Nancy

If you're 60 something, you'll love this book.

Reviewed: 04-14-22

A wonderful tribute to TV history & parenting, with no glossing over or insincerity. This is a loving tribute & beautifully narrated by the two brothers. I hated for it to end.

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4 people found this helpful

Don't let the narrator discourage you!

Reviewed: 09-20-20

I began this book REALLY disappointed in the narration, to the point where I felt like bailing out myself. & the book begins by giving a kind of cliff notes synopsis, which made me wonder what the point of reading it was. That being said, I'm REALLY glad I hung in there, because the story became very compelling & I found myself discussing it with friends & family. I even learned to tolerate the narrator. I thought perhaps it was the author himself that performed it. I can't remember a time when I was disappointed in an audio book performance. They are usually brilliant.

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3 people found this helpful

I expected more...

Reviewed: 03-15-18

What could have made this a 4 or 5-star listening experience for you?

I greatly admire Antony Horowitz's television writing, so I expected to love his novel. & it started out really, really well. I enjoyed the story within a story aspect & two narrators. However, I thought the last portion of the story lost steam & credibility. In other words, great start, disappointing finish.

Has Magpie Murders turned you off from other books in this genre?

Of course not.

Have you listened to any of Samantha Bond and Allan Corduner ’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I'm not familiar with Samantha Bond but know Allan Corduner quite well, both narrating & TV roles. He's quite good.

Any additional comments?

I think I was disappointed in the over all story. But I'll be happy to try Antony Horowitz again. Perhaps my expectations were too high.

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1 person found this helpful

I don't get disappointed in narrators very often..

Reviewed: 02-07-17

What did you like best about West with the Night? What did you like least?

I read this book many years ago & it remains a favorite of mine. The writing is positively lyrical & Beryl Markham's life is so fascinating. She's also linked with so many legendary characters from her time period. However, Julie Harris tries to sabotage the reading at every page!!! Her voice is very pleasant & I know she's a fine actress, but it's almost as if she's reading another language that she doesn't understand!! She pauses where there are no commas, she breaks up sentences, she ruins the gorgeous, almost musically written lines. It's almost criminal! It's as if they handed her the book (after she climbed a long flight of stairs) & they took the first take of her reading it for the first time. I even heard a page turn a couple of times!!! This is not up to the high standard we're all accustomed to from Books on Tape or Recorded Books. & why an American to read a British African woman's story? If it weren't for the exquisite writing, I would have abandoned listening.

What other book might you compare West with the Night to and why?

It's unique. But, of course, Out of Africa is the obvious. However, Karen Blixen HATED Beryl Markham. They had too many lovers in common.

Would you be willing to try another one of Julie Harris’s performances?

ABSOLUTELY NOT!!!!!!!!!

If this book were a movie would you go see it?

Of course. Terrible that it hasn't been done.

Any additional comments?

I would highly recommend you READ this book, before listening (by a better narrator) to it. You need to pause & savor the remarkable lines, insights & characters of this wonderful story.

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1 person found this helpful

A perfec example of a book you do not want to end!

Reviewed: 05-15-15

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

I HAVE recommended this book to everyone I can, including the fact that I think that listening to it made the experience that much better.

Who was your favorite character and why?

No question that it was the main character Don. I was fascinated with the way the author created Don's unique social perspective & adaptations. I know a few brilliant people & they can be out of step or sync with everyone else.

What about Dan O'Grady’s performance did you like?

He made the characters come alive. I thought he was perfect.

If you could take any character from The Rosie Project out to dinner, who would it be and why?

I would actually like to have a good conversation with Graeme Simsion, the author!

Any additional comments?

This book was funny, thoughtful, warm & completely delightful from start to finish. If you feel like giving yourself a big treat, listen to this book! Thanks to all involved in bringing it to us.

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What a great story!

Reviewed: 02-02-13

What made the experience of listening to The Ice House the most enjoyable?

It's so absorbing, that if you listen in the car, no matter where you're going, you will be there instantly!

What about Simon Prebble’s performance did you like?

He's a great actor & I've listened to countless audio productions done by him. My husband thinks his inflections are too wide (he can't understand the softer bits) but I think he's wonderful.

Any additional comments?

You may want to get your hands on the BBC production of this, with Daniel Craig (FABULOUS) because this story twists & turns & keeps you guessing until the very last. It's got every element needed for a first class murder mystery!

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2 people found this helpful

What is the fuss about?!?

Reviewed: 12-15-11

What disappointed you about The Night Circus?

My husband & I listened to three discs of the eleven & had to bail out, in spite of our love for Jim Dale. Even he couldn't save this snorer. What was the point? We kept waiting & we really did give it a chance, but we finally just had to quit. I'm not sure what book the other reviewers listened to, but they couldn't have gotten that much out of this. I hate to give a negative review, but I also hated wasting my credits on this stinker. Listener, beware!

What could Erin Morgenstern have done to make this a more enjoyable book for you?

Had a point to the story.

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

I've listened to every Jim Dale audio book I could get my hands on.

If you could play editor, what scene or scenes would you have cut from The Night Circus?

IF I WERE THE EDITOR, I WOULD NEVER HAVE APPROVED THIS BOOK!!

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