Danica

Not for the impatient

Revisado: 12-02-15

Would you try another book from Susanna Clarke and/or Simon Prebble?

I would probably avoid this author. I just did not enjoy her style. Maybe the original abridged version would work better for me. I think that maybe this writing works well for people who really love the old English writing style like Austen, Bronte, Hardy etc.

What could Susanna Clarke have done to make this a more enjoyable book for you?

I realize people truly love this book. It does have a certain charm. However, the pacing is too slow. There are some truly fantastic happenings going on in the book, but every scene grinds to a halt before things can really take off. The book is burdened with an absurd number of footnotes and anecdotes.The author, I think, has purposefully followed the example of Tolkein. Most action scenes are reported after the fact from the point of view of unnamed characters. Tolkein was a linguistics professor in the early 1900s ... let's just leave it at that.

I also think a huge problem was the lack of characters you can like. Norrell is a stuffy, pedantic scholar. His main motivation is to actively stop others from learning. Strange is a frivolous young man. He seems to just want to do ... something ... maybe? No one in the book appears to like each other. There are some dry stated declarations, but no actual evidence of affection.

I also get the sense that there is something about the substance of this book that is meant to appeal to people intimately invested in English culture. As an American, I just really wasn't able to engage fully with that. There's a lot of material about clashes between people from different regions of England, conflicts between landed gentry and the working class, allusions to the Industrial Revolution, the plight of the Englishman abroad (coughcolonialismcough), that seems really intimate to a certain demographic of readers ... unfortunately I was left out of those jokes. Oh well.

Did the narration match the pace of the story?

Yes. I was not super impressed with the narrator. A character was specifically described as Irish and he simply did an even stuffier English accent for that person.

Any additional comments?

There is something charming about this book. I do find myself going back to it every once and a while. Maybe I'll finish it over the next year or so.

Again, maybe I'm just not able to engage with this writing style. It's me, not you, book. I think the charm of the book lies in the style. So if you abhor direct fast actions from your characters, and instead prefer slow, dry, comedies of manners, then this is gonna be your jam.

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Still Thinking About This Book

Revisado: 10-14-15

If you could sum up Library at Mount Char in three words, what would they be?

Philosophical, fast-paced, horror.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Carolyn is my favorite, probably because most of the novel is told through her perspective. It's very interesting that so much is from her POV and yet there is still a lot about her that is a mystery to the reader. In some ways this book is a character study of a very disturbed person, that becomes weirdly relatable by the end of the novel. Steve was also a great character, as someone who is more grounded in normal reality, he provides a "way in" to parts of the story. Erwin is just the best. He provides some needed (dark) comic relief throughout the novel.

What about Hillary Huber’s performance did you like?

She did a good job differentiating character voices. She also did some very good subtle work with tone and inflection when reading the different character's thoughts.

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

Yes. I had a tough time putting this down and ended up listening to it over four nights.

Any additional comments?

The Library at Mount Char is a story that grows larger the deeper you get into it. As events speed up, bigger questions get asked. I really was engaged with this aspect of the book, that it started as sort of a microcosm of Carolyn's character, and ended up speculating on much grander themes. I think it's fair to say that The Library asks more questions than it seeks to answer. Certainly, I think the author's main goal was to entertain, and the novel does not take itself too seriously. I really enjoyed mulling over the various philosophical problems presented on my own terms, rather than being spoon-fed an agenda. I simply loved the plot of this story. I am firmly a fan of horror, action, and suspense. Make no mistake, this is a graphically violent book. If that's not your cup of tea, then perhaps leave this one alone. If thrilling action and intense horror sound like a good time to you, then by all means listen to this book. I found the narrative to be very fast-paced and engaging. There are plenty of outlandish sets and characters that keep everything moving very quickly! I would definitely read more from this author.

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Uneven

Revisado: 10-12-15

Is there anything you would change about this book?

This book started off really strong. I really enjoyed the first third or so. I love mysteries and humor and sci-fi elements. It all seemed to be working. And then ...

There is a moment in the book when the characters' world is literally and figuratively changed in every way, in a *horrific* way. They all react to it as if the hot water heater blew. Like, they're upset for about two minutes, then just seem rather inconvenienced. That just brought the whole book to a screeching halt for me. How am I supposed to care about these events, if every character just proceeds as if it's the same crap different day? Minor spoiler: right after the cataclysmic event happens, our characters are rather blandly riffing while going out on a bicycle ride one scene later. A BICYCLE RIDE. Right, because that's thrilling, to figure out the mechanics of a leisurely group bicycle ride in the middle of the main action of the story. Riveting stuff. Really moves the plot forward.

