Emma

enjoyable and enlightening

Revisado: 09-19-23

What a joy for a lover of the English language. the narration was superb and the content informative and anything but dry!

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Severely Disappointing

Revisado: 09-25-18

I went back and forth on whether to read/listen to this or not. On one hand, lots of things I like -- 80s pop culture, dystopian future, gamer game... And read by the gaming lord Wil Wheaton? Sounds perfect. But reviews that mentioned subpar writing and shallow story held me back. Eventually I caved, and, well... I kind of wish I hadn't, but I guess it's good to know.

My biggest problem with this book is it's a boy book. Unpacking what I mean by that, it's got a lot of like "ugh, gross, squick" moments for me. The way the protagonist talks and things about Artemis just makes me think of all the toxic boys out there. She says don't contact her, so you bombard her with messages in every variety? She wants you to stop talking about her physical form and you can't? Ok. You drop your buddy for a girl? Right. Maybe I'm too far removed from YA novels, but it all felt watery at best and gross at its worst.

The actual story was okay, I guess. The premise is interesting and a kind of funny way to get to write about a dystopian tech future while still touching on 80s culture points at every turn. (Which even my love of the 80s didn't really excuse all of -- he literally says the names of songs, albums, years, OUT LOUD whenever he hears it? Even when he's alone? Sounds like that know-it-all tool we all kind of hate?) But there was very little real drama. Without the full background of the world and the Oasis creator, we don't get to play along, so it's not a fun puzzle solving adventure like Sherlock Holmes. It's watching someone else play through a video game, kind of, and as someone who made her sister do that as a child....I don't think it's very fun. There were few twists, and nothing really gripping except for the realization that the baddies will actually kill you IRL. Am I the only one who was waiting for one of the High Five to turncoat?

Anyway, overall a disappointment. I finished it mostly to say that I had and to see if any really exciting things ever happened... And they really didn't. Really I might just not be the right audience for this book.

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Underwhelming If You Know How Theatre Works

Revisado: 10-07-16

I pre-ordered this because I, like many, am obsessed with the HAMLITON musical. I am also a theatre artist. This book, while exciting and interesting to my fiance, who does not do theatre, was primarily a self-congratulatory tale of how a musical got made. While I believe that HAMILTON: AN AMERICAN MUSICAL is itself a remarkable piece of theatre and culture, the story of its creation isn't anything particularly fascinating or unusual. It's a sequence of meeting the team, casting the show, writing the piece, previews, etc.

I appreciated the PDF attachment with the annotated libretto -- that I found to be pretty interesting, if a little indulgent.

TL;DR Not worth the read for theatre people, but those unfamiliar with the act of creating a show will find it enlightening and enjoyable.

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Juliet Stevenson is a gem among readers!

Revisado: 07-06-16

This is the best narrator I have ever encountered. She brings to life the many voices of Middlemarch with precision, creating an engaging performance of a very long, dense tome.

Middlemarch itself is an exquisite look into the world of old English country gentility, weaving circumstances and characters together lightly and artfully. It starts slowly, I'll give you that, but it is well worth taking the time to get into.

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Great Variety

Revisado: 01-04-15

I really liked this Great Course because it was 36 different lecturers talking about what they know best. There were a few historical figures I thought were missing (why a lecture on Churchill but not Lenin or Stalin or FDR?) but that's going to be the case in every series like this. What I loved was the variety of characters discussed: world leaders, artists and writers, philosophers, religious icons, scientists... It was a very rewarding listen.

Only thing to be aware of is that the lectures each individually come out of other courses, so occasionally the lecturer will refer to that course or reference previous or upcoming lectures that you aren't privy to. Otherwise really solid.

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Eye-Opening

Revisado: 10-07-14

This was a wonderful course. I was worried at the beginning that it was too introductory -- I hold a degree in history, English, and theatre and the first two lectures were old hat for me. But as soon as Prof. Voth moved into discussing individual myths and influences, I was completely on board. Even the very familiar Adam and Eve myth was given new light. I highly recommend the course!

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Fun Overview

Revisado: 10-07-14

Professor Shippey is an excellent lecturer and storyteller. This particular course is a great overview of great heroes and legends, though I found myself wanting a more in-depth analysis of the characters -- hard to do in 30 minute lectures. Still, quite worth the listen, and a very easy listen.

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