kevmeister

Strong on history, food, culture - thin on plot

Revisado: 11-07-11

In "The Last Chinese Chef" author Nicole Mones presents a glimpse into another corner of what we westerners often consider a veiled and mysterious culture. Mones' other credits include "A Cup of Light" and "Lost in Translation" (no relation to the film of the same name). I gave the main narrator Elisabeth Rodgers 4 stars for having the guts to tackle pronunciation of the names and terminology. Her portrayal of the book's characters was quite capable but not memorable. Co-narrator James Chen provides the "intro" to each chapter, reading excerpts from the fictitious book for which the novel is named.

In "Chef", Mones' central character Maggie McElroy is a writer for a popular food magazine whose own personal tragedy results in a journey of discovery into Chinese life and culture, and particularly food. The author draws heavily on her own experience and knowledge gained through many years of living in and writing about it as a contributor to Gourmet magazine. Her wealth of knowledge on the subject lends greatly to the authenticity of the story and also gives this book what I consider its strongest credit.

While the characters are all fairly well developed, the storyline is thin and predictable. However, the story does provide the basis for the rich and detailed descriptions of Chinese cuisine and its surprisingly integral and inextricable ties to the culture. This is the book's true strength. If you are a foodie, you will be enraptured by the detailed descriptions of the various dishes that are focal to the story. If you love history and learning about other cultures, you will find much to enjoy here. If you are a fan of both food and history... well stop reading this and go get "The Last Chinese Chef". Just make sure you read on a full stomach, or you'll soon be calling out for delivery!

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Great book, spectacular interpretation!

Revisado: 04-22-11

"Age is a terrible thief. Just when you're getting the hang of life, it knocks your legs out from under you and stoops your back. It makes you ache and muddies your head and silently spreads cancer throughout your spouse." Jacob Jankowski (at 90 or 93)

Thought provokingly raw observations like this, artfully crafted and woven together by author Sara Gruen, and compellingly interpreted by co-narrators John Randolph Jones and David LeDoux are the reason this book continues to receive 5-star reviews nearly six years since its debut in audiobook format. To be honest, I’m sometimes wary of books that become the subject of the kind of cultish adoration that this one seemed to have garnered. But, finding myself in the mood for something completely different, I decided to roll the dice on “Water for Elephants”.

I am very glad I went with my gut on this one. As a man of slightly-more-than middle age, the elder Jacob’s vivid and poignant internal monologue really got me thinking about the consequences of advancing years that await us all in one form or another. I vowed to be more appreciative of the here and now. The backbone of the storytelling contained in “Elephants” however is directly attributable LeDoux’s masterful characterizations. Taken with his narration of Jonathan Franzen’s “Freedom”, I confess that his credit on this title tipped the scales for me.

I made a point of reading many of the 1 and 2 star reviews on Audible's website. I have to say that it seems as though most of them had not given the book a fair chance before rushing to judgement. That said -- to each their own. As for me, I highly recommend this Audible selection.

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I really have to work on being more observant...

Revisado: 04-08-11

"Three best friends who've grown up together encounter some of the real tests of manhood." So reads the nutshell summary contained in this book's Audible "mouse-over" description. What I failed to either notice or discover before purchasing it was that this is a book BY an African-American author ABOUT African-American men. My bad. I'm an about-as-white-as-they-come caucasian male. So, to say that my frame of reference was somewhat lacking is probably a bit of an understatement.

Of course, I'm not a complete dolt, so it didn't take me long to figure out what was going on here. I had a choice: Flush the book along with my fifteen dollar Audible credit and move on to something more culturally relatable for me, or continue with it and consider it a part of my ongoing education - a glimpse into a world I don't have much exposure to -- in spite of the fact that one of my best friends in life is himself African-American (and no, I'm not saying, "some of my best friends are Black!")

Verdict: I stuck with it. My take-away? Well, if the author's representations are correct, the male propensity for being a womanizing, cheating hound dog is not exclusively contained within the confines drawn by racial lines. Neither, according to Weber is the potential for being a calculating, cruel, murderous, son of a b*tch, masquerading as a solid, hard working, dedicated family man.

Carl Weber is skillful and crafts and an entertaining and engaging set of parallel stories woven together by the theme of longstanding friendships among the main characters. Despite my lack of context, I'm not unhappy I stumbled on this book. A good story is a good story and isn't defined by culture. If you like well-defined characters and twists that are not easily picked up by your reading radar, you won't be disappointed.

As for me, well, I really am going to spend more time reading reviews, listening to narration samples, and paying closer attention before clicking the "buy" button.

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3 stars for the book; 1 star for the reader...

