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Fantastic adventure

Revisado: 03-09-25

I loved everything about this book.
I think it would make a fantastic story for the background of a television series because each chapter is a cliffhanger, each chapter could easily lead itself to an entirely captivating televised series. But I don't like TV, I'm just saying that for people who do like to watch things. This book is an absolutely engrossing and enjoyable adventure that stands on its own as a timeless classic.

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Dreary and grim

Revisado: 02-19-25

It took me four separate attempts to get through this sad, dreary, tale of doom, suffering and death.
It was so grim I found it annoying and wished I hadn't purchased it, but I got through it and finished… Yet I found it ironic to be listening to a story about Pompeii Italy with narrators having absolutely no intonation or lilt of Italian vocalization reminiscent of Italy in any way shape or form.

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Excellent western

Revisado: 02-18-25

I liked everything about this novel. The narrator was the right pick for the job, the story is expertly told, it's the kind of western tale that would cause me to want to listen to more western stories if there actually were more of them as well done as this one. This book is a gem. Short and sweet and it'll just make you wish for more

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I loved everything about this book.

Revisado: 12-21-24

I adored this story, especially because it's true. It's an engaging autobiography laced with valid scientific revelations that's written in such an entertaining way!
This is one of the most important and validating books about forest and their importance to all human life that we can ever read.
I too have worked in forestry, helping to educate people and change the dynamic of old growth logging, bringing forth knowledge of the miracle of the mycorrhizal universe beneath the ground that communicates widely and keeps trees healthy, reaching for the stars, creating oxygen for us to breathe, plus my other miracles that sustain our daily lives. Suzanne Simard brings it all forward in the most beautiful way, in a tale that moved me to tears so many times in gratitude that all I can say is, read it. I believe you will be moved as well

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Important ecological knowledge

Revisado: 09-27-23

The invaluable information in this book advances the understanding of indigenous genius and its place in western US/California environmental history, predating the impact that the incursions of "civilization" have had on the landscapes of the past.
I work in environmental restoration, and I read the book years ago. It is very relevant. Listening to it was to be a great refresher.
I love the content, it is so important to recognize the genius of indigenous peoples and their ecological knowledge of the land throughout the history of the west...
and I am sad to say I am fully dismayed and struggling tremendously to tolerate the gushing narration.
The syrupy, semi-hushed, often sing-song gushes of her breathy voice seems like the narration is an attempt at "seducing" the listener.
And I wish someone had taught her how to correctly pronounce the names of the tribes in the northern California region. Her mispronunciations are another distraction.
I have eight hours of the book left, and honestly, the style of narration is so distracting that I can not absorb the content.
My husband usually loves to listen along when we drive, but he will not tolerate this reader. He always asks me to switch to anything else...
Yet again, valuable ecological knowledge and history relayed by the book regarding the myth of "wilderness" and the reality that the landscapes of the west were ingeniously tended to by the indigenous people should be known and understood by everyone so we can move back towards a more Balanced way of living with the Earth.
If the narration doesn't bother you, please listen. And even if the narration drives you nuts, the information is very valuable.

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Thoroughly enjoyable

Revisado: 09-15-23

A very engaging, entertaining, educational and pertinent tale that I would recommend to anyone! Excellent narration, including the Indigenous language pronunciations.
An excellent sequel to Firekeeper's Daughter, Warrior Girl Unearthed swept me off my feet...
I am hoping that the ending of this phase of the story does indeed leave open a doorway to the telling of the rest of the tale…
Now that Warrior Girl is Unearthed, will we get to hear the story of how she finally gets back HOME?
I can only hope for a sequel.
That would be thrilling!

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Second read...

Revisado: 07-23-23

I read this book soon after it was published in 2003. What a difference a couple of decades makes. The first time I read it, I was engrossed to a degree, until I realized how selfish the central character Amir was.
Not only selfish but entitled and incredibly cruel.
Somehow 20 years ago I could tolerate that cruelty, and I think I finished reading the entire book.
However, on the second read I realize that I abandoned the book on the first read… Because I got fed up with the endless, unabated utter cruelty of the central character Amir.
I could no longer tolerate it.
It doesn't matter what event was going to come next in the take, I felt that I was being abused by the author's need for an emotional confession, using the readers as the whipping post and emotional outlet.
I found this story of "Amir" to be an infuriatingly long confession of the guilt of an inhumane, narcissistic wretch of a person seeking redemption by publishing the story… this time I did follow through and get to the end, and desperate hopes that it ever gets better. Even when the author tries to make it better, in the long run Amit failed to repair anything and ruined peoples lives, forever.
If even one hair on the head of any character in the story is true, I am appalled at the author for smearing his guilt ridden confessional across the world in a quest for profit.
And the narration? Ouch. Please, have someone else read your books.
I do not recommend the story to anyone.

