Laura

Highly Relevant for Understanding Ukraine, War

Revisado: 12-03-22

I greatly appreciate the historical background Iuliia Mendel provides. As an American, the recent history of Europe is something of a file cabinet of facts that has been dumped on the floor for me to sort. Iuliia Mendel does a great job of imparting the relevance-- to my life and my children's lives-- of recent history that has happened and is happening far away.
I'm glad she read some of it herself.
Bravo!

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A window into the heart of a 20-yo at the front

Revisado: 03-28-22

I must step out of this audiobook and make supper for my children, but all I want to do is sit and weep, and find someone else who has read or listened to this book, who can share with me the tears, agonies, and also humorous moments I've experienced through the course of this story. To those who did not have to read this to understand it, Thank you for answering the call of duty, and giving up your years for a future other than your own. I will never truly understand your sacrifice.
Having experienced this book (and this superb reader), I think I have seen the shadow on the cave wall. As a female civilian, that's about as close as I could expect to come to that final Quiet on the Western Front.
I recommend this audio book to anyone wanting a better understanding of war, WWI, or grief or loss in the time of war (when you don't have the luxury of stopping to grieve). This is a book for a mature reader, perhaps late teens. Do not give this book to a child who is an advanced reader. Parents, read this book along with your children so that you can dispassionately discuss difficult themes. A young person reading this book should have a mentor to discuss it with.

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WWI history accessible, interesting to teens!

Revisado: 05-15-21

Learning history is often dull because textbooks are written by committees and filled with dry facts. But the same dull history comes alive when it is wound around the story of someone you can relate to,
I love Johnny. He's like my own son at times, and some of the things he unthinkingly does make me want strangle him.
I adore Mr. Tuttle. I delight in his lessons from The Iliad, his great love of virtue and his desire to cultivate virtue in others.
I relate to the confusion and conflicting emotions that arise when you find that the jolly German neighbor suddenly is standing with rifle in hand on the other side of No Man's Land, shooting at you. Where is the neat place on the shelf of love, hate, or indifference for someone your instinct tells you has betrayed you? Where do you put him when you forgive him for doing his duty?
This is a very good book that parents should read alongside their teens (if it is required reading). There are many refences that may require explanation, and numerous points for discussion.
My 12-year-old daughter greatly enjoyed listening to it! We will read it again in a few years together.
The audiobook reader did a superb job of distinguishing all the voices. I highly recommend this audiobook!

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Learning Italian with kids books

Revisado: 01-01-21

I chose this version of I Tre Porcellini on Audible because i found the exact copy in print here in Naples, Italy. I listen to the recording, read along, write out the entire story in my notebook, and look up all the unfamiliar phrases. I hope to memorize the text.
As a learner of Italian language, this will teach me sentence structure, basic verb conjugation, and adverb /adjective usage. All I will have to do is replace the known verb with the verb I want. By the time I have the text memorized, substitution of verbs and adjectives will be fairly simple.
The reader (narrator) does a GREAT job with annunciation and emphasis.
Italian is the 12th language I have studied. This method of memorizing a familiar text is by far one of the best I've used. It's based off of the Suzuki Method of learning violin, and Andrew Pudewa method of learning language.

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"Mommy, can we listen to more of The Green Ember?"

Revisado: 02-01-20

As an alternative to visual screen time, I play audiobooks for my kids (boys ages 4 and 5, and a girl, 11). I'm always looking for good books that are age-appropriate . The Green Ember is truly a treasure among kids' audiobooks! The characters are interesting, the story is riveting, and the language is delightfully elevated and at times poetic. Our car trips to the store or on errands for the past two weeks have been blissfully quiet, with no arguing or shenanigans among siblings, as they all sit silent and alert, listening to the story, and not wanting to miss a moment. We will be downloading the other books by S.D. Smith, and enjoying them together.
The characters of The Green Ember are truly brought to life through the voice characterizations of the narrator, Joel Clarkson. I also am a narrator and character actor. I study accents to enhance the credibility of the character I'm speaking for. Mr Clarkson does a remarkable job of making each rabbit's voice unique and consistent. Bravo to all involved in this remarkable project. We are all eager for more!

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A personal window into N Ireland 1970s

Revisado: 08-09-18

Brilliant! Delightful turn of phrase and imagery. Superb dramatic reading! Warning: strong language in places, but it is never gratuitous. I bought this audiobook to hear and study the accent of N Ireland. I had no idea the story itself would be so good, so engaging, and so well-written. I look forward to the next audiobook I can find by Tony Macaulay, and hope he has read his own book again!
Note: N Ireland dialect and phraseology glossary is in the final chapter. There were things I looked up along the way for clarity; this glossary is quite helpful.

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Riveting Stories, Excellent Narration

Revisado: 11-18-17

The Poldark series always tells a great story with complex and interesting characters! The narrator does a truly remarkable job of bringing a unique color and life to the voices of all the characters. Before they are even identified, I can recognize the pinched and haughty voice of George Warleggan, the warm tones of Ross Poldark, the playfulness of Demelza , as well as some of the many characters that speak with a distinct Cornish burr. An astonishing observation given that all the voices are intoned by one man! Bravo, Mr Hembrough! You truly bring this brilliant book to life.

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