Bldgdiva

Plot, writing, characters, action-*****

Revisado: 02-14-24

The depth of feeling that the author allows her characters to have makes these multi-layered books memorable, and this one stands out in ways that spoke to my soul more than most.

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Beautiful pairing of author and narrator

Revisado: 11-01-23

So much to enjoy and take away from this thoughtful story with its elements of magic , greed,, introspection, dangerous characters, mixed romances and friendship brought together with humor and kindness. I thoroughly appreciAted the twists toward the end as well. Jodi Taylor writes so well for me!

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Interesting story with abundance of speculation

Revisado: 10-23-20

This long tale was obviously researched , and I dropped the rating due to the inflections and presumptions that take effect often to fill in where fact is lacking. I wanted somewhat less presumption than “it is likely that...” and “probably” and; although we don’t actually know, it seems supportable that this and so is what must have happened. I felt throughout that, while filled with so much information, I would have found it much more credible with authors assertions unbiased. Still, fascinating view of early days.

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Amazing use of characters- family betrayals, idealism failed.

Revisado: 12-05-19

This book, a style of magic realism, tells the Cuban/ immigrant/ revolutionary/ betrayal of revolutions in a style that is both prophetic and allegorical. I was moved by the crisp narration of Ms Quintero, even though I often lost the Spanish/ Cubanismo, I never misunderstood the intent. Great successful storytelling and a hopeful tale apparently told by a ghost.

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esto le resultó útil a 2 personas

Revolutionary War, Time travel and Romantic Drama!

Revisado: 07-15-14

What did you love best about Written in My Own Heart's Blood?

This Book, which is the 7th in a series called Outlander, is a continuation of the Scottish James Fraser family, extended into the following two generations,including in- laws and the many affected others one gets to know. The vivid characters wrestle with questions about being family, being a father, a partner, loving and committing to a cause, being true to one's own nature, all set, primarily, in the Revolutionary War time of 1776. Diana Gabaldon's unique style of mixing her characters around and seeing what they will do with real life emotions, and consequences blend with the smells, sights and sounds that make one feel as though they are present as observer and participant. There is a moral undertone that runs through all of Diana's work lending even her humor a gravitas on the condition imposed by real people living life. She creates strong women and male characters both, hearty villains, imaginatively flawed characters and sympathetic observations on the human condition.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Written in My Own Heart's Blood?

So many individual scenes stand out. The loss of one of the characters made me cry, as he was so vivid a person to me. The wounding of another created an entirely new plot twist, turning the direction of the book toward a new goal. I hesitate to say too much and give away any of the enjoyment of discovery.

What does Davina Porter bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Davina brings an entirely enthralling dimension to the characters and an interpretation of their actions. Words fail me when describing Davina Porters excellent skills. She enables me to forget that there is one reader, and a large cast of characters, with different accents, different energies and intentions. She has marvelous diction through out. She is simply the best. The best. She ranks at the top of the four or five fabulous readers that I would prefer to listen to always.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Absolutely not. I wanted to savor it,doling it out in bits and small pieces to make it last, much like a favorite treat that you do not wish to let go of with greedy haste. As it was, it was over too soon.

Any additional comments?

This isn't as exciting a book as the first one in the series, but it is a great read. I believe that it is because there is only so much that could be told as the main characters age. Diverging from the protagonist couple that sparked the first couple of dynamic stories, we are now witnessing the view from the next generation, along with their problems and unique perspectives. Diana weaves stories like a tapestry, and the threads are being woven over and over, entwining and knotting here and there, then returning to form a whole cloth.The threat of death runs through all of the books. She does not shrink from the strong acknowledgement of wounding and the damage from living life. I admire her skill as a writer, and would read any of the stories that she can create, just for the pleasure of her written , and spoken, words.

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A look at the reality of the mythical pioneers.

Revisado: 05-30-14

What made the experience of listening to The Wordy Shipmates the most enjoyable?

The book was a surprise to me, as I more often read fiction, because I love stories. I was fascinated by these different, historic stories, on which Sarah Vowell is really competent and well-informed . In addition to her research, her insight is thoughtful, sassy and full of wit. I was entertained, and totally hooked. Great read.

What did you like best about this story?

Sarahs insight, Sarahs voice, which suits her viewpoint completely.

Have you listened to any of Sarah Vowell, Eric Bogosian, T. Bone Burnett, Jill’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

not ever listened to them

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I found myself quoting the book, and laughed at many of the stories.

Any additional comments?

I am a fan, now. There are many actors who portray the characters in the book, so there are quantities of variety of speakers, which made the book quite interesting to listen to.

