Rebecca Archer

A National Treasure

Revisado: 11-23-23

just really enjoyed her laughter, energy and wisdom. Would love to see someone make an animated version of this book illustrating her narration. kinda like drunk history. I think it would be hilarious. this woman is for real and I'll miss having her company in my ear....

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worst narrator

Revisado: 12-19-22

I'm really sad, I wanted to listen to this book so much. hour in and I returned it because the narrator is just awful. as others have said, she has all the wrong emphasis and the father sounds so angry even when it should be moderated. I couldn't concentrate on the story because it was so grating. I'll probably get the book in print or hope that audible re-releases it with a better narrator. how about the woman who narrated pachinko?

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esto le resultó útil a 4 personas

great perspective

Revisado: 10-31-22

loved it. Colum McCann is a brilliant writer. poetic. and the story is not one I've heard before of the Roma people. beautifully narrated as well.

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exquisite

Revisado: 10-17-22

beautifully written. her prose is poetry. poignant, revelatory, raw and honest. especially if you are from the San Francisco bay area... must read.

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struggling with this one..

Revisado: 09-18-22

it's a well written book. it's an upsetting story. should come with trigger warnings for child abuse. the narrator has been hard to listen to because he makes black characters sound like a caricature of Asians speaking bad English. I'm struggling to get through it because it's hard to know when the abuse will end if at all... my friend said she loved it so I am soldiering through. hope there's some redemption. the author deserves all the acclaim and support for telling such a difficult story.

update: I struggled through,but my opinion of the narrator didn't change. his accents for everyone were messed up. the story itself is a very difficult but triumphant story. I'm not great with violence, so it just was too hard for me...

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really good read

Revisado: 06-18-22

A compelling story, complex characters, and good history lessons. well written and very enjoyable. One of the first times I didn't find myself saying, "that doesn't make sense" on a character's actions. good internal consistency which I appreciate.

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An Odyssey to remember

Revisado: 01-18-22

Like a film noir, this novel keeps you on the edge of your seat. Towles characters come alive and it's easy to get invested in their fates. You might love one one second and hate them the next, but you'll never leave their side. the writing is delicious and the narration like a James Cagney movie. so good.

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truly original: bad narration

Revisado: 11-07-21

I don't often write reviews but feel that this book deserves all my praise. An original story and perspective that has you thinking about whether you really see the world around you. It is emotional, insightful, poignant and unpredictable.

The only drawback was how the male narrator created women's voices. Just awful to listen to, especially as a woman. Annabelle came across as tinny, whiny and fey in a way that I don't think suited the character and felt demeaning. He kept changing accents for other characters that weren't consistent. I also didn't like how whiny he made Benny, the main character. It was cringy to listen to. The rest of his narration was fine, he has a nice natural deep voice that is pleasant.

That said, the book is worth every minute for the prose and story alone, but maybe consider picking up the print edition.

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complexity

Revisado: 06-06-18

I keep reading these tragic accounts of slavery and overcoming bondage. Maybe it's the current socio-political climate that makes me want to connect deeply to the pain of ancestry. Or just to be reminded that this nation was born of violence and terror. To remember that to brutalize you first have to dehumanize. Maybe I'm reading to make these ancestors human. Not just a chapter in a history book. Not someone Kanye can dismiss as "meanttobe" slaves. To know those who fought. I loved the reimagining of the underground railroad. The imagery so vivid. The stations like stations of the Cross. Or phases of life. I was struck by our white allies. Struck by the people who had everything to lose and nothing to gain and put themselves and loved ones in harm's way for my people. For humanity...out of humanity. They were terrorized by the peculiar institution too. We still need or white allies. Our straight allies. Our male allies. We struggle alone but come out of the struggle when those with power to inflict brutality see our humanity and struggle with us. This was a thought provoking book. Heroes were made, not born. Our history is complex and brutal. And we need each other.

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lyrical

Revisado: 04-23-18

Lyrical, mysterious, complex. This book keeps you engaged with it's captivating prose and compelling story-line. A mystery and complex psychological profile of the characters. I knew the author, DeSales Harrison, in high school, but I'd recommend the book even if I didn't. It's just more fun to read with his own lyrical, mysterious complexity in mind.

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