DjSan

Stimulatingly Vibrant Narration (wink, wink). What a Hot & Quick-Witted Play!

Reviewed: 11-19-24

Lysistrata- This was my first time listening to this ancient play, and Im surprised by how, fun and hilariously riddled with sexual undertones, it feels so very modern.

Marnye Young was fabu6for this piece, she brought it to life, and spiced it up with her awesome voice characters and accents. I also really liked the way that she was able to do away with announcing the name of the character when changing between characters (that gets tiresome to keep hearing the next charactes name announced).
Fortunately, Marnye was able to achieve side stepping this tedious name switching throughout the play, due to her incredible ability to consistently switch into the other voice personalities she had established. Making it easy for the imagination to picture the different cast member by the sound of the unique accent assigned !

The author, Aristophanes, was no doubt a brilliant writer, the script and content was very entertaining, comedic, insinuating and at once instructive about societies unfair structures. This goes to show how the ancient world before the last "Medieval Dark Ages" was so vibrant and alive with the kind of thought, inventiveness and brilliance we do not assign to our ancestors being capable, with our ignorance that we are somehow superior. But I think they had somethings we still greatly lack.

Mainly because we just woke up out a Dark Age a few hundred years ago, and are only rediscovering how advanced the ancient world was, and yet sadly does not often get the credit for being so.

Well done Marnye, and Aristophanes!
Many thanks for your efforts both of you!!

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Excellent Narration: An Absolute Wealth of Ancient Magical knowledge concerning the Goddess Hekate!

Reviewed: 10-22-24

Allow me to first express my sincere appreciation and gratitude to both authors, Sorita d'Estes and David Rankine, for this monumental work of historical significance! As it was doubtless the result of an enormous amount of research and effort! It is so inspiring to see what inspired research can accomplish!

Listening to this title, while going about a what would have been a regular mundane workday, was transformed into an "Inspiring Magickal and Spirutal Time Travelling Adventure!".

I wasnt sure what to expect from this title at first. Was it going to be another of someone's version of how to show devotion to a God or Goddess, hiw to practice Magick, spells, rites and rituals, like many other books (which some have been great and can be inspiring for sure), but alas, no, it is not, it is in fact so much more!

It started out really technical, which I wasn't expecting, then it hit me, this book, is an actual journey through the real historical annals of Hekate related documents from well known Ancient sources and the archeological record!

"Hekate Liminal Rites", takes you back into Ancient Greece, in a very Magickal yet technical way, and touches on a great many literary references of the Goddess Hekate. It brings to our modern ears, the ability to listen to snippets of historical myths concerning Hekate, and a great many actual excerpts from Ancient Greek writers about Hekate's influence on the ancient world. Demostrating what people actually did while worshipping her or crafting spells while invoking her name.

The narrator does a wonderful job of pronouncing words from the Ancient Greek language, like important proper names and ancient root words that will be of interest to those who like the study of linguistics and etymology.

It brings forth historical accounts of actual spells and enchantments written by known and unknown ancient authors and peoples discovered through archeology, or preserved in ancient texts. The book makes comparisons to the writers of different eras from ancient times up to the post Renaissance Magickal texts about the many different aspects and changes that took place over the course of millennia, about the worship of Hekate, and calling upon her for various purposes.

One of the best things about this book, is it servers as a bibliography of Ancient Greek authors and texts, that specifically mention and deal with Hekete in some way.

This title will be further catapulting my already present study of both Modern Greek and the Ancient Greek language, and redoubling my interest and study of Ancient Magickal sources.

This is the kind of book that makes one realize the truth of the old adage "History is stranger than fiction", which I tell people quite often as to why I do not delve too much into the fiction genre. Fiction is entertaining, but ultimately my take is that "History is far more engaging that fiction"! This is a great exam5lf that fact.

Much appreciation to you Sorita and David!
Bravo! Bravo!

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2 people found this helpful

Reminds us to use intuition for our many inner worlds, as much as for the outer layers of physical reality.

Reviewed: 10-20-24

I very much appreciate the author (Laura) for realizing the importance of writing about this topic. It was a great reminder that beckons us to turn our intuition upon our "self", the body, mind, heart and spirit. To use every part of our "self" as a sensory organ or medium for discernment of our place within the cosmos.

