Some books work well in audio formats. I don’t think “The Balloon Hunter” would be nearly as interesting that way.

The premise/conceit is that the book is “found,” a series of written postcards reproduced. Here’s the first:

We learn that Rita writes postcards and releases them via helium balloon. What do the front pictures look like? Well, we learn that too, because someone else finds the postcards and writes his responses on the fronts before stashing them away for safekeeping. Here’s one from deeper in the book:

Two more, not back to back:

By number of words, this could have been a quick read. I didn’t want that, so I paused after momentous postcards, heavy in event or emotion. I also made sure to look at the images on the postcard fronts for my own appreciation. Seeing the handwriting, the space for a stamp, made the experience more authentic. Audio representing the different writers wouldn’t have had the same effect for me.

There’s a sequel, “Death to Anyone Who Reads This.” I likely will get around to reading it, but I’m in no rush.