Linda Schubert

"Reading" through the classics

Revisado: 05-15-22

Pandemic hobby, going back a century or so and catching up on classic titles. Listened through Austen, Waugh, Tolstoy and Steinbeck. Henry James is credited with creating the "modern" novel. Problem with Portrait is that I didn't like any of the characters. The writing is lovely, settings lush, but characters whose dark or silly sides are showing, leaving the reader with little hope that things will turn out. Maybe this is a modern novel. But the ending is frustrating, heroine infuriating. The reader however is excellent. Kept with it but in the end was let down.

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Stanley and I are now friends for life.

Revisado: 02-03-22

What a story. Intelligent, tender, irreverent- all at the same time. You know when you are still listening to the acknowledgements that you don't want the time with the author to come to an end. Hit all my buttons- family, food, travel, life challenges with a little Hollywood on the side. Annoyed at no pdf for recipes. Have to go back and write them down from audio. Darn.

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Re-reviewing now that I have finished

Revisado: 01-09-22

Ok, I was WRONG. The first part of the book sets the stage, the reader is subtle and flat, but that is, it turns out, completely appropriate to the character. Unusually, this audible is narrated by several readers who bring spark, authenticity and endearing quality to their characters. The book is enchanting and the story line will stay with you for weeks after you have finished listening. Don't give up on this book.

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Perfectly wretched, well read story

Revisado: 05-13-19

I need someone to root for, someone to like and in this story, Nada! This book has beautifully crafted sentences and great descriptions if you are a sensory addict. There are more phrases devoted to smells than I have ever run across in one work. There is no one who has merit or deserves empathy. You want to say, Really? at every turn. Skip this book.

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Julian Fellowes called it in, but it is still fun

Revisado: 05-13-19

This is early 90's, a cringe-worthy decade, even in England where nothing changes. But it is a peek behind the curtain of a life none of us will ever lead, even modern Royals! and it was just a couple of decades ago. I have to think that you really don't have to make this stuff up and it is just as it was in the day. Like being a fly on the wall in a kind of life that makes a great period movie.

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Good runner up to Pride and Prejudice

Revisado: 05-13-19

Rosamund Pike is a delightful reader, skilled in nuance of character and so enjoyable to listen to. This story was my second Jane Austen book to have her read and the prose is not the sophisticated nuance of P&P but still a great tale. Just sad JA is not writing any more books for us to enjoy. What a dive into the modern idea of "thinking about your thoughts."

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This story is a mess!

Revisado: 05-08-18

Perhaps to read this book would be another experience, but the audio performance by a cast of illustrious actors is a choppy, incoherent and difficult listen. The endless citing of the source of quoted material is monotonous and distracting. One just wants it to be over. And I gave up on the story line. I guess I will have to turn in my literary critic credentials since it is so well rated by others. Please don't fall prey to the hype.

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Never went anywhere.

Revisado: 04-28-18

Would you try another book from Kathleen Tessaro and/or Susan Bennett?

probably not

What could Kathleen Tessaro have done to make this a more enjoyable book for you?

a plot, one character to pull for

What about Susan Bennett’s performance did you like?

Did well on different characters, men and women's voices

What character would you cut from Rare Objects?

All of them. Very incoherent

Any additional comments?

Human frailty makes a great theme, but this cast of characters have little redeeming value. The devices used to justify "rare object" are trite and strained. Simply an unappealing tale of rich girl/ poor girl with no real satisfying point.

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