Comments on: Jack Wakes Up http://www.podiobooks.com/blog/2006/08/28/jack-wakes-up/ News from the Staff of Podiobooks.com Sun, 12 Feb 2012 20:41:49 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3 By: Mike http://www.podiobooks.com/blog/2006/08/28/jack-wakes-up/comment-page-1/#comment-328459 Mike Wed, 25 May 2011 15:59:13 +0000 http://www.podiobooks.com/blog/2006/08/28/jack-wakes-up/#comment-328459 I recommend this story and the recording. The only thing I don't like is the 'weekly broadcast' format. I know these are serialized audiobooks but I dislike 'the story so far' recap each episode because I just finished the last episode. For my listening enjoyment, flow quickly and easily between episodes with minimal previews, wrap-ups, ads for other books, recaps and sudden loud music and constant bed music. I recommend this story and the recording. The only thing I don’t like is the ‘weekly broadcast’ format. I know these are serialized audiobooks but I dislike ‘the story so far’ recap each episode because I just finished the last episode. For my listening enjoyment, flow quickly and easily between episodes with minimal previews, wrap-ups, ads for other books, recaps and sudden loud music and constant bed music.

]]> By: Seth http://www.podiobooks.com/blog/2006/08/28/jack-wakes-up/comment-page-1/#comment-319767 Seth Fri, 28 May 2010 19:32:42 +0000 http://www.podiobooks.com/blog/2006/08/28/jack-wakes-up/#comment-319767 I will!! Thanks. Wait until you get to YOUNG JUNIUS!! I think you'll REALLY dig that! I will!! Thanks. Wait until you get to YOUNG JUNIUS!! I think you’ll REALLY dig that!

]]> By: Tristen http://www.podiobooks.com/blog/2006/08/28/jack-wakes-up/comment-page-1/#comment-319761 Tristen Fri, 28 May 2010 11:53:08 +0000 http://www.podiobooks.com/blog/2006/08/28/jack-wakes-up/#comment-319761 LISTEN TO THIS BOOK!! Not because this is the best story in the world. Because, it's not. This work feels like it was the author's first book. It was a good story, but some things were a little rough around the edges. I felt some of the character's dialogue didn't really fit their personalities or ethnic speaking patterns, especially Niki and the gang. Junius had a little of the same thing, fully pronouncing words like "him" instead of using "'em", little things like that. Also it seemed like the book and the world the book was set in revolved around Jack, instead of Jack being a impacting part of the world. Now that all that is out of the way, it was still a good story and I did like the characters, Al was my favorite. The narration was a little choppy at points and you hear Seth mess up here and there when he's reading. The reason you need to listen to this story is to prepare you for Jack Palms II: This is life. I'm in the middle of that book now and it is just AWESOME. I can't tell you how much Seth improved in narration, character individuality, planning, just everything is exponentially better and alot more enjoyable. The first one was enjoyable, not great, but enjoyable. The sequel is just phenomenal. The only down side to the sequel is the narration stutters at points. They occur less than in the first, much less, but still happens maybe once or twice an episode, if that. Keep writing Seth! LISTEN TO THIS BOOK!! Not because this is the best story in the world. Because, it’s not. This work feels like it was the author’s first book. It was a good story, but some things were a little rough around the edges. I felt some of the character’s dialogue didn’t really fit their personalities or ethnic speaking patterns, especially Niki and the gang. Junius had a little of the same thing, fully pronouncing words like “him” instead of using “‘em”, little things like that. Also it seemed like the book and the world the book was set in revolved around Jack, instead of Jack being a impacting part of the world. Now that all that is out of the way, it was still a good story and I did like the characters, Al was my favorite. The narration was a little choppy at points and you hear Seth mess up here and there when he’s reading. The reason you need to listen to this story is to prepare you for Jack Palms II: This is life. I’m in the middle of that book now and it is just AWESOME. I can’t tell you how much Seth improved in narration, character individuality, planning, just everything is exponentially better and alot more enjoyable. The first one was enjoyable, not great, but enjoyable. The sequel is just phenomenal. The only down side to the sequel is the narration stutters at points. They occur less than in the first, much less, but still happens maybe once or twice an episode, if that. Keep writing Seth!