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Focused story/romance

Revisado: 05-24-14

If you could sum up The Ritual Bath in three words, what would they be?

Mayhem Follows Community

What was the most interesting aspect of this story? The least interesting?

I found the character of the Rabbi to be the most complex character, and I would have more of the rabbi. Rina Lazarus most interesting to follow, but she wasn't totally well defined. She pulls back the curtain that hides a Jewish sect, their feelings and behaviors. The least Interesting was the hero Peter Decker, who was boring.

What about Mitchell Greenberg’s performance did you like?

nice vocal presence.

Any additional comments?

While I enjoyed the book, I was not compelled to pick it up and continue to read it with avidity. I just enjoyed it. Nicely done small photo-shot of a segregated community and the larger town reaction to their existence.

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Enter a fast paced 18th century world

Revisado: 07-12-13

If you could sum up Outlander in three words, what would they be?

Fabulous writing event

What was one of the most memorable moments of Outlander?

Memorable moments:Many.

What does Davina Porter bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

I have read this book, and Davina Porter is the perfect voice to these characters, bringing them alive with character and personality. Her reading is supurb,utilizing accents that clarify class, and she does it in English, Scots, French and American besides. I have given this book as a gift and I have given away the audio version as well. I found that people enjoy the audio even better as all of the characters become more real with such a competent reader.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

The author is a marvelous storyteller, and weaves an intense physicality into the story through capturing all of the senses of smell, touch, feel, sight and sound.The book moves fast .Claire has accidentally been thrown from one husband in the 20th century into a second marriage of necessity in the 18th century.The somewhat redoubtable nurse Claire is pulled from one world into another, as her relationship with the world of Jamie Fraser deepens. Is she a bigamist?Is she a murderer? Is she a nurse and healer? She is capable of much. Between the ongoing preparations for the Jacobite wars, and the lesser infighting of the clans and their blood oaths, the action is continuous, the characters complex and interesting.The wedding night remains one of my favorite well done scenes,as does the imagery of clan MacKenzie working out their proscribed roles of the day, with many smaller character roles becoming real. The action scenes are fast and continuous, and all ties together in one long storyline, with multiple threads being woven together. A most satisfying read and listen.

Any additional comments?

Gosh I loved this book, each time I have read it, and those that followed. This of all, however, is the best.

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Good read, by a great writer

Revisado: 02-25-13

Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?

Odd Apocalypse was the third book in the series that I have read, having just discovered Dean Koontz recently. Yes, I know, everyone else knew him before, but I procrastinated. His use of a type of inquiry that continues through the book, in which a quasi spiritual conversation takes place within the main characters thoughts.The author poses situations and contrasts them with his hero, the Odd Thomas in question, who is constantly providing paradoxes and thoughts that provoke others.The main character, Odd Thomas enjoys a terribly simple existence, bumping along on the kindness of others, following a type of "voice" or urge, or Higher Powers instructions.The author got a little beyond me in this one, and I never quite enjoyed it as much as the two previous novels, but it was probably due to his use of over the top characters who behave so, well, improbably. They were just a bit too inexplicable for me to feel a connection with.I felt a little irritated with the consistently lurking evil, having insufficient reason for the action going to take place,always by brilliant people, with loads of money, and either a grudge or an ego based goal. With all that said, I would also say - all along, I enjoy the writing, and so I will read more of this writer, in fact, with an eagerness I will try the next one n the series. After all,not every book comes from the same space in a writers head, as another.

Which character – as performed by David Aaron Baker – was your favorite?

Odd Thomas

Was Odd Apocalypse worth the listening time?

yes

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Fun Read, Damaged Characters, Smart

Revisado: 11-19-12

What did you love best about Legion?

I just finished reading Legion by Brandon Sanderson, and thought that it was a great little Novella. I had never read Mr. Sandersons books before, and this was a great introduction. His characters were amusing, intriguing, and more importantly, I never got bored with his Novella as he developed interesting questions for his characters to ponder, important questions about privacy, moral responsibility for ones actions, the use of technology; acceptance of weirdness is assumed.

His main protagonist is a man who has some serious mental illness which causes him to create multiple "aspects " of himself, most of whom have some skills and some individual character personality, beyond himself.
I am hoping that this becomes an introduction of sorts, to the family, and more stories will come that will continue using the same cast of hallucinogenic people, all of whom share in and live in the same 45 room mansion with a butler who serves the aspects orange juice, and provides dignified tolerant amusement to the invisible creations of the master himself.
Great fun. I await a full blown story.

Would you recommend Legion to your friends? Why or why not?

sure.. I would recommend legion as it is a fun little read of 2 hours.

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