Pianomom

What a production!

Revisado: 09-03-23

I was looking for something uplifting, enlightening. This one caught me off guard and got me off that track- it was not light, it was in fact dark and a little twisted ......and was one of the most engaging listens I've ever listened to.

The narration felt so natural, and the effects and full cast had me feeling at times as if I was transfixed on a macabre family situation- a sort of morbid fascination. Mental illness is complicated. Deceiving. Dangerous.

Glad I got "off track". I'll be looking for more by this author and these wonderful actors/narrators.

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Despite the controversy....

Revisado: 09-22-20

I’m reading the reviews and respecting the controversy.

I was engaged by the book, and the narrator.

As a white middle class American dedicated to my own family. community service and business, the world is full of things I should pay more attention to. My lack of experience with the plight of the immigrant does not and should not reflect on my character. I worked in the fields with summer migrant workers as a teen, I live in a village with 2/3 of the population new citizens and green card workers. I don’t know their intimate background details, they don’t know mine.

But, this book was engaging enough to me to stir compassion and curiosity. Because of this book I respectfully read the reviews and now have a list of “more accurate” resources offered by some of the angry reviewers. Because of this book I am awakened to the fact that I know very little and want to know more, so that I can make more educated contributions to the community around me. For crying out loud it’s a fiction novel. Fiction. I was engaged by it and listened every day on my walk until it was done.

So, despite the controversy, or maybe because of it, I am even more inclined to give it 5 stars. It stirs a pot that needs to be stirred, appealing to people like me, whose attention needs to be awakened and sharpened. Because of those reviews, I will continue seeking insights and awareness into this important issue facing humanity.

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More, please

Revisado: 02-07-20

For this little bit, thank you. Sure, the struggles he mentions were a part of the tapestry but there is so much more to this book. In this short 90 or so minutes there was an authentic intimacy, wisdom and perspective that left me sad to have it end so soon, glad to have listened. I’m part of the generation probably touched most by the music and the man. Loved the interludes interleaved with the dialogue.

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Disappointed

Revisado: 07-17-19

I was excited to listen to this one. Then, as the insolent and privileged teen characters contrasted from the poor Iris, I predicted that somehow there would be a struggle ending with an epiphany. Certainly these privileged "beautiful" people would have an awakening in kindness and gratidude. Instead, as the book goes on, with many interesting aspects, I cringed at the length of time spent on the insolent, arrogant, self absorbed way the teen characters interacted, the dysfunctional mean parents. Suzanne keeps wondering where she went wrong, but continues to tolerate and enable this abuse from her kids. I cant.

I thought this book would be about Iris, and an awakening, I generally adore this topic. I just cant enjoy their journey. when I put my headphones on I'm listening to disrespect and ingratitude I would never tolerate from the people in my own life. Putting this one aside.

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esto le resultó útil a 2 personas

Nicely read by author

Revisado: 04-20-19

Once I became involved with the plot, I was hooked. this is an easy read and the author narrates the book so beautifully.... not always the case with authors even with all good intentions. the one thing that distracted me the most was the abrupt chapter endings and beginnings, on to the next chapter without seemingly taking a breath. It felt rushed only in that way.

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esto le resultó útil a 1 persona

Read the reviews first

Revisado: 02-20-19

the premise is thought provoking but left me wondering where the last hour went. Maybe I wasnt in a dark enough mood, it just didnt suit my taste. The reason I actually made it through the book was the narrator, whose rich voice and acting talents made me actually feel an affinity for an unlovable character.

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Stopped listening after 11 hours

Revisado: 03-06-17

I wanted to like it. It came so highly recommended and we all know of course that Wally Lamb is brilliant. But life is short- I'm certainly not going to pay to wallow in misery. I really wish I'd simply stood in the library and thumbed through a few chapters first. It wasn't my cup of tea.

I enjoyed the narrator's work very much and will certainly look up other novels he's read.

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esto le resultó útil a 1 persona

Getting real

Revisado: 10-04-16

As someone who is one of untold numbers of Steve Martin fans, I don't personally know him. Listening to this book gave the essence however of listening to him speak candidly and intimately about his journey in comedy both growing up and as a professional. Lessons learned, funny moments, painful ones. Humility. Love. An artist who evolved and is still evolving as a human being certainly (inasmuch as he is just as human as anyone else ), but a human being rich with intellect, perspective, wisdom. Evolving with his talent and living his integrity. someone many of us strive to be.

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Zig yes please! Tom, please, no.

Revisado: 10-26-15

What made the experience of listening to Master Successful Personal Habits the most enjoyable?

Zig Ziglar's energy, influence and spirit is unmatched. That said, I don't normally enjoy the high energy motivational speakers that shout at me through the headphones on my morning walks. I roll my eyes at the quasi-sexist humor that is so common with the older generation. The "southern preacher" style, meh. But if it is Zig Ziglar, I'm there. Front row. Or in this case, every morning for 4 miles. I'll listen again, and again. Kind of like having an Uncle you absolutely adore, no matter how loud he is, because in that loudness is pure genius.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Master Successful Personal Habits?

Too many to mention. Depends on the day.

What three words best describe Zig Ziglar and Tom Ziglar ’s voice?

Zig Ziglar: Inspired. Gifted. Generous. Tom Ziglar: Zig's son, trying. (With all due respect)

What did you learn from Master Successful Personal Habits that you would use in your daily life?

"Your Input determines your Outlook. Your Outlook determines your Output. Your Output determines your Future." Your life is a result of the choices you have made.

Any additional comments?

Zig Ziglar is a classic. HOWEVER... One of the lessons I've learned as a public speaker and host is one of Zig's rules: When you are introducing a speaker, never cut into his time. I can appreciate that Tom Ziglar loves his Dad, but I had to stop and forward through every time he interrupted this recording to repeat what his Dad just said, cutting into his time, often just as a Zig point was about to hit home. If Tom is the producer of this recording to keep his Dad's message alive, I thank him. But, please, let Dad talk without interruption.

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esto le resultó útil a 3 personas

Fabulous. More, please.

Revisado: 10-15-15

I liked the detective series with Kenneth Branaugh (I believe it was BBC) so bought the audio book despite the fact I've never been much interested in reading detective stories. Silly me. I've been missing out on so much.

From what I read in reviews this series is a hit with the well-versed mystery readers as well. I want to find more like this!

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