Phatgirl

Excellent Guide for General Audience

Revisado: 06-14-21

Excellent job breaking down a complicated mental illness for a general audience and offering practical suggestions.

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Well-written and insightful

Revisado: 01-08-19

Gives insight as to what life inside the White House is like but also what it is like to be the first African-American first lady. Michelle is successful in her own right but her accomplishments are overshadowed by her husband’s. It is, therefore, refreshing to think about her as an individual and a very talented and accomplished woman in her own right.

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Inspirational!

Revisado: 10-07-17

As a Working Mother, I could relate to so much of what Mira discusses in this book. I believe it is a must listen for both men and women.

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Trite But Mindlessly Entertaining

Revisado: 06-25-17

This novel is trite and predictable involving many cliches about motherhood--not great literature by any stretch of the imagination. However, despite its inanity I could not suppress the occasional giggle as I recognized dilemmas from my own motherhood journey described in the author's snarky, ironic style. The narrator's voice can be grating and if she were standing before me I would frequently feel an irresistible desire to smack her or scream, "Shut up!" While the narrator's style is clearly meant to complement Ashley's character, I think the style and intonation makes Ashley come across as a flakier and dumber than necessary. This book is best read or listened to during moments when one is completely exasperated with motherhood, has temporarily abandoned all real responsibilities and is well into the first of several alcoholic beverages.

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A rich consideration of American democracy

Revisado: 08-06-16

Both intellectually rich and accessible to a general audience--a rich consideration of the American democratic tradition from an African American perspective

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Impressive scholarship & Interesting Opinions

Revisado: 06-26-16

The articulateness with which Cornell West addresses contemporary American race issues is not to be equaled. Any listener can garner a greater understanding of American society and its racial issues from listening to this book.

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Not My Favorite

Revisado: 01-30-13

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

I’m not a big fan of To The Lighthouse. I dislike these stories and novels that are set in a time when the middle class seems to have nothing to do but sit around and think and be artistic while servants do all the labor. The characters speak multiple languages and can play the piano and recite poetry, but for what? To keep from being bored to tears, I think. But I am bored to tears when I read about their lives and thoughts. This focus on the characters’ thoughts vs. their actions is characteristic of the modernist style, so I supposed it’s something one can read just to appreciate the style of the time, but I am not a fan. Woolf does an admirable job with character, developing a level of psychological depth that is realistic and convincing; however, like real people, most of these characters are dull, dull, dull. The most interesting part of the story to me is Mr. Ramsay’s narcissistic tendencies. He's a jerk, and it's slightly entertaining to consider why he is such a jerk and why the other characters tolerate him. It's very interesting to think about why his wife supports his boorish behavior. The novel glorifies Mrs. Ramsay the mother-wife-martyr to an extent that is mystifying considering that her greatest accomplishments are throwing memorable dinner parties and stroking her husband’s ego. I do find it interesting that this novel is reputedly somewhat autobiographical, which means that Woolf’s father was possibly narcissictic and her mother an enabler, which may have contributed to Woolf’s mental illness and eventual suicide? I find that idea MUCH more interesting than Woolf’s novel.

If you’ve listened to books by Virginia Woolf before, how does this one compare?

I haven't listened to any of Woolf's other books.

What three words best describe Nicole Kidman’s voice?

Her reading is good; it's the novel that's terrible.

If this book were a movie would you go see it?

No. I can't imagine anything more boring.

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Brilliant Writing

Revisado: 01-23-13

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes. Didion's writing is unmatched in its clarity, detail and wittiness. The subject matter is sometimes mundane and dated (Joan Baez, Las Vegas weddings, etc). However, the text is still engaging due to the excellence of Didion's prose. This is an especially good read for a writer who wants to see what can be done with everyday life using exceptional prose.

What other book might you compare Slouching Towards Bethlehem to and why?

Any collection of essays by E.B. White, including classics such as "Once More to the Lake." Both writers are exceptional in capturing the details of everyday life and relating them to important ideas about human nature and our culture.

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

I love Diane's voice and reading style. She's great on screen or via audio.

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

Flashback to the 60s--Real Life Is Crazier Than Fiction

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A Classic Analysis of Race & American Culture

Revisado: 01-08-13

Where does The Fire Next Time rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

This book is in the top 25% of audiobooks I've listened to, partially because race and ethnicity in America is a special interest of mine.

What did you like best about this story?

It's not really a story, more an analysis of American culture and race relations in the 1960s. Baldwin is clever, witty and entertaining even listening to him now, over 40 years later.

Have you listened to any of Jesse L. Martin’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I don't pay much attention to the person reading. I focus more on the text itself, but I thought this was a good reading.

What’s the most interesting tidbit you’ve picked up from this book?

It's interesting that a lot of the problems that faced black Americans in the 1960s still face black America today. There has been a lot of progress, but race is still a significant cultural force in America today.

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Loved it!

Revisado: 12-23-12

Would you listen to Unbroken again? Why?

Great story of the resilience of human beings.

Who was your favorite character and why?

The protagonist was really the only character who one could follow throughout the story.

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

You an listen while you do other things.

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

When the men were in a life raft starving and fighting off sharks.

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