There's also just a really stupid Blanket Scenario earlier in the book. We're reading about grown adults in their early to mid 30s, two people who have gone to college and rent their own apartments. They end up having to share a blanket because it's very cold and then they accidentally(?) have sex. It's pretty terrible to crib from a pre-teen's anime fanfiction to get your two characters in a bed together. I'm look directly at you, Peter Clines. It's also pretty terrible to publish a book in 2012 where two people having sex neither seek nor receive consent. I believe this scene was supposed to be charming and humorous. But really, we are long past any decade in which it's hilarious and/or sexy to have a female lead who really really wants to have sex but just won't admit it, and it's our plucky male lead's job to push past every boundary without ever asking for permission. Peter Clines, this scene was not funny or charming. It was juvenile, hacky, and even if we don't read it as "rapey", it makes the sex something of a burdensome chore between these two characters. Gross.

I brushed off this anything-but-sexy sex scene and kept listening, but the utter failure of the author to engage my interest after the cataclysm has made the rest of this book a chore. I guess I'll just read it "to keep warm".

What was your reaction to the ending? (No spoilers please!)

I am having a hard time finishing this because it has become so boring. I force myself to listen to it while driving and I'm on 29/40 chapters. Maybe it will finally live up to its' reputation by the end.

Have you listened to any of Ray Porter’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

The narrator is doing a competent job, and I now believe half the charm of this book so far has come from him.

If this book were a movie would you go see it?

Maybe because it would probably have a better pace out of necessity.

Any additional comments?

Blanket Scenarios are for 12 year olds.

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Timy Curry, Yes Please

Revisado: 10-11-15

Where does Sabriel rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Very high. Tim Curry reading a dark fantasy novel about necromancers is just so great.

What other book might you compare Sabriel to and why?

I might compare this to Mistborn, in that they both do an excellent job of world building, have strong female leads, fantasy, and a slight steampunk bent. Otherwise, they are different stories, with Sabriel being more of an adventure type tale (with zombies). Mistborn is more of a "chosen one" narrative.

What about Tim Curry’s performance did you like?

He really gets across the gothic atmosphere. He absolutely slays the role of Mogget, the sardonic little cat demon.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I found it very thrilling and really got lost in the intricate world the author built. I gasped a few times when particularly gruesome foes appeared.

Any additional comments?

If any of the following words appeal to you just do yourself a favor and listen to this book.

Gothic
Horror
Fantasy
Steampunk
English
Tim Curry
Necromancer

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Heady read

Revisado: 02-11-15

What did you like best about The Vanishers? What did you like least?

I really enjoyed the themes of perception of self vs. other's perception and how it may define identity, and mother-daughter relationships, mentor-student relationships, and what these things might mean to a young woman.

What did you like best about this story?

It was satisfying how the many complicated elements eventually were revealed to be connected. It had a lot of ambiguity as to which parts of the plot may have been real or imagined and blended these in a way that served the themes.

How did the narrator detract from the book?

The narrator was the worrrrrrsssst. She was just bad. She sounded like she was on the verge of falling into a drug induced coma at all times. The vocal fry was off the charts. She also managed to have an up intonation at the end of every single sentence? So everything sounded like a sleepy question? Uh, like, which character is even talking right now? Like, I don't know? I'm sleepy and they all sound the same? Are you my mother? What?

Did The Vanishers inspire you to do anything?

I want to read it again as an actual paper book. I think it will be a much better experience.

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High Fidelity Meets Zero Charisma

Revisado: 12-28-14

What would have made We Should Hang Out Sometime better?

A different narrator may have given this a shine. I was shocked to learn halfway through that this guy is a motivational speaker. He was so flat and had no personality. He mentions several times that other people tell him he's funny and I was like ... really? Do they?

What could Josh Sundquist have done to make this a more enjoyable book for you?

Have a personality. Have more than one speaking tone. Maybe don't speak about the "friendzone" with absolutely no sense of irony or self awareness.

Would you be willing to try another one of Josh Sundquist’s performances?

Nope.

If you could play editor, what scene or scenes would you have cut from We Should Hang Out Sometime?

Maybe everything up until chapter 31. In some ways this was just bizarre. I almost felt like I was listening to an alien describe what it would be like to learn the ways of humans.

Any additional comments?

How are you going to write a book with literally the exact plot of High Fidelity (published 1995, adapted into a feature film in 2000) and never once mention High Fidelity?

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Good Mystery

Revisado: 12-28-14

Is there anything you would change about this book?

