Norman Wendth

Secrets shared.

Revisado: 03-14-24

I loved this memoir. I’ve always loved the Maisie Dobbs books ever since they were recommended to me by a loved professor of mine sharing favorite things with me shortly before she died. The memoir shared many of the qualities I love about the mysteries—a smart and savvy woman talking about things that matter in a way that shares the care she feels for the survivors of trauma. But among the personal family secrets Winspear shared, I found bits of memory that I recognized from the novels. It’s an education to see how she reworked her own experiences into event in her novels, and I think my favorite parts of the mysteries are typically the parts taken from her life. Highly recommended!

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Varied

Revisado: 10-25-21

Both the style of the subjects and the skill of the narrators vary quite a bit. No matter your taste, you are likely to enjoy a couple of stories thoroughly and find a couple a complete waste of your time.

My biggest disappointment: one of the stories in the table of contents (The Case of the Naked Butterfly) is missing. Select that story, and you get only the first few seconds of the next story.

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Brilliant

Revisado: 03-09-20

This was arguably the best book I’ve ever listened to. There were stretches that so frustrated me that I stopped listening, but I always went back. I’m very glad I persevered, the ending—meaningless without the entire book—ties a life up into a powerful package.

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A matter of taste

Revisado: 01-08-17

I know people who love this series, and have no specific complaints. But it is not to my taste.

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Super

Revisado: 10-17-16

This is NOT a good work to introduce you to the world of St. Mary's. One will enjoy this much better if one already knows the characters. But for those who know Max and friends, this short story is absolutely great--perhaps even my favorite.

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Important ideas to grapple with

Revisado: 07-22-16

No one will accuse George Lakoff of being a gifted writer, or narrator for that matter. Both his writing and his reading are just OK: workmanlike, successful, but not delightful.

However, as the subtitle suggests, the "idea of freedom" he is analyzing is important and I found the analysis compelling. Agree or disagree with Lakoff's conclusions, if you find the ideal of "freedom" or "liberty" important, you need to work your way through Lakoff's basic insights. At worst you will understand your own thinking better; at best you will have a genuinely useful new understanding.

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This surprised me

Revisado: 07-22-16

I'm not sure what possessed me to buy *Not My Father's Son*--I usually avoid memoirs--but somehow I did. I don't regret it. Cumming really pulled me into the narration, partially because I was constantly aware that the events had actually happened to the voice I was listening to. But I would have been pulled into the memoir with most readers: the events are well paced, suspense is handled well and kept me reading along, and I'm a sucker for the show *Who Do You Think You Are,* which occasioned this memoir.

If, unlike me, you usually like memoirs, you should love this. If, like me, you don't, read the description carefully and if it sounds at all interesting give it a listen. I'm betting you too will be positively surprised. This is an audiobook I have already listed to over again.

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I can't escape

Revisado: 07-22-16

I gave *A Man Called Ove* full stars after my first listen, but I didn't write a review. But now I have to--the damn book won't let me go. I keep thinking about Ove, recommending the book to others, and just generally living with the novel long after I have usually moved on.

Not that I mind. It's a beautiful book to be trapped by. Spare, almost coldly spare, in its presentation, the writing transforms the at-first dislikable Ove to a still-cranky but lovable curmudgeon. The change is partially because Ove slowly yields to his better angels, but even more because the reader even more slowly begins to understand and respect him.

Get this audiobook. Don't be put off by your first glimpse of Ove. You will find *A Man Called Ove* inescapable too.

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Compares well with Sayers

Revisado: 02-27-16

I enjoy the rare occasion when an author successfully continues a famous series, but most attempts result in dull, pale imitations. Jill Paton Walsh continues Dorothy Sayers' Lord Peter Wimsey detective novels as well as it can be done. Not only do I believe most Sayers fans will love her, but if you DON'T like Sayers you probably won't like Walsh for the same reason!

"The Attenbury Emeralds" adds an interesting twist by combining an early mystery with a contemporary (to the narrator) one. We find out a little more about Bunter's early days with Lord Peter, and more about the families that developed after their marriages. And oh, yes, the mystery is a good one too!

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Good but not great

Revisado: 03-01-15

I liked "The House of Silk" better. I found this a little too easy to figure out, but enjoyed it anyway. And the narrators are great!

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