Isabelle

A Masterful Victorian Novel

Revisado: 10-19-12

If you could sum up Middlemarch in three words, what would they be?

Provincial, emotional, and masterful.

Who was your favorite character and why?

I loved Fred Vincy. His story evolves throughout the book, and he's imperfect but strives to better himself. In the beginning he's lost as to what to do with his life and his family is trying to push him towards a profession that he knows he'd neither like or is well suited for. In the end, after a very bumpy road he's able to achieve happiness although it's not in the form he once imagined it would be when he was younger. I feel like his story is similar to what a lot of young people go through and I empathized with him.

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

I love Juliet Stevenson as a reader. She is my favorite reader, and I have listened to a great number of her audibook readings. She nails the characterization of the characters she's reading and her voice brings so much warmth and life to the story.

Who was the most memorable character of Middlemarch and why?

The most memorable character is probably Dorthea Brookes because she is the central character in the book. A lot of the action in the book centers around her trials and tribulations. She also grows immensely as a character, and is sympathetic. I was surprised because in the beginning I didn't think I'd like her very much or relate to her but as the story progressed I found myself warming up to her to the point where are the end I was cheering for her.

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A Darker Love Story Filled With Twists and Turns

Revisado: 10-19-12

Where does Rebecca rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

The reader was superb and the story was engrossing, so it ranks fairly high.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Rebecca?

The first line of the novel is one of the most powerful opening lines I've ever read. "Last night I dreamt I went to Manderley again." It just evokes this emotion which pulls the reader in. I have a feeling that, that line will stay with me for a long time.

What about Anna Massey’s performance did you like?

I felt like she fit the time period perfectly. She embodies the book and her narration felt right. I can't imagine another narrator doing a better job.

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

No, it's not a fast-paced book and there are moments were it goes slowly in order to build the setting and characters.

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Horrendous Reader Stifles the Story

Revisado: 04-22-12

Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?

Maybe, if they're into romantic stories then I'd recommend that they give this a try by either reading the physical book or getting a different version of this audiobook done by a different reader. I regret purchasing this audiobook because it was read so dryly that I couldn't pay attention to what was going on and often I my mind was off somewhere else. I don't know if that was primarily due to the reader or if that also had something to do with the prose. But I have a suspicion that if I read this book, I would've enjoyed it more.

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

I was content with the ending. It was predictable but I'm okay with that.

Would you be willing to try another one of Frederick Davidson???s performances?

No.

Could you see A Room with a View being made into a movie or a TV series? Who should the stars be?

Actually it was made into a movie which was very popular back in the 80s. It had Helena Bonham Carter as the heroine. But if it was remade today I'd probably have Michael Fassbender play George Emerson (he seems like he could brood well) and I have no clue who I'd have playing Lucy. Honestly I feel like Helena Bonham Carter did a great job, however that was back when she was 19.

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Another homerun for Eugenides

Revisado: 12-22-11

Would you consider the audio edition of The Marriage Plot to be better than the print version?

I have not read the print version, but I definitely felt the narrator did an excellent job, and I don't have any complaints about the audio version.

What other book might you compare The Marriage Plot to and why?

It's similar to Eugenides' other books such as Middlesex as well as Haruki Murakami's novels because it's not just about the story. Eugenides likes to add things such as literary criticism, history, science, philosophy, and religion to the story, so that the book becomes so much more than just a linear plot. You learn so much from the little detours he takes.

Which character ??? as performed by David Pittu ??? was your favorite?

Mitchell, which took me aback because I didn't think I'd be able to connect with him.

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