Louisa

Intimate, honest, inspiring, intelligent, intriguing

Revisado: 05-21-24

I found this audiobook by this much-admired author very touching, because I have been attacked and mugged myself and although my attack was not even NEARLY as violent as Salman Rushdie's I experienced many similar feelings.

I love that Knife is read by Salman Rushdie himself. I love his references to other great minds, literature and stories, like ee cummings, Shakespeare and George Orwell.

The reference to his sister and her massaging of his toes in hospital had me in tears. Lifelong companions are so rare and invaluable! At times I smiled, at times I nodded and at times I just felt this warm feeling of connection with this unique and fearless voice.

Salman Rushdie is a legend and an unstoppable force. This is a life-affirming book. Hail those in the world who understand humour and who appreciate satire. Hail free speech. Hail freedom of religion (or non-religion!) Hail Salman Rushdie! May room 101 never ever happen for you. I am sure it won't. Thank you for your work and your contribution to the world. From an English teacher in South Africa.

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Very good narration and charming plot (original text, using n-word)

Revisado: 01-14-24

This classic is enjoyable, but as an audiobook I lost the storyline from time to time, especially when Tom and Huck started with their elaborate and silly plot to free Jim from captivity (at uncle Silas and aunt Sally's house). As one expects from Mark Twain, the book is charming, sweet and wise, and the innocent p.o.v. of Huck Finn has one in stitches with laughter at times. (Boy, can that kid lie!) Trigger warning: the n-word is used about a million times and there wasn't an emphasis on the ethical treatment of animals in those days. (No overt animal abuse, just some references to things that we would frown upon today). In the end we know that, in the historical context, the n-word is authentic and Huck grows to love and respect Jim (the black slave) tremendously, so one sees the n-word in perspective. I listened to Huck Finn in preparation of the anticipated reimagining of this story from the perspective of Jim, which will be published in March 2024. The reimagining is called James and it was written by the Booker Prize shortlisted, Percival Everett. (Everett was shortlisted for Trees in 2022.)

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Heartfelt and interesting

Revisado: 01-05-24

After a hesitant start and a bit of ambivalence about the slips and definitions mentioned, the novel drew me in. I cared deeply for Esme and admired Lizzie. The narration was very well done - especially the Australian accent. I have recently visited the town of Oxford and saw the Bodlian Library, the Martyr monument and Blackwell's, etc myself. This made me connect with the novel even more. I appreciate that Pip Williams exposes the gender injustices of the Oxford Dictionary in the past. PS I loved the limeric! Look out for it when you listen to this book. It is very funny...albeit a bit below the belt. ;-)

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Feel-good easy read

Revisado: 12-20-23

This is an "All is well with the world" novel.

All's also well that ends well.

(Not to say that there are no plot twists....)

The performance is wonderful. Who can fault Meryl Streep's performance? (Ever!)

(PS This is not a "deep" read with a critical political message or social commentary like Prophet Song by Paul Lynch or The Seven Moons of Maali Almeida.
This is also much easier to read than, say, Demon Copperhead. Thus, it is a nice palate cleanser for those who like the heavier reads (like Booker Prize listed books) or it would just please those who like a pleasant and enjoyable yarn or a holiday relaxer. Ann Pratchett does well - as we have come to expect.)

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Brilliant!

Revisado: 11-26-23

Well written! Characters are fleshed out well. Do not be put off by the "Sweet Valley High" feel of the first part. It is only the beginning. Just listen to the book!

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I finished it, but I did not enjoy it very much.

Revisado: 10-21-23

I thought this would be a great book, but unfortunately, I could not get into this book at first. I restarted it over and over again and found it impossible to listen to. (Maybe it would be better on paper than via audio.) The many characters were confusing. The style felt detached. That said, after reading so many good reviews elsewhere, I forced myself to persevere, and I finished it. There were beautiful and poignant moments. The novel evoked anger and pathos. I really felt for the characters and even the dogs, and I enjoyed the tale about Ethan and Bridget. This book definitely carries an important message about humanity and cruelty, dominance and unfairness, family and suffering. The book contains some beautiful prose.

I did not like the tone of the narrator very much. Cannot put my finger on it, though.

God speed to this book in the Booker Prize race. I think it is a worthy contender, but I would not vote for it to win.

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Clever plot twist. A novel that makes you think.

Revisado: 09-17-23

I listened to this novel twice to make sure I understand everything. Brilliant! The narration is okay.

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Epic! Wise! Poignant! Gripping!

Revisado: 08-13-23

Thank you, Dr Abraham Verghese, for the inception, researching, writing and narrating this epic story! It was an honour to listen to this story. I am glad I listened to your voice reading it instead of reading it myself. There are wonderful interviews available online which added richness to the novel for me. This novel contributed to the richness of my soul. I loved the medical detail and the humour. I feel blessed by this novel. I believe Covenant is worthy of being nominated for the Booker Prize and and am surprised that it was not nominated. (Maybe being an Oprah Book Club pick surpasses it anyway. Wink 😉) I believe Oprah wants to adapt this novel as a series. I am looking forward to this too.

The link below is to the first YouTube interview that Oprah conducted with Dr Verghese in her Podcast series.

https://youtu.be/9JESD6vnvcs

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A waste of time...

Revisado: 05-31-23

I am a high school English teacher with an honours degree in English and I did not quite get this. Oh, I do understand the concepts and themes and the meta-narrator, which eventually combines 3rd and 1st person narration and protagonist. It is an unreliable narrator who ends up confessing that he is not sure if he invented Gaustine or if Gaustine invented him. Whatever. To me it sounded like a philosophy lesson or an experiment (combined with a history lesson). I never felt close to the narrator. I enjoyed some pearls of wisdom here and there, especially paradoxical aphorisms as well as quotes from famous literature (like Hamlet) but overall I often lost the plot. Perhaps the book is better suited for reading, rather than listening. Perhaps I should re-listen or read the novel. Frankly, there are so many books and so little time. I will be moving on. I am sorry that I could not write a better review for this Pulitzer prize winner.

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Absurd

Revisado: 05-01-23

I was willing to give it a go because it is shortlisted for the Women's Prize, but after chapter 8 I returned it. I felt I was wasting my time and the concept of anthropomorphism did not work for me at all. (It was beautifully read and I almost kept going just for the beautiful voice and accent of the performer.)

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