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Originally Posted by WT Sharpe
...On the iPad I'm still listening to the Blackstone audio app of It's Superman! by Tom De Haven. It's a rather lengthy book with a 16 hours and 42 minutes running time, which isn't too surprising given that the paperback weighs in at 432 pages, but I guess a book about a super man deserves a super length. It's very good, and the author's frequent insertion of real people and brand names common to the 1930s instills the feeling in the reader of being right there in the midst of the depression era in which the story unfolds. Like Siegel and Shuster's original creation, and unlike recent incarnations, this Clark Kent is not a god. When hit by a bullet, he is bruised. When caught in an explosion, he is dazed and bleeds from a minor wound. I can't wait to get back to it. If there were only more hours in a day!
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This review is for the Blackstone audio iPad app of It's Superman! by Tom De Haven. Scott Brick was the narrator, and he did a most excellent job.
I love the fact that when hit by a bullet, Clark is bruised, and I love that when he's caught in an explosion, he's dazed and bleeds, but there were some aspects of this Clark I didn't like. The moral development of this stereotypical country bumpkin was painfully slow. Although a "B" student, he acts at times like a "D" student. He wishes he was smarter; as smart as he is strong. And most troublingly, he didn't stop being a bumpkin when he put on the tights.
I do like the fact that he employed a major voice change when being Superman. It reminded me of Bud Collyer's radio portrayal.
I really did not like the way Lois was portrayed in this book. She was shallow, mean, and callous. What Clark saw in this woman who wouldn't give him the time of day was beyond me.
All in all this was a very enjoyable and adult take on the legend that drew it's inspiration from the more believable Superman of the late 30s/early 40s.