B. Simms

Mildly Entertaining

Revisado: 10-20-08

I had high hopes for this book, and did find it mildly entertaining. It is well-written and offers some fun and interesting "clues" that might explain how the wicked witch became wicked. However, I don't feel her character is fully -- or believably -- developed. It's a fun read, but I was disappointed overall.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

I've Read it 3 Times!

Revisado: 12-23-07

If you like a compelling story that is well-written, this book is for you. Stephen King is at his best here, and the book is hard to put down. Also see the movie - but AFTER you have read the book.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

esto le resultó útil a 1 persona

Hated it!

Revisado: 12-23-07

I decided to read this book because it is a classic of 20th century literature, and because my English-professor husband recommended it. However, I had to stop listening after a couple of hours. I found the writing disjointed and choppy (perhaps the author's intention), and the characters unsympathetic. The book reminded me of the TV show, MASH, which I also hated. Although I do enjoy some kinds of black humor, I guess I am offended when it is applied to war. If you have similar feelings, con't waste your time on this cynical book.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

esto le resultó útil a 5 personas

Great Read

Revisado: 12-23-07

This is a terrific book. As always, I'm impressed by the author's ability to write convincingly from a child's point of view, and to create a compelling story. William Hurt is stunning as narrator, and Stephen King is also excellent.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

Not memorable.

Revisado: 12-23-07

I enjoy many of Stephen King's works, although I am not generally into the supernatural or horror genres. He's a very good writer, and I have especially enjoyed MISERY, DESPERATION, DOLORES CLAIBORNE, THE GREEN MILE, THE GIRL WHO LOVED TOM GORDON, and many of his short stories. His autobiography is also terrific -- a must-read for students who want to be creative writers. But this book just didn't do it for me. I did not find the characters compelling, and the story was not memorable.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

esto le resultó útil a 4 personas

Very Disappointed

Revisado: 12-23-07

I gave up on this book after about an hour. The narrator was annoying, and I began to wonder if the book was abridged. It's already a short work, but this version seemed so compressed that it reminded me of some of the disastrous abridged versions I have accidentally downloaded previously. What a disappointment this was!

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

esto le resultó útil a 1 persona

Fabulous.

Revisado: 12-23-07

I couldn't stop listening to this book. The story is compelling, the narration very good. Now I really want to see Sean Penn's movie version.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

esto le resultó útil a 2 personas

Interesting but Disappointing

Revisado: 06-26-07

I'm a real John Irving fan, and my absoute favorite book is A Widow for One Year. I had high hopes for this book, and was eager to get started on it. Unfortunately, it was a big disappointment, especially when compared to A Widow for One Year. The opening chapters are too long, and I got bored with the descriptions of the main character's travels. The story becomes interesting - and very disturbing - when the young boy experiences sexual abuse at the hands of adult women. But as the story progesses this becomes utterly absurd and unbelievable. At some point I realized I no longer felt sympathy for the young boy who seems as perverted and freakish as the women he is abused by. I also found the ending unconvincing. If you haven't read A Widow for One Year, download that one instead of this one!

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

esto le resultó útil a 12 personas

Fabulous Story, Gets Better with Every Reading

Revisado: 04-29-07

I've read this book 4 times in the past couple of years, and enjoy it more each time I read it. John Irving is a master of character development, and the writing is impecable. A totally satisfying story.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

esto le resultó útil a 13 personas

Interesting Topic, but Highly Overrated

Revisado: 04-29-07

The description of this book, as well as the critical and customer reviews, made it intriguing. However, I was very disappointed overall. The subject matter is interesting, but this story is annoyingly far-fetched, particularly the last fourth of the book. I would much rather read a nonfiction account than this rambling tale. Although the author spends an enormous amount of time exploring several generations of a family, the characters are not really developed in an authentic way. I also found the performance annoying, particularly the ridiculous music/sound effects. No doubt the interesting subject matter has drawn many readers to this book, but I would not recommend it.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña