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Jim Dale is the real Star here

Revisado: 07-21-23

I can’t remember how many times I’ve replayed the whole collection of Harry Potter. I’m on my umpteenth pass now. Just finished GoF, #4 in the series. It never gets old. That’s because Jim Dale deserves every Grammy he has ever earned. I like the original series narration much more than the Pottermore productions. “EYE” can tell the difference because of how many times I’ve done the whole series. Other than that, Jim Dale’s characterizations of each person in this magical world are so full of life and depth. He is amazingly consistent in the nuances of each character. I often wonder if he gets laryngitis from his Hagrid portrayal or Cornelius Fudge. He really paints an entire portrait in my mind, even though we have all seen the movies.

I often make the trip from FL to PA a few times a year. I always take Harry with me. With Jim Dale bringing all my favorite literary friends to life, I’m never lonely.

JKR is the ONLY author I have ever held in the same class as Dickens (my all time favorite author and wordsmith.) Like my hero, Dickens, JKR not only invites engaging characters with so much Soul you feel like you know them personally - she really knows how to concoct a Dickens worthy plot twist and, like my other favorite author, Lawrence Sanders, she’s a stone cold genius with bringing them back at another time, another volume. She’s just incredible at invoking “Aha!” reactions throughout all 7 volumes.

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Great story. Terrible Narration.

Revisado: 12-26-22

If you’re a Harry Potter fan, then you know what I mean when I opine that Bill Homewood is the Professor Bins of Narrators. It’s a wonderful story about fortitude, betrayals and vengeance. It is not quite as compelling as Dumas’ Three Musketeers, but it is a “must read” in literature (in my opinion.) If you love the classics, you will likely enjoy The Count of Monte Cristo.

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Not A Pottermore Fan

Revisado: 08-17-20

Jim Dale is the best part of the Harry Potter franchise, bar none. It’s no wonder he is a Grammy award winner. So, he will always rate 5 stars with me. How he manages to consistently paint the portrait in our minds as he puts his magic touch to their written characters is beyond me. I have been reading and bingeing these books since my 30 year old son was 4.

With that being said, I have also been an Audible member for decades. These books were the impetus for that membership. I have older CDs that I bought and having devoured them several times, I have been able to discern differences in these newer versions since Pottermore became the stepfather of the Harry Potter universe. The voices of Phineas Nigellus and Cornelius Fudge were the first differences I picked up on.

The story is undeniably compelling, and JKR’s twists rival Dickens’ gasp worthy ones. That comparison is not one I’ve ever given to any writer in my life. He’s my literary superhero, and Jo is right up there with him. The characterizations of each one of the characters are so personal and memorable. You really get the feeling that these are real people with lives and aspirations … and flaws. Just like us, but in a much different world.

I listen to these when traveling long distances, and always feel sad that it’s over. Until the next time. There is real Philosophy in every one of these 7 Books.

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Best Jones Bio, in my opinion

Revisado: 03-31-16

Paul Trynka did a very fine job with this book. It lacks the murky sensationalist crap that so obviously plagued previous accounts of one of Rock's earliest pioneers, Brian Jones. This was finally about Brian Jones; an insightful, open look into everything about Brian. The good, the bad and the all-too-famous ugly. The good, at long last, outweighs the bad. At the end of the day, this is a character study. If you were to pretend you knew nothing about Mr. Brian Jones - that he wasn't a Rolling Stone, just some guy - you would come away with a clear understanding of this person's contributions to the most important period in Popular Music; his very human shortcomings; the dynamics of his most important personal relationships; the monumental impact his austere upbringing had on him, culminating into the tragic end we all knew was coming. Paul Trynka's account is not glamorized. It's factual.

This was about Brian Jones' extraordinary talent, often forgotten or uncredited. It's about time. I learned some things I never knew before. That's the best kind of book in the world.

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As Good As It Gets for Hardy

Revisado: 09-07-15

I would recommend this Hardy Novel for anyone who is interested in perusing his work. It's not nearly so depressing as the rest. The Narrator did a very good job. It's a long story, best enjoyed when you have a long trip ahead or a lot of down time. Once you start into Jude the Obscure, you will be compelled to keep going. At least, I was. If you are already familiar with Hardy novels and his style of characters, you will find these ones as engaging. The thing I love about Hardy's characters is, whether good, bad, ugly or downright deplorable, he really nails them. They spring to life. Sue - I wanted to throttle her. There isn't quite the degree of tragedy in Jude that exists in Mayor of Casterbridge or Tess. This is an unforgettable Thomas Hardy classic. Definitely "entry level" Hardy.

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