mon2cents

Stephen Florida is 2017's Fight Club

Revisado: 06-17-17

(My review here varies slightly from its original on the audible.com website.)

Stephen Florida reminds me of: Rocky Balboa, Timothy Leary and Donnie Darko. He notices everything. He understands his place in the world, adapts, survives, thrives.
Will Damron, the audiobook's narrator, gives a powerful reading: suspenseful at game time and introspective during injury and exploration.
The audiobook helps bring out the "sympathetic narrative" that may be lost when reading the text alone.
Stephen Florida learned early in life where and how to find an arena for his "madness." (Call it youthful vigor.) He gives me hope because I have known people just like him. Rural people. College kids. Single-minded survivors. He's no "Less than Zero" cynic. He's brave and courageous.

If you liked "Fight Club" by Chuck Palahniuk than "Stephen Florida" is sure to have you laughing, crying and cheering aloud all at once.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

esto le resultó útil a 4 personas

On Nylon Magazine's Best Books for June 2017

Revisado: 06-08-17

(my original review appears in similar form on Audible's website)


well crafted : ironic, witty and yet sad. A modern day story about a woman with an unknown illness (IMO social isolation.) The author covers important topics in sparse language. Themes are not heavy handed. Not sure if it's for everyone because of subject matter. This is a moody, fast paced and reflective book.

What other book might you compare The Answers to and why?
2016's "The Nix" by Nathan Hill because of contemporary subject matter.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

esto le resultó útil a 3 personas

Narration is the only weak point.

Revisado: 03-25-16

Where does Anna Karenina rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

I have been a daily listener since 2009. I choose what I listen to based on narrator for the most part , this is an exception. I want to listen to Anna Karenina with a female narrator. I would have preferred Claudia Black, she is my favorite narrator.

What did you like best about this story?

I like the immersive experience of pre-revolution Russia. I especially like the themes of St. Petersburg vs. Moscow. I get a strong sense of Tolstoy's talent, personality and pioneering work each time I venture into his works.

What did you like about the performance? What did you dislike?

I liked the basic narration. The vocalizations were abrasive at times. I really wish the narrator had read it without so much exhausting snobbery in the voices of some characters. Total overkill. Much better the basic narration a d the voice of Anna. But the rest ..the characterizations were cliché and unnecessary.

If you could rename Anna Karenina, what would you call it?

I wouldn't rename it. It's a classic for many reasons, title included.

Any additional comments?

I don't recommend this recording.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

Needs different narrator. Poor quality

Revisado: 03-25-16

What did you like best about The Histories? What did you like least?

I like that this is unabridged. The narrator is very difficult on the ears. The recording is poor.

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

I have tried listening again and again. I hope someday I'll be able to imagine the narrator as my favorite uncle.

Would you be willing to try another one of Bernard Mayes’s performances?

No.

If this book were a movie would you go see it?

Sure.

Any additional comments?

I don't recommend this recording. I wish Audible could offer a different recording of the same title. Unabridged.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

5 stars: Stories to re-listen again and again

Revisado: 02-20-16

What made the experience of listening to Dangerous Women the most enjoyable?

Very charismatic cast and fun, Favorites include Iain Glenn reading George R,R, Martin, Claudia Black reading Brandon Sanderson. I bought the book because I am a fan of Gardner Dozois and George R.R. Martin. I love their anthologies.

Who was your favorite character and why?

My favorite characters were the dragons of Westeros. I always wanted to know what had happened to them. George R.R. Martin gives us the history of the Princess and the Queen. 200 years prior to the events in Game of Thrones. The final days of the dragons is told with beauty and awe.

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

Excellent variety of vocalizations. Suspense, Pathos, Fully realised characterizations. Empathy. Catharsis.,

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

"Mushroom", the Westeros High Court's fool is a wit! He knows all the salacious secrets."Silence" a woman with a child was a harrowing adventure. Very tearful and heroic.

Any additional comments?

This is my first introduction to the work of Brandon Sanderson. Excellent. I visited his website immediately. These anthologies have introduced me to excellent writers. Award winning writers, emerging talents, leaders in their genre. I was swept away. My highest recommendation.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

esto le resultó útil a 1 persona