Mateyo Jakobi

Inspiring!

Revisado: 10-07-21

I wish this book wears available to me when I was just a young, aspiring creative type. It’s very inspirational and Cassandra Peterson’s voice adds all the personal touches to her stories

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

Great story, so-so narration.

Revisado: 07-28-20

As frustrating as this story is, I do like it. I mean come on! Who doesn’t love a haunted car? My one problem is the narrator (the kid from Maximum Overdrive) has chosen a nasally, cracking voice for one of the lead characters. It’s annoying, and it wouldn’t be that bad except the character has lines every other paragraph. I didn’t think it was necessary. The book is descriptive enough to get the point of the character across.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

Wow. This narration is scary. Not in a good way.

Revisado: 10-02-19

I kept trying to figure out what this narration reminded me of, and then it dawned on me. If you’ve ever been to a Mormon church or watched their Conference on TV, then you know how these stories are being read. (Well, add a Chekhov accent from “Star Trek to it, as well.)

What a waste of classic horror! I hope a production company will release these someday with great narrators who sound like they actually like storytelling.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

esto le resultó útil a 1 persona

Beautiful. Heartbreaking. Adventurous.

Revisado: 06-20-19

Neil Gaiman speaks to me on a level no other author ever has. This book was no exception.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

If you thought the movie was bad, wait till you hear the book

Revisado: 03-13-19

This book feels like all the chapters were written by different people who had no idea what the other chapters were about. The only cohesive element is the names of the lead characters. I don’t say this often, but the movie is better than the book. And it was a pretty bad movie.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

It's repulsive -- to great effect!

Revisado: 07-27-15

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

This is definitely one of my top 10. The story is gruesome and at times sacrilegious, and it's nice to get into a story that isn't afraid to pull punches. Because every lurid detail is explained, the horror is that much more effective.

What other book might you compare Hell House to and why?

The only one that comes to mind immediately is "The Haunting of Hill House." However, "Hill House" doesn't so much scare as it does intrigue. "Hell House," on the other hand, paints some pretty horrific pictures.

What about Ray Porter’s performance did you like?

He performed without having to do any silly voices, a bad habit among many narrators that immediately takes me out of the story.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

I can't for the life of me think of a tag line. But, I would definitely like to see an adaptation of this film beyond the one starring Roddy Mcdowall. I'd love to see a film that keeps all the gruesome scenes and disturbing images.

Any additional comments?

Richard Matheson is a master storyteller. He created a house that I personally want to explore.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

esto le resultó útil a 16 personas

This "Haunting" is more of a psychological one

Revisado: 07-05-15

Is there anything you would change about this book?

At first I'd wished there were more supernatural elements. But upon further reflection, I realized the demise of Eleanor really was the "haunting." At least, for me it was. Sadly, I saw a lot of myself in that character (although I'd be more likely to admit I'm like Theodora).

Which scene was your favorite?

The most intense for me was the scene in which the incoherent babbling was heard on the other side of the door. It brought me back to my early childhood when I could hear the muffled voices from my parents' TV downstairs, although I didn't know it was the TV. I thought the sounds were coming from creatures wandering around outside. I called them "Omms" because that's the sound they made.

Was The Haunting of Hill House worth the listening time?

Yes. I'm glad I finally got to the foundation of the story that inspired so many movie adaptations.

Any additional comments?

I've seen this book pop up on many "Scariest Books of All Time" lists. I definitely wouldn't add it to my scariest books of all time, although I do wonder what the experience might have been for me if I'd read it instead of listened to it. However, that doesn't make it a bad story. It's fascinating, just not frightening.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

I can't get past the narrator.

Revisado: 06-15-15

Would you try another book from Clive Barker and/or John Lee?

I am planning to delve into the Barker collection. I read "Hellbound Heart" many years ago, and I think Clive Barker is clever and original. I am sad that Pinhead's story arc doesn't get much play in any of the other stories (as far as I can tell). I would have loved to have the universe of Hell Priests expanded into a full history.

John Lee, on the other hand, was very disappointing as the narrator. I don't expect the narrator to come up with a voice for every character, so I never understand why narrators go out of their way to attempt voices and accents that are far beyond their range. With the core characters being of American origin, it was not a good idea to cast a narrator from the UK to attempt caricature American accents that wouldn't even sound good in a cartoon.

Every time he spoke as Harry, or, worse, Lana, it completely took me out of the story as both sounded like they should have been arguing in a Bronx deli over rye bread instead of how to defeat an onslaught of demons.

If you’ve listened to books by Clive Barker before, how does this one compare?

This is the first book I've listened to by Clive Barker. I'll listen to the others as long as Lee isn't the narrator.

How could the performance have been better?

If you can't do an accent, don't try. The listening audience isn't here for a theatrical performance. We're hear to listen to a story. If it's absolutely necessary that the characters have American accents, then use a narrator who is either American or can speak in an American accent.

Did The Scarlet Gospels inspire you to do anything?

Yes. I want to re-record it.

Any additional comments?

From what I've read about Barker and Pinhead, it seems like he doesn't want to do anything else with the character, which is fine. But, my hope is that he changes his mind someday and revisits the monastery with its many Hell Priests. I'd love to know its history and purpose.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

esto le resultó útil a 19 personas

I love Neil Gaiman... but...

Revisado: 04-29-15

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

Definitely, assuming you can handle Gaiman's short stories. However, if you're like me and love to read/listen to character development that lasts a whole book's worth, then you might want to wait until Gaiman finishes his next novel.

I told myself after picking up "Fragile Things" that I wouldn't put myself through Gaiman's short stories again. Not because they aren't good, but because I want more! I am not so easily satisfied with the rich worlds and characters Gaiman creates, only to have their lives last but a few pages.

Would you ever listen to anything by Neil Gaiman again?

Of course. Neil Gaiman is my favorite author/narrator. (In fact, I almost had to stop listening to "American Gods," purely because Gaiman didn't narrate. I'm glad I stuck with it, though, because that's a wonderful book!)

What about Neil Gaiman’s performance did you like?

Whenever an author reads his or her own work, there's always that extra amount of passion behind the storytelling. This is true with Gaiman. Plus, I love to hear him say "room," and I often find myself repeating it aloud after hearing it. "Rum."

Did Trigger Warning inspire you to do anything?

Definitely. It inspired me to get back to my damn story about Victorian-era demons!

Any additional comments?

It's my opinion that Neil Gaiman is the greatest author alive today. I just wish I didn't find his short stories so frustratingly short!

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

Hilarious – especially for Utahns!

Revisado: 03-26-15

Would you listen to Gadzooks! again? Why?

I might, but I'm especially looking forward to listening to the other productions by Adele Park. The production value is incredible.

What did you like best about this story?

I enjoyed how the story – being set in the Fundamental Latter Day Saint world – was rife with topics we don't equate to the FLDS world, like marijuana, porn, lesbian and gay characters, etc. It made it really, really funny.

Which character – as performed by the narrators – was your favorite?

Nancy Neptune is hands-down my favorite character in the story.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

It definitely made me laugh!

Any additional comments?

I think people from Utah – especially Southern Utah – will particularly love this story. It's fun to imagine all the sister wives I see in Wal-Mart every day having these secret adventures to Las Vegas to sell skin cream and then off to Colorado to do a drug run.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

esto le resultó útil a 1 persona