audible customer

Informative, inspiring

Revisado: 09-03-24

I was motivated to read this book after having enjoyed the author's reporting since coming across their interviews on the Trashfuture and Corner Spätis podcasts over the last few years. This book is very well assembled, written with love for the people of Paris, and deep respect for working peoples' rights to quality of life.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

esto le resultó útil a 1 persona

Masterful tapestry

Revisado: 05-27-24

Essential reading for our time. Fearless, inspiring, chilling, and galvanising. I cannot recommend this book enough!

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

Thank you!

Revisado: 12-11-22

Real, relatable, thoughtful, beautifully articulated and assembled. I want to read 100 more memoirs like this.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

Unique and wonderful

Revisado: 08-28-21

This is the sort of book I’ve always wanted to read. There is a particular pleasure in reading a book by someone with whom I have some things in common: I’m just few years older than the author, I grew up in and have spent 3/4 of my life in California where I did lots of hiking, camping, botanizing, and long distance running. Also like the author, I moved out of state some years ago and my knowledge of the Indigenous Californian peoples was limited to the short module on the California Missions most Californian kids do in elementary school. A great deal of California’s population were born in other US states or abroad, and while this diversity is enriching, in my experience this made a sense of history and place the more elusive for it.

It was a pleasure to read Neely thoughtfully unpack the historical records of early California, weaving the narrative of his journey with those of the people and environments he encountered along the way. I know and love many of the places he passed through and it was really meaningful for me to learn more about the history of these places. What a wonderful way to contextualize modern California.

The audiobook narrator has a pleasing voice and cadence, better than many I’ve come across. However the majority of Spanish words and names are badly mispronounced, and some common English words are too. It’s a shame that the producer didn’t attempt to remedy this. I can’t see why the reader couldn’t have been given more help with the Spanish language words. It’s rather insulting to the sincerity and reverence with which Neely clearly has for California’s multi-cultural history and high numbers of Spanish speakers, especially for a book that is so focused on the Portola Expedition.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

Cathartic, therapeutic, revolutionary

Revisado: 02-10-20

Tara's story made me feel seen and understood in a way no literature has ever done. There aren't words to express my admiration and gratitude for the power of her story. I'm so glad she saved herself and I hope her story will help so many like me.

I escaped Mormonism and an emotionally abusive family. I was what Tara's family would describe as a mainstream Mormon, but my family was 5th generation pioneer and very orthodox.

I was a golden boy, considered very spiritual and obedient, but eventually my gay feelings pushed me to choose between accepting my sexuality and giving up my family, culture, and religion or to commit suicide so at least I could die "chaste" . I am lucky to be alive.

I came out in 2001, but like Tara still gave my family space in my life, so great was my filial piety that it wasn't until 10 years later I finally cut off contact because of the pain, their mendacity and attempts at manipulation. The happiest years of my life have been since the estrangement. Sometimes the best decision is liberation from family.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

Sheer pleasure

Revisado: 03-05-19

This audiobook is worth listening to for the mellifluous voice and exquisite syntax of Julie's voice alone, and the stories of her childhood and early performance career broadened my appreciation for her. My own childhood was made richer with her Mary Poppins and Cinderella roles.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

Far exceeded my highest expectations

Revisado: 02-23-19

I was born in 1979 to conservative parents and it took me years to discover how brilliant and wonderful Jane Fonda is. I began this book already greatly admiring her activism and art. This book filled me with joy for its courage, intimacy, and honesty. I found it incredibly resonant in 2019 both personally and culturally. It was deeply moving and inspiring. Thank you, Jane for continually challenging yourself and others. I'll be on a high from this book for some time!

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

The beginning of the book is very triggering

Revisado: 09-29-18

I adore Sally Fields. Sadly I had to stop as she was retelling her story of childhood sexual abuse. I applaud her for her bravery and strength in the telling her painful story. Humans must evolve out of the evil of sexual abuse, especially of children and stories like hers are really important. HOWEVER, such detail is not safe for everyone to hear and I am upset that this book did not have a trigger warning along the lines of "reader please note that this book contains stories that may be triggering for survivors of sexual abuse". It's irresponsible and callous of the publisher to not provide some warning. I had to stop at the beginning of chapter 5, not because I am not a resilient person, but because mental health is not a joke or a punchline; trigger warnings are about health and survival for traumatised people. I want to hear the rest of the book but now I cannot bring myself to do it, especially after this week of the Kavanaugh hearings.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

Love Rachel as a comedian but didn't enjoy it

Revisado: 09-21-18

I rarely write reviews. I adore Rachel's comedic acting, and fully expected to love this book, but it was a let-down for me. I had to stop at chapter 24 (sorry) I just could not keep going. The reading performance was good in the funny bits, but the rest is as compelling as cold oatmeal. I appreciated the parts about the difficulties she faced in casting as well as the bits about working on shows, but the dating history comes across as banal oversharing. Loved her take-down of The Secret but the new agey looking for signs everywhere bummed me out. Rachel's getting psychic readings from a white female Ranchos Palos Verdes psychic who channels a South Asian caricature is so gross and disappointing. I'm a fan, so I wanted to empathise and connect with Rachel's story but sadly there was just too much whinging for a person with this much fame and privilege.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña