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The Dresden Files #2.5, 7.3, 11.2
Working for Bigfoot
Chicago wizard-for-hire Harry Dresden is used to mysterious clients with long hair and legs up to here. But when it turns out the long hair covers every square inch of his latest client's body, and the legs contribute to a nine-foot height, even the redoubtable detective realizes he's treading new ground. Strength of a River in His Shoulders is one of the legendary forest people, a Bigfoot, and he has a problem that only Harry can solve. His son Irwin is a scion, the child of a supernatural creature and a human. He's a good kid, but the extraordinary strength of his magical aura has a way of attracting trouble.
In the three novellas that make up ''Working For Bigfoot,'' collected together for the first time here, readers encounter Dresden at different points in his storied career, and in Irwin's life. As a middle-schooler, in ''B is For Bigfoot,'' Irwin attracts the unwelcome attention of a pair of bullying brothers who are more than they seem, and when Harry steps in, it turns out they have a mystical guardian of their own. At a fancy private high school in ''I Was a Teenage Bigfoot,'' Harry is called in when Irwin grows ill for the first time, and it's not just a case of mono. Finally, Irwin is all grown up and has a grown-up's typical problems as a freshman in college in ''Bigfoot on Campus,'' or would have if typical included vampires.
New York Times bestseller Jim Butcher explores the responsibilities of fatherhood and the difficulties of growing up with the elements Dresden Files fans crave--detection, adventure, humor, and magic.
In the three novellas that make up ''Working For Bigfoot,'' collected together for the first time here, readers encounter Dresden at different points in his storied career, and in Irwin's life. As a middle-schooler, in ''B is For Bigfoot,'' Irwin attracts the unwelcome attention of a pair of bullying brothers who are more than they seem, and when Harry steps in, it turns out they have a mystical guardian of their own. At a fancy private high school in ''I Was a Teenage Bigfoot,'' Harry is called in when Irwin grows ill for the first time, and it's not just a case of mono. Finally, Irwin is all grown up and has a grown-up's typical problems as a freshman in college in ''Bigfoot on Campus,'' or would have if typical included vampires.
New York Times bestseller Jim Butcher explores the responsibilities of fatherhood and the difficulties of growing up with the elements Dresden Files fans crave--detection, adventure, humor, and magic.
4 pages, Audiobook
First published January 1, 2014
282 people are currently reading
7253 people want to read
About the author
Jim Butcher
205 books51k followersJim Butcher is the author of the Dresden Files, the Codex Alera, and a new steampunk series, the Cinder Spires. His resume includes a laundry list of skills which were useful a couple of centuries ago, and he plays guitar quite badly. An avid gamer, he plays tabletop games in varying systems, a variety of video games on PC and console, and LARPs whenever he can make time for it. Jim currently resides mostly inside his own head, but his head can generally be found in his home town of Independence, Missouri.
Jim goes by the moniker Longshot in a number of online locales. He came by this name in the early 1990′s when he decided he would become a published author. Usually only 3 in 1000 who make such an attempt actually manage to become published; of those, only 1 in 10 make enough money to call it a living. The sale of a second series was the breakthrough that let him beat the long odds against attaining a career as a novelist.
All the same, he refuses to change his nickname.
Jim goes by the moniker Longshot in a number of online locales. He came by this name in the early 1990′s when he decided he would become a published author. Usually only 3 in 1000 who make such an attempt actually manage to become published; of those, only 1 in 10 make enough money to call it a living. The sale of a second series was the breakthrough that let him beat the long odds against attaining a career as a novelist.
All the same, he refuses to change his nickname.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 783 reviews
November 12, 2015
A collection of three short stories centering about smaller jobs Harry Dresden does for (a) bigfoot by the name of River Shoulders.
Though this book was published recently, the stories occur at different times throughout the Dresden Files series. The first story occurs between books 2 and 3, when Harry is relatively new to his job. The last story happening between book 12 and 13.
Is it nice to get to see some new stories from the old Harry (The snarky, relatively carefree Harry that existed in the pre-Changes books.)
Best of all, these stories when taken together form a pleasing narrative arc all their own. (As opposed to just being a series of disconnected adventures or events.)
I listened to this one on Audio, and was delighted that it was read by James Marsters, as all Harry Dresden books should be.
Highly recommended and well worth the time of any Harry Dresden fan...
April 24, 2021
Oh, I loved this!
3 short stories about Harry coming in and out of Bigfoot's (A Bigfoot's) son over the course of years.
Harry gets hired to find out why little Irwin is coming home with bruises in elementary school, then hired to check up on him when he's a teenager and sick with mono, and finally hired to save him from an unidentified threat when he's in college.
I really enjoyed watching that kid grow up!
Even if you're not a Dresden fan, I think this would be a cute bunch of short stories for any fan of urban fantasy.
3 short stories about Harry coming in and out of Bigfoot's (A Bigfoot's) son over the course of years.
