CHRISTIAN

Based on anecdotes rather than broad knowledge

Revisado: 07-31-17

What could have made this a 4 or 5-star listening experience for you?

The voice on this book is the author's, which is sometimes a not-so-good idea. For this audiobook, it's not the optimal experience. A somewhat nasal voice, monotonous delivery, and a lack of dramatic reading skills take away much from the listening enjoyment.

How could the performance have been better?

More heart in the delivery.

Any additional comments?

Most of the book is based on anecdotes accompanied by light research. Moreover, for many of the anecdotes, we don't know the outcomes of the decisions taken by the author/manager, and we rarely find out what the employees thought of those decisions. So it's hard to trust that this management philosophy is all it's sold to be, even if the notion of candor, in the context of nurturing and compassionate professional interactions, has virtue in today's workforce. Still, one wonders: if the author had not worked in management in companies so frequently spotlighted in the news (Google, etc.), would much of the content of this book have received such attention? The author's professional affiliations and industry connections add luster and elevate the "glamour" of this book, but aren't enough in themselves to set a real, solid base for the merits of her management philosophy. More supportive academic research and more patterns of positive results would make the difference.

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OK content, but dreadfully slow, boring reading

Revisado: 03-14-14

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

Somewhat. Many other writers and researcher present this information better (more accurately and more comprehensively) in various other venues. Yet, it's nice to have it collected here.

What was your reaction to the ending? (No spoilers please!)

It's not a novel, so the ending isn't some big fireworks!

What didn’t you like about Sean Pratt’s performance?

Far too tedious. The rhythm is slow. The pause between each sentence is too long and put me asleep. The reading lacks energy, passion, variation. The reader sounds lethargic and not interested. The reading was so dreadful that I will avoid audiobooks by this reader (unless the previews sound livelier and more involved).

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Good story, solid audio production

Revisado: 09-26-12

What made the experience of listening to Inside the Red Mansion the most enjoyable?

Interesting pursuit (tracking a Chinese businessman who went from rag-to-riches before succumbing a to bitter downfall).

Who was your favorite character and why?

None in particular.

Which character – as performed by Simon Vance – was your favorite?

All were OK.

What’s the most interesting tidbit you’ve picked up from this book?

The Chinese government's level of reaction to its runaway economy, in contrast to the old-school form of centralized planning and top-down controlling from the communist-Mao-era that seemed to dictate the future of the country.

Any additional comments?

Timely story.

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Light insight into the topic, odd audio editing

Revisado: 09-26-12

What did you like about this audiobook?

The topic, Americans teaching in China, intrigued me, but the writer's insight remained superficial.

How has the book increased your interest in the subject matter?

To learn more about this topic, I'll turn to other books, blogs, and resources on this topic (because this book is light on depth and breadth).

Does the author present information in a way that is interesting and insightful, and if so, how does he achieve this?

The conversational writing style facilitated the listening experience, but sometimes tipped into a gossipy tone with light substance. It frustrated me to get more insight into the writer's narrow American cultural vision and into her mid-life crisis than into the Chinese culture. For my taste, it felt a bit too self-centered and shallow, as if this trip to China was mostly a feel-good manicure to heal the author's mood. Regrettably, we don't feel much of her investment into her missions (helping Chinese students improve their English, being an ambassador of her culture), and she shares little about her classroom experiences.

What did you find wrong about the narrator's performance?

The reader articulates well, but she has a mild case of a California Valley Girl accent that reinforces the superficial overtone of the text (further highlighting the book's weakness). The production is sub-par because the silent pauses at the end of chapters are cut down too short, and it creates run-on sentences that combine the last sentence of a chapter and the title of the next chapter (confusing!). These too-short pauses occur in other places in the text. Otherwise, the audio quality is good.

Do you have any additional comments?

For the same topic, and a much better book (with more insight, cultural comparisons, teaching experiences, stronger prose, etc.), pick Peter Hessler's River Town. If you're still hungry for more, and can be satisfied with a light fare next, try this book.

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Insightful analysis, nice reading

Revisado: 12-17-11

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

Rob Gifford shares insight on China from years of experiences living in the Middle Kingdom. His East to West trip includes revealing anecdotes about the lives and values of Chinese people in various regions. He talks about his encounters with Chinese Amway entrepreneurs, muslim minorities, an abortion nurse and her assistant, AIDS whistle-blowers, long-haul truck drivers, a talk radio female star, and other intriguing types. The style is in line with the NPR reporting tone: it comes across as poised, respectful, but without much wit or intensity. Overall, a pleasant and revealing book. Gifford's prognostics at the end of his book are so far spot on. Four years after he wrote his book, several of the events he anticipated have happened, such as the peasant pushbacks and the tenuous financial balance with the real estate excesses.

The reading too is calm, but not monotonous at all -- a bit soothing, yet active enough to stay interesting. A clear delivery, clean recording, and a hint of a British accent.

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Interesting insight, fair oration

Revisado: 01-14-11

Though this narrative is almost 15 years old (Hessler worked for the Peace Corps in the late 1990's), and that seems a long time ago at the frantic pace of change in present day China, most of the observations seem relevant today, especially those addressing the human dimension. The narrator has a young 20s male voice, a bit on the nasal side, but reading at a lively and varied rhythm. He is great at making distinct voices for different characters. As is often the case with books on China, this reader mispronounces many Chinese names, but it's a minor issue. He has a good sense for dramatic pauses and for getting "in character." It's easy to mistakenly think that you're listening to the author himself.

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esto le resultó útil a 9 personas