Julia Grant

Such an enjoyable listen!

Revisado: 06-21-24

This book draws on the author’s own history, as well as his vast knowledge of weight lifting, classical history, art, and other topics that he blends perfectly into an excellent book. It is laugh-out-loud funny at points, cringe-worthy at points, touching at points. The reading is spot-on as well, delivering the ideas perfectly.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

I don’t recommend.

Revisado: 10-11-23

Some parts are interesting, but overall poorly constructed. Irritating conjunction of fluent Spanish with English feels pretentious and forced—great Tia???? Infused with mysticism which also feels forced.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

A unique presentation of grief

Revisado: 05-31-23

The background for the story is real, which makes this novel even more engaging. Lovely characters desk with their distinctive griefs via the wind phone, providing a meditation on loss and acceptance.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

A great story on so many levels

Revisado: 02-23-23

This is great writing, memorable characters living their all-too-human lives, in the middle of contemporary issues. Kingsolver’s best since Poisonwood Bible.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

I am mad, sad, and disappointed in this book.

Revisado: 08-11-19

This author simply did not use his prodigious character insights as previously revealed in, for example, Testament of Mary. I was hoping for a strong understanding of the character of the three fathers, and instead got a rather awestruck presentation of how their awfulness (and they were, indeed, awful) influenced their sons' works. The book thus is more literary analysis than character analysis, and I was looking for the latter. These three fathers got very gentle treatment from Toibin. I gave the performance three stars only because I enjoy listening to his voice, but I would not recommend this book, except to someone who is looking for the aforesaid literary analysis.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

esto le resultó útil a 1 persona

Just amazing insights in this book

Revisado: 08-06-18

The writing of this book, Mary's view of how things happened in the incidents surrounding the increasing celebrity of her son and his ultimate death, is filled with insights of what it is to be an old woman with a child whom she has watched and loved over the years, as well as insights about how the stories in the New Testament came to be. I had to look back to convince myself that this, indeed was written by a man.

And the reading by Meryl Streep is nothing short of award-winning level.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

Bias becomes way too obvious

Revisado: 03-05-17

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

I was really enjoying this course until the chapter on Christian burial, which the lecturer turns into a sermon to sell Christianity. I was really disappointed because the courses from The Great Courses have been better than that.

What do you think your next listen will be?

Not this course

What character would you cut from Death, Dying, and the Afterlife: Lessons from World Cultures?

the Christianity bias

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

esto le resultó útil a 10 personas

Awesome book! Great listen!

Revisado: 10-10-16

This is a wonderful story, perfectly read to convey the characters and their personalities. I laughed out loud throughout. I will be immediately be looking for more by this author.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

Wow!

Revisado: 05-25-15

Captivating narrative of history! Well written, well read by Brick, as always. Learned a lot and could not "put it down".

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

Details of day to day life spot on

Revisado: 04-29-14

Would you consider the audio edition of Liberty to be better than the print version?

Yes because Keillor reads his work so very well.

What other book might you compare Liberty to and why?

I'll pick an unusual one, Ladies of the Club, for its similar attention to the fine details of human existence and interaction. However, unlike Ladies (which I love), Keillor goes after all the humor embedded in humanity. This was a laugh out loud listen.

Which character – as performed by Garrison Keillor – was your favorite?

Hard to pick, but maybe Art, an irascible, insane actually, old codger.

Who was the most memorable character of Liberty and why?

Again, Art, or maybe Irene, the wife of the main character, who doesn't have a lot of speaking lines but whose essence is pivotal to the whole story.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña