Jerome Gentes

Ways to listen

Revisado: 10-04-23

This is a masterful piece of historical reportage by Grann, and anyone who says otherwise ought to re-read this book. As a Native, writer, and producer, however, I’ve got to tackle the many inept reviews here that complain about the three narrators:

1. The first section is about Mollie Burkhart. While a Native female narrator might have been a better choice, Ann Marie Lee at least grounds the part in a calm, female voice, which establishes Burkhart as the dominant figure in this section. I did use the speed adjustment to hurry this section along, but not all audioreaders listen at the speed I do.
2. Patton resorts to a mustache-twirling Western twang that vividly if predictably highlights the male-driven drama and suspense of Hale’s detection and pursuit. At times it verges on John Waynean cliché, but it’s definitely entertaining in a way that’s different from the deliberate calm and confusion of Lee’s narrated section.
3. Campbell is tasked with the easiest job: giving voice to Grann’s perspective. Had I produced this audiobook, I would have split the narration between Lee and Patton to tie it together better, but Campbell’s vocal style at least makes clear that we are in the present day.

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First part of a world masterpiece

Revisado: 02-07-23

Incredible novel, and now I’m determined to go on on parts 2 and 3. Modern Egypt is more known to me through the story of a family in 1918-1919. Artfully narrated.

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A Masterpiece

Revisado: 12-10-22

One of the towering achievements of the modern novel. It remains unfinished. An abridged reading would give any listener a sense of the whole, but the whole is magnificently philosophical, post-romantic, modern, and urban. Not a single thing about it felt pastoral or lyric. As a view into the start of the horrors of the 20th century and beyond, unparalleled.

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Essential American and New York stories from the Roaring Twenties

Revisado: 08-31-22

Firstly, Joe Barrett’s reading is itself a work of art. He juggles voices, shifts and perspective and characters with incredible deftness. it makes this rowdy and complicated world come to life. Dos Passos isn’t read as much as he should be these days, which seems a shame. This version would make everyone a fan of this book and his works. Doctorow must’ve looked at it as a model for what he wanted to do in Ragtime. No other book has made me feel that life of New York City in the way this version did. There’s a lot of story here and a lot of character, so dive in and experience the United States’ greatest city at the dawn of the 20th century.

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Magnificent memoir from a truly great music producer

Revisado: 06-23-22

Down the post-war decades, Blackwell quietly, silently, almost invisibly discovered, and passionately produced many of the truly great musical artists of modern times. This thrilling, eminently readable book is a thrilling history of this iconoclastic music mogul’s island- and Island Records-bound life and career. To have found only one of the artists Blackwell found would be a legacy. To have found and championed so many feels miraculous, and yet you’ll learn why and how he achieved so much, and left so much of the fanfare to the artists. Magnificent. Bill Nighy’s narration is a huge asset to the Audible
experience.

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History at its richest

Revisado: 03-13-22

Extraordinary text by Menand, perfectly read. I’ll be re-listening soon. It’s an exceptional book.

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Superb primer for language and linguistics

Revisado: 03-02-20

The New York Times review for this title provoked me to read it, and I just finished it. As a word geek from way back, I savored every syllable. Lots of freshness here for anyone familiar with the field, and easily digestible for those not as inclined to nerd out on grammar, etymology, and language.

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