Carol

slanted and funny take on plagues

Reviewed: 01-31-18

What did you like best about Get Well Soon? What did you like least?

I enjoyed revisiting the big plagues and the way people and governments responded to them. Ms Wright has a very clever and entertaining way of telling the story. That said, she is very opinionated about the use of vaccines. That made me question the veracity of the information she gave.

What did you like best about this story?

Learning the back story on government and public response to different pandemics and horrible illnesses like syphilis and tuberculosis was really interesting.

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

NA

Could you see Get Well Soon being made into a movie or a TV series? Who should the stars be?

don't think so, maybe a Ken Burns's type documentary

Any additional comments?

I have read many of the books that the author mentioned in her book. I was happy to learn more about the cultural response to different illnesses that we tend to forget about today. We really should be more aware of these illnesses as they are still around and could make a come back. I did not enjoy hearing her opinion about vaccines being wonderful and that anyone who did not want to take one being dumb and unfit as parents. I think she skirted the issues that concern some people, i.e. the preservatives in them such as mercury. Being personally related to people who have had life threatening reactions to some vaccines, I found her bashing a bit wearing.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

How Hollywood responded to WWII.

Reviewed: 05-22-15

Would you consider the audio edition of Five Came Back to be better than the print version?

I have not seen the print version.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Five Came Back?

I was moved by the dedication of the directors who served making films during the war.

Which character – as performed by Andrew Garman – was your favorite?

I liked them all, but John Ford and John Houston were possibly my favorites. But they are both favorite directors of mine.

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

I was moved. I felt a lot of empathy and respect for these directors.

Any additional comments?

This book tells the story of Hollywood directors who joined the US forces by doing films for them often in the front lines of the war. They risked their lives and careers to further the war effort. I enjoyed learning more about the directors and the way things work both in Hollywood and the military.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

interesting historical fiction, great characters

Reviewed: 05-22-15

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

yes, it has a lot of history that seems to be presented honestly. And I like the narration. The actual story was interesting, too. The characters were believable.

What did you like best about this story?

The honesty and the reader.

What about Elizabeth McGovern’s performance did you like?

Elizabeth McGovern has a very pleasant voice. Her pace and voices were good. I did not really like the accent of the main character, but it was not enough to ruin the story. All the other voices were great. And it was easy to tell them apart. I hope she does more books for Audible.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

Two women seeking their dreams.

Any additional comments?

This was a somewhat light book. But there were really deep themes going on. I think they were handled with care and honesty. I could hardly stop listening.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

should have read it sooner

Reviewed: 05-22-15

Where does The Cuckoo's Calling rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

one of the best

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Cuckoo's Calling?

Stike on the town with a super model.

Which character – as performed by Robert Glenister – was your favorite?

Strike

Any additional comments?

I don't know why I let this sit in my library so long. This book was a delight. Great story with interesting characters. The mystery kept me guessing right up to very close to the end. The narrator was wonderful. Clear voice, great pace and very good with the many different characters.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

Not the best in the series,

Reviewed: 10-01-14

Is there anything you would change about this book?

I am not a writer.

Would you be willing to try another book from Louise Penny? Why or why not?

I loved the entire series. this one did not hold me like the others in the series.

What about Ralph Cosham’s performance did you like?

Impeccable.

Was The Long Way Home worth the listening time?

It rambled and lost me from time to time. I found I was not listening and had to go back.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

What is really going on?

Reviewed: 08-25-14

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

Yes. I never really figured out who was telling the truth, or what the truth really was. I liked the setting and the characters.

Who was your favorite character and why?

The son. He was trying so hard to be fair to both of his parents. It is hard to know what to think when people you love are saying different things and both seem crazy.

Which character – as performed by James Langton and Suzanne Toren – was your favorite?

I loved the son. And also the role of the mom.

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

I really liked it all the way through.

Any additional comments?

Some of the locals were particularly unappealing. They just seemed unreal. Still, if they were in some kind of cult, I would imagine that it could actually happen. I have seen parents make really bad decisions late in life and how surprising it can be for grown kids. I think the book was believable.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

2 people found this helpful

I hope I never have to go to a hospital.

Reviewed: 08-25-14

What did you love best about The Good Nurse?

i loved the narrator. I think Will Collyer's performance was great. Hope he does more books.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Good Nurse?

When the police realize the hospitals have been hiding evidence from them.

Which scene was your favorite?

I was really liked by the scene where the police show the evidence to his good friend. Her reaction of shock and pain as she grasped the truth was moving. I loved her bravery and courage to do the right thing.

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

In many ways this book was terrifying. I hope to never spend any time as a patient alone in a hospital. I want to have a very suspicious body guard with me at all times.

Any additional comments?

This book sort of reminded me of ZODIAC. It took so long for the police to figure out what was going on. Of course in this case, the various hospitals knew and hid the information about what this nurse was doing. A lot of people died who would not have if they had been honest.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

2 people found this helpful

Great trip down memory lane.

Reviewed: 06-16-14

Would you consider the audio edition of North and South to be better than the print version?

I read the book years ago. And I watched the tv mini series. The pictures in my mind may have been influenced by the mini series. But I found listening very enjoyable. I loved the narration. Played it in the car on a long trip with my spouse and we both enjoyed the tale.

Who was your favorite character and why?

I really have a hard time picking a favorite. I think Ory would be the best choice. He had to change his attitude about so many things during the book. I felt I had a much better appreciation for the real people who lived through our civil war.

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

Hearing the story read aloud just makes it so much more personal. I loved the narration.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

I am not good at this sort of question.

Any additional comments?

This is not great literature. North and South is a great yarn set in a real period of conflict in our nation. Many people have their own personal stories of relatives who lived through the time. I think this book helps to flesh out those stories. It is interesting how quickly the pulse of a nation can change.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

A whole new look at our National Parks.

Reviewed: 06-16-14

What did you love best about Ranger Confidential?

The personal stories of Rangers and other workers in the Parks. The descriptions of the different parks make me want to visit them soon.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Ranger Confidential?

One of the rescues at Half Dome in Yosemite.

Which character – as performed by Julia Motyka – was your favorite?

The narrator. Most of the book was written in third person.

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

I think I did listen to it in two sittings. If I had started in the morning instead of at night, I probably would have not been able to put it down.

Any additional comments?

I really enjoyed this book. I had a friend who worked at King's Canyon National Park during the late 70's. I found the woman's perspective about working for the Park Service pretty much like my friend had described. I had no idea that much of their work involved dealing with pretty hard stuff. I hope the Park Service is doing a better job at helping their rangers deal with the stress and trauma. I would really like to visit more of our National Parks after reading this book. Definitely worth the credit.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

4 people found this helpful

great story, frustrating reader

Reviewed: 04-21-14

Where does The Accidental Tourist rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

in the middle

What did you like best about this story?

the characters and how they change

What did you like about the performance? What did you dislike?

The main character is named Macon. The reader constantly pronounces it Mee con or meegun. it sounds as if he is saying megan. I find it really annoying.

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

This is a great book. I read it years ago and later saw the movie version. it is funny and charming and the characters are rounded out and believable. I am not enjoying the audible version as much as I had hoped.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

13 people found this helpful