David

You Don't Have To Agree To Enjoy

Revisado: 05-01-18

It's understandably difficult to divorce Ayn Rand and The Fountainhead from the idealogical baggage they carry and, to be fair to the author, she most certainly does not wish for this novel to be read any other way. It is clearly, stridently, zealously for something (individualism, objectivism) and against something (collectivism, altruism). And yet - while her philosophy invites simple intellectual criticism from a variety of angles (from both societal and evolutionary standpoints, for example) and her writing questions of balance (her ideal society could be caricatured just as savagely) - the fact remains that The Fountainhead is ferociously dynamic and impassioned read. This is a work rich in vitality perhaps because it was driven by unflinching fervour. Rand's arguments are more nuanced and thoughtful than she tends to be given credit for (especially when considering the backdrop - The Fountainhead was published in 1943 remember). I may not agree with her, Howard Roark or Ellsworth Toohey, but I certainly take Rand's point. The Fountainhead is a scintillating and strange novel that everyone should read, as much because of, as in spite of, its extremes.

This audio edition is very well read to boot.

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Pleasant Surprise

Revisado: 02-19-15

I've always been skeptical of Fukayama since my student days. He always seemed to offer fluffy or overly broad theories, but after reading a section of this work in Foreign Affairs I thought I'd give Political Order and Decay a go and I was richly reward.

This is a grounded informative work. Many readers may hate grand surveys, but this is a very effective exercise, that is both easy to follow and ambitious in scope. Fukayama tends to signpost his personal opinions clearly and (as he moves from case study to case study) he offers a nice survey of all the relating schools of thought in a fair and forthright way, before attempting to critique or add to them.

Ultimately, Political Order and Decay transcends more phlegmatic works and has a stately authoritative feel - like one of the big academic names bringing it all together. Unfortunately, I'm not 100% sure he adds anything wholly new to the debate, other than the broadest possible perspective (which is commendable in itself).

Luckily, I was looking for a broad and fascinating analysis of functioning and failing state institutions and that's exactly what I got.

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A Novel That Helped Me Better Understand Myself

Revisado: 11-02-12

The Narrator:

Nicole Kidman's intonation and reading style is superb, so much of this novel takes place in the female mind/voice and Nicole just nails it. She brings what can be a tricky style to read to life. It seemed to me, that she truly understood the novel and it showed in her reading.

I do have to warn you, she does have a nasty habit of taking sharp intakes of breath in between lines, and I feel this must have produced an editing dilemma. As someone who regularly edits audio, I'm guessing that Nicole must have read at too fast a pace to smoothly edit out these sounds (although you could lower the sound levels and raise them appropriately). It can be quite annoying at first, but you soon get used to it. Ideally these kind of noises should be removed.

Still I can't fault Nicole for inhaling.

The Novel:

It won't be for everyone. It's about thought, perception, transience, meaning, understanding, gender and all kinds of abstract ideas. If you want a straight narrative with clearly defined actions and goals this will be tricky, but I loved it.

The characters and their search for meaning and their approach to understanding really reflected some of the half understood/explored thoughts that I myself have struggled with. Lily Briscoe is possibly my favourite character in any novel, and occasionally Woolf's prose is just stunning.

As I say, To The Lighthouse is written in a style that is destined to alienate some, and enliven others. I found it incredibly rewarding, but it might leave you cold, be warned.

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A Chilling Psychological Novel, Beautifully Read

Revisado: 10-29-12

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

A truly harrowing listen...

...one of the finest I've read/heard, and I've made a point of running through classics.

I'm not normally a fan of overly descriptive novels, but this one really won me over. The psychological exploration of the lead characters is tremendous, and so much of the detail used early in the novel is recalled and demented warped further down the road. So this modernist novel is far more rewarding than say a Gothic novel where the description is over-ellaborate and occasionally unnecessary.

Warning: if you prefer pace, dialogue, action and warm characters this might not be for you.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Therese Raquin: Not exactly likeable, but I loved the premise of her character, her growth, and how aspects of the early life recur/expand later in the novel (hard to explain without spoilers).

Any additional comments?

Kate Winslet is tremendous. Clear and quite haunting. When's she's tired of winning Oscars she'd make an excellent narrator.

I hope that if the A-list series continues you get her back to read another of her favourites.

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The Heidi Chronicles Shines, Nothing Disappoints

Revisado: 10-18-12

What made the experience of listening to LA Theatre Works the most enjoyable?

The quality of the works.

The Heidi Chronicles was simply sensational: funny, pointed, insightful, perfectly cast and refreshingly balanced.

The Young Man From Atlanta perhaps lacks suspense, but makes up for it in brilliantly fashion, subtly discussing social and sexual attitudes by not actually having them discussed (it makes sense when you hear the play trust me).

Anna Christie was an enjoyable romp, not a life changer, but a great way to spend and hour.

What did you like best about this story?

For The Heidi Chronicles it was the sheer believability. The characters have their extremes and the troupes of each era/character type are explored, but in an intelligent and ultimately moving fashion. You'll feel like you've have known the characters for 20 years by the play's conclusion, and you'll be saddened to leave their company. Incisive but affectionate, a study of women in the Baby Boomer generation that's flexible mixing feminism, comedy and realism, without having any one element undermine the others. Strangely heart breaking, and utterly brilliant.

The Young Man From Atlanta is all about what goes unsaid. You get to fill the judgemental emotional void, and drawing your own conclusions is essential to this play's success.

Anna Christie a breeze.

Great value for money.

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