Joy S.

One of the rare times that I regretted choosing the audio version of a book.

Reviewed: 10-18-24

Wow. The story is a wonderful examination of a relationship both as a real love story and as a metaphor for the entirety of myth, fiction, autobiography, mystery and fairy tale. I actually loved this book. But I very much disliked the narration by the author. There is so much lysrisim and emotion and striking moments of dark and sensual experience that unfortunately were all spoken with the exact same cadence and inflection during any number of riveting scenes. The author sounded like a high school english professor reading a poem they’ve read a thousand times to a disinterested class. It lacked any nuance, and I wanted so much to experience this with my heart but it only touched my brain. I had to stop and listen at 10 minute intervals with long breaks in between.
I really do love this book. It is beautiful both in the telling and the teaching and in the trip through the caverns of broken love. I highly recommend… that you read it.

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1 person found this helpful

Good working the timeline

Reviewed: 08-28-24

It was well done moving the plot and the different times and places. Nice character development. Certain things became obvious pretty quickly and was disappointed. Careful, spoiler.

The ending felt like such a cop out while making you think some more plot was around the corner when there wasn’t. It felt like a first try at a cool ending which ended up feeling like an overused trope.

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Whimsical and moving

Reviewed: 05-21-24

Narration was lovely. The story was just what I thought it would be. Though slightly slow and repetitive in some of characters inner battles. All in all sweet listen.

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I Fell into the Rabbit Hole!

Reviewed: 10-27-22

An engrossing listen. Reads like a mystery podcast. Found myself listening to it in one long session. Told without embellishment as if I’m taking a deposition. And given the story, it was spot on. Enjoyed it very much.

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disconnect

Reviewed: 06-22-22

To be honest I can’t say if the story is good. I could not get through the narration. The narrator whispered the whole time. Initially I thought it went with the moment in the narrative but continued throughout adding a sense of quite intimacy and intrigue where there was no need or contrary to what was happening. I had to stop due to a disconnect between the story and the teller.

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Good story, narration too over the top

Reviewed: 05-29-21

The story was fun, but the narrator kept an absolute panic pace and agitated voice level throughout the entire story. So at moments when serious panic or agitation needed to be expressed, it couldn’t go another octave. The scary or tense parts just seemed more of the same and made me feel less sympathetic for an otherwise smart and likable character.
The whole thing lacked pacing, nuance and depth all because the narrator could not actually narrate normal action without taking it over the top. It was quite uncomfortable to listen to.

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Performance perfection

Reviewed: 11-22-20

The story was fun and solid and if you are a New Yorker it was even more spot on. But Barbara Rosenblat’s narration was so enjoyable. She was perfect as the main character, and she was able to embody her and all the other characters with personality and wit. Well done!

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Crazy /funny

Reviewed: 01-21-20

Like sitting with some friends talking trash! Timely, relevant, funny and delivered fast and sharp! I really enjoyed this!

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Wonderful and something new

Reviewed: 12-31-19

I loved this! Set in a time and place not often written about in english fiction, the author introduces us to places, traditions and myths that are rarely explored and yet the situations and interactions are beautifully timeless. The narration by the author was lovely, allowing the feel of place and language to come through as only an author could. And I loved her voice! Part historical romance, part women’s empowerment story, part coming of age and part supernatural fable, the Night Tiger is a magical blend of all!!

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It might have just jumped the shark

Reviewed: 06-19-16

Love these stories up until now. I can see the next two books spanning out in front of me now, going on and on. Did not advance anything forward and yet jumped the shark...over the top in so many levels that the intimacy and realism of Speaks the Nightbird is all but gone.

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