I feel fortunate to have listened to this book while it was free through my Audible subscription and certainly reaped valuable insight from it. It brought up several new perspectives in many areas that will help me grow and connect to myself and the external worlds.

Itt also reminded me of many realizations I once had, but that I let got lost in the clutter of lifes busy schedule! That was truly and amazing thing to have reawoken. Im sure this book will remind you of your own past thoughts you once had that got crowded out by obligations (are they really even worth obligating ones self toward...)

We've all had very important perspective changing epiphanies that come to our spirits and hearts when we need them. That are meant to change our focus, our direction, even our entire life path. I feel listening to this book has helped me rediscover inner whisperings, added valuable new inner whisperings, and will certainly help to inspire me further (or anyone) to stop and listen to ourselves with more respect and honor. Whether it be our body speaking, our heart, our mind, individual organs, and to trust our physical responses to any of lifes stimuli that we encounter.

I will take this information as it was intended, to help me grow, for self discovery, to harness the inner power to create better life goals, and make better overall health in all aspects and more distinct priority!

Many thanks Laura! I will give your other books some attention too!

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Altered Carbon Book is a Smash Hit !!!

Reviewed: 10-02-24

This is an excellent book. After really appreciating the live action series, (which I watched about 3.5 times) the visual world that the author created really came to life to life on the screen and even if youve never seen it, the succinct descriptions (which are not exhaustive, but just the right amount of scene descriptions needed to image the story, which I like) while not interrupting the continuity of the storyline as one listens.

It was easy to imagine this storyline especially after seeing the whole film series. Which, after listening, I think may have been challenging to grasp without the show as a mental backdrop, at least after only one read. It may have been necessary to listen to it again had I not seen the series first.

I would image that the author was consulted extensively and gave a lot of advice on how to create the world accurately. In any case the story twists in the book and the additional characters that were not in the film series were easy to slip in mentally, and also some characters were very different from the series, which is always the case with book to film stories. However nothing was disappointingly different. I'd say the series was pretty true to the book, and I always appreciate that!

In some cases the book had richer scenes and thats to be expected, and in some case the series did it better. But they of course built upon a great story that was already fully fleshed out for the screen writers to tweak and improve. And hind sight is always 20/20.

I will certainly be listening to the entire next book in the Trilogy as soon as possible. If you liked the series, do read or losten to the books! The book definitely enhanced my perspective of the series and am looking forward to reading / listening to the next book.

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A Great Way to Help Men See the World as Women Did / Do

Reviewed: 05-31-24

This is a smartly written novel that I really appreciated listening to. It had a great poetic touch to the prose, the dialogue was very good, the drama of the story mixed well with the humor and comedic elements. The narration is also excellently done by Claire Higggins, an actress who has been in several great films, thank you Claire ;)

The role reversal of this story was a very clever idea / way to express protestation of womens roles, expectations and limitations of that era, as it was no doubt intented to be. But aside from the form of protest it raises to the inequality of gender roles in those times, it is still a great way for the opposite sex to vicariously live through the life of someone of the opposite sex.

Indeed, I would imagine that no man (who was honest with himself) who read this work with an open heart could ever fully go back to embracing some of the unfair and or absurd customs that existed back then. Nor even if read in the 21st century, as it raises ideas for people to open their eyes and view the world through other peoples experiences in a way that one cannot easily do for oneself.

The drama, comedy, twists of strange fiction that occurs to Orlando, along with the love and loss, the "life and the lovers" (hinting at that qoute) are all excellent.

A very unique book that well deserves a place in Classic Literature! I'm very glad I listened to the title, and may do so a second time soon!

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Narration Performance by Alex and Jenny was Wonderful

Reviewed: 05-21-24

As this was my first of Anne Brontes novels, but the 3rd Ive listened to from the Brontes sisters, I consider myself fortunate indeed to have this pair of orators in presenting this brilliant work "The Tenant of Windfell Hall".

I have now listened to one book from each of the three sisters, (Wuthering Heights, Jane Eyre and now this, The Tenant of Windfell Hall) and while their styles are notably different, I can as of yet not claim a favorite among them. As they were each so unique, that I loved each title individually and appreciate them without comparing them to one another. Im sure they would have hated that anyways!

