Getting Off

A Novel of Sex & Violence

By: Lawrence Block

Narrated by: Lily Bask

So this girl walks into a bar…and when she walks out there’s a man with her. She goes to bed with him, and she likes that part. Then she kills him, and she likes that even better. On her way out, she cleans out his wallet. She keeps moving, and has a new name for each change of address. She’s been doing this for a while, and she’s good at it. And then a chance remark gets her thinking of the men who got away, the lucky ones who survived a night with her. She starts writing down names. And now she’s a girl with a mission. Picking up their trails. Hunting them down. Crossing them off her list…

©2011 Lawrence Block (P)2011 Recorded Books, LLC

Keller with some kink

I love me some Lawrence Block, particularly the Keller books (I've long considered Robert Forster's read of "Hit Man" a high-water mark for entertainment audiobooks). With "Getting Off," Block once again displays his penchant for crafting endearing sociopaths. Expertly-paced, colloquial and smart with some truly horrifying passages–Block fleshes out the main character's motivations by painting a hideously uncomfortable childhood–the book really cooks and gets under the skin. Lily Bask turns in a terrific performance, particularly when called upon to read some of the story's more risque action. Good fun & worth a listen.

Yup, It’s a novel about sex and violence

I didn’t know what to think when I purchased this book, but I like it . It’s really a guilty pleasure.

This was very different...

Not a bad book. There was not much to it though. When it says a novel of sex and violence, it means that with nothing much in between. This will sound like a dumb criticism, but what I liked least was the constant use of coincidence.

There was no better way to tell this story. it just was not that great of a story. Lawrence Block is a great writer, but this is the bad one I will ignore so he can keep his good score.

dry...

This book was pretty dry and hard to want to continue listening. Does not pull you in or engage you. Very disappointing.

You're Being Misled: This Ain't a New Block Book!

Lawrence Block is one of my favorite mystery writers. But, about 50 years ago, writing under the name, "Jane Emerson," Block subspecialized in erotic mystery fiction. This is one of those books. If that's your thing, more power to you--no judgment here. I'm a fan on Block's gritty, dark, wryly humorous mysteries. This just ain't one of them.

Publishers: this isn't the way to build your reader base. Mr. Block: if this a contractual thing beyond your control, fair enough. However, if you are a party to this misguided attempt to drum up sales, please reconsider in the future.