nevina

Outstanding audible production

Reviewed: 12-22-23

This was a great audiobook experience. So well performed and an expertly crafted story. It is hard to believe it’s a work of fiction. The way the events were slowly revealed was excruciatingly brilliant. The multiple cast performances were all top notch especially Nicola Walker who, as usual, elevated the project with her presence. If you’re considering using a credit on this don’t waste another second. Just do it.

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I see Oscar nominations ahead.

Reviewed: 02-13-23

A fast paced deeply emotional tale of two fathers coming to terms with the loss of their sons. Coming to terms, getting answers and exacting revenge all while trying to do the impossible, fix the fractured relationships that are now beyond repair and atone for past wrongs that they thought there would be time to resolve. The two fathers are very different from each other and great characters.
I will be shocked if this isn’t a movie with multiple Oscar nominations in the next few years.
I was concerned about the narrator at first, despite having a beautiful rich voice perfect for narrating anything, there were a few incidents of pauses in the wrong spot and misplaced emphases, but about 20 minutes in he found his flow and was fantastic. He almost disappeared into the story, he was believable as each of the distinctly different main characters. Don’t hesitate to use a credit on this

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Absolute Perfection of a series.

Reviewed: 11-05-22

This series is perfection in my opinion. I love everything about it. I always listen to each installment because the performance of Robert Ian Mckenzie adds to my enjoyment. There little point in giving a plot synopsis because I’m not sure there is a plot, nothing in particular happens. Ever. The pacing is set by character development and conversations and the passage of time in these novels is arbitrary. It seems to occur at a different pace for some than others. Bertie for example has aged maybe one year in 14 books while others have married and now have toddlers. There are many astute social observances and deep philosophical musings on a range of topics from the mundane to the deep. It’s quotidian in the best way.

Despite the fact that little happens in the way of plot, this book made me laugh out loud many times, boil with fury and frustration, and also shed many tears, both happy and sad.
My explanation for this is that Alexander McCall Smith is probably the worlds greatest writer right now.

Every time a new installment comes out I preorder it from audible, delay listening to it as long as possible, then ultimately listen to it willing it to go on forever. Sometimes I take a break and read something else just to prolong my stay in Edinburgh. However, too soon it ends and I have a few long months to wait until the next book comes out.
I might have just spend a few minutes googling Alexander McCall Smith to see how old he is (74) then another few praying for his health, long life and productivity.

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1 person found this helpful

Who knew?

Reviewed: 08-08-22

Very interesting and enjoyable audiobook. The story feels light and deep at the same time. Tovah, a 70 something woman, recently widowed is grieving a long ago loss and mindful everyday of how her life was changed in an instant. It colors everything she does and thinks about. Her friends care so much for her but they seem to have forgotten what happened and Tovah is too polite to mention it. So she bears her burden alone. Except Marcellus, the octopus, who is a resident of the aquarium where Tovah is the night cleaner sees all and is determined to help. You’ll love all of the good hearted characters and will root for everyone.
The narrator of this was very good. Her voice has a nice cad nice. However she can’t do accents at all. Not even a little. My ears cried every time she attempt d the Scottish accent of a prominent character. I grew up in Scotland so I know a bad accent when I hear one. This was one of the worst.

I had no idea that Octopuses are Remarkably Bright Creatures but after finishing this novel I went down a bit of a rabbit hole learning more about these animals than I ever thought I’d want to. Fascinating.

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Intense and unforgettable

Reviewed: 03-07-22

Set in a maternity/fever ward in Dublin at the end of WWI and takes place over three days. Told from the perspective of Nurse Julia Power the novel begins with intensity and that pace doesn’t let up until the final word of the novel. It’s a harrowing, intense read that is hard to put down or forget.

Very well narrated and definitely credit worthy.

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I was sorry when it ended.

Reviewed: 02-23-22

I loved this story. I was very invested in the fates of the character. I wish the book was longer because I wasn’t ready to say goodbye to them when it ended.
I enjoyed the plot device of telling both the past and present story that made each of the timelines feel equally important. I was transfixed waiting for the inevitable collision of the past into the present.
The narrator did a good job. I was sorry when the book ended. I wanted more.

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Great listen. Fantastic narrator

Reviewed: 02-06-22

What a wonderful story! So compelling and full of heart and humor. It kept me on the edge of my seat and made me laugh and cry. I didn’t understand much of the science and math jargon but I did understand the stakes involved in getting them right. In my real life I really hate math but while listening to this I found myself wishing I was better at it. This book almost made it seem fun.
The Narrator, Ray Porter, does an excellent job ( as he always does) at bringing this world alive in my mind. He really is one of the best performers Audible has. I will listen to mostly everything he reads.
I put off listening to this for a while because I thought it was going to be too similar to The Martian, and while I enjoyed that book I was reluctant to read another math and science heavy, Lost in Soace type story. I was wrong to have waited. There are some similarities between Project Hail Mary and The Martian. They are both very math and science heavy books set in space but this one has so much more depth. I loved it so much and was sorry when it was over.

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1 person found this helpful

intriguing plot, excellent narrator

Reviewed: 01-19-22

This is a story of a woman, (Anna), who escapes from her troubles by listening to a true crime podcast. The story switches seamlessly from Anna’s life to the podcast.
Equal care is given by the author to both plot lines, and the narrator does an excellent job of changing her voice and accent between the two. There is never any confusion about what is the podcast and what is “real life”. At first Anna’s situation is most compelling, then the unfolding mystery in the podcast is, and then before I know it both plot lines converge into one.
It’s a masterfully plotted mystery, a brilliantly crafted novel, and a very poignant study in resilience and survival.
The narrator is one of the best I have heard in a long time. She performs the book flawlessly, and evokes just the right amount of emotion at every turn. Most of accents she does sound like they may be her native tongue, especially the Scottish and English. I googled her to find out.

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Great series, but over acting narrator didn’t work for me this time

Reviewed: 04-07-21

I enjoy this series, and love them as audio books. I’m invested enough in it that I will listen to every installment as they come out but I didn’t enjoy this one as much as previous. The mission was a bit boring and the book was full of cliches and repetitions.
Scott Brick’s overwrought reading of every single sentence bugged me in this book. It was sometimes necessary, but often it just seemed like a strange case if overacting. Usually he is able to tone it down from time to time but this time even the chapter numbers were read as if it was life and death information being imparted. Sadly the narration hurts the book and the plot. I found it so off putting that I stopped listening about 50% in and finished reading the book in physical form.

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Wonderful comfort read. I Love this series.

Reviewed: 10-25-20

I love this series so much. It’s such a comfort read. I would not suggest you dive in at book 13. Start from the beginning. My only disappointment with it is that no matter how I try to stretch out the listening experience it eventually has to end. I will miss everyone until the next book comes out.

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