Y. Sohn

Subpar dramatization distracting from a fantastic story

Revisado: 02-13-24

I should’ve just gotten the single-narrator version rather than this full-cast, abridged version.

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Under-appreciated, incredible woman. Okay writing. Barely tolerable performance.

Revisado: 08-08-23

A pioneer in a field dominated by men, Vera Rubin convinced the reluctant critics to reimagine the universe. I was inspired by this incredible figure, and wanted to know more about her. Unfortunately, there aren’t nearly enough biographies about Vera Rubin, and I chose what appeared to be the best option. The writing is a little superficial, but it got the job done—I at least know a little more about Rubin now than I did before. I hope one day that a thorough historian and biographer will give her the proper treatment she deserves. My strongest criticism is reserved for the narrator, who paused at unnatural points in the middle of sentences and had very distracting intonation that made the sentences difficult to follow. I even considered not listening to the audio version altogether, but was barely able to tolerate it at 1.75x speed, where the pauses weren’t as noticeable. Someone please redo the narration.

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esto le resultó útil a 1 persona

5-star story, 0-star narration. Culturally insensitive production.

Revisado: 01-11-23

This will be the first time ever that I won’t finish an audiobook that I’ve started. I’m sure Ms. Hiroto is a a fine narrator otherwise, but she was the wrong person for this job. Considering that this book is about the plight of Koreans under the cruel imperial Japanese rule and the post-liberation immigrant life, which uses lots of Korean words and phrases throughout, it needed someone who is fluent in both English and Korean. Or at least someone who would put in a lot more effort into pronouncing the Korean words more accurately. It got so distracting that I cannot continue listening to it; it’s going to ruin the reading experience for me. I’m just going to read it myself without the narration.

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esto le resultó útil a 1 persona

Overall, great narration but SYSOP!!!

Revisado: 01-08-23

SYSOP is not pronounced sy-sop; it’s an abbreviated version of the portmanteau between systems and operations. So it’s pronounced sys-op. How could no one have caught this error when recording? Nails on a chalkboard and such a detraction and distraction from what is otherwise a great narration and a fantastic story.

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Excellent book, poor narration

Revisado: 07-17-21

I need not spend too much time on the merits of the book itself, which is a true marvel. The performance by Michael Jackson, however, requires some criticism. Weird pauses at awkward times, randomly repeating words that are not in the original text, suddenly changing tone from one sentence to the next where the context does not call for it, mispronouncing scientific words (“antineuron” for “antineutron”), etc. His poor performance is so irritating and annoying that it detracts from the fantastic text by Hawking. I wish they hired a better narrator (or a better director who would’ve corrected his mistakes). Hawking deserves better.

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Excellent book, poor narration

Revisado: 07-17-21

I need not spend too much time on the merits of the book itself, which is a true marvel. The performance by Michael Jackson, however, requires some criticism. Weird pauses at awkward times, randomly repeating words that are not in the original text, suddenly changing tone from one sentence to the next where the context does not call for it, mispronouncing scientific words (“antineuron” for “antineutron”), etc. His poor performance is so irritating and annoying that it detracts from the fantastic text by Hawking. I wish they hired a better narrator (or a better director who would’ve corrected his mistakes). Hawking deserves better.

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Simply Exceptional

Revisado: 07-27-15

Superb performance of a story of a remarkable woman told in the most poetic prose possible.

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Thought-provoking and much needed this day in American Christianity

Revisado: 07-13-15

Tim Keller hits another home run. In this well-reasoned, well-researched book, he points out how American Christians are woefully inadequate in seeking justice.

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Incredible Story

Revisado: 03-28-13

Where does Life of Pi rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

This was my first Audible book, and boy am I pleased with my selection. Naturally, it ranks as number 1 of 1.

What other book might you compare Life of Pi to and why?

It's unlike any other books I've read. The headline of my review--"Incredible Story"--is in both sense of the word "incredible," which is fitting for this book. In the superlative, complimentary sense, this book is filled with vivid descriptions of the scenes that your mind can paint a full picture of the environment that Pi was in as he tells the story. In the unbelievable sense, the story is so unlike anything else we've encountered that it is hard to believe.

Which character – as performed by Jeff Woodman – was your favorite?

Pi Patel; no question about it. The frenchman was interesting as well, though.

If you could take any character from Life of Pi out to dinner, who would it be and why?

Richard Parker, if he can talk, and if he is restrained from potentially harming me. I'd like to hear his side of the story.

Any additional comments?

If you, who are reading this review, are in any sort of doubt as to whether you should get this audiobook, doubt no more. I have not seen the movie version of it yet, but I think the picture will be a lot more vivid with your brain as the director and cinematographer.

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