Gann

Too Much to keep up with

Revisado: 05-22-15

What disappointed you about Kingdom of Shadows?

Too many characters; nothing really compelling. Couldn't remember from one listen to the next who was who and where was where.

What was most disappointing about Alan Furst’s story?

No real thread. Claimed to be a spy novel of sorts but nothing like other spy thrillers

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

Guidall is a marvelous reader. Although at times his deep voice drops in volume and it is hard to understand him, he is still excellent at portraying many voices, many accents.

If you could play editor, what scene or scenes would you have cut from Kingdom of Shadows?

All of them.

Any additional comments?

Furst seems to be quite popular; I guess you just have to like and understand his style.

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A MUST LISTEN for WWII devotees.

Revisado: 04-21-15

Would you listen to The Nightingale again? Why?

Yes. The reader perfectly portrayed the individuality of each character. The story is compelling.

What did you like best about this story?

The vivid characters and the voice of each one.

Have you listened to any of Polly Stone’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I have not listened to her before but she did a terrific job in this book.

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

Yes, but my explanation would be a spoiler.

Any additional comments?

Get this book. As usual, descriptions about what the Nazis did boggles the mind and crushes the spirit, but the strength and determination of the French resistance is impressive.

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Too Much and Too Little

Revisado: 03-17-15

Is there anything you would change about this book?

Put it into first person of each character so the listener can picture her and know her as a person, not just a victim. Use dialogue instead of narrative. As graphic as the descriptions were listening to them over and over was boring.

Has A Train in Winter turned you off from other books in this genre?

No.

Would you listen to another book narrated by Wanda McCaddon?

Probably not unless it was a novel and she could play characters, not just describe them.

Was A Train in Winter worth the listening time?

No. I found myself waiting for dialogue.

Any additional comments?

This book, while well written, is told exclusively in narrative form. There is no dialogue among the major characters and therefore listening to the narration gets tedious and I could not identify with the women in any way except by name alone. Also, the story is not for the faint of heart. I found myself turning it off several times upon hearing about victims, including children, being burned alive or dismembered, poisoned, or starved to death. I know these things have occurred and people should be made aware of these acts but not over and over and over in the same story. I have read many books of all genres about the atrocities of the Nazi soldiers and officers alike, but none were as graphic and disturbing as this one.

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A Bit Tedious

Revisado: 07-31-13

Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?

No, unless the friend is a World War II fanatic

Would you listen to another book narrated by Erin Bennett?

No.

If this book were a movie would you go see it?

Maybe.

Any additional comments?

The research is excellent but the reader uncompelling and there's too much detail and repetiveness. This story would be a much better listen if written as historical fiction.

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Geat story even greater narration

Revisado: 12-07-12

What made the experience of listening to The Bat the most enjoyable?

The narration and the twists on who is the perp.

What other book might you compare The Bat to and why?

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. Same excellent writing, description, and intrigue.

Which character – as performed by Sean Barrett – was your favorite?

Andrew

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

Yes.

Any additional comments?

Although I've listed to more books than I can possibly recall I do believe Barrett's narration was one of if not THE best I have ever heard.

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Zzzzzz

Revisado: 09-18-12

What could have made this a 4 or 5-star listening experience for you?

Greater detail, more insight. This author is too young to write a memoir that reflects a true life experience gained from another twenty years of her life.

Would you ever listen to anything by Deborah Feldman again?

probably not.

What did you like about the performance? What did you dislike?

I found the reader's voice irritating, although its youth was authentic for the story.

You didn’t love this book... but did it have any redeeming qualities?

Few.

Any additional comments?

The writing was rudimentary and a bore to listen to. Of all the outstanding writers out there who have received rejection upon rejection, how did this one get published?

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Too many words

Revisado: 07-16-10

Emperor Franz Joseph of Austria told Mozart his most recent composition had "too many notes". Although I really like Elizabeth George's books, this one had "too many words". Much of the descriptions in one chapter or another could have been left out with no damage to the story. Still, Havers is my favoriate...next to Salandar.

I did not figure out whodunit on this one and for that reason I give it 4 stars.

I still like EG.

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Zzzzz

Revisado: 04-14-10

This is a guy book, unless you like a lot of testosterone-based language. The reader is deadly; a monotone. Someone recommended this to me and I wish they had not.

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Uggggh

Revisado: 04-14-10

I have listened to about 1 hour of this book and could bear it no longer. The story is old, the language is hackneyed, and the reader, oh the reader...dull, dull, dull. Can't think of a reason to give it even one star.

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Do not waste your time

Revisado: 11-03-09

I don't know which is worse, the writing or the narration. Cornwell needs to drop the Scarpetta, et al characters and start over. She should begin by reading PD James to see how really good mysteries are written really well. As for the narrator, oy. So monotonous I could hardly tell which character was speaking. The last straw for me was the 20 minute sleep inducing dialogue between Benton and Clark. The text is hackneyed, the plot simplistic, and the writing and dialogue nervewrackingly tedious. What was the editor thinking? Wake up, Cornwell. Splash some water on your face and write something that does not cause drowsiness in the listener/reader.

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esto le resultó útil a 9 personas