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Clifford & Jen

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  • opiniones
  • 4
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Star Wars: Lost Stars Audiolibro Por Claudia Gray arte de portada

Entertaining Star Wars Romance

Total
4 out of 5 stars
Ejecución
3 out of 5 stars
Historia
4 out of 5 stars

Revisado: 02-25-25

The story kept me engaged and entertained throughout. It was an interesting look in how a “good person” might end up serving the Empire and the toll serving the Empire takes on a person’s soul. It’s also a bit of a brother verse brother Civil War story except instead of brothers it’s lovers. Ultimately it is a romance novel.

It goes through the Original Trilogy stories kind of like the Phineas & Ferb Star Wars story does (but much more seriously), alongside and occasionally interacting with main characters. It does a better job depicting the Return of the Jedi aftermath better than the Aftermath novel does. There were times when believability felt stretched and too much sexual content for my taste especially for something billed as a young adult novel.

The narrator had an engaging cadence and did the dialogue very well. But there were many prose lines that screamed for a more emotional reading than he gave and which he did give in other parts of the book. Overall he did well and at times excellent, but the parts he fell short were distractingly noticeable.

I enjoyed Lost Stars and think many others would too; although, they would need to be a Star Wars fan and I’m not sure how many typical Star Wars fans would enjoy this kind of story, but I did so some will. So I recommend it, but with caveats

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Mixed Feelings

Total
3 out of 5 stars
Ejecución
3 out of 5 stars
Historia
3 out of 5 stars

Revisado: 12-24-24

I debated between giving this 3 or 4 stars. I gave it 3 because it the writing style was too dry and technical at times - I found "How Should We Then Live?" much more enjoyable read. Also, I'm not sure he was the best at what he was aiming to do, but on this last point I'm not sure. Did he accurately explain why the 60s & 70s became such a time of despair in the west? And is it all still relevant in the west of the 2020s? Is it applicable to current the global online youth culture? I'm still processing all this, and I'm probably not the best person to discern the answers. If he did accurately explain the intellectual pathway to the despair of the 60s & 70s, then it does at least explain a point along the pathway to today. However, I don't think a complete abandonment of truth has ever fully penetrated the whole culture because, as Schaeffer himself points out, it is ultimately untenable, counter-intuitive, and simply unpractical for everyday life. However, academia has continued down its path, so perhaps he remains relevant to those ministering in those circles. I'm not sure.

But what was he aiming to do? This was what I enjoyed most of the book. Reminding Christians we must be engaging with the culture instead of retreating from it; especially pointing out that more and more our evangelism can't start by pointing out people our sinners, because many no longer feel the depth of that reality or even agree what sin is or if there even is such a thing as sin. Even Ken Hamm recently put out a book making such a case as that is becoming more the cultural reality even in the Bible Belt. In this need Schaeffer was a leading voice of awareness in American Evangelicalism. And it is clear it comes from a real love for the lost, the coming generations, and for the Christ Himself and to see all people come to Him. However, I think accomplishing this goal has been better accomplished, at least in book form, by the likes of C. S. Lewis and the recently passed Rev. Dr. Timothy Keller. The latter's example I think shows we don't necessarily need Schaeffer's intellectual framework, but if we take the example of his heart posture and proactively engage whatever culture God has placed us in, we can develop the tools and messaging needed to penetrate those cultures with the Gospel, and making disciples there. Keller's example also seems to point to importance of church planting which was lacking in Schaeffer's emphasis as well.

In summary, Schaeffer challenge to love all the lost (especially the "most" lost), to be proactive as evangelists, and to intellectual prepare ourselves (and honestly so), and our next generations against the false philosophies of our day is one we need to continue to heed. However, since there are others who do this better, I don't think I would recommend Schaeffer for this purpose. At this point, I think the most logical reason to read this Schaeffer work is for the study of Western Evangelicalism of the late 20th century as he was such a huge influence then.

The narrator isn't the most engaging read, but at the same time his cadence sounds like Schaeffer's in his documentaries, so it is also seems true to the source

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Delightful, Charming, Fun, and Even Insightful

Total
4 out of 5 stars
Ejecución
4 out of 5 stars
Historia
4 out of 5 stars

Revisado: 12-10-24

There is a reason this book is a beloved classic, and I finally got to taste it for myself. Charming language and comedic insights on human conversation are some of my favorite aspects of the story telling. That and the full embrace of childhood animation which I suppose is at the essence of the stories.

I listened to it in audiobook from along with my children and they too were all delightfully engaged with the stories.

The edition we listened to was Peter Dennis’ narration. It was well done. There are several complaints about his reading about the “oink” he gives after everything piglet says. My kids also shared this complaint; although, at times it also proved a nice comedic element. I would generally recommend Dennis narration as I found it overall excellent, but it’s probably good to have that oink in your expectations.

