Joanne

Great ‘new’ author

Revisado: 05-11-22

I have just discovered Ron Corbett’s books and after reading three books in his series set in the northern divide (Ontario/Quebec), I picked up The Sweet Goodbye. The first series is excellent. I’m not sure why it hasn’t been reviewed yet by others but I highly recommend it to those who appreciate good, tight writing, a setting that we don’t often read about, a great story with a strong protagonist. The Sweet Goodbye is set in northern Maine. Like the other books, it is quite violent but the plot is very good and the writing is strong and tight. I follow Shelley’s reviews faithfully (and Wayne’s) and have found so many great books from her recommendations. I think that this book would pique Shelley’s interest and would love to see her review it. Highly recommended.

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Brilliant, beautiful, devastating, brave

Revisado: 04-10-21

This is a must read. Sharon Stone reaches right into the heart of love, grief, and trauma and embodies the transcendence of forgiveness. She is fearless as she shares her truth. And this has provided another stepping stone to healing for this reader.

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Run, don’t walk, to read this book!

Revisado: 10-21-17

This book is astonishing in its depth, breadth and humanity. Mr. Browder’s personal story about his life and motivation for studying business was fascinating. His description of how and why he became so interested in the emerging markets of Eastern Europe and Russia provided real insight into a very important period in the modern history of business and politics. Where this book truly shines is in the telling of the tragic story of Sergei Magnitsky. Mr. Browder’s tenacity, courage, and commitment to truth-telling have deeply touched me. I now understand so much more about modern Russia - and about the need to ask deeper questions when political decisions are made in the West. Thank you, Mr. Browder, for this amazing book.

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The best book I've read in a long, long time

Revisado: 11-02-15

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes. This is a masterful novel with immense scope. I am so grateful to the narrators for making the powerful words and ideas come alive. Music, politics, and economics are interwoven through the stories of the main characters. The language is raw so some listeners may find the novel difficult to "read".

Who was your favorite character and why?

I don't have a favorite character after first reading/listening. Each character is fully drawn and I felt empathy for each one, even though their flaws were very visible.

What does the narrators bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Oh, my - the narrators were amazing! They made the story come alive for me. I have a copy of the book and plan to read it next. I wonder, in advance, whether I would have "seen/heard/smelled" the characters and their environments if I had read the book rather than listened to it first. We shall see!

If you could take any character from A Brief History of Seven Killings out to dinner, who would it be and why?

I think I would like to have dinner with Bob Marley ("The Singer"). Was he aware of the political undercurrents in Jamaica as he rose to fame? How much did he understand about his part in them? How did he feel about those he left behind as he moved beyond the ghetto?

Any additional comments?

I am in awe of this novel. Its depth and insight are astounding. If I were to be stranded on a desert island, this would be one of the five books I would need to take with me.

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Very good

Revisado: 07-06-15

Would you listen to The Mask again? Why?

Yes. The book started off a bit slowly - building a sense of place and leaving this reader as off-balance as a "domesticated" Munro. As the story progresses, the pace picks up and the early "lull" makes complete sense. I would listen again in order to be more respectful of the the writer's perfect sense of timing.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Vanessa/Michael continues to be my favorite character in this series. Taylor Stevens describes the experience of a survivor of extreme trauma without flinching - while compassion and love can exist, the skills and mindset acquired to make survival possible have a life of their own.

Which scene was your favorite?

The scene where Vanessa/Michael organizes her contract with Capstone for Miles' rescue is one of my favorites. On the surface, it seems wrong for Vanessa/Michael to ask for payment; however, she is doing what she must do to surface the skills that will ultimately set Miles free.

Any additional comments?

Several plot lines were woven into the story, not all of which felt necessary. I would be interested to know more about one of important characters in the story - Munro's "mirror". In all, the story held together very well and it was a very enjoyable "listen".

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Be brave...this is an important book

Revisado: 06-29-15

Where does The Cartel rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

In the top 20.

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

It's difficult to choose one memorable moment because the book is resonating so strongly in my mind, days after I have finished reading. Moments of sheer beauty are memorable because they are reminders that there is life in the midst of destruction: a blue sky with high cumulus clouds, a grotto damp and green, dresses that swirl.

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

Ray Porter is wonderful. This performance is masterful.

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

There were so many but the women of Juarez, their devotion to justice embodied in small and large acts, moved me.

Any additional comments?

My favorite books help me to understand my world. They force me to open my eyes and to think about issues that I might otherwise find too difficult to consider. The Cartel is one of these books. I needed to take breaks to breathe - the narrative was unrelenting. Through the development of unforgettable characters (some familiar from Power of The Dog, some new) and the description of places (once beautiful.. and finding beauty amidst destruction), the real-life tragedy that is the drug trade has come alive for me. I am left with the question: Am I brave enough to keep my eyes open to the difficult issues in the world? The answer: I must. Thank you, Mr. Winslow, for illuminating this particular issue for me.

