Susan

Fast-Paced for Gaskell

Revisado: 03-26-13

I'm a great fan of Elizabeth Gaskell since I listened to Cranford, and Mary Barton served only to increase my admiration for her story-telling. This one was surprisingly fast-paced especially toward the end. She really had my heart racing with the suspense of it all! And Juliet Stevenson does it again with her agile reading. It just amazes me how she can switch so rapidly between characters with such different voices and accents.

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esto le resultó útil a 8 personas

A Vast Perspective on the History of Abortion

Revisado: 03-26-13

This book is not easy listening, but it is important listening. Dr. Nathanson was a very erudite and educated man and his vocabulary and literary references are rich, but his story built my understanding of the thinking process that took place in the early days of legal abortion and how it became entrenched in the minds of Americans. It also covers the history of abortion from ancient times to the present and shows perspectives on both the pro-choice and pro-life sides. It was also difficult to listen to the parts of the book that dealt with the horrifying details of abortion techniques, but the truth of that must be told. I was especially interested in the story of Dr. Nathanson's lifelong quest for God, a quest he didn't even know he was on until very late in life. The happy ending of the story in St. Patrick's cathedral when he was baptized by Cardinal O'Connor brought a tear to my eye. What surprised and puzzled me the most about this book, however, is how anyone could still be in favor of legal abortion after Dr. Nathanson's story was made known in the 1980s. He was one of the people whose influence most turned the tide toward widespread abortion, but his voice was all but drowned out when he cried out to stop it. Overall, this was a riveting tale of a tragic life which ended in spiritual triumph.

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Increased my Understanding

Revisado: 03-26-13

What did you like best about this story?

My greatest take-away from this book was the insight and understanding it gave me toward people who work in the abortion industry. I have been praying on the sidewalks in front of abortion centers for 18 years, but the people who work in the centers have been a mystery to me for the most part. Abby gave me a look inside their world and inspired in me greater feelings of compassion and understanding for them.

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

Abby Clark has a youthful vivacious voice that sounds like the young college student with a heart for helping others that Abby Johnson was.

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

The description of how Abby Johnson felt when she saw the ultrasound abortion, her account of the day she left Planned Parenthood, and her story of suffering through a medical abortion all were riveting and revealing moments.

Any additional comments?

I am so very glad I heard this story. It has made me a better pro-life advocate with a deeper and more heartfelt longing to reach out to everyone hurt by abortion, including those who work in abortion centers. There are really no "enemies" in this culture war, only victims who need understanding, love and healing.

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Awesome Austen Experience

Revisado: 12-12-11

Would you listen to Northanger Abbey again? Why?

Oh yes! And I have recommended it to my daughters to show them how important it is to avoid frivolously minded girlfriends.

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

Juliet Stevenson is my favorite female reader. I am in awe of her ability to portray such different characters in rapid succession. She brings a life and color to the characters that truly does enhance the experience of a book.

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Entertaining and Informative

Revisado: 12-12-11

Would you listen to Cheaper by the Dozen again? Why?

Yes, I would listen to Cheaper by the Dozen again, because it is amusing and gave me something to think about.

Who was your favorite character and why?

My favorite character was Mrs. Gilbreth because she is an example of a strong and capable woman and loving mother.

What about Dana Ivey’s performance did you like?

Dana Ivey's voice was full of fun and smiles and I felt that she was telling the story as if it were her own.

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

I'm really too busy to do anything while sitting! I listened to this book while sewing and had to keep pausing my iPod during the noisy sewing machine tasks so that I wouldn't miss anything. I did keep sewing all day so that I could keep listening to this wonderful book! My daughters also listened to it and thoroughly enjoyed it.

Any additional comments?

A real treasure in this book for me was the fact that it was a primary historical resource for family life and societal attitudes in the 1920s. I'm making a personal study of the changing attitudes through the 19th and 20th centuries, especially as related to fashion tastes. It was informative to hear the family's reaction to the sudden change in clothes and

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A Reasonable Reading

Revisado: 12-12-11

What did you love best about Orthodoxy?

Personally, my highest compliment given to a person is

Who was your favorite character and why?

This book is not a narrative with characters. Rather Mr. Chesterton is discussing his own experience of life, so he is the main character. I came to like him very much from what I heard.

Which character – as performed by Simon Vance – was your favorite?

Simon Vance is my favorite male reader. (Juliet Stevenson is my favorite female reader.) His voice and reading are wonderful, and especially impressive in C.S. Lewis's The Great Divorce. Orthodoxy does not have a variety of characters to portray, but Mr. Vance's reading of it was very satisfying indeed.

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Absolutely charming!

Revisado: 04-18-10

After having seen Cranford and Return to Cranford on PBS, my daughters and I were interested in hearing the original story. We were delighted! What a wonderful book to listen to by the fireside as we did this winter. We're great fans of Elizabeth Gaskell now.

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Good, but disappointing ending

Revisado: 02-12-10

My three daughters and I enjoyed the adventure scenes and thought provoking observations on life in The Princess and Curdie, however the ending was quite disappointing. One of the main characters who we came to care about was summarily killed off at the end with no explanation. It seemed to have no point. Also, the author goes on to mention generations after the main characters who save the kingdom, and how those later generations destroyed the kingdom. It ended on a very dismal note, which did not seem to follow from the rest of the book. I don't think we'll read or listen to any more George MacDonald.

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esto le resultó útil a 4 personas