Harry gets hired to find out why little Irwin is coming home with bruises in elementary school, then hired to check up on him when he's a teenager and sick with mono, and finally hired to save him from an unidentified threat when he's in college.
I really enjoyed watching that kid grow up!
Even if you're not a Dresden fan, I think this would be a cute bunch of short stories for any fan of urban fantasy.
November 16, 2018
I would inhale every Dresden story, so I couldn't give an objective review to this one. I enjoyed this immensely, and I could still say that Jim Butcher is my dealer of choice to fuel my addiction! As for James Marsters, his delivery is as flawless as ever. I would listen to this guy narrate a phonebook!
February 24, 2020
On the set of a Jack Link’s Beef Jerky commercial with Sasquatch, discussing Jim Butcher’s 2014 collection of novellas Working for Bigfoot.
Q: So how did you first get involved with Harry Dresden / Jim Butcher … and should I call you Mr. Sasquatch, Bigfoot?
A: Strength of a River in His Shoulders is my name, here on the set I answer to lots of nomenclature, River will work fine.
Q: What was it like working with Butcher and Dresden?
A: All a very good experience overall. Harry Dresden is a fine man and Jim sets the stories down like a good narrative journalist, being objective yet also telling a good story. I also love the pop references he throws in like Six Million Dollar Man and a Fantastic Four The Thing allusion. He’s brilliant.
Q: The stories, there are three, involve your relationship with your son Irwin, tell us about that.
A: Like many children of separated parents, Irwin had a tough time of it. Being a scion, an offspring of a human and a supernatural being, Irwin had some unique difficulties and Harry helped us work through some things, I’m really grateful for him.
Q: So you and Irwin’s mother were never married?
A: No, there has always been affection, but the social stigma was too much on both sides. I’m a member of the Forest People and secrecy is just a part of our makeup. She’s a wonderful woman and a fine mother. Maybe in a different world …
Q: You’ve been a provider for Irwin his whole life, and I understand that the Forest People can be quite well off, why the commercials?
A: Actually Jim Butcher helped to broker the deal, my compensation goes toward several environmental charities and Native American concerns I’m involved in, and it’s fun.
Q: Any last words for our reading audience?
A: The Dresden files are an important work setting the record straight about how the “paranormal” world is really a lot more normal than most people would like to believe. Jim is a good writer and the books are entertaining as well.
Q: Thanks for the time Strength of a River in His Shoulders.
A: You’re very welcome and please enjoy some Jerky, I get cases of this stuff.
Q: So how did you first get involved with Harry Dresden / Jim Butcher … and should I call you Mr. Sasquatch, Bigfoot?
A: Strength of a River in His Shoulders is my name, here on the set I answer to lots of nomenclature, River will work fine.
Q: What was it like working with Butcher and Dresden?
A: All a very good experience overall. Harry Dresden is a fine man and Jim sets the stories down like a good narrative journalist, being objective yet also telling a good story. I also love the pop references he throws in like Six Million Dollar Man and a Fantastic Four The Thing allusion. He’s brilliant.
Q: The stories, there are three, involve your relationship with your son Irwin, tell us about that.
A: Like many children of separated parents, Irwin had a tough time of it. Being a scion, an offspring of a human and a supernatural being, Irwin had some unique difficulties and Harry helped us work through some things, I’m really grateful for him.
Q: So you and Irwin’s mother were never married?
A: No, there has always been affection, but the social stigma was too much on both sides. I’m a member of the Forest People and secrecy is just a part of our makeup. She’s a wonderful woman and a fine mother. Maybe in a different world …
Q: You’ve been a provider for Irwin his whole life, and I understand that the Forest People can be quite well off, why the commercials?
A: Actually Jim Butcher helped to broker the deal, my compensation goes toward several environmental charities and Native American concerns I’m involved in, and it’s fun.
Q: Any last words for our reading audience?
A: The Dresden files are an important work setting the record straight about how the “paranormal” world is really a lot more normal than most people would like to believe. Jim is a good writer and the books are entertaining as well.
Q: Thanks for the time Strength of a River in His Shoulders.
A: You’re very welcome and please enjoy some Jerky, I get cases of this stuff.
August 9, 2016
Executive Summary: A good, but not great collection of Harry Dresden short stories centered around Bigfoot. I gave all 3 stories 3.5 stars, and rounded that up to 4 stars, because I love Harry Dresden stories.
Audio book: James Marsters makes it awfully hard for me ever want to read a Dresden book again. Listening to them is just so excellent. Likely I'll mix and match on my initial reads and then do the audio for any rereads. Smart move to release this one in audio.
Full Review
I'm really glad this has been collected together in one book. Each story was originally released in a different anthology last year and they all go with each other.
The premise is that a Bigfoot named Strength of a River in His Shoulders has a half human son named Irwin living around Chicago, and can't check on him, what with being a Bigfoot and all, so he periodically hires Harry to look after him.
