Louise Linderoth

Sort of interesting

Revisado: 02-14-16

Would you be willing to try another book from the authors? Why or why not?

The author - despite making use of a ghost author - does not manage to make himself sound the least bit intelligent. This is one little man's struggle to get recognition, first in criminal gangs, later in terrorism and counter-terrorism.
It does give an interesting insight into what may be going on in the heads of at least some of the people who end up associated with modern day terrorist organisations. In that respect it was an interesting (if at times horrifying, and at others cringing) listen. But I would not want to read/listen to any other books by the same author.

How did the narrator detract from the book?

I'm not in a position to judge the narrator's pronunciation of Arabic, which many have praised. However, his British English is simply ridiculous, and the Danish (thankfully limited to names of places and people) is ranging between utterly incomprehensible and just plain silly. Danes do not write Copenhagen that way, so pronouncing it in some weird German way is not going to make it sound any more Danish. But at least there it is possible to understand what was written.

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Enjoyable book

Revisado: 02-14-16

How did the narrator detract from the book?

Certainly not the worst narrator I have come across on Audible - but he managed to mispronounce a lot of especially names of people and places. I'm personally also not a huge fan of narrators who switch from their 'normal' voice to a sing-song whenever South Asians are speaking. While generally read ok, he also introduces some pauses at wrong places - maybe he didn't prepare enough before the recording, but there are definitely sentences that would have benefited from a re-take.

Any additional comments?

The story was very enjoyable and interesting, and I don't regret getting it, despite the not so perfect narrator.

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Mixed feelings

Revisado: 11-02-15

Would you consider the audio edition of A Town Like Alice to be better than the print version?
I have enjoyed both the audio and print versions of this book, but found that Neil Hunt performed very well, so perhaps the audio wins this one.

What did you like best about this story?
There were many things to enjoy about this book. I personally enjoyed the framing story with the elderly solicitor and felt that Neil Hunt performed this part especially well. Other than that I think I probably enjoyed the part taking place in Burma more than what was happening in Australia - one reason being that the Australia described in the book seems a very racist place; I cringed a lot.

What does Neil Hunt bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?
I think Neil Hunt especially managed to make the elderly Noel Strachan come to life. But over all I think he did an excellent job with the book.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?
I probably would have enjoyed continuing straight through from start to finish. At the same time, the book comes more or less in two separate parts - one focusing on the prisoners of war in Burma, the other on an entrepreneur making it in the Australian outback - and the two parts feel rather distinctly different, so make for a natural spot for a longer break, if needed.

Any additional comments?
As mentioned above the treatment of especially the Australian aborigines was tough to listen to. Constantly referred to as 'boongs' or 'abos' for example. Also rather strange that an aborigine 'ringer' was not thought good enough to send to town for help, when instead he had to accompany and help a slower and less accomplished (but white) rider getting to town with an important message. Unfortunately this and the segregation in the milk bar and elsewhere was probably typical for the time and place. But that doesn't change the fact that there is quite a lot of racism in the book, which obviously makes it hard to like it.

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Ok but definitely not great

Revisado: 08-26-15

This book wasn’t for you, but who do you think might enjoy it more?

The story itself would probably appeal to anyone interested in some light romantic entertainment. It's just not all that well written.

Would you ever listen to anything by Deborah Moggach again?

Probably not.

Would you be willing to try another one of Nicky Henson’s performances?

Perhaps. The reading was a little hasty, but of course it fit the writing. So, perhaps.

What reaction did this book spark in you? Anger, sadness, disappointment?

I bought this book after having enjoyed the movie version of the Marigold Hotel story by the same author. I suspect a movie version of this book could be made pretty decent entertainment. But as a book it was rather disappointing - the writing wasn't very good.

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