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Astro Van
Guns, Puppets, and the Open Road! In a van. With some guy. And nothing to lose, but his boring, uneventful life.
- GenresFiction
220 pages, Paperback
First published November 11, 2011
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
January 10, 2012
Astro Van was a great read. At times the narrative was challenging for me to follow due to the quick dialogue, but it was an appreciated challenge. At times the book feels like its a NanoWriMo book (which it is), but as long as you are engaged as you read it, you should be able to follow it.
The book was told in five(?) parts and once the setting gets to Las Vegas for the second time, it becomes hard to put down. By this point the characters all have a distinct voice, and many of the aforementioned problems disappear. By the end, you are sorry to see the characters go, and wish you can follow their future adventures together as a group or individually.
The highlight of the book for me (and I imagine others) is the re-occurring joke about puppeteers. I'd recommend this book based on those sections alone.
This review is short and lack luster, unlike Astro Van. A better review will come in time,
The book was told in five(?) parts and once the setting gets to Las Vegas for the second time, it becomes hard to put down. By this point the characters all have a distinct voice, and many of the aforementioned problems disappear. By the end, you are sorry to see the characters go, and wish you can follow their future adventures together as a group or individually.
The highlight of the book for me (and I imagine others) is the re-occurring joke about puppeteers. I'd recommend this book based on those sections alone.
This review is short and lack luster, unlike Astro Van. A better review will come in time,
March 11, 2012
Astro Van is an accomplished first novel from Josh Flanagan. It's the more impressive an achievement as the product of NaNoWriMo, meaning it was essentially written in one month.
While the overall plot is familiar -- sheltered young man goes out on his own, accidentally becomes entangled in adventure, and finds himself -- Flanagan shows a gift for snappy action, quirky characterization, and especially for humor that makes this book rise above the ordinary.
The characters are well-drawn, without losing the ability to surprise. I'd like to have spent more time with them, but really, Astro Van is just right as is, an amusing and satisfying quick hit of a novel.
If this is what he can accomplish in just thirty days, then I'm very much looking forward to seeing what Josh (and "Shinebox Press" -- heh) comes up with next.
While the overall plot is familiar -- sheltered young man goes out on his own, accidentally becomes entangled in adventure, and finds himself -- Flanagan shows a gift for snappy action, quirky characterization, and especially for humor that makes this book rise above the ordinary.
The characters are well-drawn, without losing the ability to surprise. I'd like to have spent more time with them, but really, Astro Van is just right as is, an amusing and satisfying quick hit of a novel.
If this is what he can accomplish in just thirty days, then I'm very much looking forward to seeing what Josh (and "Shinebox Press" -- heh) comes up with next.
February 20, 2012
This book is fun.
Looking back at that sentence that is all I need to say. Fun is sometimes used in literary circles as code for dumb or unworthy. Astro Van is not that kind of fun. This book is inventive, clever and chock full of both action and Pathos. I really found myself wanting to hang out with these characters but as I kept reading I realized if I did I was in for a hell of a ride...so I sated myself with reading their adventures.
Josh Flanagan is an incredibly funny, incisive and linguistically facile writer. I have listened to literally hundreds of hours of him talking on his podcast ifanboy and I have read innumerable of his essay work on ifanboy.com and consider myself a fan. That being said I honestly believe that anybody who wants to spend a few hours on a madcap romp with real heart would do themselves a great favor by reading Astro Van.
Looking back at that sentence that is all I need to say. Fun is sometimes used in literary circles as code for dumb or unworthy. Astro Van is not that kind of fun. This book is inventive, clever and chock full of both action and Pathos. I really found myself wanting to hang out with these characters but as I kept reading I realized if I did I was in for a hell of a ride...so I sated myself with reading their adventures.
Josh Flanagan is an incredibly funny, incisive and linguistically facile writer. I have listened to literally hundreds of hours of him talking on his podcast ifanboy and I have read innumerable of his essay work on ifanboy.com and consider myself a fan. That being said I honestly believe that anybody who wants to spend a few hours on a madcap romp with real heart would do themselves a great favor by reading Astro Van.
January 14, 2012
Josh Flanagan's book Astro Van, keeps the pace of his first published novel in synch with its action. Though the story initially starts slow and unassuming, by the next section you can feel the acceleration building. Flanagan draws you into a tale of a young man getting his first true taste of life, and it is easy to identify with how he feels. By the third act of the book, Astro Van becomes very difficult to put down.
While the story is certainly not perfect (a slight bit more characterization as the story wraps to its conclusion, perhaps?), this is perhaps all one could reasonably ask for in one's first published work. When Flanagan eventually releases another novel down the road, I'll be making sure its an early purchase for me.
While the story is certainly not perfect (a slight bit more characterization as the story wraps to its conclusion, perhaps?), this is perhaps all one could reasonably ask for in one's first published work. When Flanagan eventually releases another novel down the road, I'll be making sure its an early purchase for me.
September 21, 2014
This book wanted to be a great story, but fell quite short. From the beginning of the story it seemed directionless and confused, a theme which continued on through the rest of the book. I was never sure where the story was going, but not in a good way. There were several unnecessary things just shoved into the book than never served to further the plot in any way. The whole book was just like a bad ferry ride that leaves you feeling off for the rest of the day. I really wanted to enjoy the book but I ended up finishing it just for the sake of finishing it, not because I actually wanted to know how the story ended up.
May 29, 2012
When small town nebbish Ted meets the eccentric ex-influential puppet maker Jack Herschfeld, it can only be defined as life transforming. Astro Van is a must read from first time novelist Josh Flanagan. Done in a style which I found similar to Vonnegut, Astro Van is one of those books that once you start you will just read through to completion. That's not a cliche, as I finished Astro Van in a 24hour period. Great book!
January 12, 2012
Great first effort by Josh Flanagan. I really found myself visualizing some of the scenes due to his wonderful descriptions and natural dialogue. Could see this as a "guy in the wrong place" movie but would be concerned that the action would be highlighted to the detriment of the great characters. Looking forward to his future works.
August 31, 2012
A good first outing for this up and coming writer. Original idea. Seemed a tad rushed in his ending but I will definitely be looking for his next book!
April 11, 2013
I didn't finish this book. I think the author and ideas have promise, but it desperately needs an editor.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews