meredith mcarthur

unexpectedly interesting

Revisado: 10-05-16

So worth reading or listening to.
A story of of her family and others in which she pays homage to the past and the Polish resistance. But so much more than this as well. Magda is so open and honest about her life. Her role as a public figure scarcely figures in this recounting of her life, except as incidental. Historical events involving her family cannot but place things coming afterwards into perspective.
As one who has always had an interest in biographies i can say that this is up there with the best.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

American Gothic

Revisado: 04-17-13

Inspector Pendergast reminds me a little of Clint Eastwood at his best, very cool and seemingly able to deal with anything untoward that comes his way. I can see why he, (Pendergast) is a sort of cult figure to some. In earlier times I might have recoiled at the gruesomely executed murders in this novel, but something about this story was compelling enough to hold my interest. The writers are clever enough to bring some humour into this story as well
There were many gothic elements that I loved, the most obvious being the old house alive with secrets and mysteries. Untangling the mystery behind the story was something that Inspector Pendergast was able to achieve in the coolest fashion, while others around him fall victim to foul play.
Scott Brick's voice adapted itself perfectly to the narrative. "Still Life with Crows" was an enthralling listen, made credible by the calm professionalism of its leading character.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

haunting and profoundly beautiful

Revisado: 04-11-13

As with many great novels, there is in "The Quiet American" more than one perspective from which the narrative can be appreciated.
In particular "The Quiet American" foretells some of the events that were coming to pass in the battle between ideological forces in Indo-China. The story is narrated by a man who says he has "no politics", but whose narrative brings the personal and the political together.
On a personal level it can be seen as a meditation on war and love, a duel to the death between the leading male characters as they vie for possession of the beautiful Vietnamese girl "Phong". One of the most sad and poignant things that Greene says in this novel relate to war and love, perhaps the two central themes. He writes that they have always been compared, and that "we get involved in a moment of emotion", and then "we cannot get out".
Simon Cadell as narrator was well chosen to read "the Quiet American". His voice has that blend of worldliness and cynicism which enhanced this story for me. I listened to it as a way of winding down as I came off of nightshift; half asleep and half awake, and loved it. Often after listening for a while and drifting off, there was the feeling of a haunting, swirling mystery. It was completely engaging and never intrusive. I recommend it to anyone who loves mysteries, or who wishes to rediscover great literature.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

an extraodinary woman

Revisado: 10-26-12

I often wonder how such people ever survive at all.
Apart from being an extraordinary tale of survival, this was an interesting social history of the times. Charlotte certainly had the uncertain fortune of being born in "interesting times"
In spite of growing up through the rise of nazi regime, surviving the 'appratchniks' of this and the ensuing grey regime of the G.D.R., she looked for things of beauty, and managed to find and conserve items that would otherwise have been destroyed. At the time she was engaged in this pursuit much was being swept away and discarded by the new political order. Charlotte's interest in furniture from the 'Grundezheit' era became a motivating force in her life,
However, there were many side shoots to this story. The achievement of defining and defending her own identity, identifying as a woman born in a man's body was something that Charlotte also succeeded in doing. In this most difficult of conditions she insisted upon being accepted as the person in whom she identified.
This story is a reminder about the importance of accepting diversity, and valuing the bravery of others. It is narrated beautifully by a man with a soft German accent, who seemed perfect for the role.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

esto le resultó útil a 1 persona

too depressing to continue with

Revisado: 07-30-12

Listening to this reminds me of just how sad and corrupt the state of North Korea
must be, where children and women are treated as commodities, and where survival is a matter of conformity to a corrupt and heartless regime
I suppose it would have got better if I had have kept going. But the negativity and hardship just got to me, and I couldn't finish it.
It has been reviewed very well elsewhere, so perhaps my take on it is not accurate.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