I agree with some others who have stated that the overt political statements in the book get annoying. They could be a bit more subtle. I'm also going to file this book under "dick lit". We have a very manly man lead character, and every time he meets a woman he immediately describes her in terms of fuckability. Seriously, every female character is described by 1) how "fit", "tone", "shapely", or "curvaceous" she is, 2) her possible workout routine is speculated, "runs every day", "former gymnast", etc. and 3) then exactly how tight her shirt is fitting her. It's kind of hilarious once you notice it. But idk other than those things it was an enjoyable book. I (mostly) liked the main character and enjoyed the plot. It is a well written mystery. I'll probably give other Barclay novels a chance.

How would you have changed the story to make it more enjoyable?

Maybe stop describing exactly how tight each woman's shirt is. There are other ways to describe how a pretty lady looks.

Would you listen to another book narrated by Peter Berkrot?

Sure.

Could you see The Accident being made into a movie or a TV series? Who should the stars be?

What a weird question. Um, Glenn could be played by Henry Cavill or Andrew Lincoln, or someone else who looks good in work boots?

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worst protagonist ever

Revisado: 12-19-14

What did you like best about Tell the Wolves I’m Home? What did you like least?

I recognize that -somehow- this is important YA fiction. As a concept, the AIDs crisis as experienced by a fifteen-year-old girl with a sick uncle is interesting. In practice ... oh man, the boredom. The terrible terrible boredom.

This protagonist is just the worst, and you're stuck in her head hearing her voice the whole damn time.

She's fifteen but acts like she's twelve. She's -obsessed- with her uncle -sexually-. This kid probably writes endless Cersei/Jaime fanfic with herself and her uncle MarySued into the story. She doesn't seem to have friends. She kind of just roams around the woods in a medieval dress that's too small because it is meant for a child. She makes believe that there's wolves because she wants to be a child. Seriously, she has a conversation with another character who tells her flat out there are no wolves and she's just like, no, I don't want to hear that, I'm playing make believe.

Did I mention that she's a whiny privileged brat? Well she is. She calls herself an "orphan" because during tax season her parents have to work late so they're not waiting at home for her when she gets off the bus. They come home at like 8pm. Ooooh the hardship. Just like a real orphan. Must be terrible to be alone for a few hours while your super rich parents are making tons more money.

I couldn't finish this book. It was the worst. I wanted to like it so much. I wanted to get into the experience of a young person coming to grips with what AIDs is in a time when America did not accept homosexuality. There is an interesting story in there somewhere. It was too hard to listen to, even in the car.

Has Tell the Wolves I’m Home turned you off from other books in this genre?

I never want to hear anything told from the POV of an emotionally stunted, immature, incest-obsessed, maudlin, teenage girl again. This character was somehow worse that Bella from twilight. It defies logic, and yet it happened.

Would you be willing to try another one of Amy Rubinate’s performances?

Sure. She was fine. I just associate her with the worst high schooler ever, but maybe a different book will turn that around.

If this book were a movie would you go see it?

ABSOLUTELY NOT

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So dark! So good!

Revisado: 10-01-14

If you could sum up I Am Not a Serial Killer in three words, what would they be?

Killer vs Supernatural

What was one of the most memorable moments of I Am Not a Serial Killer?

The story took a very weird supernatural twist at some point. I don't want to spoil the specifics of it, but it was a huge wtf moment for me. I was already hooked, and then I was completely enthralled.

Which scene was your favorite?

There are a couple horrific scenes in which the protagonist struggles against his own nature. It was chilling. Huge props to the narrator for conveying a range of emotion and enhancing the horror elements of this book.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I was simply horrified and shocked at times. I listened to this on a looooong car ride and it made the time go by fast. I was actually tempted to sit in my car for a few minutes longer when I got home to finish it.

Any additional comments?

This book is written first person style from the POV of an admitted sociopath. So, needless to say, you're heading into some dark territory here. I really found the whole thing very interesting, as it was so well written. The story of the protagonist's struggle with identity and communicating with others was emotionally compelling. The plot regarding the mystery was equally compelling. I read a lot of mystery and sometimes I feel like there's nothing new. But this was very imaginative and original. I couldn't put this one down.

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Not for me

Revisado: 08-15-14

What could have made this a 4 or 5-star listening experience for you?

I simply did not care for this. I felt it was formulaic and suffered some internalized misogyny. For example, the woodcutter (detective) finds the body of a dead princess and remarks out loud, "What did you get yourself into, girl?"

I did not like the narrator. It was very breathy and forced almost as if it was a fake English accent. I don't know if she really is English, but it sounded like a college freshman who just landed the part of Wendy in a stage play of Peter Pan.

I actually missed my junction because I was so focused on turning this book off. The good news is that I got back on the right highway and also remembered how much I liked the Dresden Files. I listened to Dead Beat for the rest of the five hour car trip. Excellent.

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