Robert

A Reflection of our 20th Century Past in America

Revisado: 11-21-24

This sort of play was the reason why I first fell in love with stories on stage, and soon after with audio plays.

Lorraine Hansberry’s language and dialogs are simply beautiful and reflective of her time and influences, and her characters unfold in a way that reminds me of other great American playwrights like Tennessee Williams and Eugene O’Neill.

Oscar Isaac, Rachel Brosnahan and supporting cast do not disappoint in their performance, and the production feels as though the I’m listening to a play on stage with me right there on the set.

The late 80s and early 90s was my coming of age with things on stage. This audio play brought me back there.

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A Classic from the Late 20th Century

Revisado: 11-06-24

I just revisited this audio play. The first time I heard this was back in the ’00s. Its writing is a little dated, but the story and acting is good, nonetheless.

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Decent Performance Marred by Flat Ending

Revisado: 11-06-24

Reid Scott, Colbie Smulders et al. did a decent performance—but the ending was akin to “it was all a dream” or “and they jumped off a cliff.”

I don’t really know James Patterson’s work, and the overall writing and plot weren’t bad, but it was as if the budget ran out before a fitting finale could be written. It’s a shame, really. I feel a little cheated.

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So, This Is Hollywood

Revisado: 06-30-23

It’s a good story. Were this book to be made into a film, I might enjoy it. It would be an antithesis of sorts to Robert Altman’s The Player, where rather than poking fun with a red hot satirical poker at Hollywood, this story would pay a bit more homage to the filmmaker’s Mecca, or rather more specifically, the work they do, and how they do it.

The performances were wonderful. From the matriarchal presence of Holland Taylor to the field captaincy of Ego Nwodin, to the steady omnipresence of Tom Hanks—and everyone among them. The pacing was good throughout and the storytelling more than engaging.

Overall, I’d push against the criticism I’ve read about the novel (I’m looking at you, Xan Brooks). Yes, there are ridiculously wealthy people involved with their ridiculously wealthy ways of living. I didn’t mind that so much. I appreciate Hanks for giving us a humorous and sometimes touching peak at what so many people around the world aspire toward with their videos on YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, etc.: to work in Hollywood, to make a major motion picture, to be a discovered as the next rising star, to be seen by millions, and to make millions. Like this audiobook, Hollywood films ask audiences to suspend their disbelief for the duration of the story. Perhaps Hollywood, regarding its opulent, brash and often grueling existence, asks the same of the people who work there. Perhaps Hollywood asks the same from us, the average outsider, as well.

And that’s the spirit I perceive as captured within this novel. It’s outlandish. It’s tedious and anxiety-filled. It’s also touching and nostalgic. It’s entertainment.

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Pronunciation issues — otherwise fine

Revisado: 05-30-22

Wonderful story, and overall the performance is very good. I just wish they took a moment and researched the correct pronunciations of the Danish cities and districts. Being a spy means fitting into one’s surroundings, and if Richard Prince can pass for a Dane, it’d be nice if the Rupert Bush could as well for those few words in the story.

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esto le resultó útil a 1 persona

A Provocative Setting for a Story

Revisado: 03-30-22

It seems the further away we get from the time of Nazi Germany, the more interested we (or at least, I) become in wondering what it must have been like living there as an average citizen. With Russia conducting a war on Ukraine and its citizens, I think about the Russian people, isolated from the world, where some willingly take in what the state of tells them and others struggle with the truth of what’s really happening to them and their way of life—all the while trying to live as normally as possible. What the Russians have faced so far for a month, the Germans had faced for years inside a growing nightmare, only to deal with the repercussions for the next two generations.

Blackout could not have come at a better time, where good people in Berlin try to solve a heinous crime against the backdrop of the largest one of the century. I thoroughly enjoyed Simon Scarrow’s Eagle and Young Bloods series, and this one does not fail to entertain. I can’t wait for the next one in this series.

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Expectations Exceeded

Revisado: 08-14-20

A wonderful end to the quartet. There's a cherry on top, or rather, an Easter egg. I won't tell you what it is, but if you've read other novels regarding the Peninular War and Waterloo, you'll know to what I'm referring.

I'm also a fan of Jonathan Keeble's style as narrator. He brings depth and richness to all his characters.

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I’m kicking myself

Revisado: 08-24-19

Why, oh why, didn’t I read this book when I was a kid? Truly an adventure worth listening to on a commute to and from work—performances are wonderful, production values are high.

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Well Done

Revisado: 07-31-19

Beck Bennett does a terrific job with Simon Rich’s narrative of a young, eager, incredibly naïve Babe Ruth getting his break in baseball. It’s all fun. By American standards, it might not be a story for children, but then again, it is about men and baseball. They weren’t saints, after all, but the scene that might not sit well with some does help illustrate the deepening divide between the two main characters, and I was laughing throughout it.

Thoroughly enjoyed this simple comedy.

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You have to want it bad enough ...

Revisado: 10-06-18

... to get this version. If you’ve listened to the first four books narrated for Jonathan Keeble, and you can’t stop yourself from buying this book, be prepared to drop your expectations. Off a cliff.

The production value has dropped considerably, for it’s too easy to tell that Stephen Perring is recording in a sound booth, and well, Perring is no Keeble. Perring doesn’t offer enough character to any of his voices, so much so, that I’m just imagining Keeble’s rich baritone throughout Perring’s entire narration.

As mentioned in other reviews, key pronunciations have changed. Bebbanburg is now “Branburuh,” Uhtred now calls himself “Yootrid.” His voice has also risen at least half an octave, and Uhtred the narrator sounds the same age as Uhtred in his younger days. Yep, Perring is reading more so than performing.

So, if you must get this book, just keep calm and steady on. I thought I had lowered my expectations enough when I started the book, but let’s face it, Keeble is a tough act to follow. At least the storywriting enjoyable. Thanks, Mr. Cornwell. Big fan.

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