Jacquelyn D. Wood

I wish there was a Jones in my world.

Revisado: 05-07-24

Wonderful! Read or listen to this book... just do it! You won't be sorry!! Perspective!

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Such a moving, profound story, I love this book!

Revisado: 09-09-19

Guaranteed to stir your emotions oh, and just getting to hear Alice Walker herself narrate her story makes it that much more endearing, and moving. It really makes you think of so much and I believe the lessons that these characters learned can be applied to any of our lives. Do not hesitate to grab this audiobook.

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Fell in love with Kya, she is so strong

Revisado: 07-18-19

"Where the Crawdads Sing" is a "coming-of-age crime drama" about a little girl, known in her town mostly as "the marsh girl", abandoned and growing up alone in the marshes of North Carolina".

The book opens immediately to 1969 and a picture of a map and two 10 year old boys from town who discover the dead body of Chase Andrews, a popular, handsome ladies' man, and local highschool football hero, rich snobby southern family, you know the type. Chase is one of two men who fall in love with Kya, our protagonist, Kyra (Miss Katherine Danielle Clark), who's painfully shy, stays to herself and has learned through necessity and little choice to raise herself and survive, growing up in these backwoods alone. Except for "Jumpin", a local bait shop owner and his wife, Mabel, everyone else left her to fend for herself, never offering food, clothing, love or kindness. The townspeople shun her, call her dirty and make fun of her, creating for lack of a better word, a local "myth" of her that is nothing short of ugly rumors and cold prejudice. Therefore, her story of survival, self-reliance and eventually love will have you really rooting for this poor, sweet underdog.

I listened to this book on Audio (Audible.com) as I do most books, due to my work commute, which makes for about 45 minutes of a good story. So if you are an Audiobook listener, then you will enjoy this one, as the Narrator, Cassandra Campbell was gentle, and easy-going, also bringing to life the characters for me. I read a review that complained about the southern accents, but being from Tennessee and Mississippi, I'm used to hearing people butcher the southern accent. It's not an easy thing to get if you're not originally from the south.

Given that, I feel she did a fine job of performing each character.

(the rest may contain spoilers, so read at your own risk)

Now, for my thoughts on the book itself, and the story housed within:

I'm not even sure how I ran across this book, as I don't currently do any book club, and nobody that I knew "suggested" it... I just picked it at random, maybe because of the cover art, or the title. With audiobooks I always try to pick something that is a decent length too, so all those factors, and I thought "Why not, let's give it a chance."

The story immediately drew me in, although at times, slow-going with extremely descriptive texts about the marsh, nature and all of the birds and insects living in this ecosystem of the marsh, which some won't mind, others might find boring... depends on the person I guess. I happened to enjoy the inner mind of Kya, as she grew to learn many things and actually make more of herself than you would expect of this character, given her circumstances.

Kya learns to elude truent officers, and many others as they tried to get her to go to school, and she attended one day and was made fun of and shunned by the other kids, so she never goes back... She was only 6 years old when her Mother abandoned the family due to her Father's alcoholism and abuse, and soon after the rest of her siblings, including her brother, Jody (who she was very close with) followed suit. So early on, she doesn't know how to read, or really cook much at all and must teach herself everything along the way.

The other boy (who cares greatly for Kya), "Tate" helps her learn to read, and teachers her many things that help her find a path that she loves.

Not to give away too many spoilers, as you should read this and enjoy it unfold as I did... I just want to say that although the story itself has a lot of sadness, and maybe even some we can identify with ourselves, the overall book is a happy one... that's all I will really say. Now do yourself a favor and go to "Where the Crawdads Sing"... stay awhile.

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it was okay, I had seen the movie so I wanted

Revisado: 08-24-18

I had seen the movie so I wanted to read the book. I chose to do the audiobook, the narrator's were okay there were some annoying parts and sometimes they got on my nerves but the storyline kept my interest and I was able to finish the book. I guess you could say it was a decent read, not the best book I've ever read but not the worst.

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a story like this hits home

Revisado: 10-12-16

the narrator for this book did a good job I was able to listen to the story without being annoying. the story hits home in my heart because of a soulmate feeling situation that I had that never quite got over. So I can understand these two characters and how they feel about each other and how they had to go through life. It's kind of a simple story but it's one you should give a chance if you have not seen the movie or read the book Bridges of Madison County check it out. I just decided to listen to this one because I wanted to hear the story from the photographer's standpoint and see what else was brought to the storyline from there. I enjoyed it.

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Wish I was at the table with Skeeter and Aibileen!

Revisado: 06-06-12

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

Absolutely YES!! The storyline is engaging, heart-felt, and just draws you in. You feel as though you are right there with the characters, and those who narrate this bring the book to life right between your ears. I've listened more than once! Great use of my credit!

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Help?

There are so many, but I really love when Aibileen and Minnie go into the Church and are celebrated and honored with the book. Just feeling the pride of their accomplishment and the hope of making some difference moves me.

Which scene was your favorite?

Since I despise Hilly Holbrook, I love that she greedily inhaled TWO SLICES of the pie.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

I really get so sad about Constantine being forced to leave, and get teary-eyed over the love between her and Skeeter.

Any additional comments?

I wish there was a sequel so I could see what happens for Skeeter and for Aibileen.

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Story Mildly Entertaining, Narrator Abysmal!

Revisado: 06-06-12

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

Not at all, as I stated in the headline the story is mildly entertaining as it's kind of fun listening to the character get all worked up and being so intimidated by Grey, but as far as 'good writing', it makes me think that any child 'not left behind' can write OR EDIT a book nowadays. Too much repitititititition, and cheesy references to things. I think it could have been made way more erotic and sensual, and the character can still come off innocent, without sounding like a complete stiff-sounding twit. This "Becca Battoe" sounded like she was uncomfortably reading from cue cards. Also, if I heard the words "Holy Crap", "Double Crap", "Crap", or any other fecal-exclamation, I might have jumped out a window.The only thing that keeps me interested is my simple fixation on hoping that the 'hot but bossy' "Christian Grey" beats the "Holy Crap" out of the narrator. =)

Would you ever listen to anything by E L James again?

I might consider it, if they have someone tolerable, maybe even captivating to read for the audio.

Who would you have cast as narrator instead of Becca Battoe?

Drew Barrymore (I just like her), Heather Jane Hogan, I'm not sure--Someone who can do "Innocent" but still bring a little life to the role.

Did Fifty Shades of Grey inspire you to do anything?

Yeah, beg for my credit back, and maybe call up a FWB and make my own story ha-ha.

Any additional comments?

I doubt I check out the other two books in the series, and by no means am I a prude, because I can read and write some erotica for that matter, and I don't mean to be a literary snob, but this book is just not something I would recommend unless you are easily entertained, and NOT EASILY agitated by annoying narrators.

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