Dr. Karen Otazo

A Rollicking Romp through 19th Century London

Revisado: 08-13-18

Dodger is an alternative Oliver Twist tale through the eyes of a young adult of about 17. In a silent movie kind of way, iI provides some of the back story and context for familiar expressions and real people of the era . It was fun to have Charlie Dickens, Ben Disreali and Robert Peel as characters. I was reminded that the first UK Police were called Peelers and only later Bobbies, after Robert Peel .The Hero, Dodger, even interacts with Sweeney Todd, a fictitious character in the Penny Dreadful entertainment of the time. Young adults will enjoy it and learn a bit. The nasty bits about the era are embodied in the Dodger's profession as a "tosher.:" Going through the filthy sewers of the Thames portrays the dirt and squalor of the life of the lower classes.Continuing the silent movie analogy, it is full of versions of stereotypes.like the faithful yet smelly dog Onan, the damsel in distress with golden hair, and a Hollywood ending tied up with a declaration of love and a ruby ring.
The best part may have been laying out Dodger's interpretation of the people and events around him.

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One of my favorite books ever!

Revisado: 11-09-17

Mesmerizing stories with an authentic performance. Could not stop listening. Amazing stories about the pill and almost every other drug we think of as wonder drugs. Loved it.

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Left Me Wanting More

Revisado: 05-22-16

Some neat tips but not much else. Useful information about whether dialogue needs to be read out loud. This approach may not work. A fun introduction to dialogue and well priced.

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A Strong Woman Shows Leadership of the Police

Revisado: 04-02-16

Loved every minute of this story. Having seen it on the television years ago with Helen Mirren when I lived in London, Davina Porter did it justice, giving each character their unique voice. Couldn't put this down. Wonderful character development rang true in every word.

Jane Tennyson's misgivings were a revelation and now we know them to be common. As the heroine she is a superb role novel for all of us.

I recommend this without hesitation to anyone who enjoys mysteries.


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The Arhurian Legend through Science Fantasy Eyes

Revisado: 03-12-16

Love Davina Porter and her performance was wonderful. The story seemed powerful but did not grab me the way it did when I read it twenty years ago. I couldn't connect with the characters.

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German influence across Europe over the Centuries

Revisado: 03-12-16

The narration is from a BBC program describing the incredible historical items representing the German diaspora through Europe through the ages. Loved the explanations involving composers, authors and religious figures. The objects are so are so vividly portrayed verbally that you can't forget them.

Be aware though that it's about German culture and language and not just the nation as an intact whole. That means that Germans, like Kafka, born outside if Germany proper, we still think of as Germans. I didn't know that one of Martin Luther's greatest contributions was the New Testament in regular German not high German. He changed history with that too!

Loved this read and listened to it twice. Recommend it highly.

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American History Seen through 20th Century Eyes

Revisado: 11-01-15

Loved every minute of this book. Although I often read history and biographies I have not ever been a fan of historical novels. This book is so much more since it's a combination of history, botanical and medical science, and science fantasy, . Written by a thorough scientist, Diana Gabaldon is a thoughtful researcher who gets into small details that make me want to go to the Outlandish Companion Volume Two or Wikipedia to learn more.

Think of the many historical figures we learned about in school. The author creates an evocative picture of many of them, from George Washington's obsession with his officers being well dressed at all times, to the commanding arrogance of secret English loyalist Benedict Arnold.

It has been a joy to listen to the narrator, Davina Porter. She artfully changes her voice to reflect each character, young, old, female or male. And what a beautiful accent she has speaking mostly British English with a sprinkling of Gaelic, German, and French!

Written in My Own Heart's Blood is the 8th book in the Outlander story that starts in the summer of 1778 as well as the autumn of 1980. The many Outlander characters struggle with the challenges of their lives in various times and locales, including the way the lives of the major characters come together and interact across the centuries. Yes, there is time travel here and there.

If you love learning about words and languages, the end of this book is a treasure trove of academic information about the authentic words and terms used in the Outlander series.

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Rollicking good fun

Revisado: 10-25-15

If you want to laugh out loud as you learn about the genesis of Diana Gabaldon's writing for her many novels this book is for you. Read by more than one excellent narrator, including an astrologer, the author herself is most truly delightful. It was like stepping into her home and her writing schedule.What a gift for writers to know an author's thinking!

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Rollicking good fun

Revisado: 10-25-15

If you want to laugh out loud as you learn about the genesis of Diana Gabaldon's writing for her many novels this book is for you. Read by more than one excellent narrator, including an astrologer, the author herself is most truly delightful. It was like stepping into her home and her writing schedule.What a gift for writers to know an author's thinking!

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Debauchery and Honor in 18th Century London

Revisado: 10-13-15

A historical short story, beautifully written and read. This is an interesting footnote for an important character, Lord John, in Diana Gabaldon's Outlander series. A biting class commentary.

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