Maine Reader

A Monotonous Winter for the first half the Book

Reviewed: 06-13-20

I wanted to stop listening dozens of times during the first half of the book. The flat, dull, predictable characters and uninteresting domestic squabbles were tiresome. A friend told me to hang in and I'm glad I did. The mother's story of Leningrad should have been the entire story -- there was so much there and I'm glad I stayed with it. I never knew about the siege of Leningrad -- another dimension to the horrors of WW2. If you like historical fiction, I suggest skipping the first half of the book and dive into Leningrad.

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Fabulous!

Reviewed: 02-28-20

I listened to this book for ten hours and 43 minutes straight. I couldn't put it down. I'd watched the movie years ago, but had forgotten much of it. I don't think I'll forget the book. The pace is quick, the characters are real and the plot, well, kept me riveted. I highly recommend this title.

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Another Ghastly Crime by the Church

Reviewed: 02-26-20

The Home for Unwanted Girls deals with the ghastly crimes committed against children in the name of God. Based on a true story of the Duplessis orphans, Goodman shows us the horrors endured at the hands of nuns. Told from two viewpoints, mother and daughter, Goodman showed how strong the bond can be. This story had similarities to Philomena. Both stories reinforced my decision to leave the Catholic Church. I read Goodman is writing a follow-up to The Home for Unwanted Girls. A book I will definitely read.

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Not Sure Why, but I'm Glad I Stuck With It

Reviewed: 02-13-20

Wish I'd read it when I taught abused and neglected children. Hanya Yanagihara tells the story of Jude's childhood, without sentimentality. Just the facts. Jude never got the help he needed to sort it out, so he carried the heavy weight of trauma his entire life. I took lots of breaks from it and at one point thought I'd stop listening, but Yanagihara pulled me with her moments of tenderness and love one friend can give to another. A message for us all.

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Just End It

Reviewed: 02-17-19

Pieces of Her would have been a better listen if it'd been cut in half. The opening was riveting, great premise. Do we really know the people we love most? I stayed with it through all the twists and turns which became more and more unbelievable, but the worst part was how unlikable the two main characters became. STAND UP FOR YOURSELF, I mean it's been 32 years. I enjoy books where you fall in love with characters as opposed to grow to despise them.

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2 people found this helpful

Glad I Stayed with it!

Reviewed: 11-18-18

As a fan of Kate Morton, I looked forward to her new release, but was very disappointed with the initial chapters. The switch in narration was initially confusing and so many characters were introduce that I didn't care about any of them. The supernatural element added to my confusion, but being behind the wheel on a long car ride, without another book, I kept listening and was glad I did. After the onslaught of characters, Morton gave time to each and I fell into the story. I love being thrown into another time and place and Morton does that well. This wasn't her best book, but it was enjoyable and got me from Maine to Philadelphia and back.

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A True Thriller

Reviewed: 11-13-18

Lisa Jewell's Then She was Gone was fantastic. Characters were multi-layered and the plot twists and turns seem believable and seamless. This was the first time I listened to one of her books, but it won't be the last.

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1 person found this helpful

Stopped Listening, but Didn't Return

Reviewed: 07-19-18

I stopped listening but didn't return because I may get back to it. The characters were well developed, the setting captivating, but I felt one thing, one big thing was missing - THE PLOT. After listening to 13 chapters, well, I still didn't know what the problem in the story was about. It seems a main character returns to the family home, but I didn't know he even left. With so many fabulous reads out there, does anyone know if it's worth picking up again?

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3 people found this helpful

Kept me Listening Way Past Dark

Reviewed: 07-19-18

King makes the supernatural believable. I shared the journey with Detective Ralph Anderson, who like me is pragmatic. But the evidenced can't be argued - no on can be in two places at once. The first third of the story takes it time to introduce us to
the residents of Flint City where we learn the gruesome details of a child's murder. All is not what is seems and when the fabulous Holly Gibney, of the Bill Hodges series arrives, things pick up and the mystery is solved, although it got me thinking; are there more of them out there.

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Another Triumph for Margaret Atwood

Reviewed: 06-28-18

I'm always attracted to books based on a true story. Initially, the story was a bit difficult to follow with different time frames being introduced or perhaps navigating through New York City traffic pulled my attention from the audio, but I stayed with it and fell in love Grace as Dr. Jordan did. Grace is well developed and the story itself is very compelling. The ending was quite satisfying. I highly recommend this read.

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