Mary H. Crockett

Reassuring, but not riveting.

Revisado: 08-26-20

Decent as perhaps a chapter in a book, but not real interesting and not much developed as far as his relationship with his wife who doubtless is running herself ragged caring for three small girls while he writes this piece. Good to hear that a well respected Dr. is also challenged by the pandemic and that he is working to provide structure and comfort to his wife and three children. Saddening to think how many children are being adversely affected by this pandemic. But the story seemed rather bloodless. It may be more interesting once we are out of this space of protracted un-ease, but i worry more about the families that are struggling to meet basic needs. How are they faring, and what will be the long term impacts on those children and families? Perhaps I'm just annoyed that after five months of this covid 19 I've not yet myself wriiten an Audibles Original. Durn these first generation American over-achievers! Hopefully we will all rise up in the "afterwards" of this and be less stressed, more patient and humbler, grateful for the return to normalcy and chastened, better equipped to meet the challenges of this century. Guess I took something positive from the story. My negativity may just reflect my growing ennui about this restricting malaise and our nation's disappointing response to it. But not sure I will be remembering much about this short piece after 24 hours, let alone after the months that still stretch ahead.

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A woman..yet so hauntingly other.

Revisado: 05-03-20

This was a gripping piece of work..on being a granddaughter, a daughter, a Lesbian, and a Jewish New Yorker of western European roots. While I can only claim a few of those roles as my own, I can fully appreciate the humaness and depth of this beautiful work. My parents were her grandparents age..but i so appreciate her good-byes to them...helps me deal with my own good byes. I loved her grandmother's description of the joys of breast feeding...was fresh and heart lifting. Incredibly female, strong and wise. Leaves me with hope that young people are there chronicalling the past, living in the now, yet still looking hopefully at the future with such depth and poignancy. This one reminds me of the power of another Audible Original The Dead Drink Last..except a story of women not men. Dont miss this one.

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esto le resultó útil a 3 personas

Hard to read-emotionally..but great book.

Revisado: 02-09-20

This was hard to read, but a breath of fresh air in terms of topic and profound truths touched upon. The writer, despite being a male Doctor, approaches this topic (end of life constraints), with compassion and humility. It's frustrating that while all of us will experience death one day, ours is a society that thrives on youth and "doing something" and expects medicine to cure all infirmity, and hence we seem to give no thought to end of life considerations that should be informing our lives every day. Gawande outlines the history of death practices, and dares to question the current "medical" response to death, without losing respect for the good modern medicine does and can do. He also shows how woefully inadequate many medical professionals feel/are when dealing with aging/dying. As a young senior, I am alarmed to hear how few geriatrics doctors there are today (wtf?), yet Gawande provides some hope that leaders such as those written about in his book, as well as himself, are looking to incorporate end of life decision making across all medical disciplines and practitioners. As one who has worked in housing, particularly in low income housing communities, for many years, I was particularly interested to hear about the beginnings of the assisted living movement and about experimental housing such as the Eden project he discusses. I would very much like to hear more about these places.The concept of elder housing being purchased/leased by guilt-ridden, time-starved middle-aged persons with the overriding goal of safety for their parents is in direct conflict to those parents' desire for freedom and control over their own lives... just as we all seem to want throughout all of our life stages, was particularly compelling. His story of his own father's death was oddly comforting to me since I lost both my elderly parents over 4 months in 2018 and am still reeling with guilt, loss, "what should we have done" thoughts..and a kind of horror ..death is hard...and realized they too were able to die, like his father, with at least some comfort/dignity. Hospice was definitely a key asset for us in the deaths of Mom and Dad. I'm glad he is from OU too...great Ohio school. Maybe another reason I found him to be so accessible. No matter our age or stage in life, the questions he asks about "what makes life worth living" and "what do I want to be remembered for" are questions we need to ask and think of our entire life. This should be required reading for every high schooler, and certainly every freshman student in college. Great read. In addition, I really liked the narration too. Thank you Audibles.

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Great read with great narrator

Revisado: 07-08-19

This was a delight to read- a few implausible spots (would the imprisoned man forgive so easily? why wasn't the little girl examined by a therapist earlier? ) But narrator was so convincing, one could hear the children especially come to life. Nice twists and turns. Read it on a weekend-great escape from summer heat to 'deep, deep snow!"

