Rosalind Britton

interesting history

Revisado: 12-01-24

I lived in W Berlin during the 1970s, so much of the Berlin history is not new to me, but the emphasis on the particular story of George Blake is, particularly his N Korean story. I am British, and have read many books about the whole Cambridge spy ring, and it's always interesting to hear about these familiar figures from another focal point of their story.

My main criticism is that the reader has little clue about German pronunciation. He clearly knows enough to getquite a lot of thigs right, but then fails abysmally with some Russian and German words. Had he followed the hard and fast German rule that ie=e and ei=, it would have made his reading much clearer to me, a German speaker. As it was , I had to guess at what he was saying, and missed some street names completely. This should not have been a problem in a book with such a reliance on correct pronounciation

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Delightful, light Irish intonation, rather than a full on accent by reader Bill Wallis

Revisado: 11-19-24

I have always been I intrigued by the whole business of the 5 spies including Blunt. This writing gets right so much of the thinking and attitudes of the participants. The story of betrayal and it's context is beautifully told, with some really lovely language, which I have come to expect from Banville. His knowledge of art is also quite expert.

The reader's intonation is perfect with his very subtle Irishness, and enormously much better than the reader of Banville's books by his alter ego, Benjamin Black. Those audio books were ruined for me by the labored Irish accent of the John Lee, who rolled every R and twisted his words with almost music-hall Irishness. .I will.only read those books, never listen!

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outstanding in every way

Revisado: 10-10-24

First, this reading was superb. I am admirer of Samual West an actor in many different roles, brilliant as an admirable character and equally good as a despicable one.
The story was as well written as all Harris' books and has the added value of being historically accurate. It is a wonderful insight into a terrible period of British history.

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Good yarn, laughable accent

Revisado: 07-27-24

I am a fan of John Banville, particularly when writing under his own name. The Sea was the first book I read of his. and I have enjoyed reading all the Dr Quirke books. But listening to this reading was a great disappointment. Some of the words really jarred my listening, the brogue was so extreme.

I grew up spending summers in County Fermanagh, where my grandparents lived. and visited great aunts in Dublin. I know the real voices of these areas. I love the literature of Ireland.

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Even better on fourth reading

Revisado: 05-07-22

I have read this book three times, starting as a late teenager and then as I worked through my years until now, a widow at 75, I listened to this superb reading by Mary Wimbush, an actress I grew up hearing on BBC dramas throughout my growing up. Such acute understanding of the human condition, and in particular, the specifically British characters that are revealed in this book, who wish NOT to reveal themselves to each other. It is such a briliant descritption of a particular type of person living in these periods of Britain from the 20s to the 50s.
I highly recommend this book if you have been married for a long time, particularly if you are British!

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A Great Piece of Literature, a Great Mistake in Re

Revisado: 03-20-22

This is such a marvelous story. But the reader's voice is so tiresome to listen to, and his American accent is beyond terrible. Nowadays, British actors can do very good American accents. So this casting was such a shame. I listened,nonetheless, because the writing is so good. I am a Brit/American, and a theater person, so know a bit whereof I speak. ,

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Perfect for Nostalgia

Revisado: 08-25-21

This book reflects a period in Britain when I was born. mM mother lived in Queen Alexandra's House, which I am almost sure is the model for the May of Teck Club. A perfect piece of reading for a specific moment in time.

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Poor Reader for This Author

Revisado: 08-25-21

I have thoroughly enjoyed reading William Boyd's books, and really lookd forward listening to this. but the voice of this reader is so weak, and monotonous I cannot finish. She sounds sort of English, and strives to pronounce in a clipped way but she is American, despite her time in a British drama school, and it is a distraction.

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Excellent reader

Revisado: 07-21-21

I enjoy Kanon's books, and have previously only heard one, as I read others. This reader is outstanding. He gets the subtle rhythms of different accents so very well. I am British with a theatre background, and find good accents frequently NOT the best part of Audible books. But Jonathan Davis must be praised for his work on this book. The story is also good, though somewhat predictable; nonetheless, thanks to excellent reading, very enjoyable.

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Beautiful reading

Revisado: 05-10-21

Leslie Manville creates each character to perfection, as she does when she is in a play or film. Many of the very funny asides and throwaway lines will probably.mystify non Brits, as they are so very colloquial. But as he says in the interesting interview, he wrote a funny book, almost a social commentary, without trying to be funny. And as a result is very humorous but never unkind.

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