OYENTE

Mary Ellen Harley

  • 29
  • opiniones
  • 11
  • votos útiles
  • 29
  • calificaciones

Thanks for Another Great Book!!

Total
5 out of 5 stars
Ejecución
5 out of 5 stars
Historia
5 out of 5 stars

Revisado: 12-31-24

Loved the continuation of Jackson Brodie and others in this wonderful story! Kate Atkinson has an excellent way of developing characters and then having them come together. After reading some poor plodding books recently this is a breath of fresh air and did not dissapoint. I appreciate that Kate Atkinson considers her readers mature and does not repeat information from previous books except for slight mentions. The narrator did an excellent job in tone and different voices for all the characters, he is my favorite of the narrators the author has used. Highly recommend for anyone even if you haven't read all of the others in the series. I look forward to any new book from Kate Atkinson.

Se ha producido un error. Vuelve a intentarlo dentro de unos minutos.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

Too 'flowery' and a bit contrived.

Total
2 out of 5 stars
Ejecución
4 out of 5 stars
Historia
2 out of 5 stars

Revisado: 09-08-24

While I usually enjoy a book that starts in one place and then goes back and forth in time to flesh out the story, I did not think this was done well. There is a lot of flourishing descriptions which I felt were overdone and was also distracted by the narrarator's telling of much of the story instead of direct dialog.
Hardship is definitely the main focus and there is no joy (or very little). The presence of the evil man who is called 'Papa' works in the middle of the story but his reappearance is somewhat ridiculous and contrived towards the end. The rape scene is very disturbing and I skipped some of it.
Derhbla (who I think as the main character) is a strong character but the addition of her second sight does not add to the story. What I did appreciate was knowledge of a humane insane asylum.
I looked for a much light hearted book after this one.

Se ha producido un error. Vuelve a intentarlo dentro de unos minutos.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

Too Witty

Total
2 out of 5 stars
Ejecución
4 out of 5 stars
Historia
2 out of 5 stars

Revisado: 04-11-24

This is the third Neal Stephenson book I have read and while I really like his writing, after about half a book it grows old. I feel like I would have gotten more of the wit if I understood the deeper politic arena of the time but much of it went past me. The are also some ridiculous scenarios, like the dignitary that tried to commit suicide when he was not introduced to a new member in his box at the opera and it was stated that he was the most polite man ever. These show up throughout the story and it is really unclear the affect this is supposed to have on the reader or why it was used. By the end I was tired of it all.

Se ha producido un error. Vuelve a intentarlo dentro de unos minutos.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

Wonderful!

Total
5 out of 5 stars
Ejecución
5 out of 5 stars
Historia
5 out of 5 stars

Revisado: 03-18-24

I chose this book because of the time era and an interest in Robin Hood which was limited to kid books and the old Disney movie. I expected a light frolic and got so much more. The book is set up in chapters with character focus and has all the usual Robin Hood characters with a few additional. The story starts with Robin and William (his best friend) on the Crusades with King Richard. They return to Nottingham to figure out what is happening to the kings weapons that are not making it to the war. From there is a full, encompassing journey through friendship, love, power, politics, honor and misunderstandings. From the different character viewpoints you don't see black and white, good vs bad but grey all around. I really enjoyed how the characters were developed and interacted with each other and how they have complex conversations with real meaning. This is not a surface book and I enjoyed the length. So often books are too short and the characters are shallow. This is not the case here. Take a chance and dig in, it is very worth it. Also, the narrators do a great job with the voices.

Se ha producido un error. Vuelve a intentarlo dentro de unos minutos.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

I Got Nothing from this Book

Total
1 out of 5 stars
Ejecución
1 out of 5 stars
Historia
1 out of 5 stars

Revisado: 02-13-24

I think it is possible that the author is laughing at everyone who gave this book a good review. I have never listened to anything so pointless and rambling. I skipped the middle 5 hours and listened to the end and it was still rambling. When you use a theme (reincarnation) that allows you to have an unlimited ability to write about anything and you fill it with details of widly different scenarios without any real connection, it makes for a painful book. There is also too much potty humor and cringy characters. The two women who somehow represent the lifesource of the universe are supposed to be quirky take offs of a cat lady and a old woment who watches too many TVs (like 20 in her living room) and smokes like a chimney. Ugh, give me anything else!

Se ha producido un error. Vuelve a intentarlo dentro de unos minutos.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

Sappy and Cliche

Total
2 out of 5 stars
Ejecución
2 out of 5 stars
Historia
2 out of 5 stars

Revisado: 10-29-23

Overly melodramatic with plot holes.Considered not finishing but decided to see what additional ridiculous things happened. The 'bad' guy the two main characters are fighting has a an odd southern drawl that just didn't fit. Also how does a newly taught witch with one spell able to figure out how to get out of a sealed room when the 3000 year old witch can't? Ridiculous.

Se ha producido un error. Vuelve a intentarlo dentro de unos minutos.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

Dull and methodical

Total
3 out of 5 stars
Ejecución
2 out of 5 stars
Historia
2 out of 5 stars

Revisado: 09-21-23

This was a boring read and I felt that the descriptions and storyline were at best written at a middle school level. While I did gain knowledge and appreciation for the plight of those diagnosed with leprosy, this dragged out. I do admit that this genre is not my favorite and I listened to this book because it was chosen in our book club.

Se ha producido un error. Vuelve a intentarlo dentro de unos minutos.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

A Gem!

Total
5 out of 5 stars
Ejecución
5 out of 5 stars
Historia
5 out of 5 stars

Revisado: 07-21-23

Having loved 'A Gentleman in Moscow' I bought this book without reading any reviews or knowing what is was about. I LOVED IT!! Amor Towles has a wonderful way of weaving a tale that is interesting and full of thoughts, ideas, feelings. Each chapter is the name of the character and it is their viewpoint for that chapter. There is some overlap as we move from character to character and back (there are only 7) but it flows superbly. Emmet and Billy's change of direction on the outset of their journey is filled with struggles, hope, annoyances, and shows so many variations on humanity that I paused many times to muse on the actions. My favorite was Sally who has a great monologue about how men do not appreciate all that womenkind have done and continue to do for daily living! The narrators are excellent and well suited for the characters. I will seek out other books they have narrated as they made it really come alive. Thank you Mr Towles, please continue to write. I look forward to anything you publish.

Se ha producido un error. Vuelve a intentarlo dentro de unos minutos.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

Too Dramatic

Total
2 out of 5 stars
Ejecución
4 out of 5 stars
Historia
2 out of 5 stars

Revisado: 06-04-23

This had a good story but the characters emotions were way over the top. There were also too many oddities in the story that seemed unnecessary, and left me a bit bewildered. The writing reminded me of Kate Morton (back and forth between two time periods with two characters) but was not executed as well.

Se ha producido un error. Vuelve a intentarlo dentro de unos minutos.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

Not captivating

Total
2 out of 5 stars
Ejecución
1 out of 5 stars
Historia
2 out of 5 stars

Revisado: 02-17-23

This story was too melodramatic. I don’t like predictable and it wasn’t but it went to far the other way… too many story irregularities. I did not connect to these characters and did not feel the ending was developed at all. Lastly, I found the narrator irritating for most of the other characters besides the main character (Charlie). Would not recommend.

Se ha producido un error. Vuelve a intentarlo dentro de unos minutos.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

adbl_web_global_use_to_activate_webcro768_stickypopup