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esto le resultó útil a 1 persona

Loved this Oakwood-set crime story!

Revisado: 05-28-19

Truly enjoyed this light, entertaining first-time writer's take on a book club and its reader members..one of whom is of course a demented murderer....set in a charming, distinctive, midwestern community in Ohio. Although the reader mis-pronounced a street name or two (it's pronounced SHA-fur, not Sha-FUR), it was a pleasure to listen to this book from start to finish. Of course it combined this reader's love for book clubs AND the idyllic mid-western yet sophisticated little city of Oakwood, Ohio in this playful romp. The writer shows promise in the crime genre itself, making Charlie a thoroughly likable heroine, even if the inclusion of her in the crime-solving process of an upper-income municipal government is not entirely believable. But, the suspension of belief regarding policing practise is one approach mastered by the grandmother of the modern mystery tale set in charming little towns in England, not Ohio. The interplay of the characters, the Agatha Christie motifs, and the depiction of familiar settings made this a thoroughly delightful read. And the "ladies of the book club" theme pays title homage to last century's famous Ladies of the Club novel written by Helen Hooven Santmyer of Xenia, Ohio-- a half hour drive from Oakwood. While not the epic novel of Santmyer, this delightful crime romp includes some well-sketched Oakwood mavens and their husbands, all brought to life by the audible reader. I can't wait to read Nagle's next novel..about Antique Homes - another great Oakwood theme. I guess I'm a bit jealous..if I had more time and skill...this is the book (series) I would have liked to have written! Thank you for writing this Leslie Nagle and for showing off our quiet, distinctive, little City with all its idiosynchrocies quirks. Thanks for introducing us to the brave, passionate, family-loyal, hard working, level-headed (except for her soft spot for bad boys) entrepreneur Charlie, and her big-city detective, Mark. Can't wait to read more about Charlie and Oakwood!

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Yawn. Not much for Royal adoration.

Revisado: 04-08-19

Those who go in for all things Monarchy will doubtless enjoy. It was bad enough having to live through all these marital and personal train wrecks. Presented in way befitting - dull, pompous, 100% Brit. Not my "cup of tea."

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esto le resultó útil a 8 personas

Mystery merges with social conscience

Revisado: 03-31-19

Loved this first time effort about the new DA and her daughter, and her pull to her past. Written with literary skill, the writer brought to the forefront the heart-breaking challenges of a WV mountain town and its people left behind by the economy, then ravaged by the tragedy of opiate addiction. Can't wait to read her next book and see where her promising characters take her. Impressive and moving first book. I am inspired to go re-read Red Badge of Courage...and read some lines of John Donne. Well worth the listen.

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Entertaining review of the 1800s

Revisado: 11-10-18

Enjoyed this light hearted cavorting through a fascinating time in human history (at least for those of British/east European descent). Might have benefiting by a thoughtful summary or knitting together of the many facets of Victorian times, and the foretelling of much that is modern 200 years later. Fun, informative reading and presentation.

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A bit histrionic..but resounded.

Revisado: 11-03-18

I've never watched f and g, or cougarland, and had no idea who Busy Phillip's was/is. But ...now I plan to hit Netflix shortly to watch. While the constant manic up and downs inspired some internal eye rolling, I found myself oddly engaged, with some actual "ahas" as she described and assailed and documented the sexism that still exists here in America in 2018. As a woman 20 years her elder, I'm gladdened but saddened at how...in some ways..little has changed in how women are treated (and how they treat themselves) no matter how rich or famous they may be. So, while a bit too "poor little narcissistic famous person," there was an honesty and painful reality that she exposed and shared...bravely. I loved it when her husband began to work on himself, and how his internal changes changed how her little daughter changed her treatment of her mother. That's big. I hope they are still together. It shows how closely comedy is related to and reflective of pain. I'd been looking for some laughs...but instead found some surprising validity. I'm glad i read this one.

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Great story about Italian resistance in WW II..

Revisado: 06-22-18

This was a wonderful read about the little known story of the brave fighters in Italy during World War II. The hero, Peno Lally, captured more than the beautiful Anna's heart in this book. The mystery surrounding General Lires activities as a brilliant engineer and Commander during the Nazi regime was particularly potent and worthy of great novels. Even if the many coincidences and fantastic stories may have been a little over-the-top at time, the fact that much of it was based on reality is quite exciting and sobering.

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