Marilyn

Narration fantastic. Definitely "hard" SF

Revisado: 08-28-21

The narration was great! With the unfamiliar names it helped to help keep track of who was speaking. It's hard to believe one person could have so much variation his speaking. Lots of "science" with reality overlapping "fantasy" and unless you are really current on astrophysics, materials science and nuclear physics it's bit hard to tell where the fiction begins, but perhaps that is the sign of a good SF story. I hope the performance of the second book will be as enjoyable because I clearly need to keep going.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

Incredible narration and great story

Revisado: 09-03-18

So sad to have this book come to an end. I enjoyed it enormously. The story was entertaining and the take on Russian history from the experiences and eyes of someone held in a hotel on house arrest was so cleverly done. The reader was outstanding with the different accents and voices, and the “narrator“ was just wonderful to listen to. I highly recommend this book.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

Great performance

Revisado: 05-25-16

Reading and performance of this book was amazing. The accents and different voices really help you to keep track of who is speaking. Regarding the story, it is important to remember this book was written in the late 50s, so the attitudes (racist) are definitely dated. I was impressed by the weaving in of so much history. Some of the accounts of all the recent battles dragged- I'm not sure a could have read all of that, but listening was tolerable.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

I liked it more as it went along.

Revisado: 07-25-15

This is the third book on Cuba I have read since my recent trip there. I thought the narration was excellent, both for the first person and the voices of the other characters. I don't really see why others did not like the narrator.

At times the story wandered a bit, but I am sure it was intentional to illustrate the wandering of the boy's mind. I am not able to comment on the historical accuracy, but since this is a memoir, I take it to be the way the author remembers it. Lots of funny and interesting personal stories set within the larger issue of Cuba. Nostalgic for anyone brought up in the 1950's. It covers a lot of ground in the author's life, and does jump back and forth a bit, but there is no problem following what is going on. Definitely entertaining and a wonderful peek into the past of the author.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

esto le resultó útil a 1 persona

Covers both the Mob and Cuban history

Revisado: 06-11-15

Having just returned from a trip to Cuba I was interested in learning more about the country, particularly as related to the US. This book provided a fascinating look at both, with wonderful detailed digressions and details about the various characters, both Cuban and the American gangsters. I thought the narrator was perfect for this story- it deserves a deep, full voice. Great descriptions of the action, the people and the surroundings.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

I really wanted to like this book, but....

Revisado: 05-16-14

I got this book because I was planning a trip to Bhutan. I really wanted to like it, but....I just couldn't. First, the narrator is simply not a good reader. I understand he is the author, but this is just another example about why professional readers are just that- professionals. When I spend money to purchase an audiobook I do not want a DIY version. After hearing the sample I would not have bought this book, except I REALLY wanted to "read" another book about Bhutan. I also have a fair amount of outdoor/wilderness experience so I thought that would be interesting.

Unfortunately, all in all I was disappointed. The author seems to make a mountain out of a molehill for so many things. It is true that the Snowman Trek requires a certain level of fitness (although it was made by a senior citizen in his group and the mother of his "love interest") but he basically was a tourist on a packaged excursion. He did not have to plan anything other than packing his own bag back at home. All decisions were made by the professionals, and there was an army of staff to set up camp, serve tea in bed, prepare and serve dinners in a dining tent, not to mention a guide with a satellite radio lest there be an emergency. There is really nothing more for him to talk about except for a sore back from sleeping on the ground, or having to watch his step on steep trails- nothing different than hiking anywhere. He only had to carry a daypack- the 30 horses carried the gear for his group. All this is much less demanding than even a local backpacking trip where you are truly responsible for all your food, water, equipment, finding campsites etc. I did not feel any of the adventure that comes from a journey full of unexpected challenges. Arriving every day at the campsite chosen for you, with your tent all set up and someone handing you a cup of tea, is not exactly my idea of an adventure story.

Another mountain out of a molehill was his "love interest"- He went on and on and on, agonizing about simply walking over to the neighboring group to say hello and have tea. The whole Ingrid subplot was juvenile at best and never went anywhere. You'd think this adult male had never spoken to a female before in his life.

I read half the book before going to Bhutan, and I thought the bits about Bhutanese culture and history were interesting, although none of it was very deep. I finished the book after my own trip to Bhutan, which made me realize how much of Bhutan and the culture he missed.

The writing style, as mentioned by another reviewer, was sophomoric. His "inner critic" was mostly annoying. One might wonder why he wrote this book, but you find out why at the end- which I will not give away in case you still decide get it after reading the reviews and listening to the sample.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

esto le resultó útil a 2 personas