Norma Gustafson

Makes you stop and think!

Revisado: 12-21-14

What made the experience of listening to The Seamstress the most enjoyable?

Enjoyable? Hum, let's see, I enjoyed the story even though it was extremely sad and very hard to listen to at times but I wanted to heard every single word.

What other book might you compare The Seamstress to and why?

Anne Frank

Which character – as performed by Wanda McCaddon – was your favorite?

Sara

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Yes because we take things for granted. It makes us realize how very small our troubles are compared to those who lived through what Sara and all the others did and that anyone survived is amazing.

Any additional comments?

Great book, I'm so thankful it was written as I know there are people who deny this ever took place or that it was greatly exaggerated. It couldn't have been easy to relive this as she told her story.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

Narrator voice was so annoying

Revisado: 12-20-14

Would you try another book from Diane Chamberlain and/or Justine Eyre?

Yes just not read by this narrator. I tried to listen because the story sounded very interesting but I just couldn't do it.

What didn’t you like about Justine Eyre’s performance?

NO

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

esto le resultó útil a 15 personas

I wanted to listen non-stop!

Revisado: 11-22-14

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

Very near the very top. I was certainly not disappointed that I picked this book.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Silent Sister?

Oh dear, there were just so many that it's too hard to pick just one.

Which character – as performed by Susan Bennett – was your favorite?

I loved Riley although I thought all of the characters were done very well.

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

Many, many, many moments. There were happy moments, sad moments, heart wrenching moments and every other emotion I can think of.

Any additional comments?

Since I have been with Audible for 10 or more years, on and off, I have purchased a lot of books. I am not sure if I've read any written by Diane Chamberlain or narrated by Susan Bennett but I do know they are now on my favorites list. This book title says "Book 1" and I can hardly wait to see what book 2 has in store.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

esto le resultó útil a 31 personas

Read this!

Revisado: 02-11-13

Would you listen to Moloka’i again? Why?

I never plan on listening to any of my books again and then, as I am scrolling through my library, I see a title that I listened to a few years back and once again I am drawn to it. I am sure this will be one such book.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Moloka’i?

When she heard her daughters voice on the phone, very emotional.

What about Anne Noelani Miyamoto’s performance did you like?

The gentleness of her voice, very easy to listen to. It was listening to the sample she read that convinced me to purchase this book.

If you could rename Moloka’i, what would you call it?

I love this title so I can't think of one that would be better.

Any additional comments?

YES, purchase this book! I almost didn't. I put in on my wish list and thought several times about whether to purchase it or not. I wasn't sure if I wanted to hear about the pain and suffering I knew in this book but I was drawn in by the cover as well as the title, then I listened to the sample and that convinced me. I am so glad I did! This story took me so many places in my head and my heart.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

Loved it, loved it, did I mention I loved it!

Revisado: 01-23-13

Would you consider the audio edition of The Chaperone to be better than the print version?

I have not read the print version. I use to love reading a book but found myself torn because there were so many other things I needed to be doing. Now I listen and find it hard to even want to read a book. Elizabeth McGovern add so much, as the narrator she breathed life into the story :)

Who was your favorite character and why?

Cora, she just touched my heart.

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

I love Elizabeth McGovern's voice, I thought it was perfect for this story.

If you could take any character from The Chaperone out to dinner, who would it be and why?

Cora, so we could talk for hours about all the changes she witnessed in her lifetime.

Any additional comments?

I purchased this book not knowing it had anything to do with Kansas. I nearly fell out of my chair when I heard the cities of Wichita and McPherson mentioned over and over. I live in McPherson and regularly visit Wichita so I could identify with Union Station, Douglas Ave and many more places. I could imagine how wonderful it must have been growing up just outside McPherson in the late 1800, early 1900 because it is still a wonderful place to live. I loved that so many actual historical events were covered in this book. So many of the 'ways' of the first half of the 1900's that I remember or have heard about but had forgotten, I enjoyed being taken back in time and reminded how far we have come.

This story made me think about so many things, like complicated relationships. I think we often assume these are things that are only dealt with in todays world but that is only because so many things, back then, were so hush-hush, they existed but just were never spoken of. I remember well, as a teenager in the 60's, the absolute shame and dishonor attached to being 'knocked-up', your family and friends might even disown you! It would completely ruin your life forever if anybody found out about it. Just the rumor that you might have 'gone all the way' with a boy could ruin your reputation forever. To this day I think still about women my age who probably still miss the babies they were forced to give up for adoption &/or abort. I do think many things have changed for the good, but there are still some things that I wish would have remained the same.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

I wish I could have a secret garden :)

Revisado: 11-26-12

What did you love best about The Forgotten Garden?

How it kept me thinking I had it figured out and how wrong I was.
I really enjoyed the fairy tales throughout the book and I loved the way they intertwined with the story.

What other book might you compare The Forgotten Garden to and why?

None compare except maybe Kate Morton's other books because they are alike because they are so well written, yet they are very different stories. Kate's style of writing is just beautiful.

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

I also listened to her read The Secret Keeper. Her voice is lovely and I just love listening to her. I plan on listening to her read Kate Morton's other books and I will also be checking to see what other books she has read.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I laughed, cried and many times I was shocked by the twists and turns. I was amazed how I always thought I had it all figured out only to find out I was wrong, I love that about her books.

Any additional comments?

I was totally hooked at the very beginning and I love the timeline of this book, the way it skips from generation to generation yet you never get confused by it. It was a long story but I could have listened to it forever.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

Never wanted it to end

Revisado: 11-26-12

What did you love best about The Secret Keeper?

I actually loved the way it all took place across so many years. The time frame is nearly the same as my own life.

Who was your favorite character and why?

The mother, probably because she reminded me of my mother who is terminally ill.

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

The end of course :)

Any additional comments?

It was a long story and I loved every single minute of it.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

Really makes you stop and think - at least for me

Revisado: 10-29-12

Would you listen to The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry again? Why?

Yes. I listen while I sew and cook so there may be portions I missed or did not listen to as closely as I should have.

What did you like best about this story?

Everything! It would really be interesting to take a journey much like this one. To me it was a very touching story and it really makes you stop and think about things that have happened or are happening in your own life.

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

I don't think I have or I would remember but I will certainly look for more because he was a pleasure to listen to.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

What could have been

Any additional comments?

I couldn't turn this book off even though it brought me to tears several times. It also brought many smiles. I started listening late one afternoon and finish listening the next evening. I felt as though these were real people and I wish I could go over and visit with them so I could learn more about them.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

So worth it!

Revisado: 01-28-09

I was so uncertain about purchasing this book even though I had read several very good reviews of it.
What if I buy it and don't like it?, what if I can't get into it? what if I don't understand it because it is foreign? - then I've wasted my money and my time!!
Now however - I have finished listening to this wonderful story - a story that I wish would never end. I feel as though I am losing contact with my friends, like they are moving away and I'll never see them again. I really liked the readers accent and wish I could go on listening to it forever.
I am writing this review mainly to tell you "do not be afraid" you will enjoy this book.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

esto le resultó útil a 2 personas

Unusually Entertaining

Revisado: 06-08-08

I loved this Book!!! In the beginning I did not think I was going to enjoy this book but soon I did not want it to end.
I thought, over and over, that I had figured out the ending just to find out in the end how wrong I was!
I can't wait to purchase many more of this authors books and I certainly hope they will turn out to be as enjoyable.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

esto le resultó útil a 1 persona