Mary Lynne Jarvis

Valuable look at Depression history in story form

Revisado: 02-25-13

Would you listen to The Grapes of Wrath again? Why?

No. I couldn't take the sadness and the swearing again, but I'm glad I heard it and got a feel for the Depression.

Who was your favorite character and why?

The mother. She was the glue that held all members together through it all.

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

I like the way he was able to make his voice and pronunciation sound like the characters he was depicting.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

Truly disappointing

Revisado: 01-08-13

This book wasn’t for you, but who do you think might enjoy it more?

I have been a Children's Librarian for 30 years and considered J.K. Rowling to be one of the most talented authors ever. Knowing her gift of keeping the reader engaged, I decided to try her adult novel expecting at least something intriguing. Instead it seemed as if a Jr. High kid had just learned a bunch of bad words and wanted to show off his/her new knowledge in the most shocking and distasteful situations. I was disgusted with not only the language but the descriptions of teenage erection, masturbation, and sexual exploits. None of the characters were really likable, so I struggled to listen until something happened that could keep my interest. I really tried. As a professional I consider it unfair to judge a book without reading the whole thing, but I just couldn't force myself to download the 2nd and 3rd portions onto my Ipod. I gave up at the end of the 1st part, so this review is admittedly unfair. If I were to recommend this to a friend, I would definitely lose all respect from that friend. I think sexually curious Jr. High kids would like it a little better than I did, but they, like I, would find it boring. It had nothing to hold the interest of anyone I'm acquainted with.

What do you think the narrator could have done better?

I would have been embarrassed to have been the narrator and use the expletives so thoroughly. I have no complaints with the job he did. He was appropriately British.

You didn’t love this book... but did it have any redeeming qualities?

Well, the guy who died at the beginning sounded like a decent individual. Too bad he didn't stick around longer.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

Pretty much what one would expect

Revisado: 01-08-13

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

I have never been an aficionado of the movie, but wanted to hear the book to see whether maybe I was missing something. It was okay, but I don't want to listen twice. I would neither recommend nor discourage a friend to read the book.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

Exciting but less believable

Revisado: 10-29-12

Would you listen to Rise of the Elgen again? Why?

No. This book was not as wonderful as the first in the series. It had a little too much gore for my taste. The characters were well developed but when their powers became even greater than they had been in the first book, it made my logical mind wonder how their body, especially Michael's, could survive the extra burden of the power surges. I'll have to say that the narration was amazing. The way the voices would change and the tone would change, made it a really exciting listen.

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

I think that the descriptions were a little too vivid when the rats were devouring their meal. I guess I would have tried to figure out a way to leave more to the imagination. I also was shocked at the ending and would have liked to have this be the last in the series, but I can see that it won't be.

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

He knew exactly how to use inflection and accents to distinguish between characters and to convey the mood of the story. Excellent narration!!!

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

Pretty much. We listened to it while traveling and got through it in two long sittings. I looked forward to the second day.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

esto le resultó útil a 1 persona

Boring!

Revisado: 08-13-12

What would have made The Higher Power of Lucky better?

I naturally am drawn to books that have received the Newbery Medal endorsement, which I understood this book to have received, but there was nothing fun, exciting, mysterious, intriguing, or heartwarming about this book. I'm not sure who would like it, but definitely not this retired children's librarian. I want action, emotion, or magic. This had very little of any of that. Maybe a 4th grade girl who hasn't read much of anything else might find some interest here.

What could Susan Patron have done to make this a more enjoyable book for you?

More intrigue.

Which character – as performed by Cassandra Campbell – was your favorite?

The best part of this was the whole performance of the book's characters.

You didn’t love this book... but did it have any redeeming qualities?

Yes. The little boy was found and saved. The town rallied around the children. And Lucky found out she had misunderstood what her caregiver intended to do. But it was all so predictable that only a child would not have missed guessing how it would end.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

esto le resultó útil a 1 persona