Laurie

Historical Fiction with the spice of Time Travel

Revisado: 03-23-11

As one who loves learning through the window of Historical Fiction literature, when I stopped being able to read due to increasing blindness, it took me a time to "get used" to listening to my books. Also, I had to find out what I liked to listen to. I "came of age" as a consumer of audio books and downloaded books when I came across both Diana Gabeldon and Davina Porter. What masterpiece. I get it now. The prose-poetry of Gabeldon read by the incredibly talented actress/reader Porter was not just a replacement for the reading that I loved, but something more, or certainly as good. In its own category, the way Storytelling professionally is different from seeing a live theatre production. Not really something you can compare apples to apples... It is wonderful to have people who are firmly a part of the ages they live in plus the views and experiences of Claire and Brianna especially, but others who have lived both placesI have been engrossed in the lives of Jamie Fraser and Claire... almost a day by day account of the lives of people 200 years ago in many countries, many races, socio-economic levels for several weeks. I have listened to the abridged versions of the two books in this series that are caught up in red tape for the unabridged audible.com versions, I would very much like to know if/how Jemmy and Rodger get back or not to Brianna! I am looking forward, fingers crossed, that Gabeldon and Porter will bring the world of Jamie and Claire, Brianna and Mac and Ian Murry (Jr.) and his mother and so forth back into my world for another several hundred hours if at all possible! Listening to books read well is not something I'd considered, anymore than was writing by dictation into a computer. However, the silver lining of any problem is great learning if one is open to it. What a gift it is to find an art form that is in its relative childhood, with many ways to grow, that moves me in a new way. Thanks to the writers, readers, producers and to audible.com!

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Historical Fiction with the spice of Time Travel

Revisado: 03-23-11

As one who loves learning through the window of Historical Fiction literature, when I stopped being able to read due to increasing blindness, it took me a time to "get used" to listening to my books. Also, I had to find out what I liked to listen to. I "came of age" as a consumer of audio books and downloaded books when I came across both Diana Gabeldon and Davina Porter. What masterpiece. I get it now. The prose-poetry of Gabeldon read by the incredibly talented actress/reader Porter was not just a replacement for the reading that I loved, but something more, or certainly as good. In its own category, the way Storytelling professionally is different from seeing a live theatre production. Not really something you can compare apples to apples... It is wonderful to have people who are firmly a part of the ages they live in plus the views and experiences of Claire and Brianna especially, but others who have lived both placesI have been engrossed in the lives of Jamie Fraser and Claire... almost a day by day account of the lives of people 200 years ago in many countries, many races, socio-economic levels for several weeks. I have listened to the abridged versions of the two books in this series that are caught up in red tape for the unabridged audible.com versions, I would very much like to know if/how Jemmy and Rodger get back or not to Brianna! I am looking forward, fingers crossed, that Gabeldon and Porter will bring the world of Jamie and Claire, Brianna and Mac and Ian Murry (Jr.) and his mother and so forth back into my world for another several hundred hours if at all possible! Listening to books read well is not something I'd considered, anymore than was writing by dictation into a computer. However, the silver lining of any problem is great learning if one is open to it. What a gift it is to find an art form that is in its relative childhood, with many ways to grow, that moves me in a new way. Thanks to the writers, readers, producers and to audible.com!

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Fine story, fine listen

Revisado: 10-10-10

Really something, a thriller that takes place, for at least one half the story in one place. The sense of place, the two phases of the book, the illuminated characters and the point of view are so "essential" and excellent. I could hardly stop listening to do my work. Compelling,

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One of the best titles I have experienced!

Revisado: 10-10-10

Wow, just finished my "time" with The Help, wish there were a sequel. The characters, the readers, the story, the relevance to our times. As one who was raised by The Help (although not in the South, but lots of it is similar) it was exciting, illuminating reading (listening). Nothing outweighed the story, set in the midst of the Civil Rights demonstrations, etc. and it shows how humanity might become civilized over time... it is a book of great truth and great hope. Highly recommended.

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Weir is an historian, but not great audio material

Revisado: 10-02-10

I've read most of Weir's books, both historical fiction or like this book, fiction/history. Alas, I must say that I would rather have read than heard this very methodical review of everything everyone wore, ate, wrote, etc. Better read than heard in my opinion.

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esto le resultó útil a 4 personas

Interesting slice of history! An Audio treat

Revisado: 10-02-10

If you want the intimate details that can only come from listening in on recorded telephone conversations and the audio journal of Ladybird J, this can't be beat. I found that it was especially rich in audio, and it never would work as well just to read the book. It is a bit slow at times, and kind of meanders a bit, but in all, a worthy way to experience that time more intimately.

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Weir and Landor are great, but perhaps better read

Revisado: 10-02-10

I found this historical fiction somewhat tedious which is interesting to me as a fairly new audiobook listener, and a long-time Weir reader... I would recommend reading this wonderful illumination of an amazing woman in history rather than wading through the whole thing read. Weir is an historian, and can get very detail oriented, better to skim over some of the elaborate details than having the plot bogged down in aspects of less interest to various readers. Still, A+ book, no question.

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Got the point, but is perhaps overkill in audio...

Revisado: 10-02-10

Hitchens makes his point well, although I actually don't agree with it all, but I am not sure that I needed to listen to this book, I think I would have enjoyed it more as a read. Still, worthy subject, good author and nice voice.

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Hard to tell which character is speaking

Revisado: 10-02-10

This is beautifully recorded by the BBC, but without knowing the play well, it gets confusing -- who is talking now. Perhaps a cast with audio might help, an audio legend of sorts. Nonetheless, I am glad to have visited this wonderful play again, with a fine cast and great tempo.

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esto le resultó útil a 3 personas

So Much Richer to Listen to!

Revisado: 10-02-10

I've read this book a number of times over the course of my life. But this was the first time I HEARD the poetry of Hemingway. Sutherland does a wonderful low key read, and of course it is Hemingway at his finest, arguably anyway. I can't recommend this enough!

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