Rating: 
Summary: Love it but where's the Q&A session?!!
Review: I am reviewing the CD version of the recording of a Stephen King live appearance. Included is Stephen King's darkly comical introduction to the live audience followed by his reading of "LT's Theory of Pets". Unfortunately, the question and answer session promised by King in his intro. is missing in this CD version. I've listened to this disk several times now and it never fails to entertainment and elicit a few laughs from me (even when I'm in a foul mood). It's actually become somewhat of a "mind clearer" when I'm between books and King's reading of the tale (and his undeniably Maine accent) is always comforting when I'm over-stressed. In his introduction King states that LT's Theory of Pets was initially going to be a story "that would be sorta funny" (the way many of his stories start out, he claims) and sort of rude. He wasn't kidding. Much of the humor here is of the crude, potty variety but some of the funniest moments are observations of typical day to day annoyances that most of us can cop to feeling at one time or another (especially if you've ever lived with another person for any length of time). It's also a look at the disintegration of a marriage which isn't quite so funny. LT's loves to tell the story of how his marriage woes all began with the damn animals. Lulubell, LT's more than slightly loopy wife (and with a name like Lulubell what else could you expect?!), gifted LT with a little dog named Frank on their first wedding anniversary. And wouldn't you know it; Frank took an instant dislike to LT while simply adoring Lulubell. LT then decides to buy Lulubell a gorgeous Siamese cat named Lucy who, of course, bonds with LT and despises Lulubell. Thus begins the unfixable rift in their relationship that continues to get wider as time passes. Eventually LT returns home from work to find a Dear John note taped to the fridge. Frank and Lulu are long gone and though LT makes light of things and pokes great fun at Lulubell while retelling his story there is a sense of despair lurking deep down within him at her mysterious disappearance. When a year goes by with no contact from Lulubell LT fears she may have been a victim of an axe murderer. The price may be a tad too much for what equals about an hour's worth of listening time if you're not a big fan of King's voice (or his stories, for that matter) but for me it was worth every cent (though I am knocking off a point for the missing Q&A!).
Rating:
Summary: Love it but where's the Q&A session?!!
Review: I am reviewing the CD version of the recording of a Stephen King live appearance. Included is Stephen King's darkly comical introduction to the live audience followed by his reading of "LT's Theory of Pets". Unfortunately, the question and answer session promised by King in his intro. is missing in this CD version. I've listened to this disk several times now and it never fails to entertainment and elicit a few laughs from me (even when I'm in a foul mood). It's actually become somewhat of a "mind clearer" when I'm between books and King's reading of the tale (and his undeniably Maine accent) is always comforting when I'm over-stressed. In his introduction King states that LT's Theory of Pets was initially going to be a story "that would be sorta funny" (the way many of his stories start out, he claims) and sort of rude. He wasn't kidding. Much of the humor here is of the crude, potty variety but some of the funniest moments are observations of typical day to day annoyances that most of us can cop to feeling at one time or another (especially if you've ever lived with another person for any length of time). It's also a look at the disintegration of a marriage which isn't quite so funny. LT's loves to tell the story of how his marriage woes all began with the damn animals. Lulubell, LT's more than slightly loopy wife (and with a name like Lulubell what else could you expect?!), gifted LT with a little dog named Frank on their first wedding anniversary. And wouldn't you know it; Frank took an instant dislike to LT while simply adoring Lulubell. LT then decides to buy Lulubell a gorgeous Siamese cat named Lucy who, of course, bonds with LT and despises Lulubell. Thus begins the unfixable rift in their relationship that continues to get wider as time passes. Eventually LT returns home from work to find a Dear John note taped to the fridge. Frank and Lulu are long gone and though LT makes light of things and pokes great fun at Lulubell while retelling his story there is a sense of despair lurking deep down within him at her mysterious disappearance. When a year goes by with no contact from Lulubell LT fears she may have been a victim of an axe murderer. The price may be a tad too much for what equals about an hour's worth of listening time if you're not a big fan of King's voice (or his stories, for that matter) but for me it was worth every cent (though I am knocking off a point for the missing Q&A!).
Rating: 
Summary: Great Listening
Review: I did not know Stephen King was such a comedian until I heard his opening dialog. I loved the story too. It is a must have for Stephen King fans and non fans alike.
Rating:
Summary: A funny story about pets and marriage
Review: I enjoy hearing Stephen King reading his own works, and his delivery in this recording is even better because he has the immediate feedback of a live audience. There's not much in the way of plot--it's pretty much a series of anecdotes about a failing marriage and the mismatched pets involved--but you can't help grinning. I thought King was trying too hard to shoehorn a horror-type ending into a light-hearted tale, but it's still worth a listen.
Rating: 
Summary: Is Steven King Milking His Fans?
Review: I find that $... for a short story is a bit too much to pay considering that one could purchase "Four Past Midnight", which ran 763 pages and had 4 novellas in it, for $... when it came out. I also found the story line weak and pointless. After reading everything the man wrote, I feel that he is just shoveling it out to see what the public will take. Two stars is very generous for this book which isn't a book.
