Michael

The best Jane Austen with the best narrator ever

Revisado: 12-18-15

Would you listen to Emma - The 200th Anniversary Audio Edition again? Why?

Alison Larkin brings new life and fun to one of Jane Austen's greatest stories. Perhaps because Larkin was raised in England and trained as an actress who has appeared in London and Broadway she is able to add a new and more dramatic interest to this wonderful tale. Because she is a best selling author herself, Larkin also knows how to build the narrative and bring out all the wit and emotional every word and scene.

What did you like best about this story?

I had never realized how much fun Jane Austen could be--and how relevant many of the situations were to the modern world today. Larkin has a way of making us interested in all the characters and every turn of the plot.

What about Alison Larkin’s performance did you like?

Larkin imbues every word with a meaning and and every character with an authentic accent that involves us and makes us a kind of eager participant in Austen's wonderful world..

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

I wanted to listen to this book in one sitting, but had to come back to it a couple of times. Each time I was immediately immersed in this great creation by Larkin's unique ability to bring new life to such a classic tale.

Any additional comments?

Every fan of Jane Austen will love Larkin's narration of her work!

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Never better audio of Christie Mystery

Revisado: 10-15-15

I am a great fan of Agatha Christie but have never heard such a great audio of her greatest mystery.

Perhaps because Alison Larkin was raised in England. And maybe because she has been a successful actress her accents are wonderful--and so authentic.

Most important Larkin brings each character and each dramatic turn in this exciting story to new life!

I am certain Agatha Christie would be delighted that such a talented and perfect narrator has been found for her brilliant work!

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A Match Made in Audio Book Heaven

Revisado: 05-04-15

What made the experience of listening to Alice's Adventures in Wonderland and Through the Looking-Glass the most enjoyable?

It only takes a miracle. You only have to find an award-winning narrator who is both a brilliant actor AND comedienne. When you have found her-- match her unique experience and multi-talents with a story that has been a best seller for over 150 years! Alison Larkin brings her great many gifts--including an uncanny ability togive a irresistible voice and character to every creature great and small--to this wonderful Anniversary Edition of Lewis Carroll's immortal classic comedy. What new fun enchantment we are able to enjoy in this delightfully funny and dramatic new version. We are also treated to an extra bonus at the end of the reading from a letter written by the original Alice when shewas married later in life and asked how she was able to convince a rather distinguished Oxford Professor Dobson--AKA Lewis Carroll-- to continue telling her stories when he grew tired. The mature Alice recounts: "When he said i will tell you more 'next time' my sisters and I all cried: 'But this IS next time!'" Don't wait for "next time"! This audio book is a great time for anyone who wishes to hear a miraculous match of a uniquely gifted narrator with this most original and captivating tale.

What did you like best about this story?

I was surprised at how a story I loved when I was so young is still so relevant to someone of my rather advanced age. White haired "old" Father William, for example, is asked whether standing on his head: "is quite right?"My yoga-teaching daughter assures me that such a daily exercise is essential. And when the Queen advises us to "believe 6 impossible things before breakfast" I have taken her advice and find the whole day moves much more happily after such an invigorating mental exercise. Not that I can't relate to the sleepy Door Mouse or the Mad Hatter and his rather chaotic tea party! In fact, I find this whole upside down world in which virtually every word is full of so many meanings--rather a home away from home, if you know what I m

Which character – as performed by Alison Larkin – was your favorite?

I loved the White Rabbit who became a very energetic type of Scottish person. I also loved the Mock Turtle and, of course, Alison Larkin brought new excitement and fun to the Mad Hatter's Tea Party, the outlandish Red Queen--and the whole experience of entering a world in which everything was so funny and so surprising.

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

I was moved by Alison Larkin's beautiful characterization of Alice whose curiosity and good nature was continually tested by a wide range of challenges. Growing so big and then so small and encountering a whole culture which seemed so dedicated to making fun of her! And I loved the fact that Alison Larkin's Alice never gave up, and always found a way to be true to herself...and had the strength to move forward even in this dream of a story!

Any additional comments?

