Robert

A Tale of Two Wasters

Reviewed: 07-08-23

I chose this on the strength of the author's book on Guy Burgess, but it is a poor companion to that excellent tome.
The story of the Windsors has been told many times but Andrew Lownie's version shows some excellent research and use of background detail, revealing a level of self-absorption, entitlement and playing of the establishment that makes them hard to not despise.
Mr Lownie has chosen to narrate this tale himself and either because of the lack of an editor or studio time he doesn't do a very good job... and he's reading his own text. The basic mispronunciations and mistakes in rhythm and emphasis are most distracting. I listened to this book more than once, not through enjoyment but in order to piece the story together better. It wasn't a waste of time but could have been so much better, as the Guy Burgess book proves is possible.

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1 person found this helpful

OK But Not Great

Reviewed: 04-05-23

Mr Soden has written a detailed if uncritical biography of a fascinating life. The author's reading of his own work is generally good if a little hammy at times.
There's much to enjoy in this obviously lovingly researched book but the final chapters drag, weighed down by an unnecessary and overtly theatrical, semi-fictional change in style that was hard going.

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An Important Book on Scientology

Reviewed: 29-03-23

Mike Rinder tells his story well, both as writer and narrator. His editor is to be applauded for making this bizarre tale both believable and readily digestible.
Scientologists are often guilty of excruciating verbosity and the use of jargon that is impenetrable to non-members but Mr Rinder sidesteps these traps and is refreshingly straightforward. He was not always nice and cuddly in his roles inside of the cult but doesn't shy away from this and emerges as a convincingly honest recounter of his own life; it is important to note that he has paid a heavy price personally. The book drags slightly towards the very end after his dramatic escape but that's inevitable given the incident packed journey that precedes it.
I've read several books on Scientology and this one gives the best of those - Lawrence Wright's Going Clear - a run for its money.

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High Quality Yarn: Gripping and Pacy

Reviewed: 02-11-22

Erskine Childers famously showed some prescience with this tale of a dastardly plot to destabilise 1900's Britain.
it is read with a verve and skill that is the match of some beautiful writing and the characterisations are spot on and moves along with brio. I was more than happy to suspend disbelief as two plucky young men pitted their wits against a well resourced enemy amongst the sailing folk and shifting sands of the northern latitudes.

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Intriguing Story of Bravery and Dirty Doings

Reviewed: 11-10-22

I didn't know a lot about this aspect of polar explanation and found the telling of these several interconnected tales quite gripping. There is high drama, deception, courage, cruelty and injustice in the well researched and generally well read book (apart from one or two pronunciation gaffs). I now understand much more clearly what drove these men to do what they did and, whilst not excusing the behaviours on display, I have a greater appreciation and respect for two of the players in particular. A great listen.

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Privileged But Cursed?

Reviewed: 09-06-22

This is not an excoriating exposé and, although Juliet Stevenson does well with what she's given, it feels more like barely disguised hagiography. There are good stories to be told about these high born, wealthy women with a lot of expectation placed on their shoulders, but this isn't it. To its credit, mental health issues are not dodged, but the tone is relentlessly sycophantic and I learned much less than I'd hoped.

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Classic John Wyndham

Reviewed: 12-05-22

John Wyndham has been accused in the past of writing 'cosy' Sci-Fi but I think that is to miss the point; there is a high degree of plausibility in the domestic details of his stories that build in such a way as to be very credible. So it is here with 'Chocky', a late offering (1968) that is really a 1963 short story worked up to novella length. He writes beautifully and the narration here is superb. Are your children's imaginary friends really so imaginary?

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Deep Sea - Inner Space

Reviewed: 16-04-22

it has taken me many years to get around to this. I've read a fair bit of John Wyndham (my favourite? Trouble With Lichen) but got put off by a BBC adaption I started but couldn't bear. Unlike some others, I didn't mind the musical bookmarks here at all - understated and suitable I'd say. The narration is really top class and makes this yarn of invasion by stealth from a poorly understood aggressor really come to life. it's of its time (1950s) of course, but that's part of its charm and very little suspension of disbelief even today (2022) is required because of the way JW builds the story. All in all, an excellent audiobook.

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Heat, Dust & Keeping On

Reviewed: 13-01-22

This is a thoroughly researched and sweeping account of the lives of the Raj's memsahibs spanning three centuries. As with others of this author's books, this one takes time to give historical context and descriptions of contemporary events in addition to descriptions of huge privilege tempered with not a little fortitude in the face of privations. Views are often 'of their time' but that's as it should be in a true telling' often sweetened by surprising insight too). Well written and equally week read (Greta Scaachi is an ideal choice for the subject matter) I was, as others have said, occasionally distracted by the non-chronological, thematic structure frequently employed, but always entertained.

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A Dangerous Time Well Described

Reviewed: 15-11-21

This was a good to very good listen I should say, with one or two avoidable pronunciation howlers and some very dodgy working class accents, verging on the
gor blimey/t'coal 'ole type. That said, the narrator reads with brio and thoughtful intonation for the most part.
More importantly, the book provides a well researched glimpse in to social history and a world about to be changed irrevocably by war. Framed within tales of debs, parties and 'the season', the author's reach is much wider than that, providing the reader/listener with a real sense of how life in the UK (from a largely London-centric POV) was conducted in that last summer of peace for several years. Wel worth listening to if 20th century history's your bag.

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3 people found this helpful