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Best Boy  By  cover art

Best Boy

By: Eli Gottlieb
Narrated by: Bronson Pinchot
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Publisher's summary

For fans of TheCurious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime comes this landmark novel about autism, memory, and, ultimately, redemption.

Sent to a "therapeutic community" for autism at the age of 11, Todd Aaron, now in his '50s, is the "old fox" of Payton Living Center. A joyous man who rereads the encyclopedia compulsively, he is unnerved by the sudden arrivals of a menacing new staffer and a disruptive, brain-injured roommate. His equilibrium is further worsened by Martine, a one-eyed new resident who has romantic intentions and convinces him to go off his meds to feel "normal" again. Undone by these pressures, Todd attempts an escape to return "home" to his younger brother and to a childhood that now inhabits only his dreams.

Written astonishingly in the first-person voice of an autistic, adult man, Best Boy - with its unforgettable portraits of Todd's beloved mother, whose sweet voice still sings from the grave, and a staffer named Raykene, who says that Todd reflects the beauty of God's creation - is a piercing, achingly funny, finally shattering novel no listener can ever forget.

©2015 Eli Gottlieb (P)2015 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

What listeners say about Best Boy

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Good but with a Couple O' Caveats...

This is a really good book... if you haven't listened to "The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time." It's hard not to draw a comparison between the two, but the latter truly captured the voice of a person on the spectrum while this rather... mimics? it. It also has a few things that seem to be lifted from it, as in: Todd goes off on a journey by himself and has to deal with the "real" world for a bit.
But if we're judging the book on its own merits? Good story about a man who yearns for love and to belong, a man who has to have things just so lest he be subjected to the "volts" from his own brain and soul. A man who, because he feels longing for a woman, a girlfriend (a troubled, troubled individual named Martine who is used to flaunting the rules of whatever institution she's in), will go off his meds just to make that connection.
This also does a brilliant job of med depictions: They're necessary, but boy, at what a cost!
One of the weakest points, and I feel bad for saying this because I think Bronson Pinchot is one of the most talented narrators there is, is the narration. I suggest listening at x1.25 speed because, even then, Todd's "voice" is so slow and halting that one thinks that he has intellectual delays when he doesn't. What merits the 4-star narration is that Pinchot does a truly, truly remarkable job with bringing every single character to life, with their own identities, their own wants, their needs and dislikes. The man rocks.
There are a few twists, and a turn at the end that make this a worthwhile listen... very much so!
I just wouldn't spend an entire credit on it...

For more reviews, of all genres, go to Audiobook Accomplice!

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53 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

The most moving book I've listen to in years

Sensitive and delicately written, beautifully performed

A window into the autistic mind. Humanizing.

Also exciting, with a tense plot point that unfolds in the middle of the book.

You got to love Todd, The 50 something hero of the book, who has been institutionalized for his disorder since he was 10 years old. Surrounded by people, good and bad, he wanders through life almost silently with a rich interior dialogue that reveals a perceiving intellectual mind beneath the complex brain disorder that has been so misunderstood throughout his life.

Great read. Don't miss it!
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38 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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WOW! This is well worth it!

Bronson Pinchot reads this book as if he were Todd... and everyone else as well. I am going to look for more books he has read.

I do not know where Eli Gottlieb gets his information but reading this book, as a "normal" person (or at least, mostly so) this seems like a look into the world of Todd, an adult man who is high functioning but on the autism spectrum. His use of language seems totally authentic. He is a sympathetic character- very likable.

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32 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Good story, great narrator

The narration is truly exceptional. He really takes on the character and immerses you in the story.
I enjoyed the writing a lot too.

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23 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

A Sad, Gritty Reality of Adult Autism

This is a well-written, well-narrated book that shows us the sad, unfortunate reality of a life lived on the Autism spectrum. It is a somewhat uneventful study of a man in his 50's who has been in residential care since the age of 11. He has continued to mourn his reality and wants desperately to back to where he grew up. His only contact with the outer world is his younger brother who visits him regularly but infrequently.

I am not new to autism/fiction, having read a bunch of other books that I really enjoyed. There was something missing for me in this story, however, and I am reluctant and embarrassed to admit it just may be the utter reality and truth of this story. It was a bit depressing with not much of a reward for me all the way through to the end and with almost no humor along the way. Real life--there you have it.

As this book IS fiction, I am wanting a bit more than the day to day sadness of life in lived in residential care. However, if you have a loved one in such a facility or with such a mental condition, this book will be quite an eye opener for you and could be a very memorable read.

If you loved this book and are looking for more, or if you wished it could have been a little more lighthearted, I have a few other books by different authors to recommend. I really loved 600 Hours of Edward and its sequel, also The Eagle Tree, and then, Marcelo In The Real World (a bit more YA-oriented but still enjoyable.) Three different authors, three different takes on the subject. All of these books dealt with Aspergers/Autistic spectrum young men who had more positive experiences in overcoming some of their longstanding problems. I found these characters more endearing, more fun. (Probably not as realistic as Todd Aaron in Best Boy and all not in residential care, like Todd.)