I very much enjoyed this audiobook, in all its beauty, pain, sadness, great long suffering, heartbreak and even angering scenes. Anne Brontes skillfully captures the wide range of human emotions of her characters, and draws them out for the reader to honor, praise, loth or despise, depending on their quality.

I am so glad I have taken the time to listen to the Brontes sisters works, as it has painted such a picture of life and love in those times. As well as revealed the distresses and dishonors that women endured from the men folk that ruled over them.

I feel I should read more literature from women, as I find it would no doubt help me understand their perspective so much more fully, than a man could just by conversation alone.

I said this before in another post in another of the Brontes sisters that I reviewed, but I'll say it again. I know see what all the fuss is about concerning the works of these sisters, and the honored place they hold and deserve in literary history.

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Excellent Narration by Juliet Stevenson

Reviewed: 05-14-24

This work of Charlotte Bronte, Jane Erye, being only the second of the Brontes Sisters works I've experienced, (Wuthering Heights the first). This story is a visual poetic work of prose, touched at times by immense sadness, though a beautiful tale of endurance, patience and courage.

Jane Erye's upbringing and life was upsetting and angering at times, given all she endured. I wont give any spoilers so thats all I'll say.

Its definitely a very well written work, and a book Im glad to have listened to, as it helped my understanding of a womans life and perspective in 19th century England.

The Brontes sisters were obviously very talented and had a great way of pushing womens boundaries in an era and society where they were oppressed.

Juliet did a great job capturing Janes attitude and her sass. Also this is an interesting work for analyzing human relationships. Bravo Charlotte Bronte, now I see what all the fuss is about your writing!

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Captivatingly Stunning Voice Performance

Reviewed: 05-08-24

As a habitual listener of audiobooks weekly (if not even daily) it was an absolute pleasure to have Joanne Froggart be my introductory guide into the world of the Bronte sisters. This being the first and only time listening to any of their works, in some ways, Im glad I waited. The narration brings this tale to life on every level for the listener. One can sense this is more than just a audiobook gig for the voice actress. The voice characters are so well brought out and defined, that one understands early on that Joanne Froggart had a real passion for this story and the characters before this performance. Insomuch that after a time, one knows which character is speaking by the unique accent and intonation each character is given.

The story itself is excellent, in its tragically beautiful and gloomy way, as intended by the author Emily Bronte. Its a sad country gothic folk drama, and its now obvious to me why Emily Bronte is so revered as a writer. I plan to embark on a full Bronte Sisters audiobook journey following this tale. Though as a modern man, I can't help but be repulsed at the laws that supported such abuses and wrongs against women. Im sure this book did its job of exposing to the world what women might have endured living under the wrong mans roof.

Sad, instructive this tale is, but Im glad we've come farther as a society from those days, but, we have a long ways to go before the world stops making me weep from its habitual wrongs that still continue.

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An Excellent Source of Hermetic Wisdom

Reviewed: 04-25-24

This title was a very enjoyable and insightful source of ancient wisdom, and for as a beginners guide to Hermeticism. For one who has studied its emergence within philosophical and theological history, and read about it before, it did the great service of instilling one with inspiration once again. Inspiration ebbs and flows in life and this book will certainly help souls regain an sense of urgency to keep their spiritual life flourishing.
I really enjoyed this book, so much appreciation to the author.

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A Good Book of Magickal Inspiration

Reviewed: 04-25-24

This title Wild Magic was an inspirational, intuitive, entertaining and enlightening audiobook. The imagery is vivid, transporting one to the very scenes described herein. Its primary essence leads one to feel that it is a great thing to just let ones own magick emerge without feeling that it is in anyway lacking simply because you may not be doing a ritual in some way that has been previously established. Wild Magic encompasses a system of magick that draws on our own instinctual leadings in our ceremonies, rituals, spells, incantations and the traditions we feel flow naturally from our soul.
Surely there is instruction, guidance from traditional systems, and practices. Yet it leaves one excited to begin their own individual path, to draw from nature, our ancestry, and our inner self our unique version of magic that makes sense and feels right to us.
Much appreciation to the author and all involved in this title!

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