Kate

Maybe Sherlock, not a great Watson

Revisado: 06-20-22

I thought the subject/prelude off this book sounded fascinating - I overlooked small things and the narrator until the Fatty Arbuckle case. And there she totally lost me, although I did hang on until the end. The account of that case was prejudiced and only partially told, and it made me wonder what else was left out of other cases to make them more favorable to the subject.

I ended up disliking Heinrich, regardless of his accomplishments, and I think it was because of the writing. The narration was also poor and hard to listen to.

Overall, I’d appreciate listening to a real biography of this man, but not this book again.

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A familiar story in Maine

Revisado: 06-20-22

Most children in Maine schools have to read Lost on a Mountain in Maine - the story of Donn Fendler is very familiar here. I read it first forty years ago and it hasn’t lost any of its magic since then. If anything, I feel for this little boy more now that I’m an adult and more firmly understand what could have been. Mr. Fendler used to visit Maine schoolrooms and talk to the children about his experiences and I’ve always wished I could have gone to one of those talks.

I don’t understand the review that said the out of date language was a problem. This event happened and the book published over eighty years ago - of course the language is different. I listened this time waiting for words that would have affected my listen. “Reefer” is coat, “Dungarees” are blue jeans (the word my grandfather always used for them). Donn used the term “Christmas” for surprise rather than a swear word. That is the whole vocabulary list you need to remember.

What did bother me was the adult narrator’s pronunciation of “Bangor.” It’s “BANG-gore.” And I’ve always heard “Fendler” pronounced just how it looks “FEND-ler.” The narrator says “FIN-ler”. It just threw me off.

If you (or your child) likes “Hatchet” or “My Side of the Mountain”, try this book. It’s short, exciting, and true.

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An old favorite

Revisado: 01-13-22

I’ve been waiting for this book to come to Audible for years and was so excited to see it offered. The story still holds up, even all these years later, and the multiple subplots that somehow weave together are complex and fascinating to watch coalesce.

I feel that Hotel (basic plot discussed in other reviews) is Arthur Hailey’s masterpiece. As much as I enjoy Airport, I find this one superior.

My only downer about this book was the narrator. He was adequate, but monotone and I only because I know the plots and characters could I tell who was talking sometimes.

All in all, definitely worth listening to - and don’t judge by the twenty-first century!

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Another winner

Revisado: 08-24-19

I have listened to this book twice now and find the story a little choppy and characters aren't as well-developed as usual because of the sheer number of characters, but it's a good listen. As one other reviewer said, the plot is a little corny, but most books like this are. I've never been to Montana, but I'd be interested to visit if the descriptions listed here are real.

For once, I didn't expect the final twist to this story, although the ending was never really in doubt. The narration was very good; I would listen to the reader again.

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Another good one

Revisado: 08-24-19

I had forgotten that I read a hard copy of this book years ago when I downloaded it. I didn't remember until I was a couple of chapters in, but it didn't matter. I enjoyed it. I enjoy watching DIY shows, and live in a fixer upper, so to listen to the remodeling parts was fascinating to me. I wasn't in to the hero much, even his description didn't do much for me, and his accent threw me off through the whole book. And, as usual, there's the obligatory treat-the-heroine-like-a-child part, but for once, she stands up to him adequately.

I had forgotten the ending, and while it was obvious, it was fun getting there. All in all, enjoyable!

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One of her better stories

Revisado: 08-24-19

Nora Roberts' stories are hit and miss for me. Some of them I love, some I like, some I return. I bought this one because I enjoy January LaVoy's narrations, and it was based in Maine. As a multiple-generation Maine-iac, it's always interesting for me to see how we're portrayed by outsiders.

All that being said, I enjoyed this story, minus a few jarring that's-not-Maine points. (Mainly accents. No pun intended.) I don't really care for the heroine's female relatives in this book; and, as usual in Ms. Roberts' stories, there's a point where the hero treats the heroine like a child and gets away without it being adequately addressed. But the story is decent, although pretty obvious. All in all, a fun book.

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Not his best work

Revisado: 08-08-18

I have read or listened to all of Lincoln Child’s solo work. “Utopia” is far and away the best book he’s written, and maybe it’s unfortunate that that was the first LC book I encountered. I enjoyed “The Forgotten Room”, disliked “The Third Gate” (and returned it), and regularly revisit “Utopia.”

I’m rather disappointed in this book. It was okay, but that’s all. It seems unfinished, without the depth and polish of his other work. The climax and denouement is a bit forced or rushed.

To top it off, I don’t like the narrator at all. The best thing I can say about his narration is that he pronounced all of the words. A bit nasal, very monotone, and his pauses at the end of sentences almost makes it sound like he just learned to read. I would hesitate getting another book read by this narrator.

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Good story

Revisado: 05-27-17

I really enjoy most of Lincoln Child's solo books, and this one was no different. It's no Utopia (my absolute favorite by Mr. Child.), but it's definitely worth a listen. The only thing that puts me off about his writings are some of the death scenes or circumstances. Rather disgusting, but I deal with them because I enjoy his plots.

This book strikes a balance between his techie side and his supernatural side.

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A Walking Miracle

Revisado: 03-03-17

I have loved the story of Brother Andrew since I read it in grade school. I've reread it several times as an adult, and have been blessed every time. I didn't fully realize until this time through that if it hadn't have been for the writing of this book, we might not have The Hiding Place, and that book has been a great blessing as well.

I enjoy things read by Simon Vance, and he doesn't disappoint here. His characters are easily discerned, and he hits the right note reading through the different events of Brother Andrew's life - neither under-emphasizing or over-playing various dramatic scenes.. He treats the story with respect. And for that I thank him.

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Anne hasn't changed a bit

Revisado: 07-02-16

What can you say about Anne? She's impetuous, loquacious, a little audacious! The story is a classic for a reason - as my mother defines it, it is a work of art that has withstood the test of time.

The narrator, however, I did not care for. Her girls all sound very shrill, which is jarring when Anne talks so much. Actually, her only voice I didn't dislike was Marilla and maybe Josephine Berry. I don't know whether the narrator's accent is anywhere near correct or not - if so, I had no idea PEI and the US pronounced so many words differently. If it is correct, great, I learned something! If not, it was difficult for no reason. For a child or a non-native speaker, it may be even harder.

All in all, Anne is Anne. Like she does in her life, overall she overcomes the difficulties and strides on.

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