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Solid Narration of an Amazing Story

Total
5 out of 5 stars
Ejecución
4 out of 5 stars
Historia
5 out of 5 stars

Revisado: 11-25-24

Of the greatness of The Return of the King, much has been said. I will only add that though I have read this book several times before I was even more emotionally moved by the story this time around.

That I was so moved indicates that Andy Serkis’ narration was well done. My main critique is that I wasn’t fond of the voice he used for Denethor. Also the voice Beregond was too similar to the voice he used for Pippin so that was a bit confusing at times. In the appendices he kept switching between 2 different voices and I don’t know of anything in the text to lead him to do that yet it seemed intentional on his part. Perhaps it was a method to keep the long informational prose engaging? Overall, I think Inglis’ narration is better. But again Serkis’ narration is good and I think provides an extra selection from the appendices, something devoted fans are likely to appreciate.

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Best of the Serkis Narrations so Far

Total
5 out of 5 stars
Ejecución
5 out of 5 stars
Historia
5 out of 5 stars

Revisado: 06-01-24

This was my favorite of the Serkis narrations so far and the first that I felt was at least on par, and perhaps even better, than the Inglis narrations. I don’t know if it’s because I’ve finally gotten used to Serkis voice (and forgot it’s his and just got lost in the story), if it’s that after The Hobbit and the Fellowship, Serkis finally found the perfect groove, or perhaps it’s because this book has so much of the character he is most famous for in Gollum/Sméagol. Whatever the case it was excellent and helped me get lost in this most excellent story.

Personally Two Towers was always my favorite installment of The Lord of the Rings. In large part because Treebeard and Gollum might be my favorite characters of the story. I also always loved Samwise in this one. The buildup of his character to the last couple chapters. His epic battle with Shelob. His “choices” in the final chapter. It also has such a chilling end.

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Fun Lewis Collection

Total
4 out of 5 stars
Ejecución
3 out of 5 stars
Historia
4 out of 5 stars

Revisado: 03-16-24

This was a fun collection of some Lewis thoughts on English & Literature, which I suppose were more in line with his professional area of expertise. I think I particularly enjoyed the essay On Science Fiction.

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Solid Narration by Serkis Although I Think I Prefer Inglis

Total
5 out of 5 stars
Ejecución
4 out of 5 stars
Historia
5 out of 5 stars

Revisado: 02-01-24

I think Serkis’ narration of The Fellowship is an improvement over his narration of the Hobbit. Some of his voices for the characters seem to be influenced by the Jackson film adaptations Serkis was so famously apart of. Definitely a solid narration (a perhaps perfect Bombadil!), but I think I prefer the Inglis narration still. Either way the listener gets what I believe to be the greatest novel every written in English literature.

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Some Good Apologetic Thoughts From Lewis

Total
4 out of 5 stars
Ejecución
3 out of 5 stars
Historia
4 out of 5 stars

Revisado: 12-15-23

Some classic Lewis insights, much of which has apologetic value. Most of the essays I have found in other Lewis collections; although I think one or two were new to me. I recommend to any Lewis fan and to skeptics open to defenses of the Christian faith.

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Put the Science into Science Fiction

Total
3 out of 5 stars
Ejecución
4 out of 5 stars
Historia
3 out of 5 stars

Revisado: 11-27-23

Whereas much contemporary science fiction tends to be fantasy stories with a naturalist instead of a magical worldview. But the father of science fiction, Jules Verne seems to get his enjoyment from contemplating actual scientific theories and letting his imagination take them to interesting places (and then inviting readers to join him on the journey). Unfortunately for me, those scientific contemplations are not really my cup of tea, so stretches of this book were a bit dull for me. It’s definitely more caught up in exploring the ideas than the story itself. It was like reading the appendix to a fantasy story, but instead it was supposed to be the main story. Fun and interesting but not as engaging or exciting. Though it definitely had its exciting moments.

Tim Curry’s narration was fun.

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Moriarty Anti-Hero Story

Total
4 out of 5 stars
Ejecución
5 out of 5 stars
Historia
3 out of 5 stars

Revisado: 11-02-23

I’m generally not fond of stories that make a classic hero a villain, but I am fond of anti-hero stories, so the general plot of this story contained something I hated and something I loved. I just couldn’t bring myself to appreciate Holmes as a villain. But Moriarty’s anti-hero story? *chef’s kiss*

The overall production quality is also excellent. The voice actors performances superb. It was especially fun having Dominic Monaghan & Billy Boyd as a duo again, and in very different sorts of roles than I’ve seen/heard them do before. And they did them so well!

If you enjoy stories set in 19th century London, if you enjoy a dark mystery, if you enjoy an anti-hero story, if you enjoy Dom & Billy!, then I recommend this story.

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