Vickie

Tedious

Revisado: 05-04-12

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

A better story would have made this a better listen.

What was most disappointing about Peter Straub’s story?

It was tedious and too long.

What three words best describe Patrick Lawlor’s performance?

Performance was good.

What reaction did this book spark in you? Anger, sadness, disappointment?

Overall, I was very disappointed in this book.

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this might be a good book if not for the narration

Revisado: 02-22-12

Would you try another book from Bram Stoker and/or the narrators?

No, I am two hours and 42 minutes into this thing. I won't be able to finish it.

Who would you have cast as narrator instead of the narrators?

I would have one narrator that isn't speed reading and does not use such heavy accents so I can better understand them.

What reaction did this book spark in you? Anger, sadness, disappointment?

Anger that I spent a credit on what I thought would be a classic; disappointment at the badly tedious story.

Any additional comments?

I couldn't finish this thing if it were free.

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I don't speak the language.

Revisado: 02-21-12

What disappointed you about La Ventana Abierta [The Open Window]?

The language. I don't speak Spanish and don't care to. Why is it free in Spanish and costs English speakers. Is Audible getting politically liberal on us?

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Yawn

Revisado: 08-10-11

If you have ever read so much as an article on meditation, you are past what this book offers.

I completely agree with Jane of Hopewell, VA in her review. This feels like a parody of a meditation session. If you can listen to "Track 1" without wanting to throttle this guy and tell him to spit it out, you are past what it is "teaching." Otherwise, like me, you might have to go ride your stationary bike to work off the irritation of wanting to throttle the guy and tell him to spit it out.

Also, I do not like the format at all. But, it is my fault that I am so ignorant of my Zen thingy that I don't even know how to effectively set a bookmark to find a meditation session that appeals to me, if I could stand to listen to the contemplation of a raisin first.

You can get better for free on some websites.

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Warning

Revisado: 07-30-11

I feel misled by this being called a historical fiction. It is a bodice ripper.

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Prose vs. story line

Revisado: 10-17-10

I found the prose quite insightful and inspired in places, the narrator was great, but the story lacked cohesiveness in my opinion. I know the bad guys were up to no good, but there was never anything made clear beyond some murky explanation that a lot of money would be claimed...

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rather dull but pleasant at times

Revisado: 01-30-10

I found it curious that the stories of Robert's women was told in such excruciating detail and Robert's "recovery" was handled rather ham-fisted. Why both the wife and, especially, the lover felt the need to tell the psychiatrist about mind numbing details of the beginning of their relationship with patient was and still is beyond my ability to understand and appreciate. The relationship between the psychiatrist and the patient's ex-lover was not developed well in the least. None of the characters elicited warmth, empathy or sympathy.

But, I am an older reader who had more patience with this rather poorly portioned and paced book, more so when the history of the painting was brought into the story.

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King's shot at Lord of the Flies

Revisado: 12-03-09

I feel kind of foolish reviewing a Stephen King novel. Very foolish. But, I've got to say that King has his characters do unbelievable things in an obvious attempt to drive the plot. Now, Stephen King has a lot of characters do unbelievable things, but they tend to stay in character. However, I felt nothing but contempt for the clergywoman whose blank stupidity drove her to the confrontation that got her dog killed.

The crowd scene at the grocery was pretty convincing. The blank wall stupidity of a character who is supposed to be a nurse with a bit of sense slaps two thugs whose brutality she has seen in their rape victim. The woman seemed unaware of current events. That was a definite Darwin moment that I wouldn't want any practicing nurse to fail.

Now, Brenda is on her death walk to confront the bad guy. Her Mama said bitter medicine was best swallowed quickly, so off she goes to bare her jugular. It almost gets silly.

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uninteresting

Revisado: 11-11-09

uninteresting

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excellent story teller

Revisado: 11-11-09

I am from East Tennessee and having discovered McCrumb feels like a homecoming. My only argument is the seeming concensus (even by characters not familiar with the aging induced by the prison system) that a man of the genetic stock in those mountains in his 60's is ancient. Then I stop to think that the generation I associate with the toughness of these hill people has, indeed, passed. My grandmother could have walked you through those mountains in her 60's - do not doubt it. But, those were heartier people who survived many things that would kill modern folks.

I read the story about Mary the elephant years ago while a student at UT Knoxville and could not listen to that part. At the time I read it, it felt like my soul had been savaged by the savegry that cannot die; it abides in the cruel ignorance of the human spirit, and it is timeless.

I adore Sally Darling's voice. Her voice does not reflect the East Tennessee accent, but I am, quite frankly, glad of that. My East Tennessee accent is rather flat and twangy. Darling's singsong lower Southern accent is beautiful.

McCrumb is a masterful story weaver.

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