Tropical Gal

Horrible Narration

Revisado: 07-13-23

The sisters are Anglo-Indian but the narrator, often in the same sentence, switches back and forth between a standard US accent and a weird campy faux Brit accent. Her performance is so distracting and off putting that I don’t think I will be able to finish the book. This book really needs to be re-recorded.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

Worthwhile

Revisado: 04-04-22

The story is a somber but gripping tale of Spain in the early days of WWII. The narrator is first rate and provides a flawless performance. Highly recommended.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

Pleasant medieval mystery

Revisado: 02-08-20

This is the first in an excellent series of medieval mysteries. If you like Brother Cadfael stories or Mel Starr’s Hugh de Singleton, this is a good choice. The story is fairly slow paced and the writing thoughtful- overall enjoyable. I’d like to see more of this series on Audible.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

esto le resultó útil a 17 personas

Not so great

Revisado: 11-30-19

The narrator used an odd falsetto for one of his characters which made it a difficult listen for me.
As for the story, the author didn’t research his subject matter well. Examples are his apparent inability to distinguish between hot air and hydrogen balloons & a more than fanciful description of the Arctic in the 1830’s. I can’t give further examples as I quit & returned the book at this point.
Maybe this book would work as fantasy but certainly not as historical fiction.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

A Little Gem

Revisado: 05-12-19

Anyone who enjoys Le Guin, thoughtful science fiction or social commentary should consider this book.

I was expecting a quick, casual read but was really drawn into the book. Too bad it wasn’t longer!

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

Classic Book & Very Highly Recommended

Revisado: 05-12-19

This a classic that I first read decades ago: I’ve really enjoyed reading it again as an audio book. Any one interested in Africa, ecology or travel adventure should enjoy this book.

A few years ago I listened to “The Old Way” by Elizabeth Marshall Thomas. In her book, she describes the life of the Kalahari people as experienced by her family in the early 1950’s. By the time the Owens arrived in the Kalahari during the mid 1970’s, the Bushmen had been driven off the land and it had been turned into a game reserve. In a way, I found this book to be a continuation of Elizabeth Marshall Thomas’s story of the Kalahari , its’ people and its’ animals.

As for the narration, it is excellent. Sean Runnette is one of the best narrators available. Donna Postel is also a very good narrator who speaks American English with a very slight Southern accent. Speaking as a Canadian and a reader of 200 plus audio books a year, I find her accent very acceptable and, in no way whatsoever, objectionable.

This is an audiobook I would enjoy listening to again.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

esto le resultó útil a 28 personas

Fascinating

Revisado: 12-16-14

Where does By the Rivers of Water rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

I listened to this book twice back to back: but it was the story rather than the narration that held me. I think it was the most interesting and thought provoking book I read in 2014.

What was one of the most memorable moments of By the Rivers of Water?

The whole book was memorable-every page was a learning experience for me.

What about Mirron Willis’s performance did you like?

I wasn't crazy about his performance to begin with but it grew on me.

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

The missionaries' move to Gabon introduced me to a period of West African history of which I was completely unaware.

Any additional comments?

I would recommend this book to anyone who has an interest in the history of Protestant missions, of slavery in the American South, or of the colonial history of West Africa.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

esto le resultó útil a 1 persona

Great narration; so-so story

Revisado: 12-16-14

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

Only if they really liked zombies.

How would you have changed the story to make it more enjoyable?

I found the storyline a bit boring and predictable. An abridged edition might have held my attention better.

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

She allowed me to feel an empathy for the characters, that I, otherwise, would not have been able to muster. Without her excellent narration, I wouldn't have made it past the first few chapters.

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

Definitely not.

Any additional comments?

It wasn't a bad book, just not for me.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña