c a cornelius

Good Yet Disappointing

Revisado: 03-21-24

I'm stuck. This is the first book I finished and contemplated returning for a refund. Not because the story is bad but because it is just that... a story and that is not what was being sold. Is this the epic true story of the life of the Duke & Dutchess of Sussex and why they withdrew from royal life? Or is it historical fiction with liberties taken by the authors to entertain the audience by weaving a tale based on fact? True no one can say what truely happened in any given situation without having been in the room but this starts with glaring discrepancies that taint the proported accuracy for the whole of the book. The first couple of chapters give the back story of Meghan and Prince Harry, information readily known, but then the issues arise. Durand & Scobie go into great detail describing how Meghan & Harry met and their first two dates and excursion to Botswana but it is contrary to the history given by Harry & Meghan- how they became aware of each other, what they ate, what they drank, what they wore, the logistics of travel. And then there is chapter eleven! The authors describe in detail Meghan undergoing a kidnapping enactment as part of a specialized preparation for safety. In Spare, Prince Harry comments on the telling of this story which he with indignation categorically denies. Turns out this is the misinformation to which he referred. Finding Freedom is well written and brings the decisions made by the couple in perspective and provides clarity. But with specific details given being so vastly different to the details provided in Harry's book Spare and the couple in their Netflix special, how can one trust the information in the total of the book? And here I sit stuck... 5 stars for a well written and interesting story or 3 for being a misrepresentation of purpose - a purveyor of false, albeit not malicious, information.

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Lemons Can Become Lemonade

Revisado: 03-23-23

Oh my.... Riveting. Listening to this story made me go to church. Although I believe God is everywhere, I had to seek solace in a physical building of worship to sit and ponder and thank the Supreme Being for having me born into a loving family, born to a man (and woman) who loved and supported me. Having worked 42 years in child welfare, most in child protective services, I have never encountered the level of abuse described in this memoir. My hat off to Mr Cumming for surviving and blossoming. Well written and narrated (love his voice); I could see everything as it happened. Not a book to be put down.

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Yes, but.....

Revisado: 02-01-22

Slow start but it got good and demanded my attention. Never warmed to the narrator, voice too gruff for the President and sucks speaking in the female voice.

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To Be Continued

Revisado: 12-23-21

Providing a behinds the scenes look at the workings of the administration, the book book, released March 2020, ends June 2019, it feels unfinished in the way that it ends. Guess that was why there was an update released March 2021 but the ending here still feels abrupt. Guess I need to purchase and listen to Betrayal for an ending.

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Merge of Romance and Thriller

Revisado: 12-12-21

Romance novel? I did not recognize this to be a romance novel until past the halfway point, after all Javier did not "take" Julie in the barn hayloft. This thriller romance novel is compelling, a fun read/listen. Really enjoyed the book and will look for more by Nora Robers.

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Intriguing Yet Predictable

Revisado: 11-27-21

Took a couple of attempts to get started but once it clicked my interest was maintained to the end. As each character was introduced you immediately knew who to like/support, who to tolerate and who to dislike/distrust. Unfortunately, except for two or three story lines, the plot twists were obvious, easy to predict. I do wish I had $5 for each time the word "said" was written/heard- she said, he said, Lou said, Everett said, Alice said, Mindy said, Fanny said, Ghia said.... there are better ways to write dialog. Descriptive writing was good but not the author's strength.

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Eye Opening To Pain

Revisado: 08-14-21

Knew of but was not a fan, not because I did not like er but because I never really saw her work. Her story is so painful and as a child welfare professional I understood her demons and their impact on her life and behaviours.

Narration is excellent, very vivid in her rendering.

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Seriously?

Revisado: 08-09-21

57 chapters - four made me laugh, 2 garnered a smile, two are thought provoking.

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Accompanying Picture Book Needed

Revisado: 07-22-21

Even if you know the story, the detail is magnificent but you need a picture book to identify all the players.

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esto le resultó útil a 1 persona

Landry, Prentice, George, Isabel, Caleb, Clementin

Revisado: 06-23-21

it took a couple starts to begin but once I did I was mesmerized. The writing is visual.

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esto le resultó útil a 23 personas