It was really hard to listen to the gender-role commentary (read sexism) of the narrator. Yes, I get it takes place in the 50s, but, if the protagonist's thoughts or the plot itself aren't going to be used to explore those biases, then I don't really know why I'm listening/reading. The whole "over-power-the-woman-who-is-not-staying-in-her-place-and-then-plant-a-kiss-on-her" cliche is frustrating and disappointing when not given a new twist.
I thought the new twist was "a character written in the modern day who is honest about being such a jerk but not without being sympathetic in some ways."
Most of the time, as I see it, when modern writers write 50's dudes (and other dudes of similarly shitty time periods), they fall into one of two extremes: they either write him as one of the few non- (or at least less-) sexist men of the time, or they write him as a total jerk. The fact that the narrator is an openly, honestly portrayed sexist jerk but otherwise sympathetic is unique very interesting.
And authentic to the character. If the story was a one-off, then yes, I would agree with the "Why bother" sentiment. But seeing as it is part of a series, it tells us more about one of the central characters, i.e, he is a sexist asshole.
Pardon my delayed response, I've been away from the forum for a bit and while I am not trying to beat a dead horse here but I wanted to just clear something up as I appreciated the replies....
I didn't mean to critique the existence of an unsympathetic sexist protagonist as much as identify the plot choices that reward him - ie; having the female character accept a kiss from/be in love with (?) said sexist protagonist after he assaults her - as problematic.
Anyhow, it sounds like there is a larger universe here and that many posters/listeners are enjoying it. I'm new to this forum and am not familiar with the culture yet, so I hope my criticism isn't read as trolling or antagonistic. I appreciate that there are all types of writers and readers out there. And I really appreciate the chance to hear their stories.