Rating: 
Summary: An enjoyable but minor example of King reading his own work
Review: I had the opportunity to hear Stephen King read some of his work a couple of decades ago when he popped up at the University of Iowa to visit a friend. This was still relatively early in his career (between "The Dead Zone" and "Firestarter" or thereabouts as I recall) and the presentation consisted of King bringing a six pack up to lecturn and consuming it while he read us what was then the short story version of "Pet Semetary" and the opening section of "It." If you have never heard King read his own work (not that I know of him reading the work of others), then "LT's Theory of Pets" provides just such an opportunity. Ultimately the performance is better than the piece. Recorded live at London's Roayl Festival Hall, King shows that he knows how to set up his audience and that he never takes himself seriously enough to ever intrude on the fun. "LT's Theory of Pets" has to do with the bonds that exist between not only between people and their pets, but between husbands and wives. Couples may divorce, or simply come home and find a note left on the fridge, but the animals remain behind, and since animals tend to become more like their owners over time, this might not be such a good thing. Such is the case in this story, where LT gets a dog named Frank from his wife Lulubelle for their first wedding anniversary. It might be his dog, but Frank hates LT, who gains a small measure of revenge by giving his wife a kitten named Lucy. I was going to say there are now two mismatched pairs in the house, but if you include LT and Lulubelle it would be three. All things considered the story "LT's Theory of Pets" is a trifle, although I do think it emphasizes that behind all the horror Stephen King's major strength was creating a realistic world in which such things take place. That is why you can almost make a case that his best work has nothing to do with horror (e.g., "Rita Hayworth and the Shawshank Redemption," "The Body"). There is a sense that the horror elements in this story are tacked on; they are more one way of providing a catalyst for the conclusion that essential to the telling of the tale. The performance and how it brings out fully King's sense of humor is what is most memorable in this live reading by the author. Certainly worth a listen for fans of King's work, but by no means a keeper. That would be something like King's reading of "Needful Things."
Rating:
Summary: An enjoyable but minor example of King reading his own work
Review: I had the opportunity to hear Stephen King read some of his work a couple of decades ago when he popped up at the University of Iowa to visit a friend. This was still relatively early in his career (between "The Dead Zone" and "Firestarter" or thereabouts as I recall) and the presentation consisted of King bringing a six pack up to lecturn and consuming it while he read us what was then the short story version of "Pet Semetary" and the opening section of "It." If you have never heard King read his own work (not that I know of him reading the work of others), then "LT's Theory of Pets" provides just such an opportunity. Ultimately the performance is better than the piece. Recorded live at London's Roayl Festival Hall, King shows that he knows how to set up his audience and that he never takes himself seriously enough to ever intrude on the fun. "LT's Theory of Pets" has to do with the bonds that exist between not only between people and their pets, but between husbands and wives. Couples may divorce, or simply come home and find a note left on the fridge, but the animals remain behind, and since animals tend to become more like their owners over time, this might not be such a good thing. Such is the case in this story, where LT gets a dog named Frank from his wife Lulubelle for their first wedding anniversary. It might be his dog, but Frank hates LT, who gains a small measure of revenge by giving his wife a kitten named Lucy. I was going to say there are now two mismatched pairs in the house, but if you include LT and Lulubelle it would be three. All things considered the story "LT's Theory of Pets" is a trifle, although I do think it emphasizes that behind all the horror Stephen King's major strength was creating a realistic world in which such things take place. That is why you can almost make a case that his best work has nothing to do with horror (e.g., "Rita Hayworth and the Shawshank Redemption," "The Body"). There is a sense that the horror elements in this story are tacked on; they are more one way of providing a catalyst for the conclusion that essential to the telling of the tale. The performance and how it brings out fully King's sense of humor is what is most memorable in this live reading by the author. Certainly worth a listen for fans of King's work, but by no means a keeper. That would be something like King's reading of "Needful Things."
Rating:
Summary: Positives and Negatives
Review: I like the fact that King read this and it was a live recording. I had never heard a live audio book before and it just added to the story. I like the humor aspect of this book and the story is one most people can relate to. I didn't like the fact that it was so short and seemed to be rushed at the end. Overall it is worth it for all King fans but it won't win over any converts.
Rating:
Summary: Legitimate Complaints
Review: I liked the story, but I agree it's too short for the money being asked. The whole performance is less than an hour, and about 10 minutes of that is intro, so the story itself is only about 45 minutes long. I agree it's hard to put a price-tag on art, but the story isn't King's best anyway. It's cute, and it will make you laugh, but you can probably live your life without it. To break it down even more, most of King's audiobooks are pricey, but extremely long and entertaining. Dreamcatcher, King's most recent novel, and a really good one in my opinion, is a whopping 21 hours and 15 minutes. For less than three times what you'd pay for this audio book you will get 25 times the entertainment. See the math there? To be fair Dreamcatcher is a better story as well. So to sum it up, if you are a big King fan and must have everything he does, get this audiobook. Even though it isn't his best, it is worth listening too. If you are torn, then take my advice, skip it, dish out a little extra cash, and get one of his other audiobooks.
Rating:
Summary: Disappointed
Review: I listened to this audiotape today in my car (it being Stephen King, I deliberately listened to it in broad daylight!) I didn't realize it was only one cassette till I opened the box, but no big deal. I loved the setting - live audience - and I think King got an extra charge from reading because it was live. I loved the story, the characters, the humor, etc. But the ending! "That's it?" I yelled at the car radio. Geesh, I wanted more!!!! Maybe if he does decide to publish the story he'll "finish" it. I'm glad I got a chance to listen to it, but I sure wouldn't recommend it to others. He left me wanting more.
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