For the 2019 Reading Challenge, I was prompted to choose a book to listen to. Not being one that typically listens to audiobooks I found this, well… quite a reading challenge.
First I had to FIND an app or platform and then choose a book. After a bit of research, I ended up with a free trial to Audible – Amazon’s audiobook platform. There was quite a selection and since I had no idea what I wanted to listen to, it was slightly overwhelming since I had so much at my disposal and no other prompts. I settled on Good Omens which was something that I had my eye on for some time and haven’t gotten around to purchasing yet.
I have to admit, I am mostly distracted by the actual audio component instead of the book itself, which is a bit disappointing since my focus should be on the latter. I’ll just have to get this off my chest and out of the way and then I can give my impression of Good Omens. I hated the audio version and can’t imagine myself listening to another audiobook unless someone ties me to a chair and forces it on me. I don’t know if it was this particular narrator or just the entire concept of it. I enjoy podcasts and TED talks so it is not a lack of enjoyment of listening to spoken content. I just was… bored… and struggled to keep listening. I was often distracted and was quick to find an excuse to turn it off or walk away. I know for a lot of people audio is a valuable way of getting in some content and also pass the time in commutes or other long periods of time spent waiting. I just rather listen to a podcast. I think it has to do with processing descriptions and settings as opposed to meaty information or conversations. In any case, audio is not for me.
Ok, now I can focus on the review and impression of Good Omens itself. I hope.
Good Omens was witty and full of dry humor with some really brilliant points about society and religion. I particularly enjoyed the relationship between the demon and the angel – their interactions and dynamics were probably the most impactful piece of the entire book and really represents the duality of human nature. Good and evil, nature versus nurture, free will, war, pollution, and organized religion are the biggest themes all leading to a very entertaining coming of age story and entertaining apocalypse.
I will definitely be reading a hard copy of this book where I am sure I will find the brilliance of this book to be shining even more.
