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Preposterous Plot

Revisado: 04-28-25

The narrator was wonderful! The book was interesting in the beginning, but few books have ever "lost the plot" as dramatically as this one. This is an eye-roller and head-shaker.

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Tedious

Revisado: 02-05-25

This book had such wonderful reviews, so I bit. But the plot is clichéd and tedious, and the main character is not appealing.

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esto le resultó útil a 7 personas

Fantastic

Revisado: 03-25-24

Both the writing and the narrating are superb. The unusual setting, characters, plot, and conflict keep you spellbound, and offer you a time and a place of history that few know about. Absolutely fascinating experience.

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esto le resultó útil a 16 personas

Unrealistic, Slow Paced

Revisado: 11-20-22

I suppose, as it's labeled "magical realism," I should have expected some strange elements, but the overall story and in particular the motivations of the characters don't work. It also tends to be repetitive. I liked the main male character August, but the rest? The narration was good except for the narrator of the young females--far too ponderous. This book just never caught on with me.

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Superb in Every Way

Revisado: 11-02-22

Inspired by Charles Dickens’ David Copperfield, this brand-new novel follows an engaging and endearing 10-year-old boy living in Appalachia who, with eyes wide open and a heartbreaking self- and world-knowledge, struggles to overcome situations that would bring most of us to our knees.
With themes of poverty, drug addiction, the horrors of foster care, and devastating personal loss, this book is not always easy to read (or hear). Yet it is so enriching to accompany this child as grows to young adulthood, and to admire the indomitable spirit that human beings often must tap into.
This narrator’s voice is pitch-perfect, and often his wit and turn of phrase made me laugh out loud. The novel is peopled with characters of all kinds, all perfectly rendered. Damon, nicknamed “Demon,” draws from his athletic and artistic talent, as well as his love of friends and family and desire to be part of one, in order to carry on.
The narration could NOT be better. Listening to this is an experience I will never forget.
You will definitely want to finish this one, no matter what anyone says--so worthwhile.

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Exciting World of an Invesigative Reporter

Revisado: 09-06-21

Thoroughly engrossing--expertly written (as one would expect from Connelly), with well developed characters and an intricate, up-to-the-minute technological plot. I enjoyed stepping into the world of an investigative reporters, seeing how one must really be driven to get at the truth. The narrator is wonderful--just one note about him, though: the main character Jack is supposed to be in his 50s, but this narrator definitely sounds like a young man. Nevertheless, I enjoyed this very much, looked forward to "tuning in" each time.

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Never Catches On

Revisado: 10-21-20

Like all Tana French fans, I could not wait for this new book. Her previous novels have been some of the most compelling that I've ever read, and her talent is prodigious. However, this book completely misses the mark. The plot is plodding, the characters ho-hum, and the narrator is annoying. It pains me to write this about her book, but I was quite surprised at how mediocre it was. I agree with the person who said it's hard to believe that Tana French wrote this.

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esto le resultó útil a 2 personas

Ludicrous

Revisado: 01-27-20

This is the book for you if you like 1) ludicrous plots, 2) unbelievable characters and their behavior, 3) cliched writing 4) uneven pacing, 6) animal cruelty, 7) gratuitous violence, and 8) very little of the excellent character Joona Linna. At first, it was just eye-rolling, then open-mouthed incredulity, followed by laugh out loud ridiculousness and finally grave disappointed and puzzlement that this book could ever have been published. I think the previous Joona Linna books are great. But this one is easily one of the most poorly written books I have ever read. And when you add the nasal, plummy voiced narrator that makes every character (except Joona) sound like Basil Rathbone, it is a torturous experience.

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esto le resultó útil a 15 personas

Ann’s New Series Is a Winner

Revisado: 09-22-19

Set in a new territory, Devon, this story also introduces two new investigators but there’s nothing new about the writer’s ability to intrigue. I thoroughly enjoyed it and thought the narrator excellent. Don’t hesitate to give it a whirl.

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esto le resultó útil a 2 personas

Sophomoric Writing and Hateful Characters

Revisado: 02-06-19

I kept listening, but it got worse. Why do so many characters detest each other? The two detectives are just awful to each other, with no apparent reason. A crotchety old inn-keeper suddenly becomes charming and benevolent. A father detests his son, who hides out in the woods most of the time. A woman with dementia is rude to her carer, and earlier when she was a teacher, was mean to a little boy. And the terrible characters are not the worst. The writing is like something a junior high kid would come up with, and if you like adjectives and adverbs, this is the book for you: "with an airy sigh," "with a withering smile,"--every "he said" is described thus. I bought this based on all the good reviews. You live and learn. The author narrates the book himself, and does a decent job, just a little slow. Sorry, this one is an eye-roller.

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