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A Classic ...

Revisado: 04-09-23

... and a classic for a reason, masterfully read! The performance makes the tale come alive!

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Unbearably conventional

Revisado: 06-23-22

Some promising ideas in the world-building ... that's about all the positive I can say about this title, the rest is unbearably conventional and boring: the protagonist is an orphan, but it turns out that, due to a unique magical talent, she is the only one who can save the realm ("You're a grisha, Harry!"). She is brought to the 'little palace' (think: aristocratic Hogwarts), where she struggles with grumpy teachers, receives preferential treatment by the darkling (think: hot and edgy Dumbledore) and meets a female version of Draco Malfoy. Of course, she struggles at first, but than masters her unique talent ...

Honestly, I was entertained and annoyed at the same time: except the world-building, there is not a creative thought in the whole story, and sometimes it's just so contrived: to engineer a confrontation between the protagonist and female Draco, the author could not come up with anything better that have the novice fighter embarrass the experienced martial artist in a sparring match ... and when the darkling, 130-year-old master magician and seasoned politician with a mission to save the realm, suddenly kisses the twenty-something protagonist, with no regard for implications or consequences, I just gave up! Mild entertainment does not outweigh this level of kitsch and tripe!

I am disappointed, because in the hands of a better writer, the ideas in this story could have been made into something interesting!

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Entertaining!

Revisado: 09-28-21

I found this book to be thoroughly entertaining! Not as ionnovative or rigorously scientific as "The Martian," and a Little bit clichéd at times, but still … The (female) protagonist is a problem solver in the tradition of Mark Wadney, but much more of a maverick. The situation on the moon is grounded in Weir's patented realism, although the plot is much more of a conventional adventure story, but with entertaining twists and characters! I think the hate this book has gotten mostly stems from (quite unreasonable) disappointment that it is not like "The Martian". Like I said: very entertaining, and definitely worth a listen!

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Useless

Revisado: 09-20-21

If you want to learn Korean, this title is useless. One of the first phrases you are supposed to learn is 'good morning,' which is Google translated into '좋은 아침'. In my eight years living in Korea, I have never once heard any Korean person use that phrase! The structure makes no sense either: one chapter covers 'pronouns,' which are almost always omitted in spoken Korean when context permits. The pronunciation is good, but that's the best that can be said about this audio book.

Save your money and stay clear of this garbage!

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Classic!

Revisado: 08-14-21

Imagine the complete collection, stories as well as novels, read to you by the incomparable Stephen Fry - which is exactly what you get! Fry manages to convey Homes' dry and sardonic tone, Watson's ever incredulous reactions to his friend's deductions and insights, and his (Fry's) introductions are entertaining and insightful!

I don't think I ever listened to 72 Hours of audiobook in this short a period!

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Beyond Smiley

Revisado: 02-21-21

Recently passed away author John le Carré is best known for his spy stories in a Cold War context. In this, his last novel, he combines the familiar strengths of his stories, the realistic approach to espionage, well-developed characters and stylisticly sparse, but accurate observations, with the contemporary setting of the Trump and (Post-)Brexit era. And while the plot might be a tad conventional, it is also interesting and takes at least one surprising turn.

I usually do not much like first-person narration, but Le Carré's protagonist is sufficiently complex and observant to justify this choice of perspective.

Books read by their authors can go either way: sometimes it is great to have a Narrator read their own words, sometimes it is atrocious. Thankfully, this audiobook is firmly a case of the former. I have listened to other of Le Carré's works, read by professional narrators, and I honestly wish Le Carré would have read them all …

In conclusion: enjoyable and gripping, and definitely worth a listen!

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Leider nicht auszuhalten

Revisado: 12-10-20

Tiecks Stück ist geistreich und witzig, aber der Sprecher ist eine Zumutung! Vor allem ist nicht einzusehen, warum ein Drama (!!!) nicht als Hörspiel, also mit mehreren Sprechern besetzt wird ... oder zumindest mit einem kompetenten Vorleser.

Eine vertane Chance, dieses bemerkenswerte romantische Drama einem größeren Publikum vorzustellen.

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