These are all fun stories that take place at different points in Harry's life as Irwin grows up. B is for Bigfoot takes place between Fool Moon and Grave Peril, I Was a Teenage Bigfoot takes place circa Dead Beat, and Bigfoot on Campus takes place between Turn Coat and Changes
They aren't really anything special though. I'm not a huge fan of short stories in general, and I found these stories weaker than several of the ones in Side Jobs: Stories From the Dresden Files. They are still worth a read if you're a die hard Dresden fan like I am though.
The stories all pull in different beings from the fairly rich Dresdenverse to offer a variety of issues for Harry to solve. Things tie together rather nicely between the three stories, and in some ways could be one longer story with large time gaps between certain events.
Overall this is a collection only for the Harry Dresden die hards in my opinion.
Audio book: James Marsters makes it awfully hard for me ever want to read a Dresden book again. Listening to them is just so excellent. Likely I'll mix and match on my initial reads and then do the audio for any rereads. Smart move to release this one in audio.
Full Review
I'm really glad this has been collected together in one book. Each story was originally released in a different anthology last year and they all go with each other.
The premise is that a Bigfoot named Strength of a River in His Shoulders has a half human son named Irwin living around Chicago, and can't check on him, what with being a Bigfoot and all, so he periodically hires Harry to look after him.
These are all fun stories that take place at different points in Harry's life as Irwin grows up. B is for Bigfoot takes place between Fool Moon and Grave Peril, I Was a Teenage Bigfoot takes place circa Dead Beat, and Bigfoot on Campus takes place between Turn Coat and Changes
They aren't really anything special though. I'm not a huge fan of short stories in general, and I found these stories weaker than several of the ones in Side Jobs: Stories From the Dresden Files. They are still worth a read if you're a die hard Dresden fan like I am though.
The stories all pull in different beings from the fairly rich Dresdenverse to offer a variety of issues for Harry to solve. Things tie together rather nicely between the three stories, and in some ways could be one longer story with large time gaps between certain events.
Overall this is a collection only for the Harry Dresden die hards in my opinion.
May 6, 2016
This is a fun little novella/short story collection set in the Dresdenverse. Three linked short stories are included here, taking place at varying times throughout Harry's history. "B is for Bigfoot" takes place after Fool Moon, "I Was a Teenage Bigfoot" occurs after Dead Beat, and "Bigfoot on Campus" is sandwiched between Turn Coat and Changes, so the Harry in this collection is the Harry from Before, still working as a wizard PI.
All in all, I found this book to be a fun, light read. I'm not normally a fan of short stories because my favorite part of reading is emotional investment, but here Butcher has Harry taking three cases from an honest to God Sasquatch (whose name is The Strength of the River in His Shoulders, aka River Shoulders). In each story he's hired by the Bigfoot to protect River Shoulder's half-human son, Irwin, so there's a very slight narrative through-line across all the stories, as Harry builds a rapport with both father and son. It's also fun to skip through Harry's existing timeline and watch Irwin grow up.
The stories were also surprisingly moving, mostly due to the focus on themes of growing up, responsibility and fatherhood. I've noticed since Butcher had his kid, there has been a noticeable uptick in the material in his books that involves parental relationships, and I like it. Irwin is a nice kid, and especially in the third story where he takes a more active role, he's a fun character to engage with. His relationship to his father the Bigfoot was really heartwarming, while also being bizarre and kind of funny in a surreal way.
It's worth noting that the audio version is narrated by James Marsters, so if audio is your preferred Dresden vehicle, you're covered here.
All in all, I found this book to be a fun, light read. I'm not normally a fan of short stories because my favorite part of reading is emotional investment, but here Butcher has Harry taking three cases from an honest to God Sasquatch (whose name is The Strength of the River in His Shoulders, aka River Shoulders). In each story he's hired by the Bigfoot to protect River Shoulder's half-human son, Irwin, so there's a very slight narrative through-line across all the stories, as Harry builds a rapport with both father and son. It's also fun to skip through Harry's existing timeline and watch Irwin grow up.
The stories were also surprisingly moving, mostly due to the focus on themes of growing up, responsibility and fatherhood. I've noticed since Butcher had his kid, there has been a noticeable uptick in the material in his books that involves parental relationships, and I like it. Irwin is a nice kid, and especially in the third story where he takes a more active role, he's a fun character to engage with. His relationship to his father the Bigfoot was really heartwarming, while also being bizarre and kind of funny in a surreal way.
It's worth noting that the audio version is narrated by James Marsters, so if audio is your preferred Dresden vehicle, you're covered here.
November 15, 2016
*4.5 stars*
I missed this series so badly that I almost cried when I heard the audiobook start up. There is absolutely nothing like listening to this series.
I'm obsessed with The Dresden Files, and this book was another example of why this series is so great. It just made me hungry for more. Just take my money already.