esto le resultó útil a 1 persona

this inspired me to read Nabokov's novels

Revisado: 03-16-12

a beautifully written biography that captures much of Nabokov's life with particular reference to his childhood. From this perspective Nabokov's perceptiveness and remarkable memory give the listener a unique prism from which to view the unfolding of his own life and those around him. Small details like the muff that his mother raises to her face to keep out the cold as she is drawn along by the sleigh take on an importance equal to many more weighty events drawn by the story.
Because it is told from the point of reference of an emigre, looking back to a world in Russia now almost entirely gone,
there is a poignancy in much of what is related,
Some of the people who inhabit the story sadly never survive the political turmoil and revolutionary wars. In a sense the writer pays homage to these people, some of whom seem remarkable, but swept away by a tide of historical change.
I would have chosen a different narrator for this particular story, but otherwise it was a delight, and has inspired me to pursue this author's works in greater depth.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

esto le resultó útil a 24 personas

brilliant raconteur

Revisado: 01-25-12

the narrators do such a brilliant job of replicating nuances of language and expression.
A fabulous biography with lots of depth, personal, cultural, and musical, and never self indulgent. Keith gives credit to many people who contributed to his success. The story also manages to set the scene for the sixties and beyond, in which the Stones and those who collected around them appeared to live charmed lives.
I thoroughly enjoyed this listen.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

the setting seemed lovely, but not the story.

Revisado: 12-08-11

What could have made this a 4 or 5-star listening experience for you?
If the central character could have stopped feeling sorry for himself

Has Under the Volcano turned you off from other books in this genre?
no. its always something of a gamble when you purchase a book, and one that is said to relate to the horrors of alcoholism should have alerted me to this.
Probably I've just got no patience with alcoholics. They always want someone to share their misery, and put up with them. When I decided that this miserable coot should just give up, I stopped listening.


How did the narrator detract from the book?
not sure about his foreign pronunciations.
I dont think I would listen to him again.

What character would you cut from Under the Volcano?
the central character

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

an excellent analysis of a complex subject.

Revisado: 11-15-11

Would you consider the audio edition of The Sociopath Next Door to be better than the print version?

not better, just different.

What other book might you compare The Sociopath Next Door to and why?

there are a few books coming out on this type of subject, but this author really has a handle on the subject, from her clinical practice as a psychologist, and as one who has studied it in great depth.She knows the signs, and knows what to look for, and has spent her life trying to help the victims of such people. I really enjoyed her little tableaus in which she describes people that she has met either directly or indirectly through her practice.They were a perfect illustration for this subject.

Which scene was your favorite?

NA

If you could give The Sociopath Next Door a new subtitle, what would it be?

Perhaps... 'required reading for those contemplating management roles'
But regardless, it is a useful read for anyone involved in an organization such as a hospital for example.
There is bound to be someone you will recognize from her analysis. Even if you are not working in an organization or similar, it is a useful text, because the subjects (i.e. sociopaths) can be quite baffling to others for a variety of reasons.

Any additional comments?

I live in Adelaide AU, not Alabama USA. Thanks Audible.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

beautifully delivered story

Revisado: 10-03-11

Would you consider the audio edition of Destiny of the Republic to be better than the print version?
havent read the book, but the way the book was spoken and delivered by the narrator really enhanced my appreciation. I loved his accent, and his delivery.

What did you like best about this story?
the way it draws out the character of many people. It reflects upon their attainments, without loosing sight of their soul and spirit as well. I developed a huge fondness for this president, his inherant decency and ideals, and wished that his fate had not collided so tragically with the figure of Giteau, because it seemed that he could have done much good.
Also, the way his assasain was drawn was interesting. The workings of a man's delusional mind are clearly examined and laid out. Like his victim, he was a person who felt impelled to make a contribution to society, but lacked the necessary talent and insight to do so.


What does Paul Michael bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?
beautiful rendition. He delivers the words of the president just as I imagine they were thought or said

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?
No, not for me. It was a bit of an emotional roller coaster, and much too long for that.

Any additional comments
The use of a high lethality weapon in the hands of someone obviously quite crazy is something that has never gone away in American life, causing untold tragedy for many.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

esto le resultó útil a 13 personas