MR CONOR CAHILL

A bit long but really very insightful

Revisado: 06-08-22

Highly recommend this accessible and well performed version of Germinal.

I was impressed by the modern feel to the writing, mostly no doubt down to Zola’s brilliance but I suspect this is a good translation. Parts did feel a bit slow and overly descriptive but the overall impression is highly positive. Zola’s portrayal of pretty much all the characters in the book, with the odd exception, is complex and nuanced. Surprises for me included the frequent and explicit reference to or description of sex (potential readers can judge for themselves whether or not this is what they want to read about). Some really memorable episodes throughout the book describing food, joy, violence and horror.

Good performance by the actor, his ‘working class’ English accent was a good match for the story. I had some initial misgivings about the prononciation of French but on balance, the actor was consistent and I though appropriate and well paced. The final hour of the recording gives a decent context and interpretation of the themes of the book. Overall a great and euh “entertaining “ insight into the struggles of the late 19th century with much relevance for today.

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Troublesome, but I loved it

Revisado: 09-03-20

So, the main thing here is the narration. Really, authors should NOT narrate their own material. The narration was initially so jarring that I almost had to stop. However, the narrative is well worth persisting with, and provides insights into the scientific process that I can really identify with. While my understanding of Einstein's position has improved as a result of this book, I don't think that's really the point. Rather--for me--what I appreciated is the detailed description of how Einstein's personal circumstances and global geopolitics had a profound impact on his work. And, to be frank, the quirky narration grew on me, so perhaps I can forgive Stanley for narrating his own work.

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Flawless

Revisado: 09-03-20

Superbly crafted final book in the series. One of the best narrated audiobooks that I've encountered, every character has their own, recognisable voice and tone. In particular, female characters are portrayed believably without the narrator putting on a 'high voice', a crime against listening that I've encountered far too frequently. The storytelling is superb and natural. Impossible to tell where history ends and fiction starts. Enjoyed every minute.

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The reviewer who wrote Bismarkkkkkkk is correct

Revisado: 01-23-20

I enjoyed the text but the performance is exasperating. Every foreign word is ‘VERY FOREIGN’. All women quoted have VERY HIGH BREATHY VOICE. All left wingers and social progressive men are effete. All right wingers and conservatives are deep voiced and gruff. And Bismarck is always BISMARKKKKCHHHHKKKK. If you can cope with that for 40 odd hours it’s an interesting read.

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Spectacular

Revisado: 08-08-19

When I was growing up, everyone talked about the Exorcist, usually referring to the movie. Despite a love of horror movies, somehow I managed to not see the movie until I was in my early 40s. I was amazed at how well acted and deept it was, so decided to track down the book.

My heart sank when I saw that it was narrated by the author. I've put myself through Stephen King narrating, and that was really ugly (no offence to Mr King as a very entertaining writer). No such trouble here, Blatty does a flawless and brilliant job , quite simply the best narration of a book I've ever heard. Nuanced, good job on the women despite his gravelly voice and great characterisation and differentiation. Shaskan's role is short, but her addition is a brilliant piece of production that is sensitively and touchingly implemented.

From a story perspective, I was really pleasantly surprised. It's familiar if you've seen the movie, but different enough that both are worthy of your attention. I didn't find the story scary in a conventional sense, but I found the character's reflections on mental health and conventional medicine and the Catholic church's view on them to be enlightening and thought provoking. Overall a real gem.

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If you like Ellroy...

Revisado: 08-08-19

I would not recommend this book in a million years to someone who didn't like Ellroy and hadn't read his work extensively (especially his more recent work). I don't think it's his best book from a content or writing perspective. But it is exciting and insane and leads on in an interesting way from its precursor.

Craig Wasson does a very good job with challenging material. I took a star off because I'm not quite convinced that he does full justice to the female characters, and to my ear he hams up the Mexicans a bit. But given that the vast majority of characters in the book are vastly hammed up anyway, it's not that big an issue.

From a content perspective, I think people who criticise the author for being a racist or a right winger miss the point. I've read the vast majority of Ellroy's fiction output, and I've tried to keep up with his media interviews, and his personal views are a black hole to me. Certainly his books are populated with racists and fascists and socialists and other ists in great measure. This one is heavily populated with racists (of all colours) and fascists. If that's not what you're into reading about, this isn't the book for you.

And the wolf? Seriously? Personally I loved it, but had to rewind a few times...

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Great performance of a highly entertaining book

Revisado: 08-08-19

This is a very fine book and performance. Unfortunately the principal problem is that, well in all honesty, the 1974 movie is a bit more concise and tidy ... The screenplay for that movie manages to distil out the most memorable scenes (and the best of the humor) in a way that makes one feel that the book needed a bit more editing.

That said, if one discounts the 1973 film (or if on has not seen it) this is a very fine, exciting, entertaining and well-written crime story. At its heart it's a violent and exciting crime novel. However it's brought to life by wry humor and deep character development. Mark Bramhall's performance is well-paced and appropriate.

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Simply not a good book

Revisado: 06-11-19

I was always very suspicious of this book, there were always so many copies available in second hand shops I assumed it must be questionable. Having watched the movie yet again recently, I decided to give it a shot,

There are so many issues... It's just not well written. The characters are one dimensional. The suspense scenes are... not suspensful.

This is a very different book to the movie, and unfortunately is one of those rare occasions when the movie is significantly better than the book.

Erik Steele is however a decent narrator, and does his best. Honestly though, not worth the time.

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