November 15, 2015
Vrlo zabavan skup tri pricice sa zajednickom temom (naslov kaze sve). Brze, kratke, sa humorom i dosta akcije... klasican Hari. Nije obavezno stivo ali za ljubitelje ovog serijala taman fino dodje kao aperitiv dok ne izadje sledeci deo.
February 14, 2016
3.5 Three fun stories of Harry Working for Bigfoot protecting his son over the years. Great characters, sweet stories and I needed more. Love Harry
September 30, 2015
"
Working for Bigfoot
" is a collection of three previously released Harry Dresden short stories, featuring Harry, his Bigfoot client Strength of a River in His Shoulders, as well as River's son, Irwin. The story spans in few years from when Irwin is still around 8-9 years old, to Irwin at 14 years old, and later when Irwin is in college. In each case, River calls Harry to help his son, since there is trouble looming in, from bullying, to black magic, to vampire girlfriend...
Oh, how I missed thee, Harry Dresden *hugs book*. Harry has been a constant feature of Urban Fantasy series that I have read over the years. But the releases between books have began to take longer time. I know that it's Butcher's privilege and timetable, but still I wish I can have at least one Dresden book a year. So if this is scrap that I have to take, then YES, I'll take it.
There are no other regular characters here ... no Bob, no Thomas, no Murphy. No Mouse. It's basically Harry's story with the Bigfoot (Bigfeet? How do you call plural Bigfoot??). As always, there are mayhems, and Harry's sense of snark, which is DE.LIGHT.FUL. I wonder why we don't have River and Irwin in the novels? Because they sure as hell entertaining.
Bottom line, loved it! It lifted up my mood (I'm happy ^^). The illustrations are great too!! I just wish they were longer stories.
Oh, how I missed thee, Harry Dresden *hugs book*. Harry has been a constant feature of Urban Fantasy series that I have read over the years. But the releases between books have began to take longer time. I know that it's Butcher's privilege and timetable, but still I wish I can have at least one Dresden book a year. So if this is scrap that I have to take, then YES, I'll take it.
There are no other regular characters here ... no Bob, no Thomas, no Murphy. No Mouse. It's basically Harry's story with the Bigfoot (Bigfeet? How do you call plural Bigfoot??). As always, there are mayhems, and Harry's sense of snark, which is DE.LIGHT.FUL. I wonder why we don't have River and Irwin in the novels? Because they sure as hell entertaining.
Bottom line, loved it! It lifted up my mood (I'm happy ^^). The illustrations are great too!! I just wish they were longer stories.
January 21, 2025
Fun collection of Dresden short stories. I did the audio version and, as always, the narration by James Marsters adds loads to the enjoyment.
April 24, 2025
This one was a lot of fun.
I really enjoy any telling of Big Foot as a Native American relation.
The son was worth rescuing, I guess. That final story was both crazy and my least favorite.
It was a fun, softer side of Harry.
4 Stars
I really enjoy any telling of Big Foot as a Native American relation.
The son was worth rescuing, I guess. That final story was both crazy and my least favorite.
It was a fun, softer side of Harry.
4 Stars
August 30, 2020
Re-Read Update: I liked this one more this time around than the first time. I felt it was 5 star worthy and not just a mere 4. I loved the idea of a Bigfoot family and the Native American twist.
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It seems like it's been a long while since I read something from the Harry Dresden series. Reading this little novella makes me want to get back to it. I have 3 or 4 books in my possession, but a huge book challenge got in the way. I'm now wondering how to squeeze them into the challenge. I love love love this series.
I don't normally like novellas, but I enjoyed this one. I liked the whole Bigfoot idea. But if I'm being honest, I'm a total Harry Dresden fangirl. I think White Night is next up.
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It seems like it's been a long while since I read something from the Harry Dresden series. Reading this little novella makes me want to get back to it. I have 3 or 4 books in my possession, but a huge book challenge got in the way. I'm now wondering how to squeeze them into the challenge. I love love love this series.
I don't normally like novellas, but I enjoyed this one. I liked the whole Bigfoot idea. But if I'm being honest, I'm a total Harry Dresden fangirl. I think White Night is next up.
February 6, 2022
3.5 stars. Felt a little middle grade reading but still enjoyable. 3 short stories. It was nice with a quick revisit in the Dresden Files.
December 7, 2016
“Maybe,” he said in a slow, rural drawl, “you could explain to me why I found you in the middle of an orgy.”
“Well,” I said, “if you’re going to be in an orgy, the middle is the best spot, isn’t it.”
I've heard of the Dresden Files before, but I'd never checked it out. I thought it was about World War 2 and I constantly confused it with Vonnegut's Slaughterhouse Five for some reason. But in a great example of the value of book bundles (like Humble Bundle or Story Bundle), I ended up with this book via a book bundle and when I looking for a new book to read recently, the description stood out. I also recognized Butcher's name, having spent the last few years listening to Sword and Laser and getting a feel for a bunch of SFF authors I hadn't been familiar with.