Revisado: 04-08-11

Okay... let's get this out on the table: I am a Christian, Christ-follower, Believer, pick your favorite monicker for someone espousing personal faith in Jesus Christ, and belief in the Bible as the inspired Word of God. And this book was recommended to me this year (2011) by a friend of the same ilk who framed their recommendation by making sure I knew the author was a "Christian novelist".

Joel Rosenberg was capable and clearly did his homework, effectively applying this into a technically accurate portrayal of the key backdrops of the story: world politics of the day, international finance, and the seamy realms of military and government intelligence and espionage. Also, the high-voltage topic proclaimed in the title of Western vs. Islamic tension and conflict prepared me to be riveted.

Alas, I was anything but riveted. Why? Because I failed to perform my due-diligence and discover the book was first published in 2002. Nothing knocks the props out from under a topical novel more effectively than the passage of time and actual historical events. As it turns out, the Republicans weren’t repeatedly reelected after 911 and Sadaam Hussein, though a dirtbag, wasn’t much of an evil geopolitical mastermind.

Still I decided to put aside the facts in order to fairly judge the fiction and stuck with the book. I quickly faced my next challenge. In his attempts to be edgy while still holding fast to Christian mores (i.e., avoiding dirty words and suggestive situations) Rosenberg sacrifices a good bit of realism and comes off smarmy and contrived. Christian friends, forgive me...but, really...you know what I'm talking about. Having read a couple of outstanding novels by secular authors lately, there was just no comparison. Rosenberg is a competent writer, and my opinion of him would not have been diminished if he wrote the way real people speak. Jesus didn't decide who to interact with based on their deportment. And I find I enjoy reading more with my head out of the sand.

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Valuable Information: Buy The Hardcopy

Revisado: 04-07-11

This is a book about systematic research and the results of surveys. Not a formula for a reading thrill-ride. But for church leaders and those engaged in local church ministry, this is vital information. Let me also say that I've heard Ed Stetzer speak. He is engaging, animated, and knowledgeable. I have not heard his co-author Thom Rainer. In any case, once again the audiobook version of this 'christian' title suffers due to narration that is wearingly dull.

Is it purely the low-budget constraints felt by publishers of 'christian' titles that causes them to hire voice talent that cannot bring any interest to their products? I just don't get it. I've heard some amazing readers on Audible in my short tenure as a member. I'm beginning to believe that there are no titles in the 'christian' or 'sacred' genre with narrators that are as adroit and captivating in their interpretations of these as so many of the narrators of secular selections are. Hey Audible, see what you can do to help this okay?

I'm sure that somewhere in the fine print of the Audible user agreement that I "yes-clicked' to join there is some language quitclaiming any responsibility for injuries incurred as a result of falling asleep while driving and listening to boring narration. If not... better tighten up Audible legal department! ZZZZzzzzz...

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A Christian Classic - Boringly Narrated

Revisado: 04-07-11

With all due respect to the revered place this volume holds in church history (yes, its old enough that I consider it historic!), this edition falls prey to what seems to be an all-too-common problem with "christian" audiobooks: The narrator makes it almost impossible to want to keep listening. I'm certain Mr. Grunden is a great guy. But this book, though chock-full of biblical truths and important life applications, is no page-turner on its own; and the narration turned it into what for me was nothing short of a snoozefest. I am making sure from now on, that I sample all narrations of "christian" titles to try and size up whether I can actually make it through the selection. I hate buying books that I can't finish. I made it through Master Plan... but just barely.

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My Best Audible Pick So Far! Highly Recommended

Revisado: 04-07-11

This title was recommended by a friend, and I debated on whether to get the hardcopy, afraid the audiobook experience would not do it justice. But, the reason I began using Audible was because it was going to get me back into reading - something I've barely done in years for lack of time. And this baby was 600 printed pages! So, I bought the twenty-some-hour Audible version and pressed 'play' on my Android phone Audible app.

Although a little slow to get wound up, once the main characters are established the book begins to take off. The narration by David LeDoux is positively flawless, and works in lockstep with the author's rich and artful descriptions to draw the listener into the lives of the characters. Franzen's writing style is sophisticated and engaging and weaves a fascinating tale of friendship, love, betrayal, loss, and redemption.

My only beef with the author (and the only reason I did not give 5 stars) came in response to a few detours into preachy self-indulgence over socio-political and environmental issues for which he harbors obvious personal bents. But otherwise, although a very long listen, Freedom was thoroughly entertaining and hard to break away from. Fortunately for me, I have a 40 minute commute each way to work, so I never had to wait too long for my next installment.

Thanks to Audible for a terrific reading experience, great selections, some awesome narrators, and for helping me rediscover reading for enjoyment once again!!

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