MJ

Narration was the worst I've heard--ever

Revisado: 08-01-13

The story itself wasn't too bad, although it wasn't compelling. I had to force myself to finish it, which is rare--normally my favorite memoirs are those concerning a child's illness or disability and how the parents and family deal with it.

I'd have to read a printed copy of this book in order to review it fairly and accurately--the narrator was just that bad. Even during the most dramatic scenes, she spoke in a sing-song tone, and much of the story was conveyed in an inappropriately sweet, rather flat delivery. I've listened to books previously in which I was able to overlook poor performance on the strength of the storyline alone. This wasn't one of those books.

Listen to the sample first; I was unable to do so because I purchased it on an iPad. Had I sampled this awful performance, I wouldn't have made the purchase.

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Real, Helpful--and Heartbreaking

Revisado: 02-22-13

This book is amazing. If you've ever had a young family member who suffers with drug problems, Heroin's Puppet will quickly become your go-to source for information, advice, and even comfort. I don't mean to make it sound like a dry and boring reference tome; it's so much more than that.

Heroin's Puppet tells an engrossing, compelling true story--and you care about everyone involved. But you'll also find so many relatable details that you'll be repeatedly utilizing your "bookmark" button not only to mark passages, but also to write notes to yourself for further research, etc.

The author/narrator--Amy's mother--is perfect as she shares Amy's story. Her inflections and even the slightest nuances in tone make the story real and immediate.

I bought this book about a week ago, listened to it in two sittings, and have since listened--beginning to end--five times; I'm on my sixth now.

This book is simply the best Audible purchase I've ever made--and I've purchased more than 400 audiobooks. What more can I say?

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Not as described

Revisado: 10-08-12

As a retired pediatric nurse, I'm always interested in how families deal with chronic or terminal illness; I appreciate the insight that this type of book normally provides. However, My Emily seems more a rambling treatise by a confused and freshly grieving father who hasn't yet clarified his child's life and death in his own mind.

I listened to this book twice before reviewing it, and the best description I can give is that is akin to happening upon a journal entry never meant to be read by anyone other than the author. We learn little about Emily herself, and never really become emotionally invested in her or her story.

I sympathize with her parents on the loss of their daughter, and hope that Emily's dad found some comfort in writing this memoir--but I cannot recommend it.

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A Novel Worth Talking About

Revisado: 12-30-11

If you could sum up We Need to Talk About Kevin in three words, what would they be?

Chilling, engrossing, real.

What was one of the most memorable moments of We Need to Talk About Kevin?

There were so many exquisitely detailed moments that--forced to pick just one--I'm going to cheat a bit and choose a recurring theme, that of Eva revisiting again and again the birth of her son, and the emotions it did and did not stir in her. But there are many other situations in this story equally as memorable.

Which character ??? as performed by Coleen Marlo ??? was your favorite?

It has to be Eva, the narrator. Marlo's characterization never faltered--pitch-perfect throughout.

If you could take any character from We Need to Talk About Kevin out to dinner, who would it be and why?

I'd take Kevin, for all the same reasons Eva took him to dinner.

Any additional comments?

A compelling listen, one I'll listen to again at least once, and probably more. So richly textured that I'm not certain they'll be able to do it justice with a two hour movie.

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esto le resultó útil a 35 personas