and play a pivotal role in the story as you’ll see. Thanks for reading, Howard.
Hey Ben, decided to give the audio version a try, nothing like hearing an author's own emphasis and interpretation - was so pleasantly surprised by the amount of feeling and subtle changes in accent/inflection - a future in audio narration as a gig? I don't usually listen when I can read, but slowing down was a good call.
I'm hooked. The opening was chilling - I have rarely pictured for more than a moment based on news stories what it must be like to experience that nightmare, but you sustained the horror and the realism well. It's hard to take, but I think we must not look away. Magdalena's journey afterward with her father through school to the meeting with Henri was smooth, and Henri the character is fascinating out of the gate. Very well done! Glad I'm on board.
Thanks so much for the detailed and thoughtful feedback Troy. It was hard to write this opening for the book and I debated for a long time whether or not to start in such a grim way. Ultimately, I decided it had to start there because the event is the crucible that creates Magdelena‘s character. I’m glad you’re enjoying the narration.
Ben I have enjoyed hearing your narration as well! Your book definitely has my attention. I am in middle school education, 8th grade, and you might guess the subject matter is hitting close to home. I look forward to continuing this journey with you.
Awe thanks Lynn! So glad to have you here with us. I'm sure that opening scene was not an easy one for you to read as a teacher. It gets lighter, don't worry!
Oh wow, Ben. This is really good. I love your style and though the content of the prologue was really hard to stomach, it was really well-written. I’m very, very eager to read more.
Thanks Nicci! That opening is hard, but necessary I think to set the story in motion and make it more than a sci-fi trope about A.I.
Hi Ben. I was worried that listening to your book, though that's my favorite way to "read" books these days, would be a distraction. Mostly,I thought it would distract me to hear someone I know reading his own book! But I realized about halfway through chapter one that I'd forgotten all about you and was just really into the story. I'm with the other commenter who mentioned that Henry came along at the perfect time. You're a good narrator/reader, btw.
Thanks so much Kristin! So glad to have you as a reader/listener. I've been concerned about the narration so I'm glad to hear it's working for you. I end up having to do a number of voices very different from mine.
Intriguing opening chapter, Ben. You introduced the novel in your Substack saying it had many relevant themes -- but I wasn’t expecting gun violence and AI to both appear in Ch1!
Thanks Mina! These are the dominant themes of the book so I introduced them pretty early. Glad to have you as a reader. Thanks for being here.
Powerful. Your reading of the story brought it alive.
Thanks, Teyani. Hope you enjoy the novel.
Hooked! Despite the gruesome and unimaginable beginning, your characters draw us so well into the story - Dr Choo so eccentrically imaginable… love the audio Ben.
Thanks, Susie! So glad you’ve decided to dive in.
What an explosive start ( no pun intended)! I already get good vibes about how the story will progress.
Thanks, Levent!
Dr. Choo and their research...fascinating! Such a powerful beginning. Already invested in your characters.
Pleasure to be responded to.
Henry should have a book all to themselves.
Henry should have a book all to themselves.