Philip

Touching Story

Revisado: 11-19-17

I enjoyed this all the way through and found it increasingly enjoyable as it progressed. Tom - the father of the author - was a flawed character; but a character he was, which is more than you can say for many individuals. The charm of the story is in the writing which is one of a daughters love for her father. I think many elderly men might dream of this as they reach their dotage. Ensuing dementia is a cruelty for anyone but for Tom something he learned to live with through extensions of his own idiosyncrasy. This is not a literary work but an emotional journey for those who are touched by neurological decline and old age.

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Not what it seems

Revisado: 10-30-17

An interesting, if superficial, investigation into the depths of pornography and it’s ripple effects, concentrating on the human rather than physical side. Puts it more in context - the good and the bad. Not Louis Thereux as devoid of cynicism. There’s us no conclusion only insights but the author has an interesting style without self indulgence or undue judgementalism. I would definitely consider trading his other books.

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Beach boy bio

Revisado: 10-25-17

Although simply written, and at times repetitive, not surprisingly I found this book the most personal on Brian. It is insightful about his struggle with quite serious mental illness, supported by an unrelenting and supportive family. Surprisingly and reasonably he does not blame anyone for his illness and still suggests both ongoing admiration and love for a father who was a bullying perfectionist perhaps driving him to drugs and to the edge. Also the impact of the loss of his two brothers recurs and his love for them too. He is proud but often modest and it is nice to learn others have shown not only tribute but sensitivity to him.

I have often wondered what went on in that now quite elderly frame sporting a seemingly anxious/bemused stage persona. It is reassuring that
he can still know when someone is singing out of tune, including himself.

Hard to believe it started way back when. A beautiful era of hope and release for young people when we look around us today with terrorism and wars everywhere - still not helped by a country determined to stamp its own mould on an unwilling world. Fortunately written prior to the Trump era. I wonder who will want to play at the White House now?

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Historian with a novelists approach

Revisado: 04-01-17

One never gets bored listening to Sean Barratt or Antony Beevor. He writes as if he was there, he sounds like the voice of 1945. A perfect marriage.

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A kind of 'sliding doors' of the past.

Revisado: 11-29-16

A sad story that may well have been someone's past and easy to empathise with. This books I think will be more popular with the ladies than the men but as one of the latter I enjoyed it very much. Written in the vein of a latter day Jayne Eyre the endless tragedy makes compulsive reading. No real happy ending but a resolution that life has its own trajectory. Makes us all realise there is no way of planning the way our fate will take us.

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A sad and tender romance impacted by a Nazi invasion

Revisado: 10-20-16

It would a shame for men to avoid this book as it is above story which demonstrated the personal horror of war time in Nazi times. This family destroyed systematically by fear and passiveness demonstrate a phenomenon not really understood in Christian countries. Only the ethnic Jewish spirit kept survival to the fore. The final solution though has to to be seen in the context of families separated by fear and enforced ignorance. How could one hope if you had any insight. But here live and hoo never die.
The narrators are our joy to listen to. George Guidall is a genious in creating Josef at all stages of his life. Similarly Suzanne Torrence, is another fine actor a delight full book and team.

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A very turgid read - Ancient History made light.

Revisado: 10-20-16

Somehow this booked fell between 2 stools. It was too long for an overview and not detailed enough to relay the complete history. Instead we were bombarded by fact after fact at a never ending rate. This history is so important but somehow I felt I got lost on the way.

Having just struggled through Robin Hood the jocular John Lee was just too much for me as the narrator. His voice is rather irritating and superficial. Yes it goes up and down a bit in a rather mechanical way but in a way did it connect with that story or even the period? Definitely not. Rather like an endless Anglican sermon. Please Susan B get someone who loves history to read this for us and to actually slow down and stop occasionally. Sorry this was a miss for me. The book could have been broken into bite sized chunks but even this narrator would have killed that too. Sorry, as I really am interest in the area of history.

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More than a weepy, but a story of lives

Revisado: 10-12-16

Not a literary exercise but a plausible modern construction with a lot if heart about those that have and those that don't, what matters and possibly for some the meaning of selflessness. And, of course, love in all it's complexity. There were a few bits of philosophy scattered in like a modern soap but enjoyable and moving nevertheless. I did not choose to like this book but, like the girl in the story, I could not help it. Only a minor criticism about one of the actors accents (portraying the same people differently to the others but somehow more appropriately for it's error - a production error by someone less skilled in British accents I presume. Will I see the film. Probably not. I think with all its stardom it will still be disappointing when compared to the book and could trivialise much of the endpoint. May all the Lou's in the world meet a Will. There aren't so many of either.

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A Great Trilogy

Revisado: 09-30-16

Would you listen to The Girl Who Played with Fire again? Why?

Yes. Just a great read.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Girl Who Played with Fire?

Read 3 years plus ago so I can only remember all three books were excellent. I cannot imagine any film could hope to address these complex plots satisfactorily.

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

The perfect narrator for tis author. I have not looked for him specifically as a narrator as I pick the titles and authors first but would be happy to know he was it.

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

Too long ago. Just loved the book. Had great affection for the central character and her publisher 'mentor' (father figure).

Any additional comments?

Great book, writer and great narration.

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Larssen is on his own

Revisado: 09-30-16

If you could sum up The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo in three words, what would they be?

Relationships, intrigue, plot

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo?

The characters are vivid, if flawed.

Which scene was your favorite?

Read it more than 3 years ago. I should have reviewed it then.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

No the violence seemed appropriate and intelligible if not difficult to stomach I suspect for some readers.

Any additional comments?

This Trilogy by Larssen and read by Reichlin is an essential read for anyone interested n plots an mysteries/detective stories.

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