Jennifer Seidler

Mike Rinder is a true hero for our times

Revisado: 10-06-22

I went into this book after having watched many episodes of "Aftermath," and also after having seen "Going Clear" a while back. Mike Rinder is a perfect example of how the human heart can change and be changed. He went from being one of the most feared, scariest members of the Sea Org, one of their enforcers, one of those who got in the face of others who "dared" defy Miscavige and the COS, to one of its most outspoken critics. He himself suffered the same treatment he inflicted on others, from disconnection from his family, to threats to wholesale invasion of privacy. The book was harrowing and eye-opening. One thing I never understood is why Miscavige treated his senior execs the way he did toward the end of Mike's tenure in the Sea Org... what did he expect to gain from "the Hole?" It seems that by treating his most loyal the way he did that he's kind of hoist on his own petard so to speak, and it will be good to see in the future how the rest of this pans out. Mike Rinder is a true anti-hero, a hero for our times. Someone who has dished out hell, gone through it, and came back to destroy it. Go Mike, Go. We're all rooting for you. Amazing book, well written, and it was even better hearing all of the stories from the voice of the author himself. I truly hope and pray that one day Mike can reunite with his children and reconcile with is ex-wife, all of whom are still mired in the Sea Org and Scientology, and who have been used as pawns against this man. Mike's heart of forgiveness and unconditional love expressed in this book for his family is heart wrenching and truthful.

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Atmospheric, poetic and beautiful.

Revisado: 07-15-15

Format: Kindle Edition
Utterly atmospheric. A story woven from the golden threads of myth and mastery. I didn't know what to expect when I first started listening to Artemis Rising. It's not normally a book I would have chosen, it being a YA romance, but I'm glad I did. I loved the historical aspect of this. While the story itself was abstract, almost floating above reality in a sense, fantasy and fantastical, the setting did the plot justice. The Azores are exotic and new to most, full of lush landscapes and open seas, the Portuguese language foreign to most ears. The time was right, as well, the late 1800's when the world blossomed out, as did the world's women from the ties of oppression - just like Ava in this tale.

Keeping the story ethereal were the intricate threads of the myths - those of Arethusa and Alpheus and Tristan and Isolde. Now, I wondered, how in the hooey is Cheri going to wend these two unrelated and vastly different myths together, but dang it... she did. I wondered, in a way, while listening to this, why Ava/Arethusa allowed herself to be so tied down to the myths? Why, in turn did Tristao? To me, it was the parental influence trickling down into the children themselves... and then when the children came into their own minds and their own lives it made sense. Much of it was more figurative and symbolic than realistic, and that was just fine with me. It was almost as if Artemis Rising was a new myth, a new tale to be told by the firesides and hearths.

I've read other reviews that discuss Ava/Arethusa making her choice between Paganism and Christianity, but I honestly don't think that's what it is. Her choice is between allowing external forces to control her life and her destiny, and taking her course in her own hands. I loved the use of name choices in this story, and while an abstract thought, the name truly defined each character, and that was a masterful stroke.

I enjoyed listening to this book but I think I may have enjoyed reading it more, and I may just do that. The narrator's voice, while lilting, fine, and beautiful, almost song-like, was sometimes heavy handed, too high-pitched or strange in intonation, inflection and diction. I had to go back to the text sometimes to figure out what she was saying with certain words such as Marques. Granted, much of that was my lack of familiarity with the Portuguese language, so I take that bit of blame. I think, however, that the narration was right for the story. It was at times like listening to a mother or a beloved teacher reading to me, and given the poetic, beautiful language of this book, I think that makes sense, and it is a good fit.

Bottom line, I was entranced by the story. I was heartbroken, frightened, on the edge of my seat, and I felt all of the anger, fear, irritation and love right along with Arethusa. And I may have fallen a little bit in love with Tristao. :) I would recommend this to a friend, and in fact, I have. I received the audio book for free, but I intend to buy a Kindle copy so I can revisit it whenever I like.

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SCIENCE! Not for everyone but I loved it.

Revisado: 06-23-15

Before I decided to read this book, I read the reviews. Just like you're reading this one. I read comments comparing The Martian to "MacGyver in space," and complaints about the dry nature of the SCIENCE, and complaints that said science was not accurate or problematic or the like.

But listen. I did not care about any of that once I met Mark Watney.

Watney is likable. He's funny. He's wicked in a good way, and he's clever as hell. He's erudite yet a bit of a party boy, serious in the obvious situations when he needs to be. Which is often. And you feel for his situation. You hate those damn potatoes just as much as he does (no spoilers but yeah potatoes, folks!), and as he leaves his logs and babbles on about the science of the things he does to try and get himself out of his Martian predicament, I found myself understanding his thought processes. I understood the ideas and the simple genius behind some of it, in spite of the technobabble and the instant calculations. The thing that others have criticized, I thoroughly enjoyed.

In a way, Watney's voice reminded me of Dan Brown's Robert Langdon, but in a much more personable way. I know the very idea of Robert Langdon or Dan Brown is a turn off for many, but hear me out. Watney is highly intelligent, and his intelligence comes through in his choices, his decisions -- which, unlike Robert Langdon, does not preach at the reader, does not fill the reader's head with useless facts. Everything Watney tells us about his thoughts and machinations moves the story along.

As for the action, while there are no real true edge of your seat hold onto your hats moments, there are a few hiccups along Watney's way. But, I can't help but wonder if that makes the story more realistic.

The characters aren't as in depth as other stories, but again, this is Watney's story. Yet, you learn a lot about the crew of his ship, about the folks down on Terra Firma who work tirelessly and endlessly to bring him home, and the effort to do so is gargantuan. It leaves you with a sense of satisfaction in humanity, that it is human nature to root for the underdog, to give the fellow man in trouble a helping hand. And oh boy, did the World give Watney a massive one.

Overall, this to me was very enjoyable. I looked forward to getting into my car every day and listening to the excellent narration, and listening to what sort of challenges Watney was going to face when I met him again every morning on the way to work and every evening on my way home. Watney was excellent company, and I was delighted to hear his story. When I finished the audiobook, I told my husband that we HAVE to see the film when it comes out.

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Dry narrative, odd structure, great performance

Revisado: 06-11-15

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

Probably not. I liked the story, the manner in which it explored the basest impulses of human nature, how people can descend into animalism. But, the narrative was full of "info dumps," and was structured more as a rather repetitive lecture rather than a story arc. The story arc was there, but the rising action was too quick, there was no real turning point, no real climax, and the falling action fell with a thump. The ending was done well, though, giving the story a cyclical feeling with the idea that the whole thing could happen all over again. The writing was stilted, and there was very little dialogue at all. Characterization was more tell than show. Lots of telling in this story, in fact. Yet, if this book was meant to break the molds of typical writing and was meant in itself to be a breakdown of the societal norms then it did the job.

What other book might you compare High-Rise to and why?

High Rise is like no other book that I've read, other than perhaps Lord of the Flies.

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

Tom Hiddleston's reading kept me interested in the story. He took the dry, rambling narrative and gave it life and character. He made the parts that were repetitive of each other and gave them different tones and emphases. He brought the "feeling" out of a rather unfeeling style of writing.

Do you think High-Rise needs a follow-up book? Why or why not?

No. Not at all.

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