vanessa

Wasted opportunity

Revisado: 08-06-19

Unique story weighed down by minutiae, propaganda and dull narration. Russian pronunciation is distractingly bad.

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esto le resultó útil a 2 personas

Disappointing

Revisado: 05-07-16

What disappointed you about Revolution 1989?

The fall of the Soviet Empire which from this distance seems like it must always have been inevitable, but which at the time surprised just about everyone- what could be more interesting? Just about everything as it turns out.

There was nothing I could point to that was specifically untrue, but I found this book really propaganda-y. I get it, communism is bad, but could the author not have allowed the facts to speak for themselves? Despite multiple attempts I simply could not get past chapter 5 (about 2.5 hours in) my lasting impression of this book is that it was disjointed and somehow desperately dull.

Any additional comments?

For anyone looking for a good Cold War era read I would recommend Iron Curtain: The Crushing of Eastern Europe 1944-1956 by Anne Applebaum or the surprisingly engaging The Sword and the Shield by Christopher Andrew and Vasili Mitrokhin as Audible alternatives.

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Terrible Missmatch of Book and Narrator

Revisado: 04-04-16

What did you like best about The Bronze Horseman? What did you like least?

I first read this book several years ago and really enjoyed it. It's a different and surprisingly moving take on the siege of Leningrad during world war two. It's also a love story and let's be brutally honest, brimming with historical inaccuracies - Alexander must be the most highly trained, best informed lieutenant in the Red Army!

How did the narrator detract from the book?

The narrator seemed embarrassed, it was uncomfortable to listen to. You know what you are getting into when you listen to a romance, you have to be willing to turn a blind eye sometimes and just buy into it, the same way you agree to believe in the rules of sci fi. The narrator did not seem to be comfortable with that agreement and as a listener, well, you feel a bit silly.

Any additional comments?

There is another version available on Audible with a different narrator. If you know and like this book, or are considering it, the other version is definitely worth a listen.

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Hard work

Revisado: 07-15-14

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

Only if they REALLY loved history.

I found the perspective of the British Intelligence workers in the immediate aftermath of the war absolutely fascinating at times, but this is basically a departmental report meant for internal reading only. It is tedious, slow and at times deadly boring, don't expect any action or drama, but there is some gold dust in there too. The introduction is smart and thought provoking and if you are up for it Defeating Hitler is well worth the effort.

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Thorough, Facinating and Well Narrated

Revisado: 06-25-14

What made the experience of listening to Exorcising Hitler the most enjoyable?

The narration. No matter how well versed you are in the subject area even the best non fiction of this kind can get a little dry at times, but the excellent narration kept things flowing.

What other book might you compare Exorcising Hitler to and why?

Endgame by David Stafford, Germany 1945 by Richard Bessel come immediately to mind. This is easily my favourite.

Have you listened to any of Matt Bates’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I haven't listened to anything by this narrator before. I did appreciate that unlike a lot of narration for this genre Matt Bates' performance never felt or sounded condescending. For some reason some of the best books of this kind are narrated in a stilted, stuffy way that distracts from the material.

Any additional comments?

One of the best books of this kind available on audible. Highly recommended.

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Predictable, Lighthearted Fun

Revisado: 02-23-14

Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?

If they were looking for a light-hearted easy listen.

What three words best describe Davina Porter’s voice?

The narration, like the story, is fun, easy to listen to and inoffensive. Well matched.

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MAGNIFICENT!!

Revisado: 02-22-14

Would you consider the audio edition of Life and Fate: The Complete Series (Dramatised) to be better than the print version?

Life and Fate is a wonderful, rich, beautifully written story, but it's also a tough read. This dramatized version is much more accessible and superbly done.

Which character – as performed by Kenneth Branagh and David Tennant – was your favorite?

This is a real ensemble with threads of dozens of characters' stories woven together.Viktor's doctor mother is based on the author's own mother who died in occupied Ukraine and even without knowing that, her farewell letter to her son and her lingering presence in his consciousness is very moving. For some reason in this version I quite like Zhenya's tank commander and the scenes with Tolya and his radio operator.

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

I wanted to, but didn't. Listening or reading this story leaves you with a lot to think about and a bit emotionally wrung out. I was glad when each chapter gave me a convenient place to stop.

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esto le resultó útil a 10 personas

an ok story beautifully narrated

Revisado: 02-22-14

Would you consider the audio edition of Burial Rites to be better than the print version?

Undoubtedly. The story itself, though well written is a bit disappointing. There is a lot of build up but it doesn't end up leading anywhere. I might not have continued to the end if it weren't for the wonderful narration.

How would you have changed the story to make it more enjoyable?

The detail of life in 1800's Iceland was infinitely more interesting than the story itself.

What about Morven Christie’s performance did you like?

EVERYTHING. This is actually the second book I have bought from Audible with Morven Christie narrating, though I didn't notice at first as the other performance was very different and in a Scottish accent. Each character's voice is distinct and clear, when they story says they sound tired or anxious, they do. I will definitely be listening to any future offerings by this narrator.

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BAD. SO VERY VERY BAD

Revisado: 02-22-14

What disappointed you about Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy?

I love Darcy and Elizabeth. I think I must have read Pride and Prejudice at least once a year since I was 12. The couple in this story bear no resemblance in any way to the characters I love so much. It reads like bad fanfiction written by someone who saw the movie once.

What could Abigail Reynolds have done to make this a more enjoyable book for you?

I will not be bothering with any other offerings from this author.

Would you be willing to try another one of Rachel E. Hurley’s performances?

It's difficult to tell with something so painfully bad as this how much of said badness the narrator may or may not be responsible for. Presumably she made it the whole way through the story at least once, which is a lot more than I could manage.

What reaction did this book spark in you? Anger, sadness, disappointment?

All of the above and more, but not in a good way.

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A wonderful classic beautifully read

Revisado: 02-22-14

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

Persuasion is my favourite Austen and not only does this version do it justice, it was even better than I remembered.

Which scene was your favorite?

I am quite partial to the scenes where Anne is so very aware of Captain Wentworth's presence, even when they interact very little. We have all been there and to my mind this kind of longing and depth of feeling can be somewhat lacking in Jane Austen's other books.

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