Listen free for 30 days

Listen with offer

Tomato Can Blues cover art

Tomato Can Blues

By: Mary Pilon
Narrated by: Bobby Cannavale

Editor reviews

When small-time cage fighter Charlie Rowan was reported dead from a car crash at age 25, it turned out there was a lot more to the story. In Tomato Can Blues, New York Times sports reporter Mary Pilon investigates aspiring MMA fighter Rowan's failed plan to end his troubles and start life anew by faking his own death. A polished performance from Emmy award-winning actor Bobby Cannavale, known for his portrayal of Gyp Rosetti on Boardwalk Empire, lends a dramatic edge to the story, while well-timed music adds to the mood and pace. A slickly-produced, compelling performance of a well-researched piece of long-form journalism, Tomato Can Blues makes for an intriguing listen.

Summary

Charlie Rowan was a small-time cage fighter in rural Michigan who couldn't get a break.

His punches weren't landing. He owed money to impatient people. He needed to start over, but he didn't know how.

Then, at home on the sofa, he came up with a plan.

Original long-form journalism from The New York Times, read by the actor Bobby Cannavale.

©2013 The New York Times Company (P)2013 The New York Times Company

What listeners say about Tomato Can Blues

Average customer ratings
Overall
  • 3.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    4
  • 4 Stars
    1
  • 3 Stars
    1
  • 2 Stars
    1
  • 1 Stars
    2
Performance
  • 3.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    4
  • 4 Stars
    1
  • 3 Stars
    2
  • 2 Stars
    0
  • 1 Stars
    2
Story
  • 3 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    3
  • 4 Stars
    1
  • 3 Stars
    1
  • 2 Stars
    0
  • 1 Stars
    3

Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.

Sort by:
Filter by:
  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    1 out of 5 stars

Can I have that half an hour back please?

Very poor plotline and long pauses made this a a bit of a slog. Not surprisingly I wouldn't recommend wasting your time on this story.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    1 out of 5 stars

Terrible

I don’t ever remember downloading this, but it was in my audible library so I must have at some point. It was boring and disjointed and doesn’t really seem to have a point to it. Wouldn’t recommend.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!