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3.62 AVERAGE
3.62 AVERAGE
I hated the music and effects. 90% is build up until he goes full Blair witch hunting and it goes no where. Meh
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
Very interesting look at native Alaskan culture from a criminal justice perspective
A true story told by a Native from Alaska. I did not know this story, though I looked up some news stories about it. I wouldn't caution against listening to this Audible title, because I believe it was free, but it isn't going to wow anyone. It has potential, but the Author got wrapped up in some interesting folklore and went down a path that literally and figuratively looped around to everyday happenings. The characters were interesting, and the setting was a picture, but the story never really got above lukewarm.
The author is a very talented storyteller. I loved his sense of humor and his perspective on culture. The ending of the story wasn’t super satisfying, but that is sort of the nature of it and there’s lots of insight and intrigue along the way.
dark
emotional
informative
mysterious
reflective
sad
fast-paced
Book 📖: 3.5/5 stars
Audiobook 🎙️: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
A short, true story about a Native American man named Teddy who was a breakout actor until he was found at his mother's house, her dead and him armed. He ended up a fugitive on the run in Alaska for several days, and nearly killing two men in the process. James, a fellow Alaskan native as well, tells Teddy's story - highlighting the strange (almost supernatural) experience Teddy went through and a glimpse at what kind of man Teddy true was.
Pretty decent audiobook. I liked the editing and the way James tells this story. I do wish it was a little longer if only to know or wrap up some story points made in the beginning. Even if they are inconclusive - just would have been nice to wrap this up with a reflection of all the people involved instead of just one aspect of Teddy's experience.
Audiobook 🎙️: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
A short, true story about a Native American man named Teddy who was a breakout actor until he was found at his mother's house, her dead and him armed. He ended up a fugitive on the run in Alaska for several days, and nearly killing two men in the process. James, a fellow Alaskan native as well, tells Teddy's story - highlighting the strange (almost supernatural) experience Teddy went through and a glimpse at what kind of man Teddy true was.
Pretty decent audiobook. I liked the editing and the way James tells this story. I do wish it was a little longer if only to know or wrap up some story points made in the beginning. Even if they are inconclusive - just would have been nice to wrap this up with a reflection of all the people involved instead of just one aspect of Teddy's experience.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence, Mental illness, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Alcoholism, Suicidal thoughts, Death of parent
challenging
dark
informative
tense
fast-paced
“There’s nothing more colonized than institutionalized prisons. That’s as colonized as a native can get, 'cause they control everything.”
Context: This audiobook was free on Audible; I bought it a few years ago and am only getting around to listening to it now (part of my mission to clear out all my Audible purchases since I cancelled my subscription a couple months ago).
The narration and production was amazing! I greatly enjoyed the narrator's work and the added sounds/voices/music.
Note: There are no specific spoilers in this review, but below I do mentioned the focus and themes touched on in this story.
Thoughts: Overall, I am glad I took a chance on this story; it has inspired me to look for more indigenous voices and true crime books. However, I think the synopsis of this audiobook is a bit misleading, and the structure of the story itself is slightly unfocused. The author did a tremendous amount of work to write and narrate this, but I think they framed it as a larger story about culture, folklore, and the Iñukuns, when really, this is an exploration of one person's life: Teddy Kyle Smith. As a result of this framework and continued suspense, it feels as though the story is building to a point it never fully reaches. If this were advertised and framed as Teddy's story and if some aspects were explored a bit more deeply, I think this would have been a much more powerful read.
To make this a book centered around the Iñukuns and tribal folklore, there should have been more time and space offered to them outside of the context of Teddy (adding more sightings/first hand accounts, offering more nuance and depth to the lore and the significance of this story to people in Alaska today, how Iñukuns are treated and represented by the US government and education systems, etc.). Because everything goes through the lens of Teddy's life, this story is more about him as a person than it is a study of Iñukuns--which wouldn't be a problem!
In that case, though, I think there should have been more depth in the discussions of issues of mental health, alcoholism and substance abuse, Alaska in relation to the US and colonization, the isolation of the Alaskan landscape, the desire for fame and recognition in relation to self-image, the treatment of religion and culture in the US legal and medical systems, etc. This book touches on each of these things, but mostly only in passing or as a note; perhaps I'm greedy, but I was hoping for more conversation, insight, and back and forth ideas on each of these. I think that would have greatly strengthened this story and made it feel much more complete and focused.
Ultimately, a solid listen that left me wanting more. I will 100% be looking for more stories with similar settings and native voices moving forward. Any & all recs appreciated!!
Context: This audiobook was free on Audible; I bought it a few years ago and am only getting around to listening to it now (part of my mission to clear out all my Audible purchases since I cancelled my subscription a couple months ago).
The narration and production was amazing! I greatly enjoyed the narrator's work and the added sounds/voices/music.
Note: There are no specific spoilers in this review, but below I do mentioned the focus and themes touched on in this story.
Thoughts: Overall, I am glad I took a chance on this story; it has inspired me to look for more indigenous voices and true crime books. However, I think the synopsis of this audiobook is a bit misleading, and the structure of the story itself is slightly unfocused. The author did a tremendous amount of work to write and narrate this, but I think they framed it as a larger story about culture, folklore, and the Iñukuns, when really, this is an exploration of one person's life: Teddy Kyle Smith. As a result of this framework and continued suspense, it feels as though the story is building to a point it never fully reaches. If this were advertised and framed as Teddy's story and if some aspects were explored a bit more deeply, I think this would have been a much more powerful read.
To make this a book centered around the Iñukuns and tribal folklore, there should have been more time and space offered to them outside of the context of Teddy (adding more sightings/first hand accounts, offering more nuance and depth to the lore and the significance of this story to people in Alaska today, how Iñukuns are treated and represented by the US government and education systems, etc.). Because everything goes through the lens of Teddy's life, this story is more about him as a person than it is a study of Iñukuns--which wouldn't be a problem!
In that case, though, I think there should have been more depth in the discussions of issues of mental health, alcoholism and substance abuse, Alaska in relation to the US and colonization, the isolation of the Alaskan landscape, the desire for fame and recognition in relation to self-image, the treatment of religion and culture in the US legal and medical systems, etc. This book touches on each of these things, but mostly only in passing or as a note; perhaps I'm greedy, but I was hoping for more conversation, insight, and back and forth ideas on each of these. I think that would have greatly strengthened this story and made it feel much more complete and focused.
Ultimately, a solid listen that left me wanting more. I will 100% be looking for more stories with similar settings and native voices moving forward. Any & all recs appreciated!!
adventurous
dark
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
This is more true crime than supernatural mystery. I was hoping for more indigenous lore.
I’ll support an indigenous author all day however they go about it though. I loved hearing the author read. I’ll keep a look out for more from this author.
I’ll support an indigenous author all day however they go about it though. I loved hearing the author read. I’ll keep a look out for more from this author.
Amateurish, like a school project by a kid. Overdramatized and anticlimactic.