]]> By: lara http://www.podiobooks.com/blog/2006/08/28/jack-wakes-up/comment-page-1/#comment-316887 lara Sun, 06 Sep 2009 18:01:04 +0000 http://www.podiobooks.com/blog/2006/08/28/jack-wakes-up/#comment-316887 oh boy, this is going to be fun! i listened to the first few chapters and now have downloaded the rest. good job! lara oh boy, this is going to be fun! i listened to the first few chapters and now have downloaded the rest.

good job!

lara

]]> By: Dan http://www.podiobooks.com/blog/2006/08/28/jack-wakes-up/comment-page-1/#comment-289353 Dan Thu, 07 May 2009 09:39:39 +0000 http://www.podiobooks.com/blog/2006/08/28/jack-wakes-up/#comment-289353 Review of "Jack Wakes Up" at Freshly Ground: http://freshly-ground.blogspot.com/2009/05/podcast-novel-review-jack-wakes-up-by.html "Jack Wakes Up would fall somewhere between Lock Stock and Two Smoking Barrels and 2 Fast 2 Furious, were it to have been a film. There are drug deals, murders, gun fights, car chases, betrayals, and strip bars - everything you expect from a high-octane, fast-paced action story. This was fun to listen to. In the world of action storytelling, JWU was an invigorating tale, a cracking good yarn with plenty of good laughs thrown in." Follow the link to read the rest of the review. Review of “Jack Wakes Up” at Freshly Ground:

http://freshly-ground.blogspot.com/2009/05/podcast-novel-review-jack-wakes-up-by.html

“Jack Wakes Up would fall somewhere between Lock Stock and Two Smoking Barrels and 2 Fast 2 Furious, were it to have been a film. There are drug deals, murders, gun fights, car chases, betrayals, and strip bars – everything you expect from a high-octane, fast-paced action story.

This was fun to listen to. In the world of action storytelling, JWU was an invigorating tale, a cracking good yarn with plenty of good laughs thrown in.”

Follow the link to read the rest of the review.

]]> By: Tony Webster http://www.podiobooks.com/blog/2006/08/28/jack-wakes-up/comment-page-1/#comment-233116 Tony Webster Wed, 08 Oct 2008 22:23:58 +0000 http://www.podiobooks.com/blog/2006/08/28/jack-wakes-up/#comment-233116 Superb. The first podcast book that I have felt confident enough to tell everyone i know to listen to. I am looking forward to going to and from work, which is where I listen to the book, often find that I'm dawdling to get more of the story in. Good characters and storyline, fast pace that is well controlled, very well written and generally a lot of fun Superb.
The first podcast book that I have felt confident enough to tell everyone i know to listen to.
I am looking forward to going to and from work, which is where I listen to the book, often find that I’m dawdling to get more of the story in.
Good characters and storyline, fast pace that is well controlled, very well written and generally a lot of fun

]]> By: tony http://www.podiobooks.com/blog/2006/08/28/jack-wakes-up/comment-page-1/#comment-178313 tony Mon, 26 May 2008 02:23:29 +0000 http://www.podiobooks.com/blog/2006/08/28/jack-wakes-up/#comment-178313 Jack kicks ass, not to put too fine a point on it. Jack kicks ass, not to put too fine a point on it.

]]> By: Trucker Rich http://www.podiobooks.com/blog/2006/08/28/jack-wakes-up/comment-page-1/#comment-154363 Trucker Rich Sat, 22 Mar 2008 07:42:13 +0000 http://www.podiobooks.com/blog/2006/08/28/jack-wakes-up/#comment-154363 Seth, I absolutely love JACK Wakes Up and the rest of the JACK PALMS Novels. Keep them coming. JP2 with the Barrett 50 Cal. was very scary. JP3 is Rocking right along, lots of action. Can't wait for more. Seth, I absolutely love JACK Wakes Up and the rest of the JACK PALMS Novels. Keep them coming. JP2 with the Barrett 50 Cal. was very scary. JP3 is Rocking right along, lots of action. Can’t wait for more.

]]> By: Martyn http://www.podiobooks.com/blog/2006/08/28/jack-wakes-up/comment-page-1/#comment-154354 Martyn Sat, 22 Mar 2008 07:24:36 +0000 http://www.podiobooks.com/blog/2006/08/28/jack-wakes-up/#comment-154354 Hey Seth, Lovin’ the book. It’s like Raymond Chandler, George Pelecanos and James Ellroy have been put in a blender and out came Seth Harwood! Keep it up! Hey Seth,

Lovin’ the book. It’s like Raymond Chandler, George Pelecanos and James Ellroy have been put in a blender and out came Seth Harwood!

Keep it up!

]]> By: Dan Sawyer http://www.podiobooks.com/blog/2006/08/28/jack-wakes-up/comment-page-1/#comment-154347 Dan Sawyer Sat, 22 Mar 2008 06:55:46 +0000 http://www.podiobooks.com/blog/2006/08/28/jack-wakes-up/#comment-154347 In Jack Wakes up, Harwood gives us a new twist on the old noir heist formula. Jack Palms, out of work actor, is tapped by a friend to play second fiddle on a giant drug dealer. He needs the money. He needs the distraction. He’s so amazingly bored that when bullets start flying and people start dying, he finds it exhilarating. In this, his first outing, Harwood combines the classic noir sensibilities of James M Cain with the quck-clipped plot movement that children of the nineties have come to expect from Tarantino films. He also gives Jack Wakes up an unusual but indispensable element: A sense of place. Not content to use just the familiar landmarks, Jack moves down in the older, decaying parts of San Francisco and other flavorful parts of the Bay Area. In short, Jack Wakes Up is an excellent crime noir, and it keeps you on your toes with hundreds of little surprises, such as a trio of Czech gangsters who want nothing more than to tour the USA on Harleys bring a touch of the tragicomic (reminiscent of the gangsters in Ludlum’s “Road to Gandolfo” without descending into farce). Add to that the use of present tense narration (the last time the present tense used this well was in Scott Turow’s “Presumed Innocent”), and you’ve got the recipie for a novel that moves fast, keeps you on your toes, and has some delightful and moving twists that leave you sincerely caring about every one of the characters, from the buffoons to the monsters. With the superb use of language, the far-above-par-writing, and the hopping story, Harwood’s debut is the start of a promising career. Highly recommended. In Jack Wakes up, Harwood gives us a new twist on the old noir heist formula. Jack Palms, out of work actor, is tapped by a friend to play second fiddle on a giant drug dealer. He needs the money. He needs the distraction. He’s so amazingly bored that when bullets start flying and people start dying, he finds it exhilarating. In this, his first outing, Harwood combines the classic noir sensibilities of James M Cain with the quck-clipped plot movement that children of the nineties have come to expect from Tarantino films. He also gives Jack Wakes up an unusual but indispensable element: A sense of place. Not content to use just the familiar landmarks, Jack moves down in the older, decaying parts of San Francisco and other flavorful parts of the Bay Area.

In short, Jack Wakes Up is an excellent crime noir, and it keeps you on your toes with hundreds of little surprises, such as a trio of Czech gangsters who want nothing more than to tour the USA on Harleys bring a touch of the tragicomic (reminiscent of the gangsters in Ludlum’s “Road to Gandolfo” without descending into farce). Add to that the use of present tense narration (the last time the present tense used this well was in Scott Turow’s “Presumed Innocent”), and you’ve got the recipie for a novel that moves fast, keeps you on your toes, and has some delightful and moving twists that leave you sincerely caring about every one of the characters, from the buffoons to the monsters.

With the superb use of language, the far-above-par-writing, and the hopping story, Harwood’s debut is the start of a promising career. Highly recommended.

]]> By: jim http://www.podiobooks.com/blog/2006/08/28/jack-wakes-up/comment-page-1/#comment-128472 jim Sat, 19 Jan 2008 16:29:25 +0000 http://www.podiobooks.com/blog/2006/08/28/jack-wakes-up/#comment-128472 First off let me say that I really did enjoy this book, and though it may be a little late for constructive criticism, I'm going to throw in my two pence anyway. I consider it a sight of a good story when I go back for more, and with this sotry I practically listened to the whole thing end to end in just a few days. Seth Harwood is a great story tellerand has done a fantastic job in laying this one out with considerable flair. The story is tight and well paced. The characters have depth and substance, and I found myself rooting for the good guys, and jeering the bad guys with some enthusiasm as the sotry gripped me. The dialogue is very good, and Seth Harwood has done a fantastic job of integrating it into the story seemlessly. However, there are just a couple of aspects of the story i didn't like either. Firstly there is an element of incongruity in some of the characters. It takes a considerable leap of faith to buy into the fact that all the people who Jack questions throughout the story are so readily prepared to give him information or comply with his wishes. Almost everyone on the 'good guy' list seems to end up being his best friend after only a single encounter, despite the fact that given the circumstances of the story, you would expect them to be considerably more guarded. Ok it's only a small annoyance, and I enjoyed the story was quite happy to let it slide as a script for Jack's next move 'Shake em up'. My second gripe was with the reading. This story is probably 300 plus pages long. It's well written and engaging, so I know Seth Harwood has put a lot of time and effort into it. So why do I get the impression he did no practice runs, and laid down the audio straight off the bat. Even worse is the fact that he has such a good voice and reading style, so I consider this oversight almost sacrilegious. If this were his report card at the end of the semester, the summary would unfortunately be tainted with the phrase 'can do better'. Still, he does get an '-A' First off let me say that I really did enjoy this book, and though it may be a little late for constructive criticism, I’m going to throw in my two pence anyway.
I consider it a sight of a good story when I go back for more, and with this sotry I practically listened to the whole thing end to end in just a few days. Seth Harwood is a great story tellerand has done a fantastic job in laying this one out with considerable flair. The story is tight and well paced. The characters have depth and substance, and I found myself rooting for the good guys, and jeering the bad guys with some enthusiasm as the sotry gripped me. The dialogue is very good, and Seth Harwood has done a fantastic job of integrating it into the story seemlessly.

