Phoebe Farag Mikhail

Heartwarming

Revisado: 07-04-23 El oyente recibió este título gratis

What a lovely surprise to find this book being narrated by a child around the same age as the children in the story! I loved that, and so did my 7 year old. My older children wanted more of a full cast, but we still enjoyed the story and the narration.

The story itself, of a family of five, with two boys who would love to own BMX bikes but have a few obstacles to get them, is absolutely heartwarming, a perfect read for the fall or around Christmas. My children, also in a clergy family, loved that this was a story about a clergy family. All families will enjoy the typical conflicts and struggles a family will go through, and those who are not in clergy families will get a peek into what it's like to be a PK, too. PK's all over the world will appreciate your empathy!

I gave this book to my sister, who also has a young son, and they read it together in one sitting. She told me it brought tears to her eyes, too. Enjoy this lovely story in print or in audio - it is a delight.

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I enjoyed reading this for you!

Revisado: 04-05-23

I enjoyed recording this audiobook for you, and I hope this book is a blessing!

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An excellent story, well narrated

Revisado: 12-19-20 El oyente recibió este título gratis

This story begins with a lion living a lions life, told from the lion's point of view in lyrical prose. We were the gleaming lion's mane, smell the scents be smells and feel the vibration of his roar through the gorgeous imagery of this story. We also observe him through his unusual baboon companion, who teaches hims how to speak. Together they meet St. Gerasim, and the rest of the story, while known to history, is deftly told through their eyes. Laura Wolfe makes an excellent narrator, modulating her voice in such a way that we always know when it is the lion speaking, and when it is the baboon. I listened to this book with my children and we all enjoyed the story and the narration. My 5-year-old who loves animals enjoyed hearing a story from their point of view, and my older two enjoyed learning the story of a saint in this way.

While the story of the lion follows closely to the story we know about St. Gerasim, some of the father's names at the monastery are drawn from the Egyptian desert fathers (Abba Poemen, Abba Macarius, Abba Moses), but would have pre dated Gerasim and lived in Scetis, not near the Jordan. I explained to my children that the author might have drawn upon the Desert Fathers to name the other monks.

It is known that St. Gerasim attended the Council of Chalcedon and this is mentioned in the story, but as a member of a Non-Chalcedonian Orthodox Church I appreciated the author not going into great detail about what happened there. The saint's impressions of what happened could easily have been the impression of any saintly person on either side of the Caledonian controversy.

Overall this is a beautifully written and unique way to tell the story of this saint and his unusual relationship with a lion. I look forward to more writing from this author.

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LOVE THIS BOOK - EXCELLENT ON AUDIO!

Revisado: 12-04-19

This book is a beautiful conversation between a young woman trying to find her faith and her namesake in heaven praying for her and guiding her towards it. Lydia can't read At. Lydia's responses, but we can, and we are better for it. The audio edition of this book is fantastic. Both narrators whole-heartedly took on their roles. This is a book I will be thrilled to share with my children when they are old enough. It covers some heavy topics that need to be discussed, especially for anyone about to go to college and live on their own, without being heavy-handed. Instead it is a chronicle of a relationship of true love over some serious challenges. Those who are curious about Orthodox Christianity will learn a lot from this book, those who are Orthodox will enjoy it tremendously, but the story is captivating for any listener.

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Fascinating memoir of a fascinating woman

Revisado: 02-01-19

This book is so good I started listening to it again. This is a fascinating memoir of an extraordinary woman's life that spanned World War 1 and World War 2 in Romania. I actually wanted it to continue into her life in the United States after she was exiled from her own country. The narration was superb.

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So much fun to listen to with the kids

Revisado: 01-20-19

My kids ask for this as soon as we get in the car - even my 9 year old! It's a very high quality production.

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Brought me to tears

Revisado: 11-25-18

This book was worth all its accolades. I had to listen surreptitiously since I didn't want my younger children to hear the explicit language and adult content. Still, it's a story of resilience in the face of so much struggle, and yet Trevor Noah and his mother could laugh through it. The love between him and his mother, and his mother's faith despite all her struggles were inspiring.

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