Kathleen

A great chasm of stored knowledge.

Revisado: 03-31-20

I can now never doubt the stories of yore. Unbelievable how she followed ancient humans & the earth itself through prehistory, using their same tools.

The common thread to solve all of times' mysteries lies within the Memory Code.
I loved the book, the narrator's delivery was perfection. She followed so many trails that I had traveled.

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Welcome to the world of Scarlet Feather

Revisado: 10-01-12

Would you consider the audio edition of Scarlet Feather to be better than the print version?

I've not read the hard copy of Scarlet Feather, however, I've listened to enough audio books and read enough hard copies to know sometimes you need to do both. I don't feel compelled to buy the book in this case. Kate Binchy does an exquisite job changing voices and scenes as if it were coming to life before your eyes. Maeve Binchy's smooth style of transition into the next scene makes you feel as though you were teleported from home to home & scene to scene. The emotions she evokes-fear, anger, joy, etc, makes you feel as if you are in each character's skin.

What other book might you compare Scarlet Feather to and why?

Tara Road is the only other book of her's that I've read. I'm on to Quentin's next.

Have you listened to any of Kate Binchy’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

No.

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

Absolutely!

Any additional comments?

The world's that Maeve Binchy creates aren't perfect worlds, but they're worlds in which you want to escape. They offer you alternatives to situations within your own life.

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My Hero's Wisdom

Revisado: 09-18-12

If you could sum up The Wisdom of Joseph Campbell in three words, what would they be?

Life-Altering, Enlightening, Wisdom

Who was your favorite character and why?

Joseph Campbell. Since I 1st was introduced by his series on Art & Myth on PBS in the 1980s, I knew there was a man who could touch my soul & he led me in paths I'd never been before. My vision of the world through his words had a new depth & my horizons were broadened. I could sit on a hillside or curl up by a fireplace & listen to his stories & wisdom for hours. His books prove hard to read, however this is 1 case that I feel an audio form is superior matrix for his tales. His own voice dictates the knowledge he imparts. It was comforting to hear his philosophies and vision of life again.

Which scene was your favorite?

The story he told about the evolution of religion through the persecution of the Plain's Indians from Buffalo worship to Peyote.

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

Absolutely!

Any additional comments?

I wish there were more of his books available in audio form. This was the only 1 available.

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esto le resultó útil a 13 personas

Survival of the fittest!

Revisado: 09-04-12

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Absolutely! Read the book 1st by hand then audible. I highly recommend both. Brilliantly performed & pray the movie does it justice. What a marvelous spin of a life well lived. The dominance of spirit seeking a higher meaning using every resource and gift available. The interaction of other life forces, good, bad & indifferent. I just couldn't get enough of this book & the story it told. This was a refreshing & unique perspective of life on the edge.

What did you like best about this story?

The broad spectrum of characters & how they so delicately wove together. You were never sure of where the story would lead & at the end not so sure it was really actuality. The depth of how far a human can suffer in life still holding on to hope boggles the imagination.

Have you listened to any of Jeff Woodman’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I have not listened to other performances, but he did an excellent job.

If you could take any character from Life of Pi out to dinner, who would it be and why?

Richard Parker would be a most interesting dinner guest. I would dearly enjoy probing his mind to hear the tale from his perspective.

Any additional comments?

Pi's indelible spirit & mind is a tribute to the driving force within us all. We are given all the resources in this life to survive & thrive. His youth, family upbringing, education & spirituality were the greatest survival pack of all. One must wonder if the rest of his life could ever measure up to his time on the ocean or how it impacted the any other catastrophes he faced in his life. It certainly sounds like he may have become a hoarder. Was he able to marry & share life as he did with Richard Parker or did it drive him to a reclusive existence. I would like to think he grew to be a sage. His life's lessons certainly impacted my view of the world.

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Master Designer of Worlds

Revisado: 03-26-12

If you could sum up The Silmarillion, Volume 2 in three words, what would they be?

Mind-bending, Enlightening, Soul-Searching

What other book might you compare The Silmarillion, Volume 2 to and why?

The Bible. I believe Tolkien designed the book to mimic the Bible since he was setting up the stage of another possible realm from which we could see ourselves w/o the constraints & prejudices of orthodox religions of this world.

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

Simply to be able to properly pronounce names & breathe breath into the characters w/o being bogged down by having to take each name by syllable. He frees the listener from the technicalities of pronunciation.

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

The book drew me into another world & held me captive. My emotions followed me through every peril the characters experienced.

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esto le resultó útil a 2 personas

Thousands of years to digest in 8 hours

Revisado: 12-03-11

Would you try another book from Jared Diamond and/or Doug Ordunio?

