Ree

Rich history of a neglected area and people.

Revisado: 08-26-24

Poor narration. Mispronunciation of Italian words, locations, and phrases was extremely disconcerting. Inflection used to make the names “musical”was a novice’s attempt at sounding “Italian”. It was insulting to the author and only helped perpetuate a stereotypical image of what “Italian” should be. Edoardo Ballerini’s narration was, as always, excellent. I look forward to Book 3 that he will narrate. I just saw that the same narrator will be performing Book 3. Unfortunately , I will not purchase it.

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Sporadically interesting

Revisado: 06-16-23

Despite its length it was an Interesting story but became boring and tedious. Way too much medical info and descriptions. This was the first time I had to increase the audio speed due to the languorous narration. The history of India during the time period was fascinating. Wrapped up very quickly..If only the rest of the book moved at that pace.

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Great story!

Revisado: 04-21-23

Incredibly intricate story that never fails to involve you in the characters lives. You can always go home again.

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Good story

Revisado: 04-06-23

Interesting and compelling story but narrator was too fast even when slowed and monotone in delivery.

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Terrible narration!

Revisado: 06-12-21

The story and characters were interesting, though one-dimensional, the narration was awful. The author had no command of even the simplest Italian words. They were mangled beyond recognition. I found it insulting that someone would write a novel about a country and culture then afford not a glimpse into the appreciation of the language by not providing correct pronunciation. Someone should have advised him to hire a narrator that has some knowledge of the language and can provide the story with a semblance of authenticity. This is the reason why I won't buy the sequel. This novel already hurt my ears.

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Great read!

Revisado: 04-14-21

I thought I'd be revisiting a topic that has been addressed over and over, but I was unexpectedly riveted to this intriguing story. It was filled with fascinating and varied characters who were portrayed effortlessly by the linguistically talented narrator. S. Maarleveld's prowess was perfectly matched with the expert storytelling skill of K. Quinn.
I didn't want this book to end!

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Builds steadily and truly satisfies.

Revisado: 03-20-21

I wasn't sure this story was for me until it grabbed me and wouldn't let go. The young characters amazed me as they wandered among and then over their boundaries.
And the reader must be mentioned. He enhanced and delivered this remarkable story with great panache.

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Mediocre and trite.

Revisado: 12-31-20

Mediocre story made uniteresting by an awful narration. It was impossible to listen to the narration at normal speed. Needed to increase speed to 1.2 to maintain interest.

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Loved it!

Revisado: 09-14-20

Both my husband and I truly enjoyed this story. Kudos to Ms. Banner for her researched authenticity and wonderful storytelling, and to Edoardo Ballerini for his once again fabulous reading. His language accents are authentic, never being stereotypically insulting. Even his occasional Sicilian was perfectly pronounced. I relished being immersed into the culture, traditions, folklore, and “cucina” of this fictitious yet totally plausible island. Castellamare does exist, but is in another place in Sicily and not an island.
I do feel I need to make one observation. Being a 40 year teacher of three languages in addition to understanding and speaking the Sicilian language, I am a lover of words. Is it a British thing to refer to the sea as the “ocean”? We counted the use of the latter 22 times. Sicily and its islands are bordered by “seas”. Unless one sails the Mediterranean due west through the Strait of Gibraltar, one is not overlooking the “ocean”.

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Insulting and demeaning narration.

Revisado: 04-14-20

The fact that this person thought that a stereotypical and insulting Italian accent, where virtually every word ended in “a”, was a satisfactory representation demonstrates a lack of thought and research and an ignorance of stereotypes that were erased a generation ago. Shame on the author, editors, and production crew for not stopping this travesty.

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