Andre

Wanted to like it more

Revisado: 10-20-24

Protagonist’s imaginings of killings were unbelievable and overdone. Would have enjoyed richer language and characters with less repetitive filler.

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Wanted to love it more

Revisado: 05-02-24

For a title so high on the charts, I may have expected too much.
The book is good — not great. No regrets for the time I spent listening…but no compelling drive to say “you have got to read/listen to this”. Do you get what I’m saying?

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Sadly, I found this too painful to complete

Revisado: 08-21-21

If only the story lived up to the production value. The convoluted tale jumps around so much that it fails to develop any forward momentum. I stuck with it for 4 1/2 hours then could take no more. It is very episodic with overblown characters that are more caricatures. Nothing subtle or nuanced about it. There are no highs or lows — simply a collection of scenes all played at the same emotional level and pace. Writing is overwrought in an effort to be clever. I cringed more than smiled or laughed. (I’m a huge SFF fan, so I’m saddened that I was unable to connect with this production.)

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Painful to listen to

Revisado: 01-20-20

This is an article s-t-r-e-t-c-h-e-d out into a plodding book that uses some dodgy logic in trying to make points. Only made it through chapter two -- which seemed an endless listen in itself

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Interesting - but there's better NF out there

Revisado: 05-29-18

While I started the book wanting very much to like it, I was repeatedly disappointed by its inability to rise to the level of other nonfiction titles I've listened to recently. I'm not sure if it was due to the lack of forward momentum or diversity of voices or personal disinterest in the topic. Granted, there are some wonderful nuggets within the text - but they are too few and far between for me to highly recomment this text to other listeners.

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esto le resultó útil a 6 personas

YA book with universal appeal

Revisado: 05-29-18

This book tackles issues of race in a manner that is refreshingly frank, balanced and engaging. The characters are all multi-demensional, the situations nuanced and complex, and the actions all shaded in grey instead of being cliches in black and white. Overall, I loved the voice of the characters and was drawn into the situations and conflicts. Highly recommended - particularly for YA audiences...but adults too who think they 'know' what/how young people today think.

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Very fIne, but not exceptional, SF&F series

Revisado: 05-29-18

The series is an impressive accomplishment. A very fine effort -- one that is rare, but not fine enough to compare to Tolkien or other geniuses at world-building. Rich in characters, settings and lore, it provided an engaging listen from beginning to end -- so my critique may be a bit harsh. Sanderson is an author I will watch closely in the future.

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Harrowing but not revelatory

Revisado: 05-29-18

The author's accomplishments are inspiring in light of all that she was up against. The accounts of her upbringing are eye-opening - often difficult to imagine. However, the telling felt more like a news report than a story. What was learned? How did the author change? What should I, as the reader, take away from this book? I left saddened by the terrible trials the author had been through but wanting some greater insight. How do we keep what happened to Westover from happening to other young people? In finishing the book, I felt saddened and unfullfilled. While I wanted to recommend the book as an example of the persistence or resolve of the human spirit, I felt the scope of empathy was too narrowly cast on the author with too little compassion for other who might be facing similar odds and too lazy to offer solutions or hope for addressing similar situations.

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esto le resultó útil a 36 personas

If you don't know the source material, skip it

Revisado: 05-28-18

Hoping to discover some wit and sophitication that might have eluded me on the web, I was disappointed to discover that the book reflected the low bar that embraces new talent and humor these days. The self indulgence is a bit boring and the humor a bit too ordinary for me -- but I'm sure that there are others who will find delight in this (as other reviews clearly indicate).

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Surprisingly engaging - even current.

Revisado: 05-28-18

A wonderful twist on a timeless tale -- masterfully told! I started listening with trepidation and ended wanting more. Beautifully written - free of cliches, rich in characters, timeless in conflicts and emotional range. Highly recommended!

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