Emily

A powerful performance of a classic play

Revisado: 08-15-21

This Audible Original is not to be missed. This performance of Williams' classic play is simply electrifying. Audra McDonald is superb as Blanche, and Carla Gugino is excellent as Stella. McDonald reveals a vulnerability to Blanche, as well as her predatory side, and Gugino demonstrates Stella's autonomy within her relationship to Stanley in a very memorable way. It made me reflect on the characters in ways that other performances did not, and I'm grateful for this.

Williams wrote complex plays that looked into the depth of human relationships, and this performance does the script justice. Have a listen, and see for yourself. All you have to do, is board the streetcar ...

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Short, and thought-provoking.

Revisado: 01-02-20

This is an excellent short story by the author of The Martian and Artemis, but it’s not like his other works. Whereas the Martian and Artemis revel in their depictions of richly-researched science, The Egg is a new direction for Andy Weir, and I was happy to join him for the ride.

The Egg is a philosophical (and theological) exploration about life and its meaning. I won’t say more about the plot so as not to spoil anything for you. It’s well worth the short time spent listening, and I’m fairly sure I’ll be listening to it again so I can think about it.

High recommended. Hope you enjoy it. Let it get you thinking.

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The less you know, the better this journey will be

Revisado: 10-21-19

Robert Harris is a phenomenal writer, and The Second Sleep is no exception. This is a gripping, thought-provoking novel that unfolds moment by moment, almost like a slow burn. There are points where things occur which put everything into context as the mysteries unravel, and they leave you feeling startled as well as delighted as you begin to understand just what's happened, and what's happening.

I think that it's best to know very little about this novel, so you can fully experience the carefully crafted moments of revelation, so I'll not say anything about the plot, apart from saying that the characters are well-imagined, the setting is interesting and engaging, and the pacing is masterful. Roy McMillan reads the novel with skill and style, voicing the characters well and giving a real sense of personality to each of them.

If you enjoyed Harris' historical novels, you'll enjoy The Second Sleep. Highly recommended.

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A deeply thoughtful follow-up to Ender’s Game

Revisado: 06-07-19

When I first listened to Ender’s Game, I was struck with a thought - given all that he’s gone through, what sort of adult will Ender Wiggin become? Speaker for the Dead contains the answer to that question, and it’s well worth discovering what it is.

Without giving too much away, Ender is now an adult and he serves as a Speaker for the Dead, a type of humanist preacher who can be called to deliver a reflection on the life of someone who has died. These reflections are non-religious, often very honest, not pasting over the ugly parts of the departed’s life, and allow the person to be remembered for exactly who they were, both good and bad. This in itself is an interesting concept, and when Ender is called to speak the death of a researcher into an alien species, he goes, begins his enquiries, and things become very interesting. This is also a solid science fiction novel about how humanity might begin to connect with an alien species, and the consequences of these encounters.

I loved the depth of this book and its exploration of human relationships, and its inclusion of philosophical and theological discussion around guilt, innocence, redemption, salvation and forgiveness. There are some truly deep topics to delve into with Speaker for the Dead, and if it sounds like something you’d be interested in, I can only suggest that you listen to this audiobook and that you’ll also enjoy it.

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Good performance, very different from the original

Revisado: 06-07-19

David Suchet is excellent as Dracula - he nails the movement from being creepy to being appealing, from beguiling to repulsive, from kindly to deadly. However, the narrative differs so much from the source material, and is so truncated, that this doesn’t really feel like Stoker’s Dracula (in my opinion). This feels like a pilot episode, made as a proof of concept, that knew it had so much more of a story to tell if only they’d green-light the production. I really wanted it to include the continent-wide hunt for Dracula that makes up so much of the original novel, driven by the desire to save Mina’s soul before it’s too late. For me, that’s where so much of the drama and energy and urgency of Dracula lies, and this doesn’t quite get there in its framing the story around the events in Whitby with Lucy and Mina.

Finally, Tom Hiddleston is well cast as Jonathan Harker, and, for me, the dialogue between Dracula and Harker in Transylvania is pretty much the highlight of this adaptation.

Can I recommend this? Not whole-heartedly, but with some caveats being known, I’d say you should check it out and see what you think.

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Classic myths, retold with style

Revisado: 06-07-19

This collection of classic tales of the Norse gods and heroes is engrossing. Neil Gaiman is a master at retelling classic stories and myths. Norse Mythology shows you just how good he is, as a writer, as a storyteller, and as a craftsman of narrative. From the creation to the world to its destruction in Ragnarok, you'll get to know Odin, Thor, Loki and the rest of the pantheon as they live, fight, love, argue and banter with each other. Gaiman's retellings of these stories capture their personalities, their fickleness, their cleverness, and even their flaws, in both his words and the way he delivers them. This is something to be enjoyed, taking each story one by one, and journeying with them as they explain the world and how it came to be.

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"Very good" is an understatement!

Revisado: 06-07-19

Many people have narrated the Jeeves & Wooster stories by PG Wodehouse, but Martin Jarvis is absolutely my preferred narrator for these stories . He tells them with flair and colour, and a glorious sense of whimsy. Whether voicing the delightfully tender-hearted (but rather lacking in brains) Bertie W, or his unflappable gentleman's personal gentleman Jeeves, Martin Jarvis gets it spot on, every time. These are marvellous stories, and reward repeat listening. Treat yourself, settle in with a W and S, and you'll be chuckling away in no time.

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An absolute Australian classic.

Revisado: 03-12-19

I first heard this audiobook when I was maybe 5 or 6 years old, and it’s been a favourite of mine ever since. It was played on cassettes on long car trips and before bedtime.

It’s the story of Albert, the cut-and-come-again Magic Pudding, and his ‘owners’, Bill Barnacle, Sam Sawnoff and Bunyip Bluegum. It’s a classic tale of friendship, hijinks and thwarted pudding thieves which is family friendly and highly amusing.

This dramatisation by the ABC is one which will make you laugh, and the songs interspersed throughout are charming. The characters are funny and warm and beautifully voiced by the cast, and the background effects bring it all to life.

Don’t hesitate. Buy this audiobook and tuck in. You won’t regret it.

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An classic story with a new perspective.

Revisado: 03-12-19

Nutshell has a very interesting premise - It’s a novel narrated from the womb by a soon-to-be-born, highly articulate protagonist. Unique? Quite possibly. Engaging from the outset? Absolutely.

It’s a story about relationships between unborn child and mother, and a tangled web of lies and deception. Based on a classic, to say more would be to give the game away, and this is a story where you’ll enjoy the journey as the narrative unfolds.

The narrator (Rory Kinnear) is well-chosen, and brings life to all the characters. His voicing of the protagonist’s inner thoughts effortlessly flips from the urbane to those driven by juvenile desire and focus. An excellent characterisation of such an unusual protagonist.

If I had one thing to state in criticism, the novel was a touch too long than it needed to be, however, I did enjoy listening to it, and would recommend it to anyone after a highly literary listen with an usual perspective at its core.

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A heartwarming and important tale of equality

Revisado: 09-09-18

Equality is key to this story, which tells of the day where Marlon Bundo, BOTUS (Bunny of the United States), meets the love of his life - a floppy-eared boy bunny named Wesley. Knowing they want to spend the rest of their lives hopping together, they decide to marry, and that's where the story takes off ...

Listen to this gorgeous story, which is performed by a wonderful celebrity cast, and you'll be smiling and feeling sentimental by the end.

Proceeds from this book support The Trevor Project and AIDS United, so in buying this book, you're supporting worthy causes as well as making a statement - love is love, and love is all that matters!

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