Audiobook Review: Unzipped by Lauren Blakely

Evocative of the 1989 iconic film Say Anything, “Unzipped” had me in stitches from beginning to end. With the immortal boombox scene reenacted in the first chapter, this book just made it to my must-have a copy and must-listen list.

Released on October 30, 2018, “Unzipped” found itself in the leading edge of the 30th anniversary celebration of “Say Anything” which was screened at the Tribeca Film Festival on April 30th, the day it turned 30. With Director James Cameron and lead actors John Cusack and Ione Skye attending, talks about a sequel and/or Lloyd Dobler (John Cusack) and Diane Court (Ione Skye) reconnecting was gaining momentum.

Unzipped

That was when I remembered “Unzipped” which in my eyes will be a good “remake” of “Say Anything” the same way that “Sleepless in Seattle” was dubbed a remake of “An Affair to Remember.” (Netflix and Hulu – are you getting this?)

Now, with that out of the way, let’s move on to the review. The story begins with Tom/Kyler on a journey to reclaim his college girlfriend. It took him 8 years, but now it was go time for his grand gesture. There was only one problem. He serenaded the wrong girl!

Well… Finley might be the “wrong girl” but she was game. A writer by profession, she saw Kyler as a muse for the next episode of her sitcom. With the two of them striking a deal of helping out each other, they embarked on a journey.

But somewhere along the Pacific Coast Highway (or was it Interstate 5?) things started to change between them though they did not know it yet. By the time they reached the Southland, their goals had changed. Now, the question is, will they be honest enough to themselves to accept what they truly feel.

Andi Ardnt and Joe Arden were truly great as narrators for “Unzipped.” They interchangeably played comedian and straight man to each other. With Lauren Blakely’s great dialogue, this book is well on its way to be a classic.

Also, this is one of Joe Arden’s best work. I have listened to many books that he has narrated but his performance of Tom/Kyler showed the right mix of confidence and apprehension that made the character memorable. Arden successfully evoked Kyler’s confidence from 8 years of self-improvement from a geeky college sophomore to an innovative rollercoaster designer and engineer. On the other hand, Kyler was still that insecure college kid who was turned down by the girl whom he thought was the love of his life.

John Cusack as Lloyd Dobler immortalized that confident/nervous feeling rolled into one in the boombox serenading scene in “Say Anything.” Cusack had all the props and of course James Cameron directing. Add the fact that Cusack was a teen heartthrob 30 years ago.

Joe Arden only has his voice and the dialogue by Lauren Blakely. And just like the radio soap opera stars of long ago, Arden delivered the lines that made the audience’s imagination soar. I don’t have an idea what are the criteria for the Audie Awards, but I won’t be surprised if Arden wins an award for this or at least get nominated.

“Unzipped” is Rated T for Teens.