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Thank you, Mom!

Revisado: 03-30-13

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

My mother recommended this audiobook and I wholeheartedly agree with her recommendation. This book is elegantly written with an intricate, meticulously-drawn plot and multi-dimensional characters.

Who was your favorite character and why?

The writer, "Kamensky", was my favourite character because of his profound capacity to love.

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

No - but I thought this performance was wonderful.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes.

Any additional comments?

The Secret Lovers is so much more than a spy thriller. It is a love story told with such elegant brilliance that it took my breath away.

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Interesting, current and a very good thriller

Revisado: 03-24-13

Where does The Leviathan Effect rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

In the top 25%

What did you like best about this story?

The discussion of the impact of human intervention on the environment through the lens of a particular 'natural' disaster was very interesting. I appreciated that the author created a 'thriller' to elucidate the many layers of significance. The characters and plot were very entertaining.

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

I haven't listened to any of her performances before. I definitely enjoyed this performance: the many characters were distinctively voiced and the dramatic settings were even more vivid in the 'speaking'.

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

There wasn't a particular moment; however, I continue to think about the hallucinations experienced by several characters at the height of the 'unnatural' natural disaster.

Any additional comments?

I definitely enjoyed this book and recommend it as a fast-paced thriller with a highly charged twist.

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Listen to this book!

Revisado: 01-17-13

Where does Yes, Chef rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

This audibook is in my all-time top 10. Another reader's review led me to it (thank you!) and I was blown away by the content and the wonderful narration. Mr. Samuelsson is thoughtful and perceptive, telling his story with clarity and a desire to tell the truth about the industry and, more importantly, about himself.

What did you like best about this story?

What's not to like! The story of a Swedish couple creating a family, adopting two siblings (just recovered from tuberculosis) from Ethopia who would join their other foster child. The way they created a home for their children, from teaching Markus how to fish and how to cook, was beautiful. Throughout the book, Markus writes of his grandmother and parents' unconditional, but practical, love. Markus writes about his search for "flavours". He writes about the traditional European training for chefs. And, he writes about New York City. I loved this inside view of restaurants I have read about in the pages of Gourmet and Bon Appetit. Fabulous! Along the way, Mr. Samuelsson writes about the paucity of black chefs in top-ranked kitchens around the world and about his journey to bring "flavours" of the world to unique experiences of gourmet cuisine.

Which scene was your favorite?

There are so many but two stand out in my mind. The first is Mr. Samuelsson's encounter with Gordon Ramsay - you'll have to listen to the book to understand how this encounter incorporates so many elements of Markus's journey as a man and as a top chef.

The other scene is Markus and Maya's wedding in Ethopia - again, these scenes contain so many of the elements of his personal journey. I loved the sense of colour, texture, flavours, and joy he is able to convey through his writing.

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

I loved this book! It made me cry and it made me laugh. It inspired me and it made me think.

Any additional comments?

Often, when an author narrates his/her own book, the result can be lacklustre. This is definitely NOT the case here. Mr. Samuelsson is the very best person for the task - he brings his desire for excellence to it, along with his lovely voice.

In all, this book has everything: a fascinating story about the world of top chefs as well as the search for excellence and identity. Along the way, something truly alchemical happens - the result is far more than the sum of its parts.

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A fascinating story told by a fascinating man

Revisado: 09-18-12

Would you consider the audio edition of Caveat Emptor to be better than the print version?

This is a hard question to answer. The audio version is excellent: the performance captures the excitement of Mr. Perenyi's life and conveys the details of various painting styles in way that kept my attention. For an art lover, I think a hard copy of the book would be invaluable because Mr. Perenyi's career covers so many periods of art history and painting.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Mr. Perenyi was my favourite character because of his love of learning and of art. I was struck by his genius, his ability to understand an artist, his burning desire to paint, his love of technique, and his ability to move in all strata of society. I wondered if he was really "for real" - but, in the end, I didn't care. I loved being reminded that geniuses live among us. Another favourite character was Jose, Mr. Perenyi's best friend and partner, who died of AIDs. He was depicted as a devoted and loyal friend without peer - a lovely, gentle soul.

Which character – as performed by Dan Butler – was your favorite?

I enjoyed the Roy Cohn character and was fascinated by the way in which Mr. Perenyi's life intersected with his.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Absolutely, yes!

Any additional comments?

Read this book for an adventure with some fascinating characters (including Andy Warhol) through some really interesting times; for a story of New York in the sixties and seventies; and for a master class in art and painting. It's a gem.

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