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CKH Vancouver

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Emotional, well written novella

Au global
5 out of 5 stars
Performance
5 out of 5 stars
Histoire
5 out of 5 stars

Évalué le: 2025-01-02

I picked this up as I recalled a old B&W movie that I think was this story (in fact I am sure it was, as the end is the same), but that film was a tad more melodramatic than this lovely, affecting, emotional character study of two female cousins who both share the same daughter, one by birth and the other by adoption.

The prose is thoughtful, eloquent and insightful.

The narrator remained measured, never succumbing to a melodramatic flair (which this story, set in the 1850s, but published in the 1920s - could have easily tempted another reader.


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A nostalgic essay from the 1950s

Au global
5 out of 5 stars
Performance
5 out of 5 stars
Histoire
4 out of 5 stars

Évalué le: 2024-12-31

I confess I picked this up due to it being by the author of Charlotte's web.

It is a long essay about revisiting New York in the 1950s, having lived there in the 1920s. Lots of nostalgia for times past. Beautifully written.

Warning: Some of the terms he uses (especially when decribing minorities) to these more modern ears sounds jarring/unacceptable,

There is an stunning foreshadowing to 9/11 in the last 5 minutes.

The perfect narration truly lifts this essay.

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Character Study short stories from early 1920s

Au global
5 out of 5 stars
Performance
5 out of 5 stars
Histoire
4 out of 5 stars

Évalué le: 2024-12-28

This is a charming set of quiet, carefully observed character study short stories. The male characters tend not to be shown well in these stories, and the situation of women is unveiled in a way that shows without saying how bleak the situation of women can be.

The audio sounds slightly muffled but seeing that Dame Peggy Ashcroft died in 1991 I suspect this was recorded in the 1960/70s. (I had to wiki who she was, as I was fascinated by her diction/narration).

"The Daughters of the Late Colonel" is a snapshot in time in two timid, older women one week after the death of their authoritarian, domineering father. You glimpse their wasted lives as they mull over the tiny choices they feel they can now make. It is bittersweet.

Her First Ball is a quick story of a teenager at her first ball, where her delight in her experience is crushed by an older man and his cynicism.

The Singing Lesson is another fast story where a 30 year old teacher is having to teach having received a letter from her fiancé breaking off their engagement. Her drilling of her overawed frightened students with a turgid sad song is an interesting study in what is not being said.

"The Stranger" is the weakest (IMO) of the four stories, but I do not feel that the husband was well written. A simple story of a husband waiting to greet his (in his mind) perfect wife, who has been overseas for ten months, who then shocks him.

It is a bit bizarre that "The Garden Party" is not included in this collection of stories.

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Ncuti!!

Au global
4 out of 5 stars
Performance
5 out of 5 stars
Histoire
3 out of 5 stars

Évalué le: 2024-12-13

Wanted to listen purely due to it having one of my favourite actors as the titular character. But this was a great production with an astounding cast!!

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What on earth have I just listen to?

Au global
4 out of 5 stars
Performance
5 out of 5 stars
Histoire
2 out of 5 stars

Évalué le: 2024-12-09

I much prefer a Christmas Carol where a Rich Man is psychologically tortured, instead of this novella where it is a poor man that is tortured. It’s a bit confusing, the a happy ending is kind of whisked away by the last comment. Not a novella I will revisit

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Very well done in the style of the original

Au global
5 out of 5 stars
Performance
5 out of 5 stars
Histoire
5 out of 5 stars

Évalué le: 2024-12-08

Incredibly well done, very faithful to the style of the original stories. A pleasant read

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Translation + Maggie Gyllenhaal both Superb!

Au global
5 out of 5 stars
Performance
5 out of 5 stars
Histoire
3 out of 5 stars

Évalué le: 2024-12-07

What a treat this was. I realised I have never read Anna Karenina, and having it read so well by Maggie Gyllenhaal, it was sublime.

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Fun Historical Urban Fantasy LBGTQ+ Novella

Au global
5 out of 5 stars
Performance
5 out of 5 stars
Histoire
5 out of 5 stars

Évalué le: 2024-11-06

I bought ths the day it came out but did not find the story line appealing, but it is marvellous, I would buy another dozen of this type of novella! Plus there was the stellar narration by Kobna Holdbrook-Smith.

Gussie is a great character. A former school acquaintance of Nightingale's, Gussie is a bit of a dandy, incredibly witty, and very upper class British. He believes himself to be somewhat dim and unheroic but his actions (rather heroic in the end) and his lively narration of the events makes this novella a joy.

And the Jazz comes back in this novella, I have missed that too.

This feels like a return to form for Mr. Aaronovitch!

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Joyous, Humourous (at times poignant)

Au global
5 out of 5 stars
Performance
5 out of 5 stars
Histoire
5 out of 5 stars

Évalué le: 2024-11-06

Mr. Loverman is a brilliantly sharp and heartfelt (at times poignant) novel of love, identity, and cultural heritage. The story follows Barrington Jedidiah Walker, a 74-year-old Antiguan-British man, as he grapples with a lifelong secret—his decades long love for his best friend, Morris, and the challenge of coming out after fifty years of marriage.

This is one of the best novels I have read by Evaristo. Her writing shines with wit, empathy, and insight, especailly capturing Barry's voice in a way that’s both raw and irresistibly funny (he is sexist, selfish, fails everyone in his life at some point). In fact all characters are flawed, and the author makes no excuses for them (except maybe 17 year old Daniel, as a apologist for his mother's actions). I love the characters, and almost wish for a sequel (Barry and Morris sailing to Antigua)

This wonderful novel is a true celebration of late-life transformation, queer joy, and Caribbean-British identity.

Narration was perfect.

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Interesting popular science book

Au global
4 out of 5 stars
Performance
5 out of 5 stars
Histoire
4 out of 5 stars

Évalué le: 2024-10-02

A bit scattered. Some fascinating ideas.

All very understandable for a reader without a scientific background.

He narrates his own work very well

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