Butcher does not slouch on this collection of 3 short stories, trading on his name or readers' presumed familiarity with the character. Each contains just enough information for a newbie like me to get caught up and where I feel that vets to the series would be OK. Having spent the better part of the last decade listening to short story poddcasts, I know there's a very different form when writing a short story vs a novel, but if these stories are an indication of the tone of the books, I think I'm in for a treat. (I've already added book 1 to my To Read list) Butcher also plays with PI tropes in each of the stories. The first and third one are the typical first person narrative of the investigation. The second story takes the familiar noir trope of being found in an interrogation room and recounting to the cops what happened to lead to one's arrest.
The stories revolve around a "bigfoot" hiring Harry Dresden to deal help out his son. I'll make a minor spoiler here and say that his son is half-bigfoot and that's the simple reason for needing to hire Harry. The first story involves a young bigfoot Jr who's being bullied in school. The second story jumps to college, where bigfoot Jr has a run-in with another fantastical species. The last story takes place between the two when he's in high school. In all 3 stories Butcher presents a pretty diverse cast of mythical creatures and has a lot of fun with the noir tropes. On the lewdness scale, the humor reminded me quite a bit of Terry Pratchett. In his Disworld books there were definitely adults there with adult feelings and desires, but he usually found a pretty entertaining way to communicate that stuff. Yes, there is indeed an orgy and a sex scene in the second story. But overall, it's more about playing around with words and double-entendres than it is about being explicit.
I really enjoyed this story as you can tell from the rating. If you like noir and/or fantasy, give this short story collection a shot. It shouldn't take you more than a bit of an afternoon to finish it. If you don't like it, no big deal. And if you do, it's a great sampler for what's yet to come.
“Well,” I said, “if you’re going to be in an orgy, the middle is the best spot, isn’t it.”
I've heard of the Dresden Files before, but I'd never checked it out. I thought it was about World War 2 and I constantly confused it with Vonnegut's Slaughterhouse Five for some reason. But in a great example of the value of book bundles (like Humble Bundle or Story Bundle), I ended up with this book via a book bundle and when I looking for a new book to read recently, the description stood out. I also recognized Butcher's name, having spent the last few years listening to Sword and Laser and getting a feel for a bunch of SFF authors I hadn't been familiar with.
Butcher does not slouch on this collection of 3 short stories, trading on his name or readers' presumed familiarity with the character. Each contains just enough information for a newbie like me to get caught up and where I feel that vets to the series would be OK. Having spent the better part of the last decade listening to short story poddcasts, I know there's a very different form when writing a short story vs a novel, but if these stories are an indication of the tone of the books, I think I'm in for a treat. (I've already added book 1 to my To Read list) Butcher also plays with PI tropes in each of the stories. The first and third one are the typical first person narrative of the investigation. The second story takes the familiar noir trope of being found in an interrogation room and recounting to the cops what happened to lead to one's arrest.
The stories revolve around a "bigfoot" hiring Harry Dresden to deal help out his son. I'll make a minor spoiler here and say that his son is half-bigfoot and that's the simple reason for needing to hire Harry. The first story involves a young bigfoot Jr who's being bullied in school. The second story jumps to college, where bigfoot Jr has a run-in with another fantastical species. The last story takes place between the two when he's in high school. In all 3 stories Butcher presents a pretty diverse cast of mythical creatures and has a lot of fun with the noir tropes. On the lewdness scale, the humor reminded me quite a bit of Terry Pratchett. In his Disworld books there were definitely adults there with adult feelings and desires, but he usually found a pretty entertaining way to communicate that stuff. Yes, there is indeed an orgy and a sex scene in the second story. But overall, it's more about playing around with words and double-entendres than it is about being explicit.
I really enjoyed this story as you can tell from the rating. If you like noir and/or fantasy, give this short story collection a shot. It shouldn't take you more than a bit of an afternoon to finish it. If you don't like it, no big deal. And if you do, it's a great sampler for what's yet to come.
February 19, 2017
3 1/2 stars
Out of the two novellas I have read so far on this series this one was the better choice. The novella deals with one client of Dresden, Big Foot, and all the troubles his half-ling son got into growing up without knowing his father is Big Foot.
I know this series can seem silly to anyone who haven't had exposure to (or liking) the Dresden world but I love it. This can be read once you have reached the halfway mark of the series (book 7 or 8) as I didn't pick up on any spoilers.
And as always the audio was excellent - it had me laughing out loud while walking in my neighborhood and got varied reactions from other walkers. Ranging from friendly smiles to dragging their kids away from me.
Out of the two novellas I have read so far on this series this one was the better choice. The novella deals with one client of Dresden, Big Foot, and all the troubles his half-ling son got into growing up without knowing his father is Big Foot.
I know this series can seem silly to anyone who haven't had exposure to (or liking) the Dresden world but I love it. This can be read once you have reached the halfway mark of the series (book 7 or 8) as I didn't pick up on any spoilers.
