Paul

A Sci-fi, 19th-Century Study in Anonymity

Revisado: 01-19-15

Would you try another book from Robert Louis Stevenson and/or Scott Brick?

Probably. Brick's performance was generally pretty good, though also sometimes overdone (accent-wise).

My bigger concern with the audio the somewhat piercing nature of some of louder parts. This doesn't seem like Brick's fault, but rather that of the audio engineer's. The leveling just seems off, and more excited moments were too loud at times.

What was the most interesting aspect of this story? The least interesting?

Really enjoyed the ideas here, even if the overall story and style didn't always appeal to me. Most interesting to me here is how Jekyll and Hyde serve as a cautionary touchstone for modern-day issues about anonymity and identity formation (most often in digital spaces).

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The Dominant Primordial Beast

Revisado: 01-06-15

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

For someone into the setting and subject matter, sure. And I'd recommend the narrator to anyone--excellent work.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Call of the Wild?

So many memorable moments to choose from in this book. Spitz and Buck's confrontation. Buck and John Thornton on the banks. Buck returning to Thornton's camp. For such a short story, London sure knew how to pack poignant moments in, especially with so many of them not coming across as totally cliche or overdone.

And I'll admit that moving to a rather snow-less part of the country this year has me craving anything and everything related to the arctic right now, which almost certainly magnified my enjoyment of this book. But still, I'd be quick to recommend it, and I can see why so many were drawn to this book.

Which character – as performed by John Lee – was your favorite?

It's a draw between Francois and Perrault. Lee's French accent is AMAZING.

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Decent précis on printing as disruptive technology

Revisado: 10-31-14

Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?

Sure, if they're interested in the history of the printing press and/or disruptive technologies.

Did the narration match the pace of the story?

Yep.

Do you think Gutenberg the Geek needs a follow-up book? Why or why not?

Nope. The proper next step would be to read a more drawn out history of Gutenberg.

Any additional comments?

Some of the entrepreneurial comparisons to Silicon Valley are tiresome, though that's probably my own personal distaste for the economic and cultural canonization of tech CEOs. At the same time, comparisons made to technologies like the Internet and web search (e.g., Google) make this book (well, essay) worth reading. Most interesting to me is how the printing press not only heralded an unprecedented, widespread circulation of ideas, but also that many of those ideas were seen as unsavory, unscrupulous, or even illegal. Today, we see the similar trends in social networks and easy-access publishing tools that give ideas an immediate global reach (e.g., ISIL propaganda). Decades passed before the effects of the printing press were even partially fathomed by those whose lives it touched. When will the dust of the information age finally settle?

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Branagh shines, Conrad sputters

Revisado: 10-30-14

Is there anything you would change about this book?

No. The story is what it is.

What do you think your next listen will be?

Probably something a bit more uplifting, just to even things out.

What about Kenneth Branagh’s performance did you like?

Usually great pacing and appropriate levels of intensity. Branagh saved this book for me.

Did Heart of Darkness: A Signature Performance by Kenneth Branagh inspire you to do anything?

Probably to seek out more of his readings (assuming the subject matter is something I'd like more than this).

Any additional comments?

Any novelty of this piece being presented as a frame narrative is quickly eclipsed by the sometimes pleasing, though more often onerous, descriptions of river life. I appreciate being exposed to a snapshot of colonialism and racism, but the plot wasn't redeeming enough to make me truly enjoy this one. Branagh's reading was the bright spot.

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