Ruby Dickson

Fascinating but slow

Revisado: 07-16-23

This book was fascinating to read/ listen to. The worldbuilding is really unique and imaginative, and it's great to read such optimistic speculative sci-fi-- a world which has flaws, but is many steps up from a dystopia. The characters' generally expanded moral circles are super interesting, and I found myself thinking about their moral framework quite a bit.

However, I wasn't gripped by much of the book. The story has an extremely long time frame, and it feels difficult to really get attached to any of the POV characters before they are replaced in the next generation. More importantly, though, it felt like there was a lack of real emotional tension in the action, as if every character was observing the events with partial emotional detachment.

I found it worthwhile to read this to the finish to get a sense of the universe that the author built, but it was a bit of a slot by the end. Still, I'll seek out more from this author, as the concepts really have stuck in my brain!

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Very annoying, somewhat informative

Revisado: 02-20-18

An interesting survey of thousands of years of history. Tracks some themes from ancient Mesopotamia through the early modern period. I would say that this series is good for giving an overview of the periods discussed, but in the course of the survey there are many serious over generalizations that will grate on anyone who already has an interest in history.

The professor has an extremely annoying and condescending way of speaking - - he will explain something very obvious, and make the reader feel like they're in a remedial class. Then in the same lecture, he will pretend like certain obscure facts are as obvious as could be, and frequently says things like "as you all know well, Clovis was not actually a carolingian leader," making the listener feel like a idiot who should know these things.

Overall, a good course with some serious flaws. Even as a huge history nerd, I learned some new things. But beware, the lecturer is certainly not for everyone.

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very awkwardly written and read.

Revisado: 06-21-16

I bought this book due to a series of incredible, glowing reviews. I had such high hopes, but this book was not nearly as good as I had hoped.
I could attribute the awful awkward writing style to the origin of the story: maybe the author wanted to give the story a sort of old-timey, fairytale charm. But the characters were so annoying! Almost every one has a trite, affected voice and an unrealistic exaggerated set of attributes -- the children speak ridiculously articulately, and with such obviously moralizing speeches! At the beginning of the story, a young boy gives his father a lecture that I would usually attribute to a particularly patronizing pastor, and the characters behave like this the entire time!
The protagonist is such a Mary Sue that it's hard to believe anything she does. She's excessively selfless, obedient, sweet, brave, never does anything even slightly unkind. Obviously she's also gorgeous, talented, smart, adventurous, and every man who sees her (even when she's 12 or 13!) instantly wants her. After a while, her perfection wears on you.
All in all, I thought this was a fair retelling of a fairy tale. But the unnecessary rape, shoehorned romance, trite dialogue, and Mary Sue protagonist made it annoying to listen to for so long. ultimately I listened to the whole thing, but I wouldn't recommend it.

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amazingly well done!

Revisado: 04-24-15

absolutely love this book. it's certainly quite long, but I never felt any difficulty in finishing it, because it's truly thrilling to listen to! I certainly recommend this book to anyone looking for something to occupy them for a long time. if you get bored then we might not be listening to the same book!
the narrator is also great, even if his women are very silly sounding. he has distinct accents and voices for each character, and astoundingly, did not seem to get them mixed up even once in over 50 hours. kudos to him!

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esto le resultó útil a 124 personas

Exactly what I was looking for!

Revisado: 02-12-15

This book was a great and engaging way to learn modern Chinese history, in prep for moving there. The professor is a bit self centered, and a lot of the anecdotes from the last 30 years are from him-- but he is certainly engaged in the topic!

This is a great way to learn this sort of thing. It gives you a very good understanding of the nature of this story, without the stress of actually studying.


Thanks audible for another great listen!

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