And as always the audio was excellent - it had me laughing out loud while walking in my neighborhood and got varied reactions from other walkers. Ranging from friendly smiles to dragging their kids away from me.
February 25, 2018
7/10
A fun collection of Bigfoot related stories in the Dresden world. I’d never have read this or even purchased the audiobook but my library had it in their audiobook collection and I really enjoyed James Marsters narration of the last book in the series so I gave it a shot.
Each story is vaguely linked due to the person hiring Dresden’s services but quite self contained. The last of the stories was longer and probably the most interesting with a dual narrative.
Worth the time to listen and put me on for the next in the series. All this did was cement my thinking that I’ll only continue with the series in audio format (providing James Marsters narrates!).
A fun collection of Bigfoot related stories in the Dresden world. I’d never have read this or even purchased the audiobook but my library had it in their audiobook collection and I really enjoyed James Marsters narration of the last book in the series so I gave it a shot.
Each story is vaguely linked due to the person hiring Dresden’s services but quite self contained. The last of the stories was longer and probably the most interesting with a dual narrative.
Worth the time to listen and put me on for the next in the series. All this did was cement my thinking that I’ll only continue with the series in audio format (providing James Marsters narrates!).
December 14, 2015
**Note: This is a reaction--a few ill-considered opinions not backed up by textual evidence-- rather than a review.**
I picked this up on audio from the library, and even though it was wonderful to hear James Marster's voice again, I nearly didn't finish it. There are a lot of problematic aspects of the Dresden Files, but Butchers' ill-informed and ill-advised stereotyping of Native American cultures has always been a sore spot with me. In one of the first paragraphs of the book, we discover that Bigfoot speaks with a "Native American accent." Never mind that there are literally hundreds of different Amerindian languages and yet more dialects; clearly there exists a single generic "Native American accent." Ugh.
If I could have stopped there, I would, but I was listening to it on audio while biking, and I had many a mile to go that night before I reached my town-o, and according to Carly's Rule of Inverse Stoplight Color, the more you want a red light so that you can, for example, switch from an offensively stereotyping audiobook to an Imagine Dragons album, the less likely you are to actually get said stoplight color. In a journey miraculously filled with green lights, it was close to nine miles later before I actually got a red-light opportunity to swap to music, and by that time, I was effectively hooked.
Working For Bigfoot is far from the best of the books, and I think it's likely to be fun only if you're very familiar with the other books in the series. The three stories also take place at widely varying points in the series, so if you haven't made it past Turn Coat, beware of spoilers. It's also somewhat unique amongst the Dresden short stories in that absolutely none of the standard side characters show up at any point. There are some highly problematic characterizations of Native Americans--a single "Native American accent" is far from the worst of it-- as well as problematic portrayals of women and a story featuring the Whampires and all that entails. Even so, I enjoyed being back in Dresden's world and hearing his narration again. One of my favourite parts was when, early on, Dresden is afraid his actions might cause the Wizard Council to be entangled in a war with another supernatural group. Because who could imagine he'd want to do that?
I picked this up on audio from the library, and even though it was wonderful to hear James Marster's voice again, I nearly didn't finish it. There are a lot of problematic aspects of the Dresden Files, but Butchers' ill-informed and ill-advised stereotyping of Native American cultures has always been a sore spot with me. In one of the first paragraphs of the book, we discover that Bigfoot speaks with a "Native American accent." Never mind that there are literally hundreds of different Amerindian languages and yet more dialects; clearly there exists a single generic "Native American accent." Ugh.
If I could have stopped there, I would, but I was listening to it on audio while biking, and I had many a mile to go that night before I reached my town-o, and according to Carly's Rule of Inverse Stoplight Color, the more you want a red light so that you can, for example, switch from an offensively stereotyping audiobook to an Imagine Dragons album, the less likely you are to actually get said stoplight color. In a journey miraculously filled with green lights, it was close to nine miles later before I actually got a red-light opportunity to swap to music, and by that time, I was effectively hooked.
Working For Bigfoot is far from the best of the books, and I think it's likely to be fun only if you're very familiar with the other books in the series. The three stories also take place at widely varying points in the series, so if you haven't made it past Turn Coat, beware of spoilers. It's also somewhat unique amongst the Dresden short stories in that absolutely none of the standard side characters show up at any point. There are some highly problematic characterizations of Native Americans--a single "Native American accent" is far from the worst of it-- as well as problematic portrayals of women and a story featuring the Whampires and all that entails. Even so, I enjoyed being back in Dresden's world and hearing his narration again. One of my favourite parts was when, early on, Dresden is afraid his actions might cause the Wizard Council to be entangled in a war with another supernatural group. Because who could imagine he'd want to do that?
July 14, 2019
Terrific audiobook version of 3 Harry Dresden short stories
These three stories each first appeared in separate collections of stories by multiple urban fantasy authors. It's wonderful to find them grouped together like this in one place. I experienced these stories as an audiobook narrated by the fabulous James Marsters (best known for playing Spike the vampire in the Buffy TV series).
