The Reading Bud

Author: Roy Schreiber
Narrator: Gary Alexander, Sharyon Culberson, Joe Dempsey, Linda Gilllum, Dillon Kelleher, Patrick Zielinski
Release Date: 16th August 2019
Genre: Satire, Shortie, Play, Radio Show
Series: 
Format: Audiobook (Dramatic Reading)
Length: 1 hour
Publisher: Author’s Republic
Blurb:

This satirical view of college professors features a philosophy professor who believes logic will solve all problems from bringing justice to everyone to personal relationships. His problems include convincing his colleagues to unionize and dealing with a history professor who believes he is the 21st-century version of Henry VIII and an English Lit professor who believes she can become Ann Boleyn.

REVIEW

★★★

The Optimist by Roy E. Schreiber is basically a recording of a play released as an audiobook as I learned from the author himself during one of our emails. I was really excited to listen to it as I have never before listened to anything like this before, though being a fan of audiobooks, I simply couldn’t have passed on this opportunity anyway.

The audiobook is narrated by a number of narrators, which was obvious, but what really took me by surprise was how amazing it all came together. I’ve read a number of dramatic readings, and this one, right from the start itself felt like a very engaging read. I loved listening to this book almost as I loved listening to Narnia audiobooks!

Coming to the story itself, I felt that the plot was a bit complex for such a short narrative. Had it been longer, I think, it wouldn’t have been an issue as many aspects would fit nicely, but at it was a little over an hour, in my honest opinion, it felt a little crammed together. I did like the story, though I cannot say, unfortunately, that I loved it. Though it was pretty evident that the story and the book itself had a lot of potentials, I guess it just lacked in a couple of places in terms of clarity and plotting. Though, given the length of the book, I think it was worth reading.

I’d recommend this book to anyone who likes satirical works and doesn’t mind experimental stories.

You can also read this review on Goodreads