Ishmael Angaluuk Hope

Unnecessary French accent

Revisado: 11-26-24

I purchased this book based on one of the glowing reviews of the narrator, because I'm very interested in the novels of Balzac. But then I quickly realized that he is putting on a fake, hoity-toity French accent. I don't think that is necessary at all in order to appreciate the novel in English. it seems like a lot of audiobook listeners are less interested in the literature and they want soothing voices for an ASMR experience. I don't know if that's the case here, or if some just like when a narrator puts on affected accents, but I want to appreciate the literature, and that requires a clear voice from someone who understands the material and is interested in the book, rather than trying to put on some kind of voice.

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Excellent reading of a classic

Revisado: 11-22-24

Joanna Ward is one of the best readers. The key is she knows what she's saying and is absorbed in the story. It is a treat to listen to such a great classic, from one of the most brilliant and interesting great writers.

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More like a podcast for fight fans

Revisado: 02-08-24

It started out so intriguing and promising, but I lost interest after it just started feeling like he was quoting from the podcast that he does. The quotes were from fighters who were basically just describing their fights as they would with any interview for fans. So it doesn't really feel like it's an inside look into what it means to be a fighter, the training, the mindset, the motivation. As much as I respect Chris Algieri, I feel like he mailed this in.

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Superb!

Revisado: 01-19-23

Beautiful. This recording really captures the aesthetic brilliance of Flaubert. Every sentence is precious gold. The narrator is so clear and he captures the drama and subtlety perfectly. This is maybe the best audiobook I've ever listened to. This is why audiobooks should exist. Flaubert has always intrigued me but his books were not easy for me to get into, for whatever reason. This really allowed me to finally "read" Flaubert.

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Narrator trying to make a faux Andalusian voice

Revisado: 10-30-22

I can't take any more of the book. The narrator is trying to sound like a romantic Andalusian brimming with machismo. Just read the book! Such a cringe-worthy affectation. I listened to a sample of this narrator in another book, and he doesn't have the exotic voice there, of course. Too bad. It's a waste of a good book.

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My favorite boxing book

Revisado: 09-08-22

This was my favorite boxing book by far. the narrator is also the best audiobook narrator I've heard, again by far. He also narrated A.J Liebling's very fine The Sweet Science. This book was superbly written. It takes you places. James J Braddock's story is iconic and legendary, and this tells it more richly than even the wonderful film on Braddock.

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Superb

Revisado: 08-21-22

A superb story about how an individual navigates the training lifestyle. A lot of great knowledge about Gracie Jiu-Jitsu as well. The only reason I give it four stars out of five is that they could have integrated the personal story a little more closely into the teachings. I definitely recognize how struggles with a father and a job and finding purpose ties into martial arts and training, but it wasn't integrated as well as it could have been. There was an opportunity to show how everything you struggle with in life is connected to developing your body and your skills, but it wasn't plainly stated with those connections are.

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Great to learn about Smokin' Joe even with flaws

Revisado: 07-15-22

It was terrific even with occasional flaws, such as the parts featuring white authority figures and with a slightly patronizing tone about Frazier. It gets much better in the middle and end, in the thick of Joe's prime and toward the end of his life, where there's little time for exploring racial politics and more to enjoy the story of a great champion.

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A great translation, marred by the narrator

Revisado: 02-22-22

A stunning translation is marred by Charles Loughton's lack of reading comprehension. I wouldn't mind his ham acting if he put more effort into understanding what he is saying. instead I find myself constantly drifting away in thought, because he's just making sounds in an artificially poetic voice rather than narrating a story. The same is true of his narration of Tennyson's Idylls of the King.

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Superb

Revisado: 01-05-22

A beautiful book, excellently read. Essential reading for boxing history. Roberto Duran! What a life, what an artist in the ring.

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