An awful lot of research went in to the writing of this book and equally the amount of focus to narrate. I don't think the audible version is the best for me. I've been comparing notes w/my husband who is away in Central America currently. I'm joining him in a couple weeks. He has both the hard copy & Kindle version. I'm looking forward to reviewing both to have a better grasp on the story,

What other book might you compare Guns, Germs and Steel to and why?

I feel unqualified to answer this question. I've stepped outside my comfort zone w/this book. I'm very attracted to Historical Fictions that bring history alive & put flesh, blood & emotions to characters instead of stating & correlating facts.

Have you listened to any of Doug Ordunio’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I'm a newbie to Audible. I currently live on a small Caribbean island w/few resources. This is a wonderful tool for research & reading entertainment for me. Formerly, when I lived & worked in the US, I was highly addicted to audio tapes. My stepchildren in England are continuing that lifestyle, listening at home, work, driving. I feel Mr. Ordunio's performance was admirable for the continued drive & focus it must have taken to produce this narration, however, this could probably be due to the fact he enjoys relaying such books to his audience. We all strive to excel at something. I would have been miserable to ever undertake such a task, so hats off to Mr. Ordunio's talent!

Do you think Guns, Germs and Steel needs a follow-up book? Why or why not?

It's hard to imagine anything was left out, but considering 1,000s of yrs, yes there could be a follow up. If so, I'd break the different aspects into smaller versions..

Any additional comments?

Considering the massive amount of research compiled to write this book, it was extremely well outlined.

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esto le resultó útil a 11 personas

Visiting a life unknown

Revisado: 12-03-11

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Absolutely, I would highly recommend the book/audio or hard copy (I had both) to anyone. It took me back to the time in my life when where an entire array of paths are set before me & I wonder 'where would I be now if I'd taken another road?' I'm so glad I read it b/f watching the movie. The editing of the movie left the 'salt & spices' out of the recipe.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Jacob of course, but Rosie took a close 2nd. How wonderful to be able to runaway to join the circus in your old age, especially for the 2nd time. Rosie's colourful & dark past reminded me of the tapestry of life; the dark threads are as needful in the weaver's skillful hands as the threads of gold & silver . . . I was so grateful to have the story fulfill her entire life & to know she was loved & cared for to the end of it.

What about David LeDoux and John Randolph Jones ’s performance did you like?

Marvelous narrators! I never wondered who I was listening to.

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

So many to chose from, but mostly the stampede which is the highlight of the story. The misery of the humans & animals were so delicately interwoven & beautifully balanced.

Any additional comments?

I've always hated circuses w/ their exploitation of human & animal exotics. I honestly didn't think I could even like the story, but I ended up loving it. It's format followed the same pattern as 1 of my other favourite tales, The Notebook.

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Animals say it so much better

Revisado: 12-03-11

Would you consider the audio edition of Watership Down to be better than the print version?

I put them at equal value. What lacked from the hard copy to go back & forth for things I'd forgotten or didn't understand, I could go online & ask the question. For instance the language; I could reference on the internet a word I couldn't remember or didn't know the meaning of.

What other book might you compare Watership Down to and why?

I have written my own book Quest on the Marl Road in which I'd used the indigenous animals to plead for a human conscious in their development of our island home we share. I also liken it to Animal Farm which is another well written anthropomorphic fantasy that tells a true tale that needs to be heard. Sometimes it just takes hearing the story from a different perspective to understand the gravity of the book's cause.

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

Possibly emotions I wouldn't have picked up on in the story the 1st read.

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

I have a hard time picking out or reading greeting cards, so yes, I did cry & got physically fearful throughout the book.

Any additional comments?

I remembered reading the book when it 1st came out & my children watching the animated show. This was a very good medium to bring back the memory of the tale in my life. In fact I spoke to my 33 yr old daughter when I was through listening. She reminded me that her & her brother watched it so many times they would recite the script as they watched the movie. I remembered that as well & we had a really good laugh together.

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An option for forgiveness

Revisado: 09-19-11

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

This is a wonderful alternative view of death/life. So many people are hung up on the ultimate end of this current existence, however, the views of this book offer destinies unfulfilled can be manifested in a different way as a different soul. Those who were barbarous individuals will most certainly find their course will take them to the route of victim to feel the thrust of their own hatred heaped upon them.

Who was your favorite character and why?

I enjoyed the individuality of them all.

Any additional comments?

This story shows us not to get hung up on goals that would cause us to loose sight of our destiny. I'm a firm believer that people come into our lives for reasons and seasons and that when a door closes, windows of opportunities start to open.

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