N. Dandridge

Well written, good plot

Revisado: 09-02-24

This book frequently shows up on the Top XX spy novels lists and so I finally picked it up. My first John LeCarre book. I spent the first third of the book trying to figure out who the players were. I even wrote them down and their relationship to each other. Also the spy speak is a bit cryptic. Having said all that, I definitely enjoyed the second two thirds. Mr. LeCarre is a very good writer albeit a bit full of himself. The hero, George Smiley, is aging and dumpy but you end up loving his character.
Good plot, good ending.
I have listened to a few books narrated by Simon Vance and he never disappoints.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

esto le resultó útil a 1 persona

Fun Get-Your-Mind-Off-Struggles Book

Revisado: 07-11-24

Lots of over the top but fun characters and the plot kept me engaged in spite of all the name dropping. I didn't care for the narrator; at times she sounded too stilted and I couldn't stand her tone for Arabella, the matriarch. It was so loud and screechy, it gave me a headache.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

At long last

Revisado: 02-24-24

At 65 years old, I'm finally getting around to reading Tolkien's books. The Hobbit did not disappoint in spite of the lack of ANY female characters. The narration was AMAZING! I plan to look up other books that Mr. Serkis has narrated.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

Amazing

Revisado: 01-12-23

Brilliantly plotted - kept my interest from the start. I now have a clearer understanding of all the news headlines about the IRA I heard growing up. So much tragedy.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

Good story; narration difficult

Revisado: 12-13-22

I frequently have my books on my Kindle and on Audible so I can maximize my time to read. The story kept me engaged and the pace was good. But I found myself growing cranky when listening to the audio. Ursa's voice came across as very whiny and cloying. I wanted to put her in the corner until she behaved herself. I didn't have that same feeling while actually reading it. But overall, it's a lovely story with lovely imagery.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

Wonderful narration

Revisado: 02-22-20

Of course - it's beautifully written. Donna Tartt is a talented writer. My problem is that I had just finished "Life", a memoir by Keith Richards. So much drug use...so many attempts to quit. And then I read this one. I now know more about drug use than I ever wanted to.
The book didn't really grab me until about 70% of the way in when there is a pretty good plot twist - and then I couldn't put it down until...the wait in Amsterdam...and then I almost couldn't bare it. But I will say that Ms. Tartt was successful in causing me to feel a modicum of the angst that Theo was obviously experiencing.

I also couldn't help wondering if Theo's life wouldn't have headed down the same path with or without the tragic death of his mother. True - he wouldn't have taken the painting - but he was already a minor juvenile delinquent with a questionable (and abandoning) father figure.

I liked The Secret History a lot more. But I will definitely consider reading Ms. Tartt again.

The narrator, David Pittu, is wonderful. 5 stars for him.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

An easy read

Revisado: 09-21-19

A bit trite, couldn’t get too attached to the characters, predictable. The writing is just OK. But if you want an easy no brainer to take a break from heavier stuff, this might be a good choice. Definitely chick-lit. The narration is good.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

esto le resultó útil a 2 personas

Romantic, and yet philosophical

Revisado: 08-07-19

I read Wives and Daughters a few years ago and enjoyed it very much. North and South seems to be Mrs. Gaskell's most popular book and I can understand why. The heroine is a strong, opinionated and headstrong but often gets herself into trouble because of those very admirable traits. Although it is a romance, it also is philosophical as it relates to capitalism and organized labor. It was excellent that although it is a bit left leaning, the book also supports the arguments of capitalism and property ownership fairly well.

This book could easily have been titled "Pride and Prejudice" if that title had not already been taken by another famous British author; there are many prejudices, misunderstandings and secrets. I loved all the characters - none of them perfect but all of them likeable. I ended up not being able to put the book down and so didn't get much done yesterday.

A note about this audio version. The narrator was Kate Petrie and she was excellent - especially when working class characters spoke - reading those parts were significantly more difficult than letting Ms. Petrie do her thing.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

esto le resultó útil a 1 persona

Excellent choice for a book club

Revisado: 06-16-19

"Misattributions, anonymous work assumed to be female, men helping their wives or sisters or mothers with their work and getting no credit, and yes, simple theft."

How I wish I had read this book as part of my book club. So many things to discuss. Ms. Alderman turns the question of gender upside down and imagines a world where women over a short period of time (10 years) become the stronger sex. My personal favorite is the gradual switching of the dominant male news anchor and weaker female sidekick with the dominant female news anchor and the weaker male sidekick. Cleverly done.

I gave this book four stars because it isn't particularly well written but it is very cleverly constructed. Some of the scenes are pretty brutal and maybe a bit over the top, but it does make one pause - could women have so much pent up anger that they handle their new found power very poorly? Maybe...

A word about the narrator. Her voices that had a British history - Nigerian, Cockney, King's English - all sounded fine. But her accents for the Americans and the people of Moldova are annoying and sometimes comical. Not all Americans have southern drawls or Jersey accents. I ended up not being able to listen but rather relied on my Kindle version.

So - all of my reading friends out there - read this book and let's have coffee to discuss. I'll bring the glitter.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

Ugh - didn't see this was abridged!

Revisado: 03-14-19

Why oh why isn't there an unabridged version of this book? Wally Lamb is such a good author.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña