Janis from Oregon

A Different Dystopian Approach

Revisado: 11-01-20

I've read my share of Dystopian novels, some good, some great. I especially enjoyed The Last Tribe for it's approach to the end of civilization as we know it. Instead of having small groups of people bent on violence and power grabbing, this author has created a group of people who are mostly about solutions (perhaps a Utopian dream). I enjoyed the meandering routes or situations the various individuals experienced to arrive at a meeting place, and the final solution is definitely an interesting one that begs for a sequel. But you'll have to read it/listen to it to understand why I believe that to be true.

A similarity that struck me with this book is from a long ago review of the movie, The Big Chill, where the reviewer said the movie was about "you are what you pack". Totally funny and true. This book is a bit similar in that it's about "you are what skillset you bring to the party."

I've always enjoyed Scott Brick's narrations, though he is best when doing straight history where dialog is not involved. He does a credible job on this book as my mind did not drift over the +18 hours of narrative.

If you like Dystopian novels, I recommend this. I'm still smiling at the end.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

Very impressive dramatization

Revisado: 09-14-18

I love all things Jane Austen and already have Emma expertly narrated by Juliet Stevenson, who played the role of Mrs. Elton so incredibly well in the 1995 Pride and Prejudice movie. I generally don't much care for dramatizations, due to the need for abridgment and added sound effects that can be annoying. However, I am so very impressed with this dramatization of Emma which is elegantly narrated by Emma Thompson and has a great cast. I felt that the script was an excellent adaptation and the other actors and moderate sound effects were really terrific.

This was a freebie for Audible members and I send my thanks to the Audible staff for a most excellent gift.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

esto le resultó útil a 1 persona

Great audio performances

Revisado: 02-08-18

The story is a bit improbable, and there is a bit of prosaic narrative, but the story is still fun with interesting characters and wonderful narration.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

Not particularly funny.

Revisado: 07-06-17

Kind of boring. I like Jane Lynch, but this was way beneath her talent. I was hoping for more.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

A great retelling of Pride and Prejudice

Revisado: 01-31-17

What did you love best about Unequal Affections?

I liked the fresh approach to Jane Austen's novel that remained within the Regency Era timeframe, but with the styling of the language moderately updated to be somewhat less stilted than is usual for that era. The author didn't change the characters as much as she took the plot lines and mixed them up a bit to give a fresh view on the classic story.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Always and ever, Elizabeth & Mr. Darcy.

What about Carmela Corbett’s performance did you like?

Excellent. Didn't distract from the storytelling and she was able to provide differentiation of the main characters with her voice changes.

Who was the most memorable character of Unequal Affections and why?

Again, I go with Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy. They remain two of the most classic characters in romantic fiction - lovely, lively, and flawed Elizabeth - handsome, taciturn, and flawed Fitzwilliam - who, through love find a path to redemption and happiness.

Any additional comments?

One of the better Jane Austen Fan Fiction books I've read and that is saying something, since I am a Jane Austen junkie.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

Most excellent and informative narrative

Revisado: 04-14-16

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

Yes. This is yet another non-fiction thriller by Erik Larson; well researched, well written, suspenseful, informative, and an eye-opening narrative on a moment in history that has long been neglected and often misrepresented. This book is simply outstanding. The listener knows that the Lusitania is sunk, yet the suspense that is built-up and the listener's interest that is garnered is astonishing. An amazing literary feat.

What was the most compelling aspect of this narrative?

I think the clarity of the story, the players, and the events enriched my feeble knowledge of the sinking of the Lusitania. High School and College textbooks of my time did not dwell on these events with more than a page or two in rather dully presented scholarly tomes.

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

I don't know that there was a specific character. Scott Brick's talented narration of non-fiction is legion. His voice is moderated throughout so that my mind does not wander off, nor does it annoy the listener. He has a great medium voice that resonates well, not too fast, not boring.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

No. It is a long narrative and I planned on a number of sessions to complete my listening. I chose to listen to this book while on a 2-week cruise around New Zealand and Australia; it lent an edginess to the cruise for sure.

Any additional comments?

This is my third, and so far, the best of the Erik Larson books. Usually he does a two-layer narrative that alternatively builds in excitement. In Dead Wake, there are really three layers - the sinking of the Lusitania and what led up to it, the emerging war in Europe exposing the German aggression, and lastly, President Wilson, recently widowed, who finds a new love - distracting him from his real role as the leader of the country.

There are many interesting tidbits about leaders such as Churchill, who probably ignored the dangers to the Lusitania hoping to get America into the war. Then Churchill set out to blame the captain of the ship rather than reveal the secret maneuvering by him and his council that assisted in the sinking and high level of fatalities. Lots of feet of clay out there.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

One of the better in the Fatal Series

Revisado: 10-01-15

What made the experience of listening to Fatal Frenzy the most enjoyable?

I like the Fatal series by Marie Force, and Book 9 has continued the story in a surprising and interesting way. The characters are generally consistent with the main characters exhibiting growth and change.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Fatal Frenzy?

It has to be when Sam tackles the wanted murderer during the Inaugural Parade.

What three words best describe Eva Kaminsky’s performance?

This series has had several different readers which is disconcerting and annoying. Eva's performance is OK, but not much distinction between the character voices. The best reader (of the three) is Felicity Monroe and I wish she had done all of them.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Pretty much. I did it in two as nighttime intervened.

Any additional comments?

I like that the author is exploring alternate ways that the Second Lady of the US can serve both her unpaid position in support of her husband and keep her own job as a Detective. It's an interesting concept. Maybe Sam could start by petitioning the government to pay wages to the very hard-working first and second ladies of the US.

I also wish the author would stop with the constant references to Sam not being able to have a baby and Nick wanting her to have one and blah blah blah. Tiresome, truly.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

Good Story with Obvious Plot

Revisado: 04-15-15

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

I would recommend it for the good characters and strong dialogue. However, the book's ending was apparent from the very beginning of the book. The fact that none of the characters in the book ever voiced the possibility of it ending this way - really - was not believable and became tedious. So I would recommend the book with caution.

What was your reaction to the ending? (No spoilers please!)

The ending was obvious from the first minutes of the book. I went through 16 hours of the story to get to the ending I could see coming from a mile away.

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

She does a good job with the Southern accents and female character differentiation. However, her male character voices were less pleasant.

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

The family interactions were well written.

Any additional comments?

I usually enjoy Nora's stand alone books, but this one had a tired, and over-used, plot that was obvious and she used a plot device that was used in Hot Rocks, one of the "In Death" books, so I saw that coming too.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

esto le resultó útil a 43 personas

Overall, quite excellent and thorough presentation

Revisado: 01-03-15

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

Yes, especially if the friend enjoyed reading murder mysteries or true crime books. The information in the lectures is extensive.

What other book might you compare Forensic History: Crimes, Frauds, and Scandals to and why?

The Great Courses' forensic lectures are based on real life events. Two fictional authors that come to mind that use forensics in their storylines are Patricia Cornwall's Kay Scarpetta series and Kathy Reichs' Temperence Brennan stories. There are, of course, many excellent text books and other general non-fiction books on forensics that are highly informative.

What about Professor Elizabeth A. Murray’s performance did you like?

She fumbles here and there, which could have been corrected with overdubbing. But generally, her voice is pleasant and flows at a good pace. She clearly enjoys her subject matter and passing along her knowledge. Occasionally there might be TMI on a lecture subject, however, overall the various layers of discovery of the various disciplines is quite interesting.

Any additional comments?

All of the Great Courses are a terrific value when purchased through Audible.com. They are of high quality and have great topical focus. You just have to find the ones that interest you among a myriad of subject matter. If you were to price these on The Great Courses website, you would find the pricing to be prohibitive.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

esto le resultó útil a 23 personas

Great series, Book 2 Narrator sucks

Revisado: 02-25-14

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

I enjoy this Cop meets Senator series very much, although some contextual plot lines seem a little forced. However, the character development is very good with mostly good dialogue. I have the entire series on Audible and my biggest gripe is that they keep changing the narrator. Felicity Munroe reads Book 1, 3.5, 4, and 5 and she is the best reader of the group. Eva Kaminsky is OK and reads Books 3 and 6. But Katie Sparer reads this book (#2) and her voice is simply awful, monotone, boring. Whereas Felicity gave many of the characters distinctive voices, Katie's voices are all the same with no delineation.

What other book might you compare Fatal Justice to and why?

There are a lot of similarities with J. D. Robb's In Death series -- female cop, boyfriend-later-husband with important position who sometimes gets involved with cases or is involved by association, funny/supportive sidekick detective/partner, lots of cross pollination of her friends connecting with his friends, etc.

How did the narrator detract from the book?

Monotone, boring, mispronounced names and words, character delineation nonexistent, just really blah and grating on the nerves to listen to her.

Any additional comments?

I recommend the series; I think they are fun and interesting stories, but you're going to have force yourself to listen to the narrator of Book 2.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña