Proving It [Audiobook, Unabridged] [Audio Cassette]

Andrew H. Vachss (Author), Burt Reynolds (Narrator), David Joe Wirth (Narrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 10, 2001

Andrew Vachss's writing has been described as "red-hot and serious as a punctured lung" (Playboy), "hypnotically violent ... made up of equal parts broken concrete block and razor wire" (Chicago Sun-Times), and "short and choppy, like the ticking of a time bomb" (Seattle Post-Intelligencer).

In this audiobook, Burt Reynolds brings to life 27 of Vachss's trademark life-at-ground-zero stories. In "Dope Fiend," a woman suffering from both terminal cancer and a drug-withholding doctor finds the hard answer to each. "Dead Game" illustrates the horrible consequences of misplaced loyalty. And an ex-con finds that, sometimes in life, payback is a beautiful thing, in the story "Proving It." After you hear these 27 stories--and the bonus track of David Joe Wirth reprising his stage performance of "Placebo"--you'll understand why The Washington Post declared Vachss "Lord of the Asphalt Jungle."

Andrew Vachss is the author of the Burke series of novels, the 13th of which, Pain Management, will be released Fall 2001 by Alfred A. Knopf. Vachss has been a federal investigator in sexually transmitted diseases, a social services caseworker, and a labor organizer, and has directed a maximum-security prison for violent youth. Now a lawyer in private practice, he represents children and youths exclusively. He lives and works both in New York City and the Pacific Northwest. More information about Andrew Vachss and his work is available at www.vachss.com.

Product Details

• Audio Cassette
• Publisher: Publishing Mills; Unabridged edition (May 10, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1575110865
• ISBN-13: 978-1575110868
• Product Dimensions: 7.1 x 4.2 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.3 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,403,994 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars PROVING IT proves worthy of a listen, August 16, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Proving It (Audio Cassette)

I just listened to Andrew Vachss' audiobook PROVING IT performed by Burt Reynolds with a bonus track "Placebo" performed by David Joe Wirth. WOW! What great material! 28 of Andrew Vachss' short stories filled with surprising and sometimes terrifying twists. Mr. Reynolds does a wonderful job. You can feel the love and pain behind the material. He also commendably varies his voice to give a suggestion of character, helping to illuminate the stories as well as entertain the listener. However, I do think the audiobook would be better if more actors were involved. Although Mr. Reynolds is excellent on some stories, he seems to run out of steam in places, and lapses into a delivery that unfortunately does not serve the material as well as it could. Due to the enormous volume and constantly changing nature of the stories, it might have been more effective if the stories were read by a number of actors, rather than just one. David Joe Wirth's "bonus" track reading of PLACEBO is a perfect example of a welcome change of voice and delivery style. PLACEBO is truly a bonus because, as it says on the inside cover, Mr. Wirth has been closely involved in Mr. Vachss' work for the past ten years, and it shows. The reading not only demonstrates a deep understanding of the material; it is clear, direct, and extremely well paced. Bravo to David Joe Wirth, I hope to get the opportunity to see him on stage or in films soon! Bravo to Burt Reynolds for doing this audiobook! Bravo to Publishing Mills for producing a tape of Andrew Vachss' short fiction!

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars "Proving It" does just that!, August 12, 2001

By 

"yjleeny" (New York, NY USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Proving It (Audio Cassette)

Being a long-time fan of Vachss' work, even I was skeptical that Burt Reynolds could bring the right voice to his short fiction. But "Proving It" proves that the combination of Vachss' hard-hitting truth and Burt Reynolds' range makes this a winner. This isn't the Reynolds of his comic capers, think hard-boiled like "Sharky's Machine," reading some of the best written and honest short fiction around.

This 27 story collection includes a chilling portrait of a family gone horribly wrong ("Anytime I Want"), a loyal warrior sacrificing it all to honor the life he couldn't save and protect the ones he can ("Mission"), and the frightening result of an abused child who isn't heard ("Witch Hunt"). But my all time favorite has got to be the title track, "Proving It." Burt Reynolds brings a haunting and beautiful voice to a story of true love and loyalty that only Vachss could write.

And finally, don't miss the bonus track of David Joe Wirth reprising his stage role of "Placebo." The liner notes say he's been involved with Vachss for a long time and his performance here shows his knowledge and feeling for the material and the message. Mr. Wirth should certainly be a name we all know, hopefully this brilliant performance will make that happen for him.

There are so many more, too many to list in fact, but all winners. Everyone who hears this collection will find something that speaks to them.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Burt Reynolds brings Vachss to life!, August 9, 2001

By 

Rob Beckins (Las Vegas, NV) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Proving It (Audio Cassette)

I don't normally get audiobooks. I like reading more than listening. But I'm a longtime fan of Vachss's work, so I made an exception--and I'm glad I did. I don't know what other audiobooks are like, but what Burt Reynolds did here feels more like a performance to me than a reading. His range of voices is terrific, and he really taps into the themes in Vachss's writing. And the bonus track, "Placebo," is not to be missed. Never heard of the actor before, and I haven't found any other audiobooks by him, but I'll be looking.