However, there are just a couple of aspects of the story i didn’t like either. Firstly there is an element of incongruity in some of the characters. It takes a considerable leap of faith to buy into the fact that all the people who Jack questions throughout the story are so readily prepared to give him information or comply with his wishes. Almost everyone on the ‘good guy’ list seems to end up being his best friend after only a single encounter, despite the fact that given the circumstances of the story, you would expect them to be considerably more guarded. Ok it’s only a small annoyance, and I enjoyed the story was quite happy to let it slide as a script for Jack’s next move ‘Shake em up’.
My second gripe was with the reading. This story is probably 300 plus pages long. It’s well written and engaging, so I know Seth Harwood has put a lot of time and effort into it. So why do I get the impression he did no practice runs, and laid down the audio straight off the bat. Even worse is the fact that he has such a good voice and reading style, so I consider this oversight almost sacrilegious. If this were his report card at the end of the semester, the summary would unfortunately be tainted with the phrase ‘can do better’. Still, he does get an ‘-A’

]]> By: Martyn http://www.podiobooks.com/blog/2006/08/28/jack-wakes-up/comment-page-1/#comment-84689 Martyn Sat, 10 Nov 2007 11:12:51 +0000 http://www.podiobooks.com/blog/2006/08/28/jack-wakes-up/#comment-84689 Hey Seth, Lovin' the book. It's like Raymond Chandler, George Pelecanos and James Ellroy have been put in a blender and out came Seth Harwood! Keep it up! Hey Seth,

Lovin’ the book. It’s like Raymond Chandler, George Pelecanos and James Ellroy have been put in a blender and out came Seth Harwood!

Keep it up!

]]> By: Rob http://www.podiobooks.com/blog/2006/08/28/jack-wakes-up/comment-page-1/#comment-75328 Rob Thu, 18 Oct 2007 18:56:34 +0000 http://www.podiobooks.com/blog/2006/08/28/jack-wakes-up/#comment-75328 This book hooks you quick and keeps you coming back for more, Jack Palms is a great character, loved the book Seth cant wait until "Palms Sunday"! This book hooks you quick and keeps you coming back for more, Jack Palms is a great character, loved the book Seth cant wait until “Palms Sunday”!

]]> By: larry http://www.podiobooks.com/blog/2006/08/28/jack-wakes-up/comment-page-1/#comment-74436 larry Mon, 15 Oct 2007 22:59:09 +0000 http://www.podiobooks.com/blog/2006/08/28/jack-wakes-up/#comment-74436 I love this story! I became addicted after Episode 2...love the characters, love the action! I love this story! I became addicted after Episode 2…love the characters, love the action!