I had always enjoyed Alice in Wonderland--but Alison Larkin brought a whole new sense of drama and comedy to the story. She gives Alice and all the creatures she meets such a real and convincing and dramatic personality it was almost as though you were carried along by the most exciting kind of mystery novel--but with a lot more humor, and a lot more fun!

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Alison Larkin Brings Out All the Wit & Drama

Revisado: 12-02-14

What made the experience of listening to The Blood of an Englishman the most enjoyable?

Alison Larkin narrates with a talent of an actress of proven success in London and Broadway. She is able to capture the personality of every character. And bring out the drama of every scene!

What did you like best about this story?

From the first word I knew I was going to be listening to a narrator who knew how to bring out the tension and excitement as well as the humor of this most engaging mystery.I wanted to stop my life so I could fully enjoy every moment!

What does Alison Larkin bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

As a successful actress who grew up in England Alison Larkin has such an expert knowledge of various accents and characters and is able to bring her rare talent and experience to bring this mystery to life in such a powerful and persuasive way.

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

I loved those moments when love surprised Agatha at sometimes the most inappropriate moments.

Any additional comments?

Alison Larkin by experience and proven talent is obviously the ideal narrator for this witty and dramatic English mystery.

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The Best Birthday Story Ever

Revisado: 07-22-14

Where does The Birthday Dinosaur rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

This is the best Birthday Story ever because it conveys with such charm and drama the important truth of never leaving behind the creative imagination of a child.
No tale I have every heard is so powerful in keeping that precious sense of
magic in the world alive.
A young friend of mine when he heard it said: "WOW!"

And then he asked to hear it again. And again. And again!

Who was your favorite character and why?

My favorite character is the Dinosaur who speaks with such an engaging and original voice. I have never known any character in any book that has the range of emotion and cheerful wisdom.
And as usual Alison Larkin delivers every word for every character in such a unique and dramatic way..

Which scene was your favorite?

My favorite scene was the first and last--when the Dinosaur comes to share his magic to the little boy...and when he returns the Birthday Boy safely to his bed.

It is an ideal Birthday Story for anyone of any age because it reminds us all that although we might grow old--we should always be young to the magic possibilities of life!

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

I think is more fun to hear this original story at one time for it conveys such an emotional as well as almost a spiritual lesson of the importance of the imagination and savoring each precious moment of life--rather than rushing on to "grow up"!

Any additional comments?

In this great story Alison Larkin shows so many talents--writer, narrator, and most of all an artist with such a creative imagination to share so helpfully with the wider world.

No one but Larkin could have written or narrated such a story with more charm, clarity, variety, and dramatic impact.

I agree with my young friend on his reaction : "WOW"!

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Great Story Great Narrator about the Great War

Revisado: 05-30-14

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

It is so rare to find a a well written story with such a great narrator about an historic subject that has become known as "the Great War."

Who was your favorite character and why?

My favorite character was Rob, the Scottish doctor. Alison Larkin brought his accent and personality to life in a way that I will never forget.And it was amazing to me how well Alison Larkin also gave such dramatic and impactfulpersonalities to the heroine, and all the other major characters.The range of her accents and understanding of the backgrounds and motivations of all the people in this fascinating story gave me a sense that I was living in that transformative age.I learned more than I ever imagined about World War I in a way that kept me listening as though it were the latest mystery.Congratulations to the author and narrator for creating such an entertaining and educational experience!

What does Alison Larkin bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

She brings such a gift of authenticity to every character. Just the right accent for a Scottish doctor or a Lord or a Lady--each with their own unique personality.You forgot this is a work of fiction, and become totally involved in the story--you even forget in a sense it is an audio book for Alison Larkin makes every character so real.

If you could take any character from Somewhere in France out to dinner, who would it be and why?

I would chose Rob, the Scottish doctor. He was a genuine hero who risked his life to help others. And he loved with such passion that he was able to put his own desires in second place. He also seemed to have an excellent perspective about life, and how important each moment can be.

Any additional comments?

Congratulations to author and narrator for creating such a powerful and dramatic work of art.Listening to this story--with such memorable characters and scenes brought to life by the narrator in such a remarkable way--is an experience that I will never forget.

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