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I liked this story, and at the same time I didn't like it.

Revisado: 07-07-23

As a 66-year-old person with intergenerational experience with mental health challenges in my family, I found the conundrums and situations of dealing with society shared in this book to be entirely relatable. He does an excellent job of explaining the emotional roller coasters, the fear, hassles with schools and jobs and the amount of life-energy one has to dedicate to the care of a child with special needs can be unfathomable and feel impossible, even as you struggle through it.
That was the part of the book I could relate to.
As the author began to intertwine stories about planets in space as panacea for the distressing behaviors of the child, I struggled to appreciate it. It's not that I dismiss science, or find it unnecessary, but in this book it began to get tedious, even annoying, except that without it, there wouldn't have been as much of a book to write. I think the planetary obsessions were mostly inserted to allow the author to display his elegant use of descriptive language.
But when we get to the part about the various forms of therapy to reprogram the child's mind to then become "closer to his mother", I felt I wanted to puke. At that point, I decided to finish the book because I was reading it for a book club. If I hadn't been reading it for a book club, I would've tossed it in the trash.
The author takes liberties fantasizing about Treatments for vulnerable people to contort a story about a father who can't face reality and ask for help for his hysterically ill child.
And it's on way, the story that seems to beg so much compassion for the father actually reveals a demon, a selfish, self-centered, egotistical, crybaby father, who couldn't reach out soon enough to get certified, approved therapies and help for his son because he had to allow his home sickness for his wife and desire to become "closer to her" through a "new" therapy for a deeply troubled son that would end in his self imposed death.
That really pissed me off, Primarily because I was mad at myself for enduring this useless pathetic story that exploits true trials and travails of parents and people who deal with special needs in order to concoct an invalid, dramatic and undeniably Grimm Fairytale.
But I'll go to the book club and I'll let them know what I think.
I thoroughly enjoyed "the overstory", and I even endured the 35 hour epic "in the time of our singing" but this book?
I don't think I've ever been so annoyed by a read in my life.

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Intense journey

Revisado: 06-04-23

All non-indigenous Americans deserve to listen to this story.
To sum it up in one word, the story was in all ways grueling.
There are a lot of interesting historic details scattered throughout the story which add to the complexity of this grueling history in review.
The story itself, about the abusive killing of Osage Indians, is a grueling historic tale.
The story of the emotional roller coaster of the author's quest is also grueling as he strives on his mission to find out what happened to his mother, and we watch as alcoholism becomes like an additional character hidden in the book, the author seemingly not self-recognized until the end of the story
the narrator seemed to turn what was already a grueling story into an even more torturous listen.
There were times when it felt like the narrator was scolding us as an audience.
The anger of the author was palpable, and a lot of anger is justified, but it can seem like the listener is being whooped Instead of the story being just relayed with intensity.
And then there were other times where the reading was monotone and choppy like a recorded voice.
I really struggled through this story, but I was engaged enough to not give up.
I still recommend this book for the historic details, but it's not enjoyable.
It's important, it's valid, and it's historically Very significant,
And I guess it's told in the way it should be.
Harsh.
Because that's the reality of the past that allows us to sit here right now as the descendants of colonizers who caused the deaths and despair across the land that created the opportunity for this book in the first place.
So I believe it is deserved, and everyone should listen, everyone should feel a little bit uncomfortable for a little while, considering the centuries of injustice done to the Native American people on the continent of North America.
We deserve to listen.

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esto le resultó útil a 4 personas

Remarkably enjoyable story

Revisado: 05-09-23

I liked everything about this story, including the narration.
I would recommend it to everyone who desires an engaging, enjoyable, intriguing and educational adventure. A well woven tale that wraps you up and holds you on the edge of such sweet suspense and hope for the intermingled cast of well-crafted characters, including the eight armed star of the show, Marcellus, the Octopus.
Get to know him, you will be glad you did...

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