208 Garner

Meh...

Revisado: 05-29-19

The book was only okay. More mildly fun pulp than the deep pool of character and setting which make up Harris’ earlier works. With a run time of six hours I had no troubles finishing it in two days and mostly kinda-sorta enjoyed my experience, though the narration and occasional strange and disjointed chapter added to my overall disappointment. Cari Mora feels like a screenplay treatment hoping that good casting and directing will cover the fact that the characters, as written, lack depth.
After giving us some of the most intriguing characters in fiction I’m tempted to give Harris a pass. Perhaps if my expectations had been lower I wouldn’t have left the booking feeling disappointed. Sadly, I can’t recommend this book.

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Audio version is a must

Revisado: 01-10-19

Doug Stanhope (and friends) bring so much to this reading, including postscript stories and clarifications, that I can't imagine why someone would not prefer the audiobook to the print version. Stanhope's comedy is "blue" but anyone who enjoys memoir should find this book and Doug's stories fascinating. Terrifying stories of drunkeness, life on the road, mental illness, etc. is punctuated by the occasional brilliant insight that lets the listener know Doug is more than what his critics have (probably) called obscene.
I've also read "Digging Up Mother" and this one is just as good. I laughed out loud - a lot. I guess I'm I'm not a "typical" Stanhope fan (middle aged mom), but I like stand-up comedy and I like memoirs. This one is a poignant as any. I'm hopeful for more.

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Beautifully written

Revisado: 11-22-17

Honestly, this book was a hard one to get through. Though often funny and always interesting, it is very sad. The extraordinary beauty of Alexie's writing pushed me to complete the book, and I'm very glad I did. Alexie honors the women in his life and it is important contribution to the canon of literature, cultural anthropology, and memoir.

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A Joy!

Revisado: 11-22-17

I have been a fan of John Hodgman since his appearances on the Daily Show and listen weekly to his podcast (which I won't buzz market here). Hodgman offers rare insight into his privilege as a self-described cisgender, middle-aged white man who has gained financial security. His “type” is not underrepresented, but Hodgman presents his essays in such a kindhearted and introspective way -- through wit and self-depreciation humor, little surprises, and just a little bit of melancholy -- that the total coalesces into a lovely, very enjoyable read.

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Unlike any audiobook I've ever read

Revisado: 04-13-17

What about Doug Stanhope and Friends’s performance did you like?

"Director's commentary" and "side bar" passages have Stanhope and his friends offering behind-the-scenes background to the story on the page. Friends offer corrections, Stanhope offers commentary and the occasional left field comment which make the story more real, compelling, and weird. In retrospect, I should have known Stanhope would do more than simply read his book, but his innovation is always unexpected. This book is unlike any other audiobook I've ever "read" and, like his stand-up, is unlike anything else anyone has done.

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

I've also been over-loved by a parent who promised to follow me wherever I roamed, who hoarded, who I watched die an early death because they valued their bad habits over a long life. Rarely flattering to Mother, this book truly is a love story.

Any additional comments?

The relationship between parent and child will appeal to most readers, and the life of Stanhope is an interesting one. However, Stanhope works "blue" and if you're easily offended this isn't the book for you. Otherwise, give it a listen.

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Overuse of hyperbole overshadows SOME good advice

Revisado: 01-15-15

Would you try another book from Amy Alkon and/or Carrington MacDuffie?

No.

Would you ever listen to anything by Amy Alkon again?

No.

Any additional comments?

Some good advice is overshadowed by the author's overuse of hyperbole, which I found distracting and annoying. I disagreed with her advise to shame people via social media to enforce good behavior. Shaming is very unmannerly. There were a few nuggets of advise which I appreciated like when to approach a crying stranger or when to leave a voice mail message. Overall, tedious and marginally informative.

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Sedaris continues toward more serious commentary

Revisado: 06-29-13

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes, a Sedaris fan or other socially liberal person will love this book. Sedaris uses his sharp wit to roast social conservatives in many essays (which is delicious!). Passive-agressive? Give this book to your conservative friends and family.Sedaris continues down a path toward more serious, darker work. Funny topics in earlier essays about drug addiction, death, etc. have led to rather sad and disturbing parables (i.e. "Squirrel Seeks Chipmunk") and this most recent work continues on that path. Certainly, some essays are on the surface just plain funny, but there is a more serious undercurrent and depth that Sedaris had added to this collection.

Any additional comments?

It's great to listen to Sedaris read his own work. This book, like all of his work are personal essays which lean toward social commentary. Like "Me Talk Pretty One Day" focused on David's life in France, this book focuses on David's life in England and on the road. He's no longer an every-man: cleaning apartments, working construction, attending school, doing drugs, etc., and I think his new life as a successful writer may turn-away some fans. He remains, however, very much himself. Extremely entertaining, thoughtful, witty, and (despite his own opinion of himself) very likable.

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Introduction to life on the rez for all readers

Revisado: 06-29-13

Where does The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Entertaining read for young-adults and adults alike. A great introduction for younger readers (and adults, too) into the real life and experience of a modern-day Native American teenager. No vampires, dragons, etc. needed to keep the reader engaged.

Which character – as performed by Sherman Alexie – was your favorite?

It's almost always great when a writer reads their own work, but Sherman Alexie excels at the spoken word. In lectures, I've heard him talk about the Indian way of speaking, especially around non-Native Americans, and here he lends full force to the North Western Native American dialect.

Any additional comments?

The book reads like a movie, and I'm amazed it didn't get made as such. This is a little off-putting as "great literature" goes, but I believe the style would help keep younger readers engaged.
Also, I'd love my young sons to read this book, but it's still to old for them. I'd recommend readers no younger than 13.

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It's great!

Revisado: 08-06-12

Would you listen to The Gruffalo again? Why?

Yes. My five-year-old asks that we listen to it nearly every night.

What did you like best about this story?

The little mouse is so clever.

What about Hal Hollings’s performance did you like?

Nicely read. Pleasant to listen to.

Any additional comments?

The audio book is best if you are already familiar with the story or the short-film. Not a lot of descripiton in the narration, itself. Buy the book, supplement with the audio.

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Wonderfully read, but most tales not for kids

Revisado: 08-06-12

What did you love best about Household Tales by Brothers Grimm?

The narration is great! Kelly Lintz does a fantastic job bringing the characters to life without self-conscious cleverness. A pleasure to listen to.

Would you recommend Household Tales by Brothers Grimm to your friends? Why or why not?

After my children, age 5 and 7, enjoyed a nighttime reading of Rapunzel I bought this for some after-dark story time. I knew Grimm's Tales could be dark, but many are so gruesome that I have to preview and take notes before I can listen to them with my children. Many of the stories are variations on the same theme so it often feels like you've heard the stories before. (Children lost in the woods, evil step-mothers, beautiful maiden marries wealthy king, etc.) I'm glad I've been able to offer my children a different viewpoint of the folk tales than the Disney version most have grown up with and introduce them to real literature. The re-telling of these folk tales do a suprisingly good job painting a picture in the listener's head.

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

I have maybe five "characters" in my bedtime story repertoire, many of which make my throat itch after a few pages. Lintz has, seemingly, hundreds which she transitions from one to another without skipping a beat.

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

No. 22+ hours of folk tales. I doubt I'll ever get through them all.

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