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I totally loved the narration!

Reviewed: 05-11-25 Listener received this title free

I've listened to this a few times, and still get surprised by the little moves, gestures, and comments that mean so much. The narrator is fantastic. There's so many layers in this story that are subtly shared. Payne and Jennifer are so much alike, but they think they're opposites because of their different views on things. Which sounds like the story would be angsty, but it's not at all. I think Payne was the things she didn't believe in, all along -- and that's what made the story so amazing. It's a bit of a slow pace, but then it's not and you just want to experience it again. I loved the story.

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Fantastic

Reviewed: 04-21-25

I bought this audiobook because of my interest in the journeys of those who influence art so greatly. JGB did an exceptional job at narrating her own work. I found it particularly interesting because of my own research and learning of themes like Hermetics, esoterism, occult, alchemy, and such, and JGB argues that Plath's work is rich with occult symbolism, challenging the traditional view of her as merely a "confessional" poet. Gordon-Bramer's research is extensive and above all, interesting. This is a great audiobook for those days when self-reflection and nature/spiritual influence is strong. Listen to it hiking, cleaning, driving, working... It's easy to pick up where you left off. Well done!

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1 person found this helpful

Several Chapters In--Still Waiting for the Juice; DNF

Reviewed: 12-16-24

I bought this audiobook after watching Dr. Suzuki in an interview that left me blown away. I couldn't wait to find out how to help my brain because by the time I was 40 (probably earlier, it I didnt notice) my memory was incredibly less. I couldn't figure things out, etc. It was embarrassing because I was also trying to grow at work. Anyhoooo, I got this audiobook and I respect Dr. Suzuki so so much, but several chapters in, I'm still hearing about her dating and gym life.

When is the stuff I can use to help get my brain working better, besides working out? Self help books of the past spent so much time with the author telling you their success stories, and taking so long to get to the point, I guess I'm just not interested in that outline anymore.

Dr. Suzuki is amazing. Truly a beautiful and brilliant soul. Please consider writing something that goes straight to the point.
Didn't finish. Might try more some other time.

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Lots of Insight

Reviewed: 07-21-24

As someone newly discovering and learning Tarot, I was fully engaged in Julia's wisdom and insight. Great narration! This audiobook gave me valuable information as I begin my own journey. I learned so much, and will listen to it again (probably several times).

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Definitely yes, get this audiobook, however...

Reviewed: 11-10-23

This book brings back so many memories for a lot of us. Thirty years ago I was sitting in my hallway, terrified by a bad lightning storm, while my gf read this to me. I love Anna P, but I'm not sure why she was chosen to be the best fit for this particular story. I loved listening to her voice, but I had trouble fully immersing myself into the story due to her (beautiful) accent. Not that accents are bad choices for American stories, it's just that this particular story should have had either a Northern or a Southern white-trash accent, IMO. Or someone who was at least in love with the style of writing for this story. Much of it felt just read through, without interest in the characters. All that being said, I'd still recommend this audiobook. Anna Paquin, ya'll....

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Very good, but some goes on too long

Reviewed: 10-05-21

I really enjoyed the concept and theory behind the book. I didn't care for the narration and even some of the statements from the author. I felt the author took a few liberties in describing certain situations. And I'm sorry I don't have specific examples to speak of, it's more of a gut instinct. Perhaps it was the narration that made those certain moments seem fantastical, rather than something the author did...Hence, it caused some confusion in my listening experience/perception. I wouldn't say the narrator was horrible, he's very good, it's just that some parts were overacted (in my opinion) and it became annoying for me as a listener. I am not sure I will finish the story.

I would still recommend this book!!

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Wow

Reviewed: 09-27-21

Amazing witness to stuff I have just begun learning about. I only wish these messages could be heard by more people. I think there'd be much more joy in our experiences, tragic or beautiful, because we'd understand ourselves and our actions a bit more. It took me years to see what was inside this book because I believed what an organized religion told me. I think if organized religion read this book, they'd understand the Bible a whole lot differently, and perhaps practice their message to love they neighbor on a whole other level. In the beginning I felt wishful that I'd learned this sooner. At the and of the book, I understood that I had discovered it when I was supposed to.

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Good, but I was hoping for something deeper

Reviewed: 09-08-21

As a rider and former pony club member, I enjoyed the horse talk. As a listener, I struggled with the back and forth viewpoints between Caitlyn and Addie. Addie's chapters seem to start off sounding as a reading from her diary, before finding its place as her own viewpoint in the story. I would have preferred to either listen to Caitlyn's viewpoint the whole way or have the whole thing in third person. Many times I felt like Addie's chapters were still written from Caitlyn's viewpoint. A southern accent is not Abby Craden's best, but regardless she is magnificent, professional, fluid, uninhibited, and never tiresome! **Southern accents may look easy, but they are really difficult.

