I decided to go the audiobook route, which was, unfortunately, abridged, but nonetheless enjoyable and informative. Carroll Spinney, being so close to much of the material, adds an extra dimension in his reading. My wife has been reading the original version and has clued me in on some of the omissions. (Can anyone explain exactly why Joan Cooney referred to the estranged Jane Henson's appearance at the memorial service and taking on the title of Jim's widow as "unforgivable". I understand that the marriage was crumbling, but it still seemed an odd thing to say, but maybe it was was taken out of context.)
On the whole I rate the book as a satisfying experience even if I found some flaws in Michael Davis's writing style. The "jump around" narrative was jarring at times and there were moments where some statements deserved further explanation. (If you're going to point out that
Labyrinth and
The Dark Crystal were initially poorly reviewed and received it is worth noting that they went on to become cult classics.) I also found it strange that there was no passage about Roscoe Orman; I later discovered that this "bonus chapter"
can be found at the book's website which I am grateful for but still would call an odd choice.
Still, a hearty thumbs up to the audiobook which also includes an segment of Michael Davis interviewing Carroll Spinney where you'll find some additional information on Spinney's older brother with cerebral palsey and how he and his second wife fell in love. In some ways the interview made up for some of the abridgements.
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