Mr

A fortunate stab in the dark

Revisado: 07-01-12

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

I would recommend this book to friends who like a little absurdity, or friends who like trashy science fiction movies.

What did you like best about this story?

This story paced itself just right. It kicked in the absurd early on, and then built on it slowly using loads of humour, cliche and "I saw that coming but still got a surprise" type moments to get to a obvious but still surprising climax.

Any additional comments?

I bought this book based on my previous purchased of his book "Automatic Detective". Initially I was a bit disappointed that this book had a less noir style, but soon I forgot about that and enjoyed this book for it's own merits. It's not good literature, but it's a good story and a fun listen.

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Pushing Ice uphill

Revisado: 07-01-12

Would you recommend Pushing Ice to your friends? Why or why not?

I would probably only recommend this to existing Alistair Reynolds fans, as it is not his best story (in my opinion), and although it introduces some existing ideas it concentrates too much on a rather unbelieveable rivalry between 2 women. The tension between the 2 women is labourer for most of the book and only drives an interesting development in the last 3rd of the novel.

What about John Lee’s performance did you like?

John Lee is always good, and he can make even stilted conversation between blandly drawn characters seem worth a listen

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

No, but I was glad I persevered. The last 3rd is interesting and much more the Alistair reynolds style that I enjoy.

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The Confusion

Revisado: 11-07-10

This is really a pirate adventure with a lot of historical fact, speculation, liberty and down-right fiction thrown in. It's very well written and read. A bit overlong in some of the description and detail, but the reading really makes an excellent job of hiding that.

I would strongly recommend that the listerner begins at the beginning of the Baroque Cycle and sees it through to the end, as most of the plot lines begin before, and finish well after, this book. Although it could be argued that this is a standalone listen I do not believe you would be doing the story any justice be stopping at the end of this book.

The reading and production of this is excellent. The characterisations are broad and consistent, with lots of emotion and humour conveyed.

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Engaging entertainment

Revisado: 07-07-10

This isn't the first Vorkosigan audiobook I've purchased, nor the longest, nor even the best. But this was still an entirely enjoyable experience with plenty to recommend it, even though I was approaching the Vorkosigan saga outside the conventional chronology.

Lois Mcmaster Bujold has created a cast of characters who both antagonise and compliment each other, and the story is rich and at times unpredictable. To me at least. But I don't pretend to have any great insight to the structure of military or even fictional intrigue.

I just enjoyed the way it unfolded and the complex but clear path the story took me on.

The narration was great and I can recommend this to anyone, whether they are a science fiction fan or not.

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Alexandre's last hurrah!!

Revisado: 01-13-10

While this audio book doesn't have the je ne sais quoi of Dumas's well known masterpieces, it is nonetheless a rich story, full of the familiar style and substance that I find absolutely captivating. The story is complex (perhaps a little contrived), but entertaining and easy to get drawn in to. Dumas steps outside Europe here, as his protaganist sails into the Indian Ocean in seach of adventure and reward, then back headlong into Italian intrigue and banditry, all in the name of pennance and honour.

The reading was excellent, well paced with good characterisations and easy to listen to. It's quire long, and as Dumas wasn't able to complete the project himself, it has been finished off faithfully and without any real change in style.

I rate it 4 stars.It doesn't compare with The 3 Musketeers or The Count of Monte Cristo, but it does not embarass them either. Recommended.

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Preposterous, in a good way

Revisado: 11-25-09

Well, the hype surrounding "the next Da Vinci Code" actually detracted from the experience for me.

I enjoyed this book none the less, as it was pure unadulterated pulp, and pretty self aware. It didn't set out to climb literary mountains, or be worthy or clever. I seemed to be content with just telling a ripping, and totally preposterous story and trying to be entertaining with it.

I was entertained. The story was read very well, and the sound and quality were excellent.

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Sub-Lightspped Space opera

Revisado: 10-04-09

I enjoyed this book. I thought the narration was easy to follow and well suited to the story, and the author explored some interesting ideas in an entertaining way.

I'll definitely consider another Alastair Reynolds book in the future.

Interesting and Entertaining

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A Soap Opera with Musketeers

Revisado: 08-28-09

This story seems quaint and very subtle by modern standards.

Large tracts are devoted to the minutiae of French royalty and the surrounding courtiers, where sometimes there is a very long and (impeccably narrated) winding road to reach a climax where one of several gallant knights squeezes one of several ladies-in-waiting hands or some other equally scandalous body part.

I suppose this must have titillated in it's day, but it really doesn't measure up to the excitement of "The 3 Musketeers", "20 Years After" or even "The Man in the Iron Mask", which follows on from this, and is well enough written that you could probably jump from "Le Vicomte de Bragelonne" to "The Man in the Iron Mask" without losing much in the bargain.

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A classic story and a great listen

Revisado: 07-10-09

I liked this audio book very much. The narration was excellent, with very consistent characterisations throughout.

The story is a classic, and although, in my opinion, it doesn't have the depth and humour of David Copperfield, it is a very engaging story on many levels.

I don't hesitate recommending this audiobook to anyone who wants to dip their toe into a Dickens novel, and I'd recommend also listening to David Copperfield (Unabridged)at some time after this for a complete Charles Dickens experience

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A

Revisado: 06-15-09

I had never read/heard anything about Lois McMaster Bujold or Miles Vorkosigan before I decided to take a chance on this book. It was a great listen and I enjoyed it immensely.

Good pace, good length and a very funny and intelligent story, it was a delightful surprise.

The narration and the production were very good. I will definitely take the opportunity to hear more about Miles Vorkosigan in the future.

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