EJN is a terrific storyteller. I'd like to see her go deeper inside her characters and work on the build-up more--(dear god, not a slow burn though!)--but get more inside the characters before jumping into their instant love for one another, which seems to be a trait I'm seeing repeated in her stories. One other thought that consistently creates a hiccup in the fluidity of EJN's writings (for me anyway) is her use of the phrase "after a beat..." I used to be a screenplay writer and the term 'beat' is a technical term used to indicate a pause before speaking/action. It throws me in manuscript writing because I hear it technically. For me, it feels lazy and interrupts the character's voice with the author's. I don't know if it's a common phrase for European writers so I don't want to assume she couldn't think of another way to say a few moments passed before a response was given.

On the upside, I loved the travel, I loved the horse talk, I loved the creative genius of EJN's words. I loved the unexpected laughs I had. I don't always mind the "oh to hell with it, they're attracted to each other and you know they're gonna be attracted to each other - that's why you got the book, so forget all the preliminaries, let's just go with it..." but I think this author has above and beyond word knowledge and storytelling capabilities, she just needs to delve deeper into the art of falling in love without revealing her own voice by having the characters think too much. Going deeper emotionally will prevent eye-rolls when the "my life is too busy for a relationship and I'm shy" part happens. It's a common storyline, and I know EJN can make it better.
I listened to this audiobook on a 10-hour drive to NY. Great fun!

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What she really thinks vs. what you want to hear

Reviewed: 05-19-21

To be fair...JPD is not a professional narrator, yet, had she NOT narrated her own book, I'm sure many would be whining just as loudly about that. I too was like "oh dear god," as I felt like she was reading to a 3-year-old, and at times wasn't even sure she knew the story she was reading, but then I had to remember...she is not a professional narrator, and if you've ever tried reading multiple (or just one) pages out loud, it isn't easy. Making it sound natural and conversational isn't easy either, and when you've got a mic in front of your face, it's intimidating (I know, I've done it). Ever seen an athlete in a commercial or make a movie appearance and they sound so out of place next to those who are expert actors?? Give her a break! Try doing it yourself, because meanness is not critiquing. It's just being an a-hole, and this story is not your real problem.

So...about the story. I have to say, I appreciated JPD's honesty. She made massive mistakes and trail faux-pas, but at least she was honest about them. She could have left things out and made herself out to be a natural trail wiz, but that wouldn't be fair to the readers/listeners, now would it? And what respect would you have for that type of story? I guess I'm addressing previous reviewers and potential ones as well because I was really expecting to be like "what a snob," based on what I read, but my experience left me appreciative of her honesty. Jesus, she hiked the trail without a bunch of knowledge...a lot of people do it and they're amazing. You don't have to agree with every choice and thought she had, but I question anyone's lack of ability to overlook her normal mistakes and hear the story for what she did. And what did a majority of us know about the AT in 2005 anyway? The story is about personal growth, not about hitting the floor running.

I will say, if you are overly critical about listening to excellent narrating skills (the editing was done very well, so don't worry about tinny sounds and echoes), I recommend you read the book in your own voice instead. She's not a pro and that's okay. She still has a great story to tell, and there was much to learn. HYOH!

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Very Enjoyable!

Reviewed: 03-21-21 Listener received this title free

The cover of the book got my attention and after a quick glance at the storyline and the length of the audiobook, I thought I'd give it a try. I failed to consider it was a YA, which I am normally not a fan of, so that being said I started off being wary as soon as I realized, but the author was great at capturing my interest in the opening story. I felt each character was fully developed so no matter who Leocadia was spending time with, I was curious and enjoyed the anticipation of knowing something was going to happen to bring a thrill. The author did not fail to deliver. The narrator had a range of characters to do and she did great to deliver with a cadence that allowed me to listen, follow, and become absorbed in the story. I enjoyed Leo's character and even her name was cool. The storyline was really interesting with the mystery of her mother, and the haunting of the mansion, and then the drama of the teens telling lies and stretching the truth out of competition or jealousy...that part I normally give a bored sigh to, but it was done well here and I found myself anxious to know the end result! The two male characters were each strongly developed and kept me guessing easily. A very nice mystery and thriller. I will look at other books by this author :-)

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