Jlongtorso

Welcome, refreshing and persuasive.

Revisado: 01-14-24

I recommend without reservation. You will learn much that is valuable and provocative. Many “I wish I’d known” moments.

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esto le resultó útil a 1 persona

Needs a rewrite

Revisado: 04-10-18

The idea of the Ramayana from the putative villain's point of view was fascinating, and all the reviews were effusive. I feel misled.

This book 'reads' like a fairly competent first draft. It needs editing or a full rewrite. Characters fly into high temper without proportionate provocation. They beat their chests and announce how they feel rather than demonstrate their emotions. Poorly-chosen words spoil effects. There are climaxes with no buildup, changes of heart out of nowhere. Listening rapidly became a chore.

Having Ravana champion a system based on merit while disparaging the emerging caste divisions seemed like an excellent revisionist device. The discussion of the 'heads' of Ravana was a fine answer to the problem of making the demon king an ordinary man. The idea of calling ancient foes asuras fits well with the theme of demonizing one's enemies. But the novel is a shapeless and unsatisfying mess.

It may be suggested that, as an American, I lack the cultural grounding necessary to appreciate this book. But a work of art must succeed or fail on its own merit. If I have to know Henry James's biography to understand 'The Turn of the Screw,' the book has failed.

Contrast 'Asura' with Robert Graves's 'I, Claudius,' for instance. One can read 'I Claudius' with pleasure and understanding without knowing about ancient Rome.

I regret that 'Asura' is a great might-have-been, and that's too bad. I was looking forward to listening to it. I will avoid this author in future.

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This is an actor portrayal.

Revisado: 09-05-17

This is the soundtrack of a YouTube video meant to depict Lovecraft. The video is a fine and careful effort, but it is clearly not genuine. I have compared this piece of audio with the video and cannot distinguish any difference in sound between them. Nor is the actor lip-syncing to a genuine recording of Lovecraft. It's too bad, because such a thing would be nice to have.

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esto le resultó útil a 5 personas

Fritz Leiber is a master of story and language.

Revisado: 06-02-14

Fritz Leiber is a writer's writer, one of the acknowledged masters in his field. I have yet to encounter a Leiber story that was less than fully satisfying. His style draws no attention to itself, but pulls the reader or listener into the narrative.

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Entertaining, but more survey than instruction.

Revisado: 05-22-14

Would you try another book from Roy Peter Clark and/or Roy Peter Clark?

Based on this book, perhaps not.

Any additional comments?

More nuts-and-bolts instruction, the purported 'How to' of the book's title, would have improved it.

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esto le resultó útil a 1 persona

Superb, but no need to add music.

Revisado: 05-22-14

Any additional comments?

This fine book and reading are not improved by the addition of music. The drama the music is meant to represent or enhance is already present in the text, or it is not. Audio Connoisseur fails to grasp this fundamental fact. This is baffling.

To express it a different way: A book's music is in its words.

I will continue to listen to Audio Connoisseur's offerings despite this glaring flaw.

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esto le resultó útil a 4 personas

The beauty of Pope's Iliad made audible.

Revisado: 05-22-14

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Iliad?

It is not about memorable moments. It is about being swept along on the tide of Pope's words.

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A stunning piece of work.

Revisado: 05-22-14

Where does Within a Budding Grove, Part 2 rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

On the top shelf.

What about John Rowe’s performance did you like?

Everything. Full marks from beginning to end.

Any additional comments?

I'd like to hear Rowe perform all of Proust.

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Cannot listen to the narration.

Revisado: 12-28-13

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

Cannot listen to the narration.

What was your reaction to the ending? (No spoilers please!)

Does not apply.

How could the performance have been better?

A more suitable narrator.

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

Does not apply.

Any additional comments?

I am sorry. I've had this for nine months and cannot listen to this narrator. I cannot finish the book. From time to time I go back to it, but it's no good. The voice is simply not appropriate to the material. I do not wish to be unkind, so I will not enumerate all that bothers me. However, I am going to return the book, as it is clear I will get no use out of it.
This does not reflect on Audible, which is an excellent service.

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esto le resultó útil a 9 personas