The Bigfoot of these stories is part of the magical Forest People, and his name is River Shoulders. He is around nine-foot tall and weighs about 650 pounds. He is a peaceable creature, though he has enormous physical and magical power. Some years ago, he had an affair with a professor of archaeology who is very tall for a human, over six-foot, and as big as a linebacker. The result was their son Irwin. They never married, but have remained friends. Irwin has been raised by his mother, because River Shoulders wants him to have a more expansive life than River has had, limited to living in the forest.
River hires Harry Dresden three different times to help Irwin. The first story occurs when Irwin is a child of 10 and River hires Harry to rescue him from being bullied by some dangerous, magical creatures. The second story is Irwin at age 14, and River hires Harry to save him from an illness he should not be suffering, since Bigfeet never get sick. Harry discovers Irwin's life force is being sapped by a mysterious dark, outside force. The third story is Irwin around age 19 at college. He is in love with a dangerous young woman who might inadvertently cause his death.
It was a pleasure reading stories which are not so dark and violent as the Dresden books themselves, and with the relatively lighthearted, amusingly snarky Harry as he appears in the earlier books in the series. These three stories are interlinked, and it makes a pleasing whole to hear them narrated one after the other, in chronological order. Harry, as always, is a fantastic character, and I also enjoyed River and Irwin. They are terrific characters.
Anyone who is a fan of the Harry Dresden series will not want to miss this outstanding collection of stories.
I rate this audiobook as follows:
Hero: 5 stars
Subcharacters: 5 stars
Action-Adventure Plot: 5 stars
Worldbuilding: 5 stars
Writing: 5 stars
Audiobook Narration: 5 stars
Overall: 5 stars
These three stories each first appeared in separate collections of stories by multiple urban fantasy authors. It's wonderful to find them grouped together like this in one place. I experienced these stories as an audiobook narrated by the fabulous James Marsters (best known for playing Spike the vampire in the Buffy TV series).
The Bigfoot of these stories is part of the magical Forest People, and his name is River Shoulders. He is around nine-foot tall and weighs about 650 pounds. He is a peaceable creature, though he has enormous physical and magical power. Some years ago, he had an affair with a professor of archaeology who is very tall for a human, over six-foot, and as big as a linebacker. The result was their son Irwin. They never married, but have remained friends. Irwin has been raised by his mother, because River Shoulders wants him to have a more expansive life than River has had, limited to living in the forest.
River hires Harry Dresden three different times to help Irwin. The first story occurs when Irwin is a child of 10 and River hires Harry to rescue him from being bullied by some dangerous, magical creatures. The second story is Irwin at age 14, and River hires Harry to save him from an illness he should not be suffering, since Bigfeet never get sick. Harry discovers Irwin's life force is being sapped by a mysterious dark, outside force. The third story is Irwin around age 19 at college. He is in love with a dangerous young woman who might inadvertently cause his death.
It was a pleasure reading stories which are not so dark and violent as the Dresden books themselves, and with the relatively lighthearted, amusingly snarky Harry as he appears in the earlier books in the series. These three stories are interlinked, and it makes a pleasing whole to hear them narrated one after the other, in chronological order. Harry, as always, is a fantastic character, and I also enjoyed River and Irwin. They are terrific characters.
Anyone who is a fan of the Harry Dresden series will not want to miss this outstanding collection of stories.
I rate this audiobook as follows:
Hero: 5 stars
Subcharacters: 5 stars
Action-Adventure Plot: 5 stars
Worldbuilding: 5 stars
Writing: 5 stars
Audiobook Narration: 5 stars
Overall: 5 stars
August 7, 2016
I listened to the audio, and it was great fun! A very quick, but interesting listen. I enjoyed the humour, the characters and the different cases. I think you could listen to this at any point in the series, as there are no spoilers for the main story line.
May 15, 2016
A fun addition to the Dresden Files. Fairly predictable, though. I like reading about Bigfoot, though. Well read.
May 30, 2022
Strength of a River in His Shoulders is one of the legendary forest people, a Sasquatch or "Bigfoot." With an aura of mystery, he asks Harry Dresden to meet him in the forest, and Harry is smart enough to bring food as a host, providing supernatural code of conduct protection. Turns out, River Shoulders fathered a son with a nature scientist, and he is afraid of what his son might think of him. When his son gets into trouble, he asks Harry to intercede in three separate instances: in one case, he is being bullied, in a second, he is very ill despite his innate ability to recover, and finally, he is facing serious problems with his girlfriend's father. Harry is well paid, but refuses compensation for his third job, insisting that River Shoulders needs to meet his son (a sore point for Harry, who was an orphan.) 3.5 stars.
December 10, 2025
Fun collection.
August 15, 2016
Absolutely loved it! All three stories were good, the last one completely different, as we sit by as Dresden tells it to a cop.
