Gun, with Occasional Music, Jonathan Lethem
Gun, with Occasional Music, Jonathan Lethem
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Gun, with Occasional Music

Author: Jonathan Lethem

Narrator: Nick Sullivan

Unabridged: 8 hr 40 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Published: 07/15/2009

Categories: Fiction, Science Fiction

Synopsis

Gumshoe Conrad Metcalf has problems—not the least of which are the rabbit in his waiting room and the trigger-happy kangaroo on his tail. Near-future Oakland is an ominous place where evolved animals function as members of society, the police monitor citizens by their karma levels, and mind-numbing drugs such as Forgettol and Acceptol are all the rage. In this brave new world, Metcalf has been shadowing the wife of an affluent doctor, perhaps falling a little in love with her at the same time. But when the doctor turns up dead, our amiable investigator finds himself caught in the crossfire in a futuristic world that is both funny—and not so funny.

About Jonathan Lethem

Jonathan Lethem is the author of a number of critically acclaimed novels, including The Fortress of Solitude and the National Book Critics Circle Award winner Motherless Brooklyn. Lethem’s stories and essays have appeared in the New Yorker, Harper’s, Rolling Stone, Esquire, and the New York Times, among others. He lives in New York City.

About Nick Sullivan

Nick Sullivan has narrated audiobooks for over twenty years and has recorded over four hundred titles. An Audie Award winner, he is also the recipient of numerous AudioFile Earphones Awards. His TV and film credits include The Good Wife, The Affair, Bull, Boardwalk Empire, 30 Rock, Our Idiot Brother, and Private Life.

Reviews

Goodreads review by Michael on August 25, 2017

The style and voice and plot are pure Raymond Chandler, set in a weird future of talking kangaroos and mind-altering drugs. It's a wild ride that's largely successful, though not as ambitious as other futuristic genre mash-ups (for example, China Mieville's The City and The City), in part because it......more

Goodreads review by Bradley on November 11, 2022

All right. So. This IS a tribute to Chandler -- if you didn't already know that -- but its focus on the wonderful things that Chandler did with language is rather lacking. What we have, instead, is a plot that keeps hopping about and the misdirections are as good for any novel of the usual gumshoe v......more

Goodreads review by Jamie on April 18, 2020

A first rate hard boiled detective story that throws in some intriguing elements of speculative fiction to create something special. Starting out, it could just be another hard boiled detective story about a down and out PI on a murder case involving some sketchy characters and a crime syndicate. Yet......more

Goodreads review by Ian on March 29, 2021

CRITIQUE: Epigraph "...The subject was as easy to spot as a kangaroo in a dinner jacket." - Raymond Chandler The Best of Both Worlds It's always interesting to observe a first-time author choose one or more literary worlds for their fiction, and then discover or invent a writing style that suits those wo......more

Quotes

“This colorful first novel is a fast and lively read, full of humorous visions and outlandish predicaments.”  Publishers Weekly

“Tight plotting create a taut sf thriller that should appeal to both sf and mystery fans.” Library Journal

“Amid its smartly delivered first-person narration and crackling dialogue, even a tough-talking kangaroo that intermittently tangles with Metcalf seems plausible. An outstanding debut for a welcome new voice in both sf and mysteries.” Booklist

“Marries Chandler’s style and Philip K. Dick’s vision…An audaciously assured first novel.” Newsweek

“Marvelous…Stylish, intelligent, darkly humorous and highly readable entertainment.” San Francisco Chronicle

Awards

  • Publishers Weekly Pick
  • Nebula Award
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