]]> By: Seth http://www.podiobooks.com/blog/2006/08/28/jack-wakes-up/comment-page-1/#comment-72024 Seth Fri, 05 Oct 2007 15:07:07 +0000 http://www.podiobooks.com/blog/2006/08/28/jack-wakes-up/#comment-72024 Thanks, Bigp13!! Who the hell's Scott Brick? (don't answer that) You rock! --Seth Thanks, Bigp13!!
Who the hell’s Scott Brick? (don’t answer that)
You rock! –Seth

]]> By: bigp13 http://www.podiobooks.com/blog/2006/08/28/jack-wakes-up/comment-page-1/#comment-71922 bigp13 Fri, 05 Oct 2007 08:59:33 +0000 http://www.podiobooks.com/blog/2006/08/28/jack-wakes-up/#comment-71922 Seth, congrats on the book deal. Jack Palms is an awesome franchise. If you need cash between now and when your writing career takes off you should shop yourself around as a audiobook narrator. I listen to a lot of audiobooks and you are a highly gifted narrator. You blow ninety per cent of the guys the big boys use away. You totally slay guys like Scott Brick. Seth, congrats on the book deal. Jack Palms is an awesome franchise. If you need cash between now and when your writing career takes off you should shop yourself around as a audiobook narrator. I listen to a lot of audiobooks and you are a highly gifted narrator. You blow ninety per cent of the guys the big boys use away. You totally slay guys like Scott Brick.

]]> By: Chris http://www.podiobooks.com/blog/2006/08/28/jack-wakes-up/comment-page-1/#comment-22980 Chris Mon, 09 Apr 2007 19:30:19 +0000 http://www.podiobooks.com/blog/2006/08/28/jack-wakes-up/#comment-22980 A well written crime/noir story about a man try to navigate the "grays" of a new life. At the end of the day, Jack Palms wants to believe he did the right thing, but he learns that staying straight and sober doesn't involve a path directly from A to B. Highly Recommended. A well written crime/noir story about a man try to navigate the “grays” of a new life. At the end of the day, Jack Palms wants to believe he did the right thing, but he learns that staying straight and sober doesn’t involve a path directly from A to B. Highly Recommended.

]]> By: dianne http://www.podiobooks.com/blog/2006/08/28/jack-wakes-up/comment-page-1/#comment-18764 dianne Mon, 19 Feb 2007 23:39:41 +0000 http://www.podiobooks.com/blog/2006/08/28/jack-wakes-up/#comment-18764 Thanks Seth. I will be sure to set up a subscription. As far as those files go, I tried over and over again to get the few with the problem to work but after it didn't work I went over to your blogsite and snagged the few (there was only like 2 with the error) so that I could listen. The next day I finished the entire podcast. Great ending! It left it open for more to happen to Jack which I guess it a good thing if you intended to write more about Palms. Thanks Seth. I will be sure to set up a subscription. As far as those files go, I tried over and over again to get the few with the problem to work but after it didn’t work I went over to your blogsite and snagged the few (there was only like 2 with the error) so that I could listen. The next day I finished the entire podcast. Great ending! It left it open for more to happen to Jack which I guess it a good thing if you intended to write more about Palms.

]]> By: erik http://www.podiobooks.com/blog/2006/08/28/jack-wakes-up/comment-page-1/#comment-18392 erik Fri, 16 Feb 2007 15:12:12 +0000 http://www.podiobooks.com/blog/2006/08/28/jack-wakes-up/#comment-18392 I haven't tried the crime/suspense/mystery material for a while, because things have started to get very predictable in that realm for me, especially with all the big name authors I used to follow. This made a refreshing change from fantacy. My sister hated itand didn't finish. I thought it was fantastic. I was getting ready to be upset over the romance angle, but he ends up with something at least as good in the end so all is well. Thanks for keeping him on the wagon. You really had me worried there for a while. Looking forward to the new book in March. I haven’t tried the crime/suspense/mystery material for a while, because things have started to get very predictable in that realm for me, especially with all the big name authors I used to follow. This made a refreshing change from fantacy. My sister hated itand didn’t finish. I thought it was fantastic. I was getting ready to be upset over the romance angle, but he ends up with something at least as good in the end so all is well. Thanks for keeping him on the wagon. You really had me worried there for a while. Looking forward to the new book in March.

]]> By: Seth http://www.podiobooks.com/blog/2006/08/28/jack-wakes-up/comment-page-1/#comment-18345 Seth Fri, 16 Feb 2007 04:32:49 +0000 http://www.podiobooks.com/blog/2006/08/28/jack-wakes-up/#comment-18345 Dianne, Great to hear your comments. Glad you liked it and thanks. Stop on by sethharwood.com and join the mailing list to get more info on what's coming next. A Long Way from Disney starts Feb. 28th! Hope you get those missing episodes. Seth Dianne,
Great to hear your comments. Glad you liked it and thanks. Stop on by sethharwood.com and join the mailing list to get more info on what’s coming next. A Long Way from Disney starts Feb. 28th!
Hope you get those missing episodes.

Seth

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