I enjoyed them extremely, almost more than the last two books in the series. Dresden at his best - and I hope I'll get to see bigfoot again!
I enjoyed them extremely, almost more than the last two books in the series. Dresden at his best - and I hope I'll get to see bigfoot again!
December 13, 2012
I think I need to reread this entire series. I miss Harry
August 10, 2021
Bullies, evil teachers, and a girlfriend’s family from hell…those are the sorts of problems that Harry Dresden, Wizard, finds himself in the middle of when he agrees on three separate occasions to take on the job of looking after a sasquatch’s half breed son. The boy doesn’t know his father is a bigfoot. He doesn’t know anything about magic or supernatural creatures. But his problems all involve that hidden world to some extent or another—which explains why he needs Harry Dresden.
The book is broken up into three novellas, each with their own little mystery, and each with a solution so unique that there is no feeling of “following a formula” to the set of stories. As they happen over the course of the young man’s childhood, they also show the son of bigfoot growing and maturing, figuring out how to be himself in a world that doesn’t quite know how to respond to him. He’s very tall, rather homely, and filled with strength and energy which makes no sense to those who don’t know the truth about him. (That includes himself.)
Jim Butcher has always been a great author and this book showcases his talent quite well. If you’ve read and enjoyed any of the Dresden files novels, you are certain to enjoy this book. If you’ve been wondering what all the fuss about Harry Dresden is about, this is a great place to start.
If you liked this review, you can find more at www.gilbertstack.com/reviews.
The book is broken up into three novellas, each with their own little mystery, and each with a solution so unique that there is no feeling of “following a formula” to the set of stories. As they happen over the course of the young man’s childhood, they also show the son of bigfoot growing and maturing, figuring out how to be himself in a world that doesn’t quite know how to respond to him. He’s very tall, rather homely, and filled with strength and energy which makes no sense to those who don’t know the truth about him. (That includes himself.)
Jim Butcher has always been a great author and this book showcases his talent quite well. If you’ve read and enjoyed any of the Dresden files novels, you are certain to enjoy this book. If you’ve been wondering what all the fuss about Harry Dresden is about, this is a great place to start.
If you liked this review, you can find more at www.gilbertstack.com/reviews.
April 7, 2017
Plot-5 Stars
Characters-5 Stars
Setting-3 Stars
This book doesn't introduce you to nothing new and certainly nothing life altering in the Dresden universe but it is just a funny story with Dresden in it. If you are waiting for the next Dresden book, or have read them all and just want a little Dresden in your life, this is the book for you. A quick read, funny, and it has Bigfoot in it. Nuff said.
Overall just a great little book for what it is. A filler.
Characters-5 Stars
Setting-3 Stars
This book doesn't introduce you to nothing new and certainly nothing life altering in the Dresden universe but it is just a funny story with Dresden in it. If you are waiting for the next Dresden book, or have read them all and just want a little Dresden in your life, this is the book for you. A quick read, funny, and it has Bigfoot in it. Nuff said.
Overall just a great little book for what it is. A filler.
September 16, 2015
Jim Butcher - The Bigfoot Trilogy
Part 1 - ''B is for Bigfoot" (Dresden Files Book 2.5)
Part 2 - ''I was a Teenage Bigfoot'' (Dresden Files Book 6.5)
Part 3 - ''Bigfoot on Campus" (Dresden Files Book 11.9)
The Harry Dresden Bigfoot novella collection were originally published in
Part 1 - Under My Hat: Tales from the Cauldron
Part 2 - Blood Lite III: Aftertaste
Part 3 - Hex Appeal
August 4, 2015
Whenever you get a chance even a short Jim Butcher volume is worth it. Harry Dresden, Wizard of the White Council is out in the woods ready to meet his next client. All the time thinking that a meeting out in the woods is not really a good idea. But once a really tall or as Dresden describes incredibly large creature shows up, he knows this will be interesting. So it begins three incredibly enjoyable stories as told from Dresden's point of view regarding his employment by none other than Bigfoot.
Dresden assists the "Big Guy" with his son Irwin. Each time we see Irwin growing up a little more. All three stories are quite entertaining and as always show Harry's big heart.
Similar to "Side Jobs: Stories from the Dresden Files" but focused on Bigfoot and his family. For Dresden fans who need a fix in between novels.
Dresden assists the "Big Guy" with his son Irwin. Each time we see Irwin growing up a little more. All three stories are quite entertaining and as always show Harry's big heart.
Similar to "Side Jobs: Stories from the Dresden Files" but focused on Bigfoot and his family. For Dresden fans who need a fix in between novels.
September 11, 2015
Jim Butcher...I heart you. Your stories always brighten my days and send me to bed knowing that as long as you are writing I will always have a life filled with wonderful stories and snarky sarcasm that put a pep in my step and arm me with unparalleled one-liners. Thanks for making me laugh out loud and smiling until cheeks hurt.
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