Margaret

Very disappointing

Revisado: 12-12-14

What was most disappointing about Ray Bradbury’s story?

I loved Ray Bradbury novels when I was in my 20's but found this very dated and predictable. The dialogue was very stilted and some of the attitudes are now very dated.

How could the performance have been better?

I admire Tim Robbins as a film actor immensely and think he was robbed in not getting an Oscar for Mystic River; he gave such a wonderfully subtle and nuanced performance in that film. However, I thought his narration of this novel was lazy and at times it seemed as if he was reading the text for the first time. Some of his characterisations were also somewhat overwrought.

Any additional comments?

I know that many listeners have given the novel and the narration top scores, but for me, it was a great disappointment.

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esto le resultó útil a 3 personas

Wonderful story telling

Revisado: 07-06-14

What made the experience of listening to The Husband's Secret the most enjoyable?

The Husband's Secret is a wonderful balance of humour, tragedy, regret and consequences. The characters are all likable and the reader/listener is keen to find out what will become of their lives.

What other book might you compare The Husband's Secret to and why?

It would be a disservice to this great read to compare it to another novel.

Have you listened to any of Caroline Lee’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I have not heard Caroline Lee perform before but I am certainly keen to hear her again. Her reading of this novel and her characterisations were faultless. She is superb.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

It made me both laugh and cry. Any novel that can evoke emotion is well written and the characters in The Husband's Secret are all believable. Any of them could be one of my friends and I finished the book wanting only the best for each of them.

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Disappointing

Revisado: 01-22-14

Any additional comments?

This novel was a great disappointment. The characters were one-dimensional, the plot was formulaic and full of holes, and don't get me started on the narrator! He was simply dreadful - his timing was abysmal and his characterisations were ludicrous, absolutely ludicrous, which made the book virtually unlistenable. I have rated the overall and story components a two-star rating because my opinion might be swayed by the jaw-dropping horror of the narration, which is really worth much less than one star.

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Unable to last the distance

Revisado: 07-19-13

This book wasn’t for you, but who do you think might enjoy it more?

I'm not sure who could enjoy this poorly written, predictable, join the dots novel. It's full of banal dialogue, stock characters and predictable situations. I, for one, couldn't bear to waste any more hours of my life by finishing it. However, I know that the Bosch series is a popular one for Michael Connelly. I just can't understand how!

What was most disappointing about Michael Connelly’s story?

The characterisations which seem to have been lifted from a 1940's c-grade tv show and much of the ridiculous dialogue were very disappointing.

How did the narrator detract from the book?

Although the narrator did an admirable job with an awful script, many of his voice characterizations were jarring, particularly those of the young homeless, who all sounded like they were sub-moronic and had the misfortune to have to talk through a broken nose and a cleft palate. He also tended to place emphasis on odd words from time to time - but given what he had to narrate I can't blame him for losing concentration.

If you could play editor, what scene or scenes would you have cut from The Black Echo: Harry Bosch Series, Book 1?

I would not have published this book.

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Perfect title for a great novel

Revisado: 04-05-13

Would you listen to Fieldwork again? Why?

There is a lot to love about Fieldwork. I would certainly listen again to pick up on the many intriguing details I undoubtedly missed during my first listen. It's a book that is not merely interesting; it has a tale to tell about what it means to be human and how humans in different worlds all manage to live in an often unpredictable and sometimes hostile world; and how we all misunderstand each other. And it was funny, too.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Fieldwork?

The revelation at the end was well worth the wait. It wasn't a revelation in the traditional sense; hearing what Martiya finally learnt about the Diyalo and how she coped with that knowledge made her character, and her circumstances, much clearer. All peoples, and some people, do very peculiar things in the name of spirituality and culture. It is our way.

Any additional comments?

I read this book because I recalled a review by Stephen King. He said it was good book with an ill conceived title and a bad cover. Pfffft! to that! (She said in her usual articulate manner). The title was a perfect match for the narrative; and having been to northern Thailand many times, the original cover was also perfect.

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Wonderful

Revisado: 08-30-12

What did you love best about Beautiful Ruins?

I cannot recommend this wonderful novel too highly. I was engaged immediately by the settings, the characters, the story and the gentle compassion for flawed humanity that it conveys. Jess Walter considers the manner in which we seem to live in memories of the past or imaginings of the future. I can only say that while listening to this novel, I was entirely engrossed in my present.

What about Edoardo Ballerini’s performance did you like?

This is an outstanding performance by Edoardo Ballerini. I will certainly buy this wonderful novel in hard copy, but I cannot imagine that I will enjoy it as much without Mr Ballerini's amazingly nuanced narration.

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Bleak but brilliant

Revisado: 06-12-12

What made the experience of listening to Blacklands the most enjoyable?

This novel is gripping and beautifully told. The characterisations are excellent, and in the case of Steven, heartbreaking. The portrayals of good-hearted Steven growing up in poverty, unnoticed by his tragically damaged family and of Arnold Avery, the cold-blooded serial killer of children, are compelling.

What other book might you compare Blacklands to and why?

Belinda Bauer shows great promise and this novel is every bit as good as a Ruth Rendell.

What does Colleen Prendergast bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Colleen Prendergast was pitch perfect in her narration. Her reading of the novel did not intrude on the story, as is the case with some readers.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

The ending was particularly moving.

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Faultless

Revisado: 05-28-12

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I recommend this engaging book to anyone who likes a good, well-written read. The characters are all well-drawn, interesting and consistent and the plot holds interest throughout.

What did you like best about this story?

I love the warmth and humanity of the main characters.

Which character – as performed by David Colacci – was your favorite?

I cannot pick a favourite - Joe and Sammy are both wonderful and David Colacci's performance was consistenlty true and enjoyable.

If you could take any character from The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay out to dinner, who would it be and why?

Once again, I couldn't pick between Kavalier or Clay. I'm greedy! I'll take them both!

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Good, but predictable, fun

Revisado: 04-23-12

Is there anything you would change about this book?

I'd smarten up the main protagonist. He's just a bit too naive.

Would you recommend Killer Instinct to your friends? Why or why not?

Some of them. Many of friends prefer a more intellectual read. I'm happy to be entertained.

Which character – as performed by Scott Brick – was your favorite?

They were all well performed. Scott Brick is an excellent performer.

If this book were a movie would you go see it?

Sure. I kept thinking that it would make a decent movie.

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A fire that fizzles

Revisado: 04-09-12

This book wasn’t for you, but who do you think might enjoy it more?

I think I'm just too old for this teen novel. It's very predictable and the narrator is appalling!

What do you think your next listen will be?

Next time I'll go for a more adult novel.

What didn’t you like about Carolyn McCormick’s performance?

Carolyn McCormick sounds like she is reading to a room of toddlers for whom English is a second language. Her characterizations are dreadful and she makes everyone sound stilted, stupid and surly.

What reaction did this book spark in you? Anger, sadness, disappointment?

Disappointment.

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