This is definitely worth reading if the subject interests you. Go for it!

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14 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Inside the Heart and Mind of Autism

As the mother of a grown daughter with autism, this story caught and held my attention throughout . . . in a world that is cruel and hateful, full of individuals that deem themselves higher than others, this tale of Todd, one boy, so different than the rest, yet with a unique beauty and innocence that few ever chose to recognize, reveals so much of what is wrong with our society today . . . and maybe always has been . . . of great interest to me was Todd's relationship with Raykene, his one on one staff member, who was always supportive and able to calm him . . . also how Todd knew immediately that "Mike the Apron" was to be feared . . . it is uncanny how the instincts of people with autism are heightened . . . and just how "on target" they are . . . and parents who truly love their special kids learn their "triggers", what calms them, and to trust what their child is telling them through their actions and facial expressions . . . and they learn the purest form of love ever . . . and a trust that knows no bounds . . . my favorite part of the story is when Todd finally gets to visit his childhood home . . . this book is a treasure . . . enjoy it . . . and if you've never had the experience of loving and being loved by a person with autism or special needs, you are missing out . . . the world does NOT revolve around you . . . it is so much bigger than that . . .

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5 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Could We All Have a Little Autism In Us?

I am overwhelmed at how I feel after reading (listening to) this book. I could relate to the way the author and narrator "saw their thoughts" - I followed right through the descriptions and felt the same way "as the journey took me there".
I guess that since my "read" before this, was Ekhart Tolle and a passage is mentioned (in that read) regarding differentiating between conscienceness and ego, stating (something like) "I am the one who sees my thoughts" as being that of conscienceness" - my mindset was ripe and ready for the effect that this book had on me.
Coming onto my retirement immediately (June 2016) - I was aware of my very first volunteer "urge" - wanting to have an autistic friend - thinking that I might be able to relate on some level. Which reminds me of another quote from that book (quoting 14th century poet Hafez) "I am a hole in a flute that Christ's breath moves through - listen to this music."
After listening to this in Audible, I cannot imagine that it would have been quite the same if I had read the book in my "alone head" without the diction and expressiveness of Bronson Pinchot. I almost feel that I know both Bronson and Eli. Wonderful gifts.

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3 people found this helpful

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    3 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Another Autism Story, More or Less

Todd Aaron, a man in his 40s, has spent so much time in an institution (Peyton Living Center) that he is known as one of their "ambassadors," assigned to give tours to incoming patients. It's never exactly stated what Todd's problem is, but clearly he is on the autism spectrum. His voice (as narrated by Bronson Pinchot) is flat, except when he is overly anxious or afraid; he doesn't like to be touched; he has some odd habits and practices repetitive gestures. Things happen to and around Todd, but he doesn't react as most people would; he has little sense of appropriate v. inappropriate and is often taken advantage of This is his story, narrated by Todd from the perspective of the world as he sees it. He takes us back to memories of the father who brutalized him, the mother who loved him and carted him off to a series of doctors and institutions, the brother who was cruel to him. We see what it's like for Todd to almost fall in love with the one-eyed Martine, to long to be welcomed into his brother's home, to fear the staff member he calls Mike the Apron.

Call me jaded, but I found this novel just a bit too sweet and many of the characters stereotypical. I stuck with it to the end, but overall, it was a mediocre read/listen for me.

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    5 out of 5 stars

Best Boy

Any additional comments?

Best Boy is written by Eli Gottlieb and wonderfully narrated by Bronson Pinchot. The unabridged audiobook is just over seven hours of listening.

Why I liked this book: 1) It is a unique insight into the mind of an Autistic adult. Because I personally have not been exposed to a victim of Autism, this is an extremely educational story. It’s my understanding that this story is pretty close to a reflection of Eli Gottlieb’s relationship with his own brother, excellently told. 2) I can’t say enough about the narration of Bronson Pinchot. The voice of Todd is absolutely incredible. I’m certain that an already great story is considerably enhanced with this incredible interpretation by Pinchot - just terrific.

Why I didn’t like this book: Only one reason; it had to end. One of the best audiobooks I’ve heard and I personally own thousands. Highly recommended.

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    3 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Narration is both strongest and weakest parts

Comparison of Best Boy to The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime is so unfair. While both books give a glimpse into the mind and world of someone 'on the spectrum', Best Boy is a good book, while the Curious Incident is a Great Book.

I have been a fan of Bronson Pinchot as a narrator of several other audiobooks. His performance in this book is hot and cold. His range of voices and characters is truly amazing - I could actually visualize several of the characters from his voices. Then came his interpretation of Todd, which was all over the place. Way way way too many times, he voiced Todd as men- tal - ly chall-eng-ed, instead of autistic. Break-ing... his... speech... in-to sep- ar- ate.. words, and, syll- a - bles... OMG..Todd was articulate, if confused just a paragraph ago. To be fair, I don't know if the narrator has the option of such contrivances, or if there is a 'director/producer' that makes such suggestions. But I found it very distracting.

The Curious Incident is highly recommended, as is 600 hours of Edward and the sequel.. both excellent. Best Boy recommended with reservations.

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