Joseph Bass

Patriotism over cronyism

Revisado: 03-07-24

Most of the information in this book has been covered during interviews with Hutchins. There’s really nothing more in the book that I haven’t heard on many of the “talking heads” shows in the past 6 months. I was, nonetheless, bothered by the internal cronyism Hutchins described. Why did so many people choose to “go along/get along” when our precious democracy teetered in the balance? Precious few of the people in this book chose patriotism. Hutchins DID make that choice despite her young age and despite pressure from the Trump cronies. Contrast her choice with the utterly disgusting choices of grown men for the sake of power.
As a Speech and Language Pathologist, I was bothered by Hutchins’ over-pronunciation of speech sounds during her narration. Someone ought to have helped her so that her speech would be far less stilted. Furthermore, although she tried to use interesting intonation and stress, it just didn’t land as well as it could have. That’s why I gave a lower score on performance.

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Lived through it.

Revisado: 03-06-24

This book is an important, eye-opening snapshot of the times surrounding the USA and the unpopular Vietnam War during the late 1960s through early 1970s. I lived through those times and can report that this novel quite accurately captures not only the nationwide debate and trauma associated with the war but the historical, lawfully bound repression of women, e.g., denial of bodily ownership vis-a-vis inability to access birth control unless married, lack of access to abortion at will, no autonomy in financial matters if married, minimization of the female experience (nurses) in combat in Vietnam, etc, etc.
I strongly recommend that women and men read this book not just for the fictional story but also to understand from whence we’ve come. (“You’ve come a long way, baby” is NOT just a catchy phrase!!) At my age, I am so often dismayed at the apparent apathy/disconnect between today’s women and the huge strides that have been made in the past 50-60 years. For this reason, I PREACH to those who will listen: you stand on the shoulders of thousands of women who fought for the right to vote, the right to choosing individual birth control, the right to financial independence, the right to make decisions about one’s own medical treatment, etc. DON’T SQUANDER that passion and those efforts!! Even more, don’t accept the abridgment of your rights without a strong fight…case in point, the recent Dobbs decision in SCOTUS which removed a woman’s NATIONAL right to abortion to then rest said rights with lawmakers (mostly men) in each individual state.
This book isn’t just a story. It’s an historical eye-opener and a wake-up call to those who might be wandering sleepily through life in America/2024. Time to WAKE UP!

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A woman of true conscience

Revisado: 02-22-24

What courage it took to speak out and write out the truth about Trump! Especially when, by doing so, her fellow Republicans and the people of Wyoming would abandon her.
Definitely take the time to listen to this book. Every chapter she’s written is on point and revelatory about Trump’s behavior, the cowardly Republicans who aid (still) and abet (still) his craziness, and the dire consequences that will ensue if he once again wins the presidency. Whether Democratic or Republican, one comes away with a justifiable fear of what might happen to our precious democracy should the 2024 vote go his way.
Liz Cheney’s reading of her own words added special “oomph” to the material. Well worth your time!

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Hang in there…

Revisado: 08-23-22

For the first three or four chapters, I felt that the plot was rather insipid; generally people just wanting to have sex with each other. I’m glad I persevered with the story because it took an unexpected turn which really powerfully enriched the novel.

The narrator, in my opinion, over enunciated her words to a point where it became bothersome, but I just put that aside even though it bothered me throughout the whole story.

This is a book very much worth your time. The lessons contained within it are matters of personal and social conscience about which we should all learn more.

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esto le resultó útil a 5 personas

Steamy and hot

Revisado: 08-09-22

This is a good story. Just be aware up front that it’s got some very graphic lovemaking in it. If that’s a problem for you, this is not a novel you’d be comfortable listening to. If you like that sort of thing: Enjoy!

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Well constructed & performed

Revisado: 07-17-22

I very much enjoyed this story! The plot was deep and nuanced. The performance was very well done; not once was I distracted from the story because of mispronunciation or improper affect, and for such a long story, that says a lot. This is an all around great purchase!

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Voice of conscience in the Jim Crow South

Revisado: 09-14-21

This story, as others have suggested, is very much like To Kill a Mockingbird in that it is developed from the perspective of a 13 year girl being raised in the 1950s in Charlotte, NC. Her family, (father, mother, older sister, and 2 little ones) travels through the South on a summer vacation. With them is the family maid, who is black, and for whom the narrator has an especially strong connection. Our narrator’s eyes are opened to the ugliness of Jim Crow, as well as misogyny, both in society and within those of her beloved family. The tragedies that unfold serve to open her eyes and shape her character even though it places her at odds with so much of the world she lives in. Narration was good. Like others have mentioned, the story comes to an abrupt end. I would have liked an ending with greater life realization about all she had encountered over the past several months.

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Narrative cannot act!

Revisado: 09-02-21

The story is interesting and based on an actual person. Because of the serious subject matter, I feel that the narrator ought to have read the material with a more sober tone. Instead, she assumed conversational tones that could well have happened at a party or social circle. It detracted from the serious subject matter

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Impactful Lives

Revisado: 08-28-21

Excellent narration. Interwoven lives and their influence on an truly ugly part of our history: tacit acceptance or outright proponents of JIM CROW bring the insight to this scourge and its effect on men and the justice systemon the lives of three men, only one of whom is Marshall. Next time someone says to you”I wish it could be like ‘the good old days,’” think again. Such pathos and sadness for people of color back in the “good old days…”

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Outstanding in every way!

Revisado: 07-13-21

Already a favorite book from my youth, I just had to listen again to this American classic. The reader’s on point performance actually added to my enjoyment of the story. This book tells a story of the poverty of America’s immigrant experiences and the indomitable hopefulness of youth. Think is one of the best Audible